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Table of Contents         
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2022
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to___________
Commission File Number: 001-15059
https://cdn.kscope.io/a6f5342f54d1044a124ac8cb53d3e4fa-jwn-20220430_g1.jpg
Nordstrom, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington91-0515058
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1617 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101
(Address of principal executive offices)
206-628-2111
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, without par valueJWNNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No
Common stock outstanding as of May 27, 2022: 160,579,123 shares
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
  Page
Item 1.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1: Basis of Presentation
Note 2: Revenue
Note 3: Debt and Credit Facilities
Note 4: Fair Value Measurements
Note 5: Stock-based Compensation
Note 6: Shareholders’ Equity
Note 7: Commitments and Contingencies
Note 8: Earnings Per Share
Note 9: Segment Reporting
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “goal,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “going forward,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance, time frames or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, time frames or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, our anticipated financial outlook for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2023, trends in our operations and the following:
Strategic and Operational
COVID-19, which may make it necessary to close our physical stores and facilities in affected areas, may have a negative impact on our business and results, and may exacerbate the risks below,
successful execution of our customer strategy to provide customers superior service, products and experiences online, through our fulfillment capabilities and in stores,
timely and effective implementation and execution of our evolving business model, including:
winning at our market strategy by providing a differentiated and seamless experience, which consists of the integration of our digital and physical assets, development of new supply chain capabilities and timely delivery of products,
broadening the reach of Nordstrom Rack, including expanding our price range and selection and leveraging our digital and physical assets,
enhancing our platforms and processes to deliver core capabilities to drive customer, employee and partner experiences both digitally and in-store,
our ability to effectively manage our merchandise strategy, including our ability to offer compelling assortments and optimize our inventory to get it closer to the customer,
our ability to effectively allocate and scale our marketing strategies and resources, as well as realize the expected benefits between The Nordy Club, advertising and promotional campaigns,
our ability to respond to the evolving retail environment, including new fashion trends, environmental considerations and our customers’ changing expectations of service and experience in stores and online, and our development of new market strategies and customer offerings,
our ability to mitigate the effects of disruptions in the global supply chain, including factory closures, transportation challenges or stoppages of certain imports, and rising prices of raw materials and freight expenses,
our ability to control costs through effective inventory management, fulfillment and supply chain processes and systems,
our ability to acquire, develop and retain qualified and diverse talent by providing appropriate training, compelling work environments and competitive compensation and benefits, especially in areas with increased market compensation,
our ability to realize the expected benefits, anticipate and respond to potential risks and appropriately manage costs associated with our credit card revenue sharing program,
potential goodwill impairment charges, future impairment charges, fluctuations in the fair values of reporting units or of assets in the event projected financial results are not achieved within expected time frames or our strategic direction changes,
Data, Cybersecurity and Information Technology
successful execution of our information technology strategy, including engagement with third-party service providers,
the impact of any systems or network failures, cybersecurity and/or security breaches, including any security breach of our systems or those of a third-party provider that results in the theft, transfer or unauthorized disclosure of customer, employee or Company information, or that results in the interruption of business processes, and our compliance with information security and privacy laws and regulations, as well as third-party contractual obligations in the event of such an incident,
Reputation and Relationships
our ability to maintain our reputation and relationships with our customers, employees, vendors and third-party partners and landlords,
our ability to act responsibly and with transparency with respect to our corporate social responsibility practices and initiatives, and meet any communicated targets, goals or milestones,
our ability to market our brand and distribute our products through a variety of third-party publisher or platform channels, as well as access mobile operating system and website identifiers for personalized delivery of targeted advertising,
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Investment and Capital
efficient and proper allocation of our capital resources,
our ability to properly balance our investments in technology, Supply Chain Network facilities and existing and new store locations, including the expansion of our market strategy,
our ability to maintain or expand our presence, including timely completion of construction associated with Supply Chain Network facilities and new, relocated and remodeled stores, as well as any potential store closures, all of which may be impacted by third parties, consumer demand and other natural or man-made disruptions, and government responses to any such disruptions,
market fluctuations, increases in operating costs, exit costs and overall liabilities and losses associated with owning and leasing real estate,
compliance with debt and operating covenants, availability and cost of credit, changes in our credit rating and changes in interest rates,
the actual timing, price, manner and amounts of future share repurchases, dividend payments or share issuances, if any,
Economic and External
the length and severity of epidemics or pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or other catastrophic events, and the related impact on customer behavior, store and online operations and supply chain functions, as well as our future consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows,
the impact of the seasonal nature of our business and cyclical customer spending,
the impact of economic and market conditions in the U.S. and Canada, including inflation and resulting changes to customer purchasing behavior, unemployment and bankruptcy rates, as well as any fiscal stimulus, or the cessation of any fiscal stimulus and the resulting impact on consumer spending and credit patterns,
the impact of economic, environmental or political conditions,
the impact of changing traffic patterns at shopping centers and malls,
financial insecurity or potential insolvency experienced by our vendors, suppliers, developers, landlords, competitors or customers as a result of any economic downturn,
weather conditions, natural disasters, climate change, national security concerns, civil unrest, other market and supply chain disruptions, the effects of tariffs, or the prospects of these events, and the resulting impact on consumer spending patterns or information technology systems and communications,
Legal and Regulatory
our, and our vendors’, compliance with applicable domestic and international laws, regulations and ethical standards, including those related to COVID-19, minimum wage, employment and tax, information security and privacy, consumer credit and environmental regulations and the outcome of any claims, litigation and regulatory investigations and resolution of such matters,
the impact of the current regulatory environment, financial system and tax reforms,
the impact of changes in accounting rules and regulations, changes in our interpretation of the rules or regulations or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments.
These and other factors, including those factors we discussed in Part II, Item 1A: Risk Factors, could affect our financial results and cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information we may provide. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this filing. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We hereby qualify our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” mean Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
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DEFINITIONS OF COMMONLY USED TERMS
TermDefinition
2019 Plan2019 Equity Incentive Plan
2021 Annual ReportAnnual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 11, 2022
Adjusted EPSAdjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share (a non-GAAP financial measure)
Adjusted ROICAdjusted return on invested capital (a non-GAAP financial measure)
ASCAccounting Standards Codification
ASUAccounting Standards Update
CARES ActCoronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
CODMChief operating decision maker
COVID-19Novel coronavirus
Digital sales
Sales conducted through a digital platform such as our websites or mobile apps. Digital sales may be self-guided by the customer, as in a traditional online order, or facilitated by a salesperson using a virtual styling or selling tool. Digital sales may be delivered to the customer or picked up in our Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom Rack stores or Nordstrom Local service hubs. Digital sales also includes a reserve for estimated returns.
EBITEarnings (loss) before interest and income taxes
EBITDAEarnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization
EBITDAREarnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent, as defined by our Revolver covenant
EPSEarnings (loss) per share
ESPPEmployee Stock Purchase Plan
Exchange ActSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
First quarter of 202213 fiscal weeks ending April 30, 2022
First quarter of 202113 fiscal weeks ending May 1, 2021
Fiscal year 202252 fiscal weeks ending January 28, 2023
Fiscal year 202152 fiscal weeks ending January 29, 2022
GAAPU.S. generally accepted accounting principles
GMVGross merchandise value
Gross profitNet sales less cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs
Leverage RatioThe sum of our funded debt and operating lease liabilities divided by the preceding twelve months of Adjusted EBITDAR as defined by our Revolver covenant
MD&AManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
NordstromNordstrom.com, TrunkClub.com, Nordstrom-branded U.S. stores, Canada, which includes Nordstrom.ca, Nordstrom Canadian stores and Nordstrom Rack Canadian stores, and Nordstrom Local
Nordstrom LocalNordstrom Local service hubs, which offer Nordstrom order pickups, returns, alterations and other services
Nordstrom NYCOur New York City Nordstrom flagship store, including the Men’s location
Nordstrom RackNordstromRack.com, Nordstrom Rack-branded U.S. stores and Last Chance clearance stores
The Nordy ClubOur customer loyalty program
NYSENew York Stock Exchange
Operating Lease CostFixed rent expense, including fixed common area maintenance expense, net of developer reimbursement amortization
PCAOBPublic Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
Property incentivesDeveloper and vendor reimbursements
PSUPerformance share unit
RevolverSenior revolving credit facility
ROU assetOperating lease right-of-use asset
RSURestricted stock unit
SECSecurities and Exchange Commission
SERPUnfunded defined benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Secured Notes8.750% senior secured notes due May 2025
SG&ASelling, general and administrative
Supply Chain NetworkFulfillment centers that primarily process and ship orders to our customers, distribution centers that primarily process and ship merchandise to our stores and other facilities and omni-channel centers that both fulfill customer orders and ship merchandise to our stores
TDToronto-Dominion Bank, N.A.
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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1: Financial Statements (Unaudited).
NORDSTROM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Amounts in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net sales$3,467 $2,921 
Credit card revenues, net102 88 
Total revenues3,569 3,009 
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs
(2,331)(2,019)
Selling, general and administrative expenses(1,165)(1,075)
Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes73 (85)
Interest expense, net(35)(137)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes38 (222)
Income tax (expense) benefit(18)56 
Net earnings (loss)$20 ($166)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic$0.13 ($1.05)
Diluted$0.13 ($1.05)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic160.1 158.5 
Diluted162.9 158.5 
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
NORDSTROM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS
(Amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net earnings (loss)$20 ($166)
Foreign currency translation adjustment(1)10 
Post retirement plan adjustments, net of tax1 1 
Comprehensive net earnings (loss)$20 ($155)
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)

April 30, 2022January 29, 2022May 1, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$484 $322 $377 
Accounts receivable, net297 255 238 
Merchandise inventories2,426 2,289 1,961 
Prepaid expenses and other332 306 923 
Total current assets3,539 3,172 3,499 
Land, property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $7,834, $7,737 and $7,322)
3,505 3,562 3,642 
Operating lease right-of-use assets1,497 1,496 1,560 
Goodwill249 249 249 
Other assets384 390 383 
Total assets$9,174 $8,869 $9,333 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit$ $ $200 
Accounts payable1,898 1,529 1,676 
Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits241 383 330 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities250 242 246 
Other current liabilities1,198 1,160 1,056 
Current portion of long-term debt  500 
Total current liabilities3,587 3,314 4,008 
Long-term debt, net2,854 2,853 2,847 
Non-current operating lease liabilities1,566 1,556 1,662 
Other liabilities578 565 650 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized; 160.5, 159.4 and 158.9 shares issued and outstanding
3,301 3,283 3,221 
Accumulated deficit(2,662)(2,652)(2,996)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(50)(50)(59)
Total shareholders’ equity589 581 166 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$9,174 $8,869 $9,333 
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Amounts in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Common stock
Balance, beginning of period$3,283 $3,205 
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans
8 7 
Stock-based compensation10 9 
Balance, end of period$3,301 $3,221 
Accumulated deficit
Balance, beginning of period($2,652)($2,830)
Net earnings (loss)20 (166)
Dividends(30) 
Balance, end of period($2,662)($2,996)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance, beginning of period($50)($70)
Other comprehensive income 11 
Balance, end of period($50)($59)
Total shareholders’ equity$589 $166 
Dividends per share$0.19 $ 
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Operating Activities
Net earnings (loss)$20 ($166)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expenses152 162 
Right-of-use asset amortization47 43 
Deferred income taxes, net(13)8 
Stock-based compensation expense19 22 
Other, net(45)86 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(18)7 
Merchandise inventories(19)(16)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(24)(126)
Accounts payable233 (296)
Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits(143)(22)
Other current liabilities40 7 
Lease liabilities(65)(81)
Other liabilities3 8 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities187 (364)
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures(96)(126)
Proceeds from the sale of assets and other, net85 16 
Net cash used in investing activities(11)(110)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from revolving line of credit 200 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 675 
Principal payments on long-term borrowings (600)
Increase (decrease) in cash book overdrafts16 (17)
Cash dividends paid(30) 
Proceeds from issuances under stock compensation plans8 7 
Tax withholding on share-based awards(8)(13)
Make-whole premium payment and other, net (85)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(14)167 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 3 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents162 (304)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period322 681 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$484 $377 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash (received) paid during the period for:
Income taxes, net($22)$3 
Interest, net of capitalized interest40 63 
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share, per option and per unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the balances of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. The interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a basis consistent in all material respects with the accounting policies described and applied in our 2021 Annual Report and reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature that are, in management’s opinion, necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the periods ended April 30, 2022 and May 1, 2021 are unaudited. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 29, 2022 has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2021 Annual Report. The interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related footnote disclosures contained in our 2021 Annual Report.
Seasonality
Our business, like that of other retailers, is subject to seasonal fluctuations and cyclical trends in consumer spending. Our sales are typically higher in our second quarter, which usually includes most of our Anniversary Sale, and in the fourth quarter due to the holidays. In 2021, approximately one week of the Anniversary Sale shifted into the third quarter.
Results for any one quarter are not indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year. We plan our merchandise purchases and receipts to coincide with expected sales trends. For instance, our merchandise purchases and receipts increase prior to the Anniversary Sale and in the fall as we prepare for the holiday shopping season in November through December. Consistent with our seasonal fluctuations, our working capital requirements have historically increased during the months leading up to the Anniversary Sale and the holidays as we purchase inventory in anticipation of increased sales.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that we make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reporting period. Uncertainties regarding such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial statements and actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Our most significant accounting judgments and estimates include revenue recognition, inventory valuation, long-lived asset recoverability and income taxes, all of which involve assumptions about future events. We may be unable to accurately predict the impact of COVID-19 going forward and as a result our estimates may change in the near term.
Income Taxes
As of May 1, 2021 we recorded $576 in current taxes receivable, which is classified in prepaid expenses and other on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and $60 in noncurrent taxes receivable, which is classified in other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The current and noncurrent income tax receivables were primarily associated with the loss carryback provision of the CARES Act. Subsequent to the first quarter of 2021, we were refunded the majority of the current income taxes receivable.
Leases
We incurred operating lease liabilities arising from lease agreements of $84 for the quarter ended April 30, 2022 and $33 for the quarter ended May 1, 2021.
Long-Lived Assets
In the first quarter of 2022, we decided to sunset the Trunk Club brand. In conjunction with this decision, we incurred non-cash impairment charges of $10 related to a Trunk Club property to adjust the carrying values to their estimated fair value. These charges are included in our Retail segment SG&A expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings and other operating, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Investments
In July 2021, we acquired a minority interest in the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands through a strategic partnership with ASOS.com Ltd. We invest in financial interests of private companies that align with our business and omni-channel strategies, which are recorded in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and proceeds from the sale of assets and other, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
During the first quarter of 2022, in connection with the sale of a limited partnership interest in a corporate office building, we recognized a gain of $51 in our Corporate/Other SG&A expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings and proceeds of $73 in proceeds from the sale of assets and other, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share, per option and per unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 2: REVENUE
Contract Liabilities
Contract liabilities represent our obligation to transfer goods or services to customers and include deferred revenue for The Nordy Club (including points and Nordstrom Notes) and gift cards. Our contract liabilities are classified as current on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are as follows:
Contract Liabilities
Balance as of January 30, 2021$478 
Balance as of May 1, 2021436 
Balance as of January 29, 2022478 
Balance as of April 30, 2022442 
Revenues recognized from our beginning contract liability balance were $128 for the quarter ended April 30, 2022 and $114 for the quarter ended May 1, 2021.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table summarizes our disaggregated net sales:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Nordstrom $2,289 $1,854 
Nordstrom Rack1,178 1,067 
Total net sales$3,467 $2,921 
Digital sales as a % of total net sales39 %46 %
The following table summarizes the percent of net sales by merchandise category:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Women’s Apparel30 %31 %
Shoes26 %26 %
Men’s Apparel14 %12 %
Women’s Accessories13 %14 %
Beauty11 %11 %
Kids’ Apparel3 %4 %
Other3 %2 %
Total net sales100 %100 %
NOTE 3: DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES
Debt
During the first quarter of 2021, we issued $250 aggregate principal amount of 2.30% senior notes due April 2024 and $425 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes due August 2031.With the net proceeds of these new notes, together with cash on hand, we retired our $600 Secured Notes. We recorded $88 related to the redemption in interest expense, net, which primarily consisted of a one-time payment of $78 for a “make-whole” premium, and the write-off of unamortized balances associated with the debt discount and issuance costs. The “make-whole” premium payment was not included in cash paid during the period for interest, net of capitalized interest in the Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share, per option and per unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
Credit Facilities
As of April 30, 2022, the provisions of our prior revolving credit facility as described in our 2021 Annual Report were in effect. Subsequent to quarter end, we terminated and replaced our prior revolving credit facility set to expire in September 2023 with a new five-year $800 Revolver that expires in May 2027. Consistent with our prior revolving credit agreement, any outstanding borrowings under the Revolver are secured by substantially all our personal and intellectual property assets and are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. Under the Revolver, our obligation to secure any outstanding borrowings will be eliminated if no default exists and we either have an unsecured investment-grade debt rating from two of three specified ratings agencies, or we have one investment-grade rating and achieve two consecutive fiscal quarters with a Leverage Ratio of less than 2.5 times.
Under the Revolver, we have two financial covenant tests that need to be met on a quarterly basis: a Leverage Ratio that is less than or equal to 4 times and a fixed charge coverage ratio that is greater than or equal to 1.25 times. For the first quarter of 2022, we are reporting our quarterly compliance status under the terms of the new Revolver and are in compliance with all covenants.
The Revolver provides us with additional flexibility, compared with our prior revolving credit facility, for dividends and share repurchases, provided we are not in default, and no default would arise as a result of such payments. If the pro-forma Leverage Ratio after such payments is less than 3 times, then such payments are unlimited. If the pro-forma Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3 times but less than 3.5 times then we are limited to $100 per fiscal quarter and if the pro-forma Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.5 times then the limit is $60 per fiscal quarter.
The Revolver contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and terms, including paying a variable rate of interest and a facility fee based on our debt rating, and is available for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. Provided that we obtain written consent from the lenders, we have the option to increase the Revolver by up to $200, to a total of $1,000, and two options to extend the Revolver for additional one-year terms. As of April 30, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Revolver.
Our $800 commercial paper program allows us to use the proceeds to fund operating cash requirements. Under the terms of the commercial paper agreement, we pay a rate of interest based on, among other factors, the maturity of the issuance and market conditions. The issuance of commercial paper has the effect of reducing available liquidity under the Revolver by an amount equal to the principal amount of commercial paper outstanding. Conversely, borrowings under our Revolver have the effect of reducing the available capacity of our commercial paper program by an amount equal to the amount outstanding. As of April 30, 2022, we had no issuances outstanding under our commercial paper program.
NOTE 4: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
We disclose our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets by level within the fair value hierarchy as defined by applicable accounting standards:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2: Other observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions
Financial Instruments Measured at Carrying Value
Financial instruments measured at carrying value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and our Revolver, which approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
Long-term debt is recorded at carrying value. If long-term debt was measured at fair value, we would use quoted market prices of the same or similar issues, which is considered a Level 2 fair value measurement. The following table summarizes the carrying value and fair value estimate of our long-term debt, including current maturities:
April 30, 2022January 29, 2022May 1, 2021
Carrying value of long-term debt$2,854 $2,853 $3,347 
Fair value of long-term debt2,544 2,758 3,480 
Non-financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
We also measure certain non-financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, primarily goodwill, long-lived tangible and ROU assets, in connection with periodic evaluations for potential impairment. We estimate the fair value of these assets using primarily unobservable inputs and, as such, these are considered Level 3 fair value measurements. For more information regarding long-lived tangible asset impairment charges for the quarter ended April 30, 2022, see Note 1: Basis of Presentation. There were no material impairment charges for these assets for the quarter ended May 1, 2021.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share, per option and per unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 5: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
RSUs$12 $14 
Stock options5 7 
Other1
2 1 
Total stock-based compensation expense, before income tax benefit
19 22 
Income tax benefit(5)(6)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income tax benefit
$14 $16 
1 Other stock-based compensation expense includes PSUs, ESPP and nonemployee director stock awards.
The following table summarizes our grant allocations:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
GrantedWeighted-average grant-date fair value per unitGrantedWeighted-average grant-date fair value per unit
RSUs1.4 $23 1.4 $33 
Stock options1.1 $10 1.2 $13 
PSUs0.5 $23   
Under our deferred and stock-based compensation plan arrangements, we issued 1.2 shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2022 and 1.1 shares during the first quarter of 2021.
NOTE 6: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
In August 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $1,500 of our outstanding common stock, with no expiration date. We repurchased no shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2022 and we had $707 remaining in share repurchase capacity as of April 30, 2022. Subsequent to quarter end, the Board of Directors authorized a new $500 share repurchase program, with no expiration date. This program replaced the August 2018 program. The actual timing, price, manner and amounts of future share repurchases, if any, will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, contractual commitments, market and economic conditions and applicable SEC rules.
In May 2022, subsequent to quarter end, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share, which will be paid on June 15, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2022.
We have certain limitations with respect to the payment of dividends and share repurchases under our Revolver agreement (see Note 3: Debt and Credit Facilities).
NOTE 7: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Our NYC flagship store opened in October 2019 and the related building and equipment assets were placed into service at the end of the third quarter of 2019. While our store has opened, construction continues in the residential condominium units above the store. As of April 30, 2022, we have a fee interest in the retail condominium unit. In the third quarter of 2021, we paid the majority of our final installment payment based on the developer meeting final pre-established construction and development milestones.
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NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share, per option and per unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 8: EARNINGS PER SHARE
The computation of EPS is as follows:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net earnings (loss)$20 ($166)
Basic shares160.1 158.5 
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents2.8  
Diluted shares162.9 158.5 
Earnings (loss) per basic share$0.13 ($1.05)
Earnings (loss) per diluted share$0.13 ($1.05)
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents10.1 12.7 
NOTE 9: SEGMENT REPORTING
The following table sets forth information for our reportable segment:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Retail segment EBIT$87 ($55)
Corporate/Other EBIT(14)(30)
Interest expense, net(35)(137)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes$38 ($222)
For information about disaggregated revenues, see Note 2: Revenue.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
The following MD&A provides a narrative of our financial performance and is intended to promote understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, Item 1: Financial Statements (Unaudited) and generally discusses the results of operations for the quarter ended April 30, 2022 compared with the quarter ended May 1, 2021. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and should also be read in conjunction with cautionary statements and risks described elsewhere in this Form 10-Q before deciding to purchase, hold or sell shares of our common stock.
Overview
Results of Operations
Liquidity
Capital Resources
Critical Accounting Estimates
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
OVERVIEW
Our first quarter results were marked by strong topline growth and continued progress in our transformation. Net earnings for the first quarter was $20, or $0.13 per diluted share. After excluding a gain on sale of our interest in a corporate office building and an impairment charge related to a Trunk Club property, adjusted loss per diluted share was $0.06. First quarter net sales increased 19% over the first quarter of 2021. This quarter, we saw customers shopping for long-anticipated in-person occasions such as social events, travel and return to office. Beyond occasions, customers also re-evaluated and refreshed their wardrobes. We are encouraged by this opportunity because it favors the core categories of our business and the core capabilities of our service model.
Our team remains focused on building additional capabilities to better serve customers and drive shareholder value, with particular emphasis on three key areas: improving Nordstrom Rack performance, increasing profitability and optimizing our supply chain and inventory flow.
Nordstrom Rack – Sales grew 10% versus last year, driven by increased store traffic, improved conversion and better in-stock levels. We also built momentum with sales increasing as we moved through the quarter. We are achieving a better balance of price points at Nordstrom Rack by increasing our supply of premium brands and fine tuning our assortment to better align with customer needs. As we move through the year, we expect to see continued benefits from our multi-layered plan to ensure we have the right selection for our customers, which includes expanding our offerings of the most coveted brands, sourcing from new vendors and increasing our use of pack and hold inventory.
Profitability – We continued our progress in improving our merchandise margins this quarter. Our team used advanced analytics to better understand customer needs, find opportunities to improve our assortment and presentation and optimize markdowns. We also increased average retail prices without seeing a negative impact on transaction volumes. We are focused on plans to deliver incremental improvements and elevated flowthrough throughout the remainder of the year.
Supply Chain and Inventory Flow Optimization – We have identified opportunities across our network to improve efficiencies and capabilities, increase sell-through, reduce markdowns, drive expense savings and ultimately improve our service to customers. We have four initiatives in flight:
First, improving the consistency and predictability of unit flow through our network,
Second, increasing productivity in our distribution and fulfillment centers,
Third, accelerating delivery speed,
And finally, expanding the market-level selection for in-store shopping as well as same-day and next-day pickup.
We still have work to do, but are encouraged by early results and expect to see more significant benefits in the second half of this year.
In addition to the three focus areas above, winning in our most important markets and advancing our digital capabilities are key strategic priorities for us, and we continue to make progress in these areas.
Market Strategy – Our market strategy helps us engage with customers through better service and greater access to product, no matter how our customer chooses to shop. We deliver a level of convenience and connection that our customers enjoy by leveraging a strong store fleet and linking our omnichannel capabilities at the market level. Customers clearly value our interconnected model, with order pickup comprising 10% of Nordstrom.com demand this quarter, an increase of more than 200 basis points versus the prior year. Customers utilizing in-store pickup have higher engagement and spend 3.5 times more than customers who do not utilize the service. Buy Online Pick Up In Store also remains our most profitable customer journey and one of our highest satisfaction customer experiences.
Our styling program also continues to be a powerful engagement driver as we deliver convenience and build deeper customer connections through our Closer to You strategy. As we position our styling program for further growth, we are sunsetting Trunk Club and redirecting our resources to the services our customers tell us they value most. This move reflects our belief in and commitment to styling. Customers spend seven times more and report higher levels of satisfaction when engaging with a stylist either in-store or online, and we are committed to growing and investing in these services.
Digital Capabilities – Digital sales were flat versus the first quarter of 2021, as more customers returned to stores. Digital remains an important part of the business, with 39% penetration, and is an important part of our in-store experience. We will continue to leverage our digital platforms to deliver personalization at scale, especially as we connect with customers through our upcoming Anniversary Sale in the second quarter.
As we look ahead to the second quarter, we believe our customers will benefit from the timing of the Anniversary Sale as they return to events and update their wardrobes. Our Anniversary Sale rewards and engages our loyal customers with brand new product from the best brands at reduced prices for a limited time. Our focus this year is on new and highly coveted brands, bringing back in-store events, and launching a new digital catalog.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
We are excited about our plans for the year and the progress we are making on our transformation. Investments in our market strategy and digital assets put us in a strong position to capitalize on favorable market opportunities as events and overall demand continue to recover. Beyond topline growth, we made progress improving merchandise margin and driving SG&A efficiency, and we have specific workstreams in place to drive incremental improvement in the second half of the year. We have line of sight to achieving the financial targets outlined at our 2021 Investor Event and remain committed to shareholder value creation.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In our ongoing effort to enhance the customer experience, we are focused on providing a seamless retail experience across our Company. We invested early in integrating our operations, merchandising and technology across our stores and online, and in both Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack banners. By connecting our digital and physical assets across Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, we are able to better serve customers when, where and how they want to shop. We have one Retail reportable segment and analyze our results on a total Company basis, using customer, market share, operational and net sales metrics.
We monitor a number of key operating metrics to evaluate our Company’s performance. In addition to net sales, net earnings (loss) and other results under GAAP, two other key operating metrics we use are GMV and inventory turnover rate.
GMV: Our GMV represents the total dollar value of items sold through our digital platforms and stores. GMV includes net sales from inventory we own, as well as the value of merchandise sold under our alternative partnership models with our vendors. We use GMV as an indicator of the scale and growth of our operations and the impact of our alternative partnership models.
Inventory Turnover Rate: Inventory turnover rate is calculated as the trailing 4-quarter cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs divided by the trailing 4-quarter average inventory. Inventory turnover rate is an indicator of our success in optimizing inventory volumes in accordance with customer demand.
Net Sales
The following table summarizes net sales:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net sales:
Nordstrom $2,289 $1,854 
Nordstrom Rack1,178 1,067 
Total net sales$3,467 $2,921 
Net sales increase:
Nordstrom23.5 %36.7 %
Nordstrom Rack10.3 %59.5 %
Total Company18.7 %44.2 %
Digital sales as a % of net sales39 %46 %
Digital sales increase %23 %
Total Company net sales increased for the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, exceeding pre-pandemic sales levels. This increase was driven by pricing actions, favorable mix shift and transaction growth. Both customer counts and spend per customer increased compared with the same period in 2021. Total Company GMV increased 20% compared with the same period in 2021. Improvements were broad-based across regions, with urban stores having the strongest growth against the first quarter of 2021. Men’s and women’s apparel, shoes and designer were the top-performing merchandise categories.
Total Company digital sales were flat in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021 and represented 39% of total net sales. Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack net sales increased for the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same period in 2021. Nordstrom GMV increased 25% compared with the same period in 2021.
There were no store openings or closures during the first quarter of 2022. Subsequent to quarter end, we opened the ASOS | Nordstrom store in Los Angeles, CA.
Credit Card Revenues, Net
Credit card revenues, net were $102 for the first quarter of 2022, compared with $88 for the same period in 2021. This increase was primarily the result of higher finance charges and late fee revenues throughout the first quarter of 2022 due to larger outstanding balances.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
Gross Profit
The following table summarizes gross profit:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Gross profit$1,136 $902 
Gross profit as a % of net sales32.8 %30.9 %
Inventory turnover rate4.12 4.51 
Gross profit increased $234 during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, almost entirely due to higher sales volume. Gross profit increased 190 basis points as a rate of net sales, primarily due to increased leverage on buying and occupancy costs and improved merchandise margins from favorable pricing impacts and lower markdown rates.
Ending inventory increased 24% compared with the same period in 2021, versus a 19% increase in sales. Approximately one-quarter of the change in inventory levels versus 2021 is due to pull-forward of Anniversary Sale receipts.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A is summarized in the following table:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
SG&A expenses$1,165 $1,075 
SG&A expenses as a % of net sales33.6 %36.8 %
SG&A increased $90 during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, almost entirely due to increased variable expenses associated with higher sales volume. This was partially offset by the $51 gain on sale of our interest in a corporate office building. SG&A decreased 320 basis points as a rate of net sales, primarily due to leverage on higher sales and the impacts from the gain on sale of our interest in a corporate office building.
Earnings (Loss) Before Interest and Income Taxes
EBIT is summarized in the following table:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
EBIT$73 ($85)
EBIT as a % of net sales2.1 %(2.9 %)
EBIT improved $158 and 500 basis points during the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021. The increase was almost entirely due to impacts of higher sales volume and the gain on sale of our interest in a corporate office building.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $35 for the first quarter of 2022, compared with $137 for the same period in 2021. The decrease was primarily due to the debt refinance charges of $88 related to the redemption of the Secured Notes in the first quarter of 2021.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense is summarized in the following table:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Income tax expense (benefit)$18 ($56)
Effective tax rate46.8 %25.4 %
The effective tax rate increased in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to the unfavorable tax impact of stock-based compensation.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
EPS is as follows:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Basic$0.13 ($1.05)
Diluted$0.13 ($1.05)
Earnings (loss) per diluted share improved $1.18 for the first quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021. The improvement includes a net impact of $0.19 per diluted share due to the gain on sale of our interest in a corporate office building partially offset by an impairment charge related to a Trunk Club property. In the first quarter of 2021, we recorded an interest expense charge of $88 related to the redemption of the Secured Notes, which reduced EPS by $0.41 per share.
Fiscal Year 2022 Outlook
We are updating our outlook to reflect first quarter performance, resulting in the following financial expectations for fiscal 2022:
Revenue growth, including retail sales and credit card revenues, of 6 to 8 percent versus fiscal 2021
EBIT margin of 5.8 to 6.2 percent of sales
Adjusted EBIT margin of 5.6 to 6.0 percent of sales
Income tax rate of approximately 27 percent
EPS of $3.38 to $3.68, excluding the impact of share repurchase activity, if any
Adjusted EPS of $3.20 to $3.50, excluding the impact of share repurchase activity, if any
Leverage ratio of approximately 2.5 times by year-end
Our adjusted EBIT as a percent of net sales (“adjusted EBIT margin”) and Adjusted EPS outlook for fiscal year 2022 excludes the impacts from certain items that we do not consider representative of our core operating performance. These items include the expected full fiscal year 2022 impact associated with a gain on the sale of our interest in a corporate office building and an impairment charge related to a Trunk Club property recognized in the first quarter of 2022.
The following is a reconciliation of net earnings as a percent of net sales to adjusted EBIT margin included within our Fiscal Year 2022 Outlook:
52 Weeks Ending January 28, 2023
LowHigh
Expected net earnings as a % of net sales3.6 %3.9 %
Add: income tax expense1.3 %1.4 %
Add: interest expense, net0.9 %0.9 %
Expected earnings before interest and income taxes as a % of net sales5.8 %6.2 %
Less: gain on sale of interest in a corporate office building(0.3 %)(0.3 %)
Add: Trunk Club property impairment0.1 %0.1 %
Expected adjusted EBIT margin5.6 %6.0 %
The following is a reconciliation of earnings per diluted share to Adjusted EPS included within our Fiscal Year 2022 Outlook:
52 Weeks Ending January 28, 2023
LowHigh
Expected earnings per diluted share$3.38 $3.68 
Less: gain on sale of interest in a corporate office building(0.31)(0.31)
Add: Trunk Club property impairment0.06 0.06 
Add: income tax impact on adjustments0.07 0.07 
Expected Adjusted EPS $3.20 $3.50 
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP financial measures)
Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are key financial metrics and, when used in conjunction with GAAP measures, we believe they provide useful information for evaluating our core business performance, enable comparison of financial results across periods and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management for financial and operational decision-making. Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS exclude certain items that we do not consider representative of our core operating performance. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA is net earnings. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Adjusted EPS is earnings (loss) per diluted share.
Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net earnings, overall change in cash, earnings (loss) per share, earnings (loss) per diluted share or other financial measures performed in accordance with GAAP. Our method of determining non-GAAP financial measures may differ from other companies’ financial measures and therefore may not be comparable to methods used by other companies. The following is a reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net earnings (loss)$20 ($166)
Add (Less): income tax expense (benefit)18 (56)
Add: interest expense, net35 137 
Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes73 (85)
Less: gain on sale of interest in a corporate office building(51)— 
Add: Trunk Club property impairment10 — 
Adjusted EBIT32 (85)
Add: depreciation and amortization expenses152 162 
Less: amortization of developer reimbursements(18)(20)
Adjusted EBITDA$166 $57 
The following is a reconciliation of earnings (loss) per diluted share to Adjusted EPS:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Earnings (loss) per diluted share1
$0.13 ($1.05)
Add: debt refinancing charges included within interest expense, net 0.56 
Less: gain on sale of interest in a corporate office building(0.32)— 
Add: Trunk Club property impairment0.06 — 
Add (Less): income tax impact on adjustments2
0.07 (0.15)
Adjusted EPS($0.06)($0.64)
1 Due to the anti-dilutive effect resulting from the adjusted net loss, the impact of potentially dilutive shares on the adjusted per share amounts has been omitted from the calculation of weighted-average shares for earnings (loss) per share for the quarters ended April 30, 2022 and May 1, 2021.
2 The income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments is calculated using the estimated tax rate for the respective non-GAAP adjustment.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
Adjusted ROIC (Non-GAAP financial measure)
We believe that Adjusted ROIC is a useful financial measure for investors in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the capital we have invested in our business to generate returns over time. In addition, we have incorporated it in our executive incentive measures and we believe it is an important indicator of shareholders’ return over the long term.
Adjusted ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, return on assets, net earnings, total assets or other GAAP financial measures. Our method of calculating non-GAAP financial measures may differ from other companies’ methods and therefore may not be comparable to those used by other companies. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Adjusted ROIC is return on assets. The following is a reconciliation of return on assets to Adjusted ROIC:
Four Quarters Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net earnings (loss)$364 ($334)
Add (Less): income tax expense (benefit)142 (269)
Add: interest expense145 285 
Earnings (loss) before interest and income tax expense651 (318)
Add: operating lease interest1
86 93 
Adjusted net operating profit (loss)737 (225)
(Less) Add: estimated income tax (expense) benefit2
(206)100 
Adjusted net operating profit (loss) after tax$531 ($125)
Average total assets$9,228 $9,637 
Less: average deferred property incentives in excess of ROU assets3
(223)(265)
Less: average non-interest bearing current liabilities(3,347)(3,095)
Average invested capital$5,658 $6,277 
Return on assets3.9 %(3.5 %)
Adjusted ROIC9.4 %(2.0 %)
1 Operating lease interest is a component of operating lease cost recorded in occupancy costs. We add back operating lease interest for purposes of calculating adjusted net operating profit (loss) for consistency with the treatment of interest expense on our debt.
2 Estimated income tax (expense) benefit is calculated by multiplying the adjusted net operating profit (loss) by the effective tax rate for the trailing twelve month periods ended April 30, 2022 and May 1, 2021. The effective tax rate is calculated by dividing income tax expense (benefit) by earnings (loss) before income taxes for the same trailing twelve month periods.
3 For leases with property incentives that exceed the ROU assets, we reclassify the amount from assets to other current liabilities and other liabilities and reduce average total assets, as this better reflects how we manage our business.
LIQUIDITY
We strive to maintain a level of liquidity sufficient to allow us to cover our seasonal cash needs and to maintain appropriate levels of short-term borrowings. In the short term, our ongoing working capital and capital expenditure requirements and any dividend payments or share repurchases are generally funded primarily through cash flows generated from operations. In addition, we have access to the commercial paper market and can draw on our revolving credit facilities for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. Over the long term, we manage our cash and capital structure to maximize shareholder return, maintain our financial position, manage refinancing risk and allow flexibility for strategic initiatives. We regularly assess our debt and leverage levels, capital expenditure requirements, debt service payments, dividend payouts, potential share repurchases and other future investments.
We ended the first quarter of 2022 with $484 in cash and cash equivalents and $800 of additional liquidity available on our Revolver. The increase in cash and cash equivalents in the first quarter of 2022, compared with 2021, is driven by timing of payments for merchandise and higher net earnings. We believe that our operating cash flows are sufficient to meet our cash requirements for the next 12 months and beyond. Our cash requirements are subject to change as business conditions warrant and opportunities arise and we may elect to raise additional funds in the future through the issuance of either debt or equity.
21

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
The following is a summary of our cash flows by activity:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$187 ($364)
Net cash used in investing activities(11)(110)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(14)167 
Operating Activities
Net cash from operating activities increased $551 for the quarter ended April 30, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to timing of payments for merchandise and an increase in net earnings.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $99 for the quarter ended April 30, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to the sale of our interest in a corporate office building (see Note 1: Basis of Presentation in Item 1).
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures, net are summarized as follows:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Capital expenditures$96 $126 
Less: deferred property incentives1
(5)(6)
Capital expenditures, net$91 $120 
Capital expenditures as a % of net sales2.8 %4.3 %
1 Deferred property incentives are included in our cash provided by operations in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Item 1. We operationally view the property incentives we receive from our developers and vendors as an offset to our capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
Net cash from financing activities decreased $181 for the quarter ended April 30, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to net activity in 2021 related to long-term debt and our Revolver, partially offset by the make-whole premium (see Note 3: Debt and Credit Facilities in Item 1).
Dividends
We paid $30, or $0.19 per share, for the quarter ended April 30, 2022 compared with no dividends in the same period of 2021.
Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP financial measure)
Free Cash Flow is one of our key liquidity measures and, when used in conjunction with GAAP measures, we believe it provides investors with a meaningful analysis of our ability to generate cash from our business.
Free Cash Flow is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating cash flows or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our method of calculating a non-GAAP financial measure may differ from other companies’ methods and therefore may not be comparable to those used by other companies. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Free Cash Flow is net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. The following is a reconciliation of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities to Free Cash Flow:
Quarter Ended
April 30, 2022May 1, 2021
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$187 ($364)
Less: capital expenditures(96)(126)
Add (Less): change in cash book overdrafts16 (17)
Free Cash Flow$107 ($507)
22

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
CAPITAL RESOURCES
Borrowing Capacity and Activity
As of April 30, 2022, the provisions of our prior revolving credit facility as described in our 2021 Annual Report were in effect. Subsequent to quarter end, we terminated and replaced our prior revolving credit facility set to expire in September 2023 with a new five-year $800 Revolver that expires in May 2027. As of April 30, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Revolver and no issuances outstanding under our commercial paper program. For more information about our credit facilities, see Note 3: Debt and Credit Facilities in Item 1.
Impact of Credit Ratings and Revolver Covenants
Changes in our credit ratings may impact our costs to borrow, whether our personal property secures our Revolver and whether and to what extent we are permitted to pay dividends or conduct share repurchases.
For our Revolver, the interest rate applicable to any borrowings we may enter into depends upon the type of borrowing incurred plus an applicable margin, which is determined based on our credit ratings. At the time of this report, our credit ratings and outlook were as follows:
Credit RatingsOutlook
Moody’sBa1Stable
Standard & Poor’sBB+Stable
FitchBBB-Negative
Should the ratings assigned to our long-term debt improve, the applicable margin associated with any borrowings under the Revolver may decrease, resulting in a lower borrowing cost under this facility. Conversely, should the ratings assigned to our long-term debt worsen, the applicable margin associated with any borrowings under the Revolver may increase, resulting in a higher borrowing cost under this facility.
For the first quarter of 2022, we reported our quarterly compliance status under the terms of the new Revolver and were in compliance with all covenants. We have certain limitations with respect to the payment of dividends and share repurchases under our Revolver agreement. For more information about our Revolver covenants, see Note 3: Debt and Credit Facilities in Item 1.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR (Non-GAAP financial measure)
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is one of our key financial metrics and we believe that our debt levels are best analyzed using this measure, as it provides a reflection of our creditworthiness which could impact our credit rating and borrowing costs. This metric is calculated in accordance with the updates in our new Revolver covenant and is a key component in assessing whether our revolving credit facility is secured or unsecured, as well as our ability to make dividend payments and share repurchases. Our goal is to manage debt levels to achieve and maintain investment-grade credit ratings while operating with an efficient capital structure.
Subsequent to April 30, 2022, we replaced our Revolver which was set to expire in September 2023 with a new Revolver dated May 6, 2022. Under the new Revolver, the covenant calculation was updated to reflect the current lease standard (ASC 842). This change in our Revolver covenant did not have a material impact on our Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR. For more information regarding our Revolver, see Note 3: Debt and Credit Facilities in Item 1.
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, debt to net earnings, net earnings, debt or other GAAP financial measures. Our method of calculating a non-GAAP financial measure may differ from other companies’ methods and therefore may not be comparable to those used by other companies. The financial measure calculated under GAAP which is most directly comparable to Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is debt to net earnings. The following is a reconciliation of debt to net earnings to Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR:
April 30, 2022
Debt$2,854 
Add: operating lease liabilities1,816 
Adjusted Debt$4,670 
Four Quarters Ended April 30, 2022
Net earnings$364 
Add: income tax expense142 
Add: interest expense, net144 
Adjusted earnings before interest and income taxes$650 
Add: depreciation and amortization expenses604 
Add: Operating Lease Cost269 
Add: amortization of developer reimbursements1
76 
Less: other Revolver covenant adjustments2
(32)
Adjusted EBITDAR$1,567 
Debt to Net Earnings7.8 
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR3.0 
1 Amortization of developer reimbursements is a non-cash reduction of Operating Lease Cost and is therefore added back to Operating Lease Cost for purposes of our Revolver covenant calculation.
2 Other adjusting items to reconcile net earnings to Adjusted EBITDAR as defined by our Revolver covenant include interest income and certain non-cash charges and other gains and losses where relevant. For the four quarters ended April 30, 2022, other Revolver covenant adjustments included a $51 gain on sale of the Company’s interest in a corporate office building.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of our financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. We believe that the estimates, assumptions and judgments involved in the accounting policies referred to in our 2021 Annual Report have the greatest potential effect on our financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies and estimates. Our management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit & Finance Committee of our Board of Directors. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies or critical accounting estimates as described in our 2021 Annual Report.
24

Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share amounts and where noted otherwise)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
There are no recent accounting pronouncements that are anticipated to have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We discussed our interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in our 2021 Annual Report. There have been no material changes to these risks since that time.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
For the purposes of the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer, Erik B. Nordstrom, serves as our principal executive officer and our Chief Financial Officer, Anne L. Bramman, is our principal financial officer.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we have performed an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the last day of the period covered by this report.
Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified within the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
We are subject from time to time to various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including lawsuits alleging violations of state and/or federal wage and hour and other employment laws, privacy and other consumer-based claims. Some of these lawsuits may include certified classes of litigants, or purport or may be determined to be class or collective actions and seek substantial damages or injunctive relief, or both, and some may remain unresolved for several years. We believe the recorded accruals in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. As of the date of this report, we do not believe any currently identified claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Since these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, our view of them may change in the future.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors we discussed in our 2021 Annual Report.
25

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
(c) SHARE REPURCHASES
(Dollar and share amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
In August 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $1,500 of our outstanding common stock, with no expiration date. We repurchased no shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2022 and we had $707 remaining in share repurchase capacity as of April 30, 2022. Subsequent to quarter end, the Board of Directors authorized a new $500 share repurchase program, with no expiration date. This program replaced the August 2018 program. The actual timing, price, manner and amounts of future share repurchases, if any, will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, contractual commitments, market and economic conditions and applicable SEC rules.
Item 6. Exhibits.
(a) The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference or filed or furnished as part of this report at:
 Page
All other exhibits are omitted because they are not applicable, not required or because the information required has been given as part of this report.
26

Table of Contents


NORDSTROM, INC.
Exhibit Index
Incorporated by Reference
ExhibitFormExhibitFiling Date
10.18-K10.2February 28, 2022
10.2
31.1
31.2
32.1
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document, filed herewith electronically
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document, filed herewith electronically
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document, filed herewith electronically
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document, filed herewith electronically
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document, filed herewith electronically
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document, filed herewith electronically
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (Inline XBRL), filed herewith electronically
27

Table of Contents


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
                        
NORDSTROM, INC.
(Registrant)
/s/ Anne L. Bramman
Anne L. Bramman
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date:June 3, 2022
28
Document
Exhibit 10.2


Execution Version
Published CUSIP No.: [_______]





$800,000,000

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

Dated as of May 6, 2022

among

NORDSTROM, INC.,
as Borrower,

THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NAMED HEREIN,
as Lenders,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Co-Syndication Agents and L/C Issuers

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
and
FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Co-Documentation Agents






WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
BofA SECURITIES, INC.
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
i



ii



iii




EXHIBITS
Exhibit 2.1(c)        Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit 2.1(c)(iii)    Form of Notice of Responsible Officers
Exhibit 2.2(b)(i)    Form of Bid Loan Quote Request
Exhibit 2.2(b)(ii)    Form of Bid Loan Quote
Exhibit 2.4(b)(ii)    Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit 2.5(a)(i)        Form of Revolving Loan Note
Exhibit 2.5(a)(ii)    Form of Bid Loan Note
Exhibit 2.5(a)(iii)    Form of Swing Line Note
Exhibit 2.8(c)        Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment
Exhibit 2.16(d)(ii)    Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
Exhibit 2.19(l)        Form of Letter of Credit Report
Exhibit 2.19(m)        Form of Additional L/C Issuer Notice
Exhibit 2.20        Form of Swing Line Loan Notice
Exhibit 3.1(d)        Form of Closing Officer’s Certificate
Exhibit 5.1(c)        Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit 5.9            Form of Joinder Agreement
Exhibit 8.11        Form of Secured Party Designation Notice
Exhibit 9.6(b)        Form of Assignment and Assumption


SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1(a)        Existing Liens
Schedule 1.1(b)        Lineal Descendants
Schedule 1.1(c)        Revolving Commitments
Schedule 2.19        L/C Commitments
Schedule 2.20        Swing Line Commitments
Schedule 4.1        Organization of Borrower and Subsidiaries; Loan Parties
Schedule 4.5        Material Litigation
Schedule 4.7        Insurance
Schedule 4.17(b)    Deposit and Securities Accounts
Schedule 4.17(c)    Properties
Schedule 4.18        Intellectual Property
Schedule 6.9        Existing Debt
Schedule 6.10        Existing Investments
Schedule 9.5        Certain Addresses for Notices
iv



REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 6, 2022 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”), by and among NORDSTROM, INC., a Washington corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders (defined herein), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as co-syndication agents (in such capacity, the “Syndication Agents”) and L/C Issuers, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, and any successor in such capacity, the “Agent”), Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer. The Lenders, the Syndication Agents, the Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender are collectively referred to herein as the “Lender Parties” and each individually as a “Lender Party.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a new revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount of $800,000,000 (the “Credit Facility”) for the purposes hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the requested Credit Facility available to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement replaces in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement.
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:
Article I.

DEFINITIONS AND RELATED MATTERS
1.1Definitions.
The following terms with initial capital letters have the following meanings:
1998 Indenture” means that certain Indenture, dated as of March 11, 1998, between the Borrower and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (formerly known as Norwest Bank Colorado, National Association), as Trustee, as in effect on the Closing Date.
2007 Indenture” means that certain Indenture, dated as of December 3, 2007, between the Borrower and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, as in effect on the Closing Date.
Absolute Rate” is defined in Section 2.2(b)(iii).
Additional L/C Issuer Notice” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.19(m) or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent).
Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the Term SOFR Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.
Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire to be completed by each Lender in a form supplied by the Agent.
Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.



Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power, whether or not exercised, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Capital Stock, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlled” and “common control” have correlative meanings. Unless otherwise indicated, “Affiliate” refers to an Affiliate of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Lender Party or any Affiliate of any Lender Party be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Borrower.
Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank or any successor agent appointed in accordance with Section 8.6.
Agent Fee Letter” means that certain letter agreement, dated as of April13, 2022, among the Borrower, the Agent and Wells Fargo Securities regarding certain fees relating to this Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time by the Borrower, the Agent and Wells Fargo Securities.
Agent’s Account” means the account, with respect to any currency, of the Agent identified as such on Schedule 9.5 with respect to such currency, or such other account with respect to such currency as the Agent may hereafter designate by notice to the Borrower and each Lender Party.
Agent’s Office” means, with respect to any currency, the office of the Agent identified as such on Schedule 9.5 with respect to such currency, or such other office with respect to such currency as the Agent may hereafter designate by notice to the Borrower and each Lender Party.
Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as it may be amended or modified from time to time, including all Schedules and Exhibits.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any and all laws, statutes, regulations or obligatory government orders, decrees, ordinances or rules applicable to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates related to terrorism financing, money laundering, any predicate crime to money laundering or any financial record keeping, including any applicable provision of the PATRIOT Act, The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act,” 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959) and the Canadian AML Acts.
Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of all (i) constitutions, treaties, statutes, laws, rules, regulations and ordinances of any Governmental Authority, (ii) Governmental Approvals and (iii) orders, decisions, judgments, awards and decrees of any Governmental Authority.
Applicable Lending Office” means, with respect to any Lender, (i) in the case of any payment with respect to Term SOFR Loans, such Lender’s Term SOFR Lending Office, (ii) in the case of any payment with respect to CDOR Rate Loans, such Lender’s CDOR Lending Office (iii) in the case of any payment with respect to Base Rate Loans or Bid Loans or any other payment under the Loan Documents, such Lender’s Domestic Lending Office.
Applicable Margin” means, at any time, with respect to Facility Fees, Base Rate Loans, Term SOFR Loans or CDOR Rate Loans, or Letter of Credit Fees, as applicable, the appropriate applicable percentage corresponding to the long term, senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt rating of the Borrower in effect from time to time as shown below:
2




Level
Long Term, Senior, Unsecured, Non-Credit
Enhanced Debt Rating of Borrower
Applicable Margin for
Term SOFR Loans and CDOR Rate Loans
Applicable Margin for Base Rate LoansApplicable Margin for Facility FeesLetter of Credit Fees
Standby Letters of CreditCommercial Letters of Credit
I.
BBB from S&P
1.100%0.100%0.150%1.100%0.5500%
or
Baa2 from Moody’s
or
BBB from Fitch

II.

BBB- but < BBB from S&P
or
Baa3 but < Baa2 from Moody’s
or
BBB- but < BBB from Fitch

1.200%

0.200%

0.175%

1.200%

0.6000%
III.
BB+ but < BBB- from S&P
or
Ba1 but < Baa3 from Moody’s
or
BB+ but < BBB- from Fitch

1.425%

0.425%

0.200%

1.425%

0.7125%
IV.
BB but < BB+ from S&P
or
Ba2 but < Ba1 from Moody’s
or
BB but < BB+ from Fitch
1.500%0.500%0.250%1.500%0.7500%
V.
< BB from S&P
or
< Ba2 from Moody’s
or
< BB from Fitch
or
unrated by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch
1.575%0.575%0.300%1.575%0.7875%

Notwithstanding the above, if at any time, (i) the Borrower has only two (2) ratings and there is a split rating, the applicable level shall be based upon the level indicated by the higher of the two (2) ratings unless there is a two (2) or more level difference in the levels indicated by each of the two (2) available ratings, in which case the level that is one (1) level below the higher rating shall apply, or (ii) the Borrower has three (3) ratings and there is a split rating such that (A) all three (3) ratings fall in different levels, the applicable level shall be based upon the level indicated by the rating that is neither the highest nor the lowest of the three (3) ratings, or (B) two (2) of the three (3) ratings fall in one (1) level (the “Majority Level”) and the third rating falls in a different level, the applicable level shall be based upon the level indicated by the Majority Level.
3



The credit ratings to be utilized for purposes of determining a Level hereunder are those assigned to the senior unsecured long-term debt of the Borrower without third-party credit enhancement, and any rating assigned to any other Debt of the Borrower shall be disregarded. The debt rating in effect at any date is the debt rating that is in effect at the close of business on such date. The Applicable Margin shall be determined and, if necessary, adjusted on the date (each, a “Determination Date”) on which there is any change in the Borrower’s debt ratings. Each Applicable Margin shall be effective from one Determination Date until the next Determination Date. Any adjustment in the Applicable Margin shall be applicable to all existing Term SOFR Loans, all existing CDOR Rate Loans and all existing Base Rate Loans as well as any new Term SOFR Loans, any new CDOR Rate Loans and any new Base Rate Loans made. The Borrower shall notify the Agent in writing immediately upon any change in its debt ratings.
Applicable Time” means, with respect to any Borrowings and payments in Canadian Dollars, the local time in the place of settlement for Canadian Dollars as may be determined by the Agent to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.
Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
Assignee Group” means two (2) or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two (2) or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.
Assignment and Assumption” means an Assignment and Assumption in the form of Exhibit 9.6(b) or any other form (including an electronic documentation form generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Agent.
Assuming Lender” is defined in Section 2.23(c).
Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to any then-current Benchmark for any currency, as applicable, (a) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period pursuant to this Agreement or (b) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.12(c)(iv).
Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, rule, regulation or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.), as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.
Base Rate” means, at any time, the highest of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (c) Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus 1.00%; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR, as applicable (provided that clause (c) shall not be applicable during any period in which Adjusted Term SOFR is unavailable or unascertainable). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Base Rate be less than zero.
4



Base Rate Loan” means a Revolving Loan, or portion thereof, that bears interest by reference to the Base Rate. All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.
Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Term SOFR”.
Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any (a) Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Dollars, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or then-current Benchmark for Dollars, then “Benchmark” means, with respect to such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.12(c)(i) and (b) Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to Canadian Dollars, CDOR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the CDOR Rate, or the then-current Benchmark for Canadian Dollars, then “Benchmark” means, with respect to such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.12(c)(i).
Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event for any then-current Benchmark, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for such Benchmark giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for such Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable currency at such time and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if such Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than the Floor, such Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of any then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Available Tenor, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable currency.
Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any currency:
(a)    in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(b)    in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
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For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any currency, the occurrence of one (1) or more of the following events with respect to such Benchmark:
(a)    a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(b)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the FRB, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the central bank for the currency applicable to such Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(c)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Transition Start Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark for any currency, in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (a) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (b) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than ninety (90) days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication).
Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any then-current Benchmark for any currency, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to such Benchmark pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.12(c)(i) and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.12(c)(i).
Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 CFR § 1010.230.
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Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
Bid Loan” is defined in Section 2.2(a).
Bid Loan Borrowing” is defined in Section 2.2(a).
Bid Loan Note” means a Bid Loan Note made by the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.5(a)(ii), payable to a Lender, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Bid Loans made by such Lender, and includes any Bid Loan Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
Bid Loan Quote” is defined in Section 2.2(b)(ii).
Bid Loan Quote Request” is defined in Section 2.2(b)(i).
Borrower” means Nordstrom, Inc., a Washington corporation, and its successors and permitted assigns.
Borrower Account” means the account of the Borrower identified as such on Schedule 9.5, or such other account as the Borrower may hereafter designate by notice to the Agent, with the prior consent of the Agent (such consent not to be withheld, conditioned or delayed so long as the designation of such account would not prevent the Agent from satisfying its obligations hereunder in a timely manner).
Borrower Materials” is defined in Section 5.1.
Borrowing” means each of the following: (a) a borrowing of Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.20 or (b) a contemporaneous borrowing of Loans of the same Type in the same currency.
Business Day” means any day that (a) is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed and (b) is not a day on which commercial banks in Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, California or Charlotte, North Carolina are authorized or obligated to close.
Canadian AML Acts” means appliable Canadian law regarding anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, government sanction and “know your client” matters, including the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada).
Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan” means a Canadian Pension Plan that contains or has ever contained a “defined benefit provision” as such term is defined in Section 147.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Canadian Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in Canadian Dollars as determined by the Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Canadian Dollars with Dollars.
Canadian Dollars” or “C$” means the lawful currency of Canada.
Canadian Pension Plan” means a pension plan or plan that is subject to applicable pension benefits legislation in any jurisdiction of Canada and that is organized and administered to provide pensions, pension benefits or retirement benefits for employees and former employees of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof.
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Canadian Sanctions List” means the list of names subject to the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities made under subsection 83.05(1) of the Criminal Code (Canada), the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism, the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations and/or the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada)
Canadian Security Agreement” means the Canadian security agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed in favor of the Agent by certain of the Loan Parties.
Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all (i) shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (howsoever designated) of capital stock and other equity or ownership interests of such Person and (ii) rights (other than debt securities convertible into capital stock or other equity interests), warrants or options to acquire any such capital stock or other equity interests.
Capitalized Leases” means, as to any Person, all leases of such Person of real or personal property that in accordance with GAAP are or should be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Persons. The amount of any Capitalized Lease shall be the capitalized amount thereof as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if an L/C Issuer benefitting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (a) the Agent and (b) the applicable L/C Issuer. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.
Cash Management Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Cash Management Agreement with the Borrower or any Subsidiary provided that (a) at the time such Person enters into such Cash Management Agreement, such Person is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or (b) such Cash Management Agreement exists on the Closing Date and such Person is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender on the Closing Date.
CDOR Business Day” means for Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Canadian Dollars, any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; provided, that for purposes of notice requirements in Sections 2.1(c), 2.4(b) and 2.8(c), in each case, such day is also a Business Day.
CDOR Lending Office” means the office, branch or Affiliate of any Lender described in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire as its CDOR Lending Office or, subject to the terms hereof, such other office, branch or Affiliate as such Lender may hereafter designate as its CDOR Lending Office by notice to the Borrower and the Agent.
CDOR Rate” means, for any Interest Period with respect to any Revolving Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars, the greater of (i) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Agent on the basis of the rate applicable to Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances as administered by Refinitiv Benchmarks Services (UK) Limited, or a comparable or successor administrator approved by the Agent, for a period comparable to the applicable Interest Period (“CDOR”), at approximately 10:00 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada time) on the applicable Rate Determination Date and (ii) the Floor.
CDOR Rate Loan” means a Revolving Loan, or portion thereof, that bears interest at a rate based on the “CDOR Rate” (and as to which a single Interest Period is applicable). All CDOR Rate Loans shall be denominated in Canadian Dollars.
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Change of Control” means that (a) a majority of the directors of the Borrower shall be Persons other than Persons (x) for whose election proxies shall have been solicited by the board of directors of the Borrower or for whose appointment or election is otherwise approved or ratified by the board of directors of the Borrower or (y) who are then serving as directors appointed by the board of directors to fill vacancies on the board of directors caused by death or resignation (but not by removal) or to fill newly-created directorships or (b) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), other than the Lineal Descendants, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire whether such right is immediately exercisable or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of the Borrower (or other securities convertible into such Voting Stock) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of the Borrower.
Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement.
Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.
Collateral” means a collective reference to all personal property with respect to which Liens in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, are granted or purported to be granted pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents, but for the avoidance of doubt, excluding Excluded Property.
Collateral Documents” means a collective reference to the Security Agreement, the Canadian Security Agreement, collateral access agreements and other security documents as may be executed and delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of Section 5.11 or any of the Loan Documents.
Collateral Period” means the period beginning upon the occurrence of the Collateral Trigger Event and ending when the Collateral Release Event occurs.
Collateral Release Event” means the first date, if any, that occurs after a Collateral Trigger Event, on which the following conditions are satisfied: (a) no Default shall exist, (b) either (i) the Ratings Condition shall have been satisfied or (ii) the Borrower has (A) an Investment Grade Rating from at least one (1) of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch and (B) the Leverage Ratio has been less than 2.50 to 1.0 for at least two (2) consecutive Fiscal Quarters, as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), and (c) the Agent shall have received a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, confirming the satisfaction of the foregoing conditions and requesting that the Agent release all Liens.
Collateral Trigger Event” means (a) the Closing Date and (b) at any time after the Closing Date, either (i) the Borrower fails to receive at least one (1) Investment Grade Rating from any of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch or (ii) the Leverage Ratio shall be greater than 3.50 to 1.0, computed as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b); provided that (x) a Collateral Trigger Event may occur more than once during the term of this Agreement and (y) a Collateral Trigger Event shall not occur pursuant to clause (b)(ii) of this definition during a Leverage Ratio Increase solely as a result of the Leverage Ratio being greater than 3.50 to 1.0 so long as the Leverage Ratio was less than or equal to 3.50 to 1.0, computed as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower prior to the implementation of such Leverage Increase Period. For the avoidance of doubt, a Collateral Trigger Event may occur during a Leverage Ratio Increase pursuant to clause (b)(i) of this definition.
Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Compliance Certificate” is defined in Section 5.1(c).
Conforming Changes” means, with respect to the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical,
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administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate”, the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “Term SOFR Business Day”, the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 2.14 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by the Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Agent decides (in consultation with the Borrower) that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Agent decides (in consultation with the Borrower) is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the book value of total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding assets that are considered to be intangible assets under GAAP (including customer lists, goodwill, computer software, copyrights, trade names, trademarks, patents, franchises and licenses).
Contingent Obligation” means, as to any Person, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person which does or would reasonably be expected to result in the direct payment of money (i) with respect to any Debt or other obligation of another Person, including any direct or indirect guarantee of such Debt (other than any endorsement for collection in the ordinary course of business) or any other direct or indirect obligation, by agreement or otherwise, to purchase or repurchase any such Debt or obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of any such Debt or obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise), (ii) to provide funds to maintain the financial condition of any other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holders of Debt or other obligations of another Person or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holders of Debt or other obligations of another Person against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be the greater of (a) the amount of the Debt or obligation guaranteed or otherwise supported thereby or (b) the maximum amount guaranteed or supported by the Contingent Obligation. The term “Contingent Obligation”, as used with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, shall not include (1) the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under any obligation which the Borrower or such Subsidiary has or may have to sell to, repurchase from or indemnify the purchaser or other transferee with respect to accounts discounted, sold or in which an interest is otherwise transferred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business (but any such other obligation shall be excluded only to the extent that such other obligation is for the benefit, directly or indirectly, of any Person that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (direct or indirect) of the Borrower); (2) any obligation which a Subsidiary has or may have to sell to, repurchase from or indemnify the purchaser or other transferee with respect to accounts discounted, sold or in which an interest is otherwise transferred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business (but any such other obligation shall be excluded only to the extent that such obligation is for the benefit, directly or indirectly, of any Person that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (direct or indirect) of the Borrower); (3) supply, service or licensing agreements between or among the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any Affiliate(s), in each case, so long as such agreements comply with Section 6.6; (4) environmental indemnities routinely given as part of sale, lease or other disposition or acquisition of real estate, or (5) “indemnities” for attorneys’ fees and costs which are incidental to another transaction and/or damages arising from breach of the terms of such transaction.
Contractual Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any security issued by that Person or of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of the properties owned or leased by it is bound or otherwise subject.
Controlled Group” means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (irrespective of whether incorporated) that, together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary, are or were treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
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Covered Entity” means any of the following: (a) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (b) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (c) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
Debt” means, with respect to any Person, the aggregate amount of, without duplication: (i) all obligations for borrowed money (including, except as otherwise provided in subpart (iii) below, purchase money indebtedness) other than, with respect to Debt of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, funds borrowed by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary from the Borrower or another such Subsidiary; (ii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable (which trade payables are deemed to include any consignment purchases) arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue; (iv) the principal portion of all obligations under (a) Capitalized Leases and (b) any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product of such Person where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP; (v) all obligations of third parties secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person whether or not such obligation or liability is assumed; (vi) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, in respect of any letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances; (vii) all Contingent Obligations; (viii) the aggregate amount paid to, or borrowed by, such Person as of such date under a sale of receivables or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is effected without recourse to such Person or in a manner that would not be reflected on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP); (ix) all Debt of any partnership or unincorporated joint venture to the extent such Person is legally obligated with respect thereto; and (x) all net obligations with respect to interest rate protection agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, commodity purchase or option agreements or other interest or exchange rate or commodity price hedging agreements.
Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act (Canada), and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Default” means any condition or event that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.22(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including in respect of its Loans or participations in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans, within three (3) Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements generally in which it commits to extend credit (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s reasonable determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by the Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder, provided, that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon written confirmation from the Agent to such Lender and the Borrower that such Lender has confirmed in writing its intention to comply with all of its funding obligations hereunder, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar proceeding under any other Applicable Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it, (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or
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acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment, or (iv) becomes the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such governmental authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender; it being understood that if a Lender has been turned over to the FDIC (or a similar regulatory entity) for the purpose of sale or liquidation it shall be a Defaulting Lender. Any determination by the Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under one (1) or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.22(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Agent to the Borrower, the L/C Issuers, the Swing Line Lender and each Lender promptly following such determination.
Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is the subject of any Sanction.
Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in Canadian Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Dollars with Canadian Dollars.
Dollars” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States of America.
Domestic Lending Office” means the office, branch or Affiliate of any Lender described in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire as its Domestic Lending Office or such other office, branch or Affiliate as the Lender may hereafter designate as its Domestic Lending Office for one (1) or more Types of Loans by notice to the Borrower and the Agent.
Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States of America.
EBITDAR” means, for any period, with respect to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, Net Income plus, to the extent deducted in determining such Net Income, the sum of, without duplication, (a) Interest Expense, (b) any make-whole payment and any unamortized bond premium with respect to a redemption of Debt, (c) income tax expense, (d) depreciation expense, (e) amortization expense, (f) Rent Expense, (g) non-cash charges (including goodwill or other impairment charges) related to acquisitions, in each case as determined in accordance with GAAP, (h) any losses, charges or expenses in connection with the closure or discontinuation of operations (including, without limitation, the closure of any store or other facility) during such period, and (i) other expenses reducing such Net Income which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period.
EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a Subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
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Electronic Record” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006.
Electronic Signature” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006.
Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Sections 9.6(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 9.6(b)(iii)).
ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
ERISA Event” means (i) (a) the occurrence of a reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA, with respect to any Plan unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect to such event has been waived by the PBGC (provided that a reportable event arising from the disqualification of a Plan or the distress termination of a Plan under ERISA Section 4041(c) shall be deemed to be an ERISA Event without regard to any waiver of notice by the PBGC by regulation or otherwise), or (b) the requirements of subsection (1) of Section 4043(b) of ERISA (without regard to subsection (2) of such Section) are met with respect to a contributing sponsor, as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA, of a Plan, and an event described in paragraph (9), (10), (11), (12) or (13) of Section 4043(c) of ERISA is reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the following 30 days; (ii) the minimum required contribution (as defined in Section 430(a) of the Code) to each Plan, and the minimum contribution required under Section 412 of the Code have not been timely contributed with respect to a Plan; (iii) the provision by the administrator of a Plan of a notice of intent to terminate such Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice with respect to a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA); (iv) the cessation of operations at a facility of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (v) the withdrawal by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group from a Plan during a plan year for which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (vi) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan requiring the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA; or (vii) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Plan pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or the occurrence of any event or condition described in Section 4042 of ERISA that constitutes grounds for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, a Plan.
Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8.12(a).
Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8.12(d).
Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8.12(d).
Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 8.12(d).
ESG” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
ESG Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
ESG Applicable Margin Adjustments” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
ESG Pricing Provisions” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
ESG Ratings” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
Event of Default” means any of the events specified in Section 7.1.
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Excluded Property” means, with respect to any Loan Party, (a) any owned or leased real property, and for the avoidance of doubt, any fixtures related to the foregoing, (b)  any Intellectual Property for which a perfected Lien thereon is not effected either by filing of a UCC or PPSA financing statement or by appropriate evidence of such Lien being filed in either the United States Copyright Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, (c) any personal property (other than personal property described in clause (b) above or clause (d) below) for which the attachment or perfection of a Lien thereon is not governed by the UCC or the PPSA, (d) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary directly or indirectly owned by any Loan Party, (e) any property which is subject to a Lien of the type described in Section 6.1(e) pursuant to documents that prohibit such Loan Party from granting any other Liens in such property, and (f) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title.
Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to any “keepwell, support or other agreement” for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or a grant by such Guarantor of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one (1) swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.
Excluded Tax” means, with respect to any payment to any Lender Party, (i)  any taxes imposed on or measured by the overall net income (including a franchise tax based on net income) of such Lender Party or its Agent’s Office or Applicable Lending Office in respect of which the payment is made, by any Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, maintains its principal executive office or in which such Agent’s Office or Applicable Lending Office is located, and (ii) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.
Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2018, by and among the Borrower, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders thereunder and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for such lenders, as it has been amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Existing Liens” means the Liens described on Schedule 1.1(a).
Extending Lender” is defined in Section 2.23(b).
Extension Date” is defined in Section 2.23(b).
Facility Fee” is defined in Section 2.6(a).
Facility Termination Date” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) all Revolving Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized in accordance with Section 2.21).
FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any applicable intergovernmental agreements implementing the foregoing.
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Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotation for such day on such transactions received by the Agent from three (3) federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.
Fees” means, collectively, the fees defined in or referenced in Section 2.6.
Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower, which shall be the twelve month period ending on January 31 in each year or such other period as the Borrower may designate and the Agent may approve in writing.
Fiscal Quarter” or “fiscal quarter” means any quarter of a Fiscal Year.
Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc. and any successor thereto.
Floor” means a rate of interest equal to 0.00%.
Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.
Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
Funded Debt” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, the aggregate amount of, without duplication: (i) all obligations for borrowed money (including, except as otherwise provided in subpart (iii) below, purchase money indebtedness) other than funds borrowed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary from the Borrower or another Subsidiary; (ii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable (which trade payables are deemed to include any consignment purchases) arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue; (iv) the principal portion of all obligations under (a) Capitalized Leases and (b) any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP; (v) all obligations of others secured by a Lien on any asset owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries whether or not such obligation or liability is assumed; and (vi) the aggregate amount paid to, or borrowed by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of such date under a sale of receivables or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is effected without recourse to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or in a
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manner that would not be reflected on the balance sheet of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, but expressly not including sales of credit card accounts, associated receivables and related assets in connection with a credit card program agreement).
Funding Date” means any date on which a Loan or an L/C Credit Extension, as applicable, is (or is requested to be) made.
GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America from time to time and applied on a consistent basis.
Governmental Approval” means an authorization, consent, approval, permit or license issued by, or a registration, qualification or filing with, any Governmental Authority.
Governmental Authority” means any nation and any state, provincial or political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any tribunal or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction.
Guarantors” means, collectively, (a) the Material Subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on Schedule 4.1 and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower that shall be required to execute and deliver a Joinder Agreement pursuant to Section 5.9 and (b) with respect to (i) Obligations owing by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than the Borrower) under any Swap Contract or any Cash Management Agreement and (ii) the payment and performance by each Loan Party of its obligations under its Guaranty with respect to all Swap Obligations, the Borrower.
Guaranty” means the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, made by the Guarantors in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
Hedge Bank” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract permitted under Article V or VI, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract or (b) such Swap Contract exists on the Closing Date and such Person is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender on the Closing Date.
Honor Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.19(c).
Indemnitees” is defined in Section 9.2.
Information” is defined in Section 9.13.
Initial L/C Issuers” means Wells Fargo, Bank of America, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association in their capacity as L/C Issuers.
Intellectual Property” is defined in Section 4.18.
Interest Expense” means the consolidated interest expense (including the amortization of debt discount and premium, the interest component under Capitalized Leases and the implied interest component under synthetic leases, tax retention operating leases, off-balance sheet loans or similar off-balance sheet financing products, but excluding any make-whole payment and any unamortized bond premium with respect to a redemption of Debt) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Interest Period” means, as to any CDOR Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, the period commencing on the date such Loan is disbursed or converted to or, with respect to any CDOR Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, continued as a CDOR Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, as applicable, and ending on the date one (1), three (3) or (except with respect to any Loan bearing interest based on the CDOR Rate) six (6) months thereafter, in each case as selected by the Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation and subject to availability; provided that:
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(a)the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or conversion to any CDOR Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, as applicable, and, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires;
(b)if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(c)any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
(d)no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date;
(e)there shall be no more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect at any time; and
(f)no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.12(c)(iv) shall be available for specification in any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation.
Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock of another Person (other than a Person that becomes a wholly-owned Subsidiary) or (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or interest in, another Person (including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor guaranties Debt of such other Person, but excluding any acquisition of all of the Capital Stock, or all or substantially all of the assets, of a Person). For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Investment Grade Rating” means a long term, senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt rating of (a) BBB- or better from S&P, (b) Baa3 or better from Moody’s and (c) BBB- or better from Fitch.
IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the applicable L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.
Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.9 executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.9.
KPIs” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Revolving Commitment Percentage. All L/C Advances shall be denominated in Dollars.
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L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing of Revolving Loans. All L/C Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.
L/C Commitment” means, as to each Initial L/C Issuer, its obligation to issue Letters of Credit to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.19, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
L/C Issuer” means with respect to a particular Letter of Credit, (a) each Initial L/C Issuer in its capacity as issuer of such Letter of Credit, (b) such other Lender selected by the Borrower (upon notice to the Agent) from time to time to issue such Letter of Credit (provided that no Lender shall be required to become an L/C Issuer pursuant to this subclause (b) without such Lender’s consent), or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder or (c) any Lender selected by the Borrower (with the consent of the Agent) to replace a Lender who is a Defaulting Lender at the time of such Lender’s appointment as an L/C Issuer (provided that no Lender shall be required to become an L/C Issuer pursuant to this subclause (c) without such Lender’s consent), or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.3. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
Lead Arranger” means each of Wells Fargo Securities, BofA Securities, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, in their capacity as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.
Lender” means each of those banks and other financial institutions identified as such on the signature pages hereto and such other institutions that may become Lenders pursuant to Section 9.6(b) or Section 2.18 and, as the context requires, the Swing Line Lender and/or each L/C Issuer.
Lender Party” means each of the Lenders, the Agent, the Syndication Agents and the documentation agent and managing agent identified on the cover page hereto.
Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued hereunder. A Letter of Credit may be a commercial letter of credit or a standby letter of credit; provided, however, that any commercial letter of credit issued hereunder shall provide solely for cash payment upon presentation of a sight draft and any other required documents. Letters of Credit shall be issued in Dollars.
Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a letter of credit in the form from time to time in use by the applicable L/C Issuer.
Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(h).
Letter of Credit Report” means a report substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.19(l) or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent).
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Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Revolving Committed Amount and (b) $100,000,000. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Committed Amount.
Leverage Ratio” is defined in Section 6.3.
Leverage Ratio Increase” is defined in Section 6.3.
Lien” means any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge, hypothec or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any lease in the nature thereof) and any agreement to give any lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest, charge, or other encumbrance of any kind.
Lineal Descendants” means the individuals listed on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto and the spouse and lineal descendants of any such individual.
Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article 2 in the form of a Revolving Loan or a Swing Line Loan.
Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, each Issuer Document, the Guaranty, the Collateral Documents, each Joinder Agreement, any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.21 and any other agreement, instrument or other writing executed or delivered by the Borrower in connection herewith, and all amendments, exhibits and schedules to any of the foregoing.
Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
Margin Regulations” means Regulations T, U and X of the Federal Reserve Board, as amended from time to time, or any successor regulations.
Margin Stock” means “margin stock” as defined in the Margin Regulations.
Material Adverse Effect” or “Material Adverse Change” means (i) a material adverse effect on or (ii) a material adverse change in, as the case may be, any one (1) or more of the following: (A) the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (B) the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party or (C) the actual material rights and remedies of any Lender Party under any Loan Document.
Material Contractual Obligation” means a Contractual Obligation, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Material Subsidiary” means (a) each “Significant Subsidiary” of the Borrower within the meaning of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (b) each other Subsidiary that owns (i) any Intellectual Property, (ii) one percent (1%) or more of the total inventory of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (iii) one percent (1%) or more of the total accounts receivable of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, for purposes of determining if a Subsidiary is a “Material Subsidiary”, intercompany receivables shall be excluded.
Maturity Date” means May 6, 2027, subject to the extension thereof pursuant to Section 2.23; provided, however, that the Maturity Date of any Lender that is a Non-Extending Lender to any requested extension pursuant to Section 2.23 shall be the Maturity Date in effect immediately prior to the applicable Extension Date for all purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.
Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor or assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating debt.
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Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
Net Income” means, for any period with respect to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, net income (or net loss), excluding the effect of extraordinary or other non-recurring gains and losses, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Non-Consenting Lender” is defined in Section 9.19.
Non-Extending Lender” is defined in Section 2.23(b).
Note” means a Revolving Loan Note, Bid Loan Note or Swing Line Note.
Notice of Borrowing” is defined in Section 2.1(c)(i).
Notice of Conversion/Continuation” is defined in Section 2.4(b)(ii).
Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.8(c) or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.
Notice of Responsible Officers” is defined in Section 2.1(c)(iii).
Obligations” means (a) all present and future obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party of every type and description arising under or in connection with the Loan Documents due or to become due to the Lender Parties or any Person entitled to indemnification under the Loan Documents, or any of their respective successors, transferees or assigns, whether for principal, interest, Fees, expenses, indemnities or other amounts (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) and (b) all obligations of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary owing to a Cash Management Bank or a Hedge Bank in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements, in each case identified in clauses (a) and (b), whether due or not due, direct or indirect, joint and/or several, absolute or contingent, voluntary, or involuntary, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined, and whether now or hereafter existing, renewed or restructured; provided that, without limiting the foregoing, the Obligations of a Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.
OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the charter or certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or limited liability company agreement (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) and (d) with respect to all entities, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction).
Overnight Rate” means, for any day, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Agent (or to the extent payable to an L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, such L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, in each case, with notice to the Agent) to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in Canadian Dollars, an overnight rate determined by the Agent (or to the extent payable to an L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, such L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, in each case, with notice to
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the Agent) to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions.
Participant” is defined in Section 9.6(d).
Participant Register” is defined in Section 9.6(d).
PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, as defined in Title IV of ERISA, or any successor.
Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any asset, the Liens (if any) permitted to exist on such asset in accordance with Section 6.1.
Permitted Refinancing Debt” shall mean any Debt issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “Refinance”), the Debt being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Debt); provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Debt so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions, expenses, plus an amount equal to any existing commitment unutilized thereunder and letters of credit undrawn thereunder), (b) if the Debt being refinanced is unsecured, such Permitted Refinancing Debt shall be unsecured unless such Debt is otherwise permitted to be incurred on a secured basis by Sections 6.1 and 6.9 and (c) if the Debt being refinanced is secured, no such Lien shall at any time be extended to cover any additional property not subject thereto on the Closing Date unless such Lien is otherwise permitted by Section 6.1.
Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or any other entity or organization, including a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Term SOFR”.
Plan” means, at any time, any employee pension benefit plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 430 of the Code and that is either (i) maintained by the Borrower or any member of a Controlled Group for employees of the Borrower or such Controlled Group or was formerly so maintained and in respect of which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group could have liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated or (ii) maintained for employees of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group and at least one (1) Person other than the Borrower and the members of the Controlled Group or was formerly so maintained and in respect of which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group could have liability under Section 4064 or 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
Platform” is defined in Section 5.1.
Post-Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, (i) with respect to all Base Rate Loans and any other amounts (other than then outstanding Term SOFR Loans and CDOR Rate Loans) owing hereunder not paid when due, a rate per annum equal at all times to the rate otherwise applicable to Base Rate Loans plus 2.00% per annum, and (ii) with respect to each then outstanding Term SOFR Loan and each then outstanding CDOR Rate Loan, a rate per annum equal at all times to the rate otherwise applicable to such Term SOFR Loan or such CDOR Rate Loan, as applicable, plus 2.00% per annum and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Margin plus 2.00% per annum.
PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario); provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Personal Property Security Act as in effect in a Canadian jurisdiction other than the Province of
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Ontario, or the Civil Code of Quebec, “PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction or the Civil Code of Quebec, as applicable, for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
Prime Rate” means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Agent as its prime rate. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate announced publicly by the Agent as its prime rate is an index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks.
PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
QFC Credit Support” has the meaning specified in Section 9.22.
Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or such other day as is generally treated as the rate fixing day by market practice in such interbank market, as determined by the Agent; provided that to the extent that such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Agent, such other day as otherwise reasonably determined by the Agent).
Ratings Condition” means the attainment by the Borrower of an Investment Grade Rating from at least two (2) of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch.
Recipient” means the Agent, any Lender, and any L/C Issuer, as applicable.
Register” is defined in Section 9.6(c).
Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as amended from time to time.
Regulatory Change” means (i) the adoption or becoming effective after the Closing Date of any treaty, law, rule or regulation, (ii) any change in any such treaty, law, rule or regulation (including Regulation D), or any change in the administration or enforcement thereof, by any Governmental Authority, central bank or other monetary authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, in each case after the Closing Date, or (iii) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Regulatory Change”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors, consultants, service providers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
Relevant Governmental Body means (a) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Dollars, the FRB or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the FRB or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto and (b) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Canadian Dollars, (i) the relevant Governmental
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Authority or the central bank for Canadian Dollars in which such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts are denominated, or calculated with respect to, or any central bank or other supervisor which is responsible for supervising either (A) such Benchmark Replacement or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement or (ii) any working group or committee officially endorsed or convened by (A) the relevant Governmental Authority or the central bank for Canadian Dollars in which such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts are denominated, or calculated with respect to, (B) any central bank or other supervisor that is responsible for supervising either (1) such Benchmark Replacement or (2) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement, (C) a group of those central banks or other supervisors or (D) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof.
Rent Expense” means consolidated operating lease cost, which excludes variable lease cost, sublease income and the amortization of developer reimbursements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
Required Lenders” means Lenders having more than 50% of the Revolving Commitments or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, L/C Obligations and (without duplication) participations therein. The Revolving Commitments of, and the outstanding Loans, L/C Obligations and (without duplication) participations therein held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders for as long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender.
Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
Responsible Officer” is defined in Section 2.1(c)(iii).
Restricted Payment” means (i) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary now or hereafter outstanding, except (a) a dividend or other distribution payable solely in shares or equivalents of Capital Stock of the same class as the Capital Stock on account of which the dividend or distribution is being paid or made and (b) the issuance of equity interests upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, options or other rights, or (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary now or hereafter outstanding.
Revaluation Date” means with respect to any Revolving Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars, each of the following: (a) each date of a Borrowing of a CDOR Rate Loan, but only as to the amounts so borrowed on such date, (b) each date of a continuation of a CDOR Rate Loan pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, but only as to the amounts so continued on such date, and (c) such additional dates as the Agent reasonably shall determine or the Required Lenders reasonably shall require.
Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i), (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth for such Lender on Schedule 1.1(c) or as set forth in the Assignment and Assumption or in any other documentation described in Section 2.18 pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, in each case, as modified or terminated from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
Revolving Commitment Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, with respect to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, the percentage identified on Schedule 1.1(c) opposite such Lender’s name or as set forth in the Assignment and Assumption or in any other documentation described in Section 2.18 pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, in each case, as such percentage may be modified in accordance with the terms hereof; provided that the Revolving Commitment Percentage of such Lender shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.22.
Revolving Commitment Termination Date” is defined in Section 2.7(a).
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Revolving Committed Amount” means EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($800,000,000), as such amount may be reduced in accordance with Section 2.7 or increased in accordance with Section 2.18.
Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its Revolving Loans and such Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans at such time.
Revolving Loan Note” means a Revolving Loan Note made by the Borrower, in substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5(a)(i), payable to a Lender, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Revolving Loans made by such Lender and includes any Revolving Loan Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
Revolving Loans” is defined in Section 2.1(a)(i).
S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto.
Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means, with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.
Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in Canadian Dollars, same day or other funds as may be determined by the Agent to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in Canadian Dollars.
Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the Canadian Government, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.
SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and any successor thereto.
Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Cash Management Bank.
Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Swap Contract that is entered into by and between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank.
Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 8.5, and the other Persons the Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Collateral Documents.
Secured Party Designation Notice” means a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit 8.11.
Security Agreement” means the security agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed in favor of the Agent by each of the Loan Parties.
Senior Officer” means, with respect to any Loan Party, the president; the chief executive officer; the chief financial officer; the chief accounting officer; or comparable officers or managers of such Loan Party.
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SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (i) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (ii) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature in their ordinary course, (iii) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s assets would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged or is about to engage, (iv) the fair value of the assets of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of such Person and (v) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
Spot Rate” means, for Canadian Dollars, the rate determined for Canadian Dollars by the Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of Canadian Dollars with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for Canadian Dollars.
SPTs” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which more than 50% of the Voting Stock is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such first Person. Unless otherwise indicated, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
Supported QFC” has the meaning specified in Section 9.22.
Sustainability Assurance Provider” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24.
Sustainability Structuring Agent” means Wells Fargo Securities, in its capacity as sustainability structuring agent.
Sustainability Linked Loan Principles” means the Sustainability Linked Loan Principles (as most recently published by the Loan Market Association, Asia Pacific Loan Market Association and Loan Syndications & Trading Association).
Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master
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agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Swap Obligations” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swing Line Commitment” means, as to the Swing Line Lender, its obligation to make Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.20 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite the Swing Line Lender’s name on Schedule 2.20, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
Swing Line Lender” means Wells Fargo Bank in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).
Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Borrowing of Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.20(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.20 or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent).
Swing Line Note” means a Swing Line Note made by the Borrower, in substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5(a)(iii), payable to the Swing Line Lender, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lender and includes any Swing Line Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $75,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Committed Amount. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Committed Amount.
Syndication Agents” means Bank of America, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, or any successors thereto.
Taxes” means any income, stamp, excise, property and other taxes, charges, fees, levies, duties, imposts, withholdings or other assessments, together with any interest and penalties, additions to tax and additional amounts imposed by any federal, state, provincial, local or foreign taxing authority upon any Person.
Term SOFR” means,
(a)for any calculation with respect to a Term SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) Term SOFR Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding Term SOFR Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding Term SOFR Business Day is not more than three (3) Term SOFR Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day, and
(b)for any calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one (1) month on the day (such day, the “Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) Term SOFR Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is
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published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding Term SOFR Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding Term SOFR Business Day is not more than three (3) Term SOFR Business Days prior to such Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day;
provided, further, that if Term SOFR determined as provided above (including pursuant to the proviso under clause (a) or clause (b) above) shall ever be less than the Floor, then Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.
Term SOFR Adjustment” means a percentage equal to 0.10% per annum.
Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Agent in its reasonable discretion).
Term SOFR Business Day” means, for any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Dollars, any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities; provided, that for purposes of notice requirements in Sections 2.1(c), 2.4(b) and 2.8(c), in each case, such day is also a Business Day.
Term SOFR Lending Office” means the office, branch or Affiliate of any Lender described in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire as its Term SOFR Lending Office or, subject to the terms hereof, such other office, branch or Affiliate as such Lender may hereafter designate as its Term SOFR Lending Office by notice to the Borrower and the Agent.
Term SOFR Loan” means any Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Adjusted Term SOFR other than pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of “Base Rate”.
Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.
Type” means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan, Term SOFR Loan or CDOR Rate Loan.
UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
UCP” means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce.
UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person subject to IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
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Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(c)(i).
U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning specified in Section 9.22.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(d)(ii)(B)(III).
Voting Stock” means Capital Stock issued by a corporation, or equivalent interests in any other 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 to so vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.
Wells Fargo Bank” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or any successor thereto.
Wells Fargo Securities” means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in its capacity as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner or in its capacity as Sustainability Structuring Agent.
Wholly-Owned” means, with respect to any Subsidiary, that all the Capital Stock (except for directors’ qualifying shares) of such Subsidiary are directly or indirectly owned by the Borrower.
Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
1.2Related Matters.
(a)Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, the singular includes the plural, the part includes the whole, “including” is not limiting, and “or” has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole (including the Preamble, the Recitals, the Schedules and the Exhibits) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. References in this Agreement to “Articles,” “Sections,” “Subsections,” “Exhibits,” “Schedules,” “Recitals” and “Preambles” are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. References in this Agreement to any agreement, other document or law “as amended” or “as amended from time to time,” or to amendments of any document or law, shall include any amendments, supplements, replacements, renewals, waivers or other modifications. References in this Agreement to any law (or any part thereof) include any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (or with respect to such part) by the relevant Governmental Authority, as amended from time to time.
(b)Determinations. Any determination or calculation contemplated by this Agreement that is made by any Lender Party in good faith and reasonably shall be final and conclusive and binding upon the Loan Parties and, in the case of determinations by the Agent, also the other Lender Parties, in the absence of manifest error. All consents and other actions of any Lender Party contemplated by this Agreement may be given, taken, withheld or not taken in such Lender Party’s discretion (whether or not so expressed), except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
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(c)Accounting Terms and Determinations. Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. In the event that any “Accounting Change” (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a material change in the resulting financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Lender Parties agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as they would be if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. “Accounting Changes” refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC or any regulator of financial institutions or financial institution holding companies. For purposes of determining compliance with any covenant contained herein, whether a lease constitutes a capitalized lease, and whether obligations arising under such lease are required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee thereunder and/or recognized as interest expense in such lessee’s financial statements, shall be determined in accordance with GAAP.
(d)[Reserved].
(e)Headings. The Article and Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
(f)Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under Applicable Law in any jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, which shall not affect any other provisions hereof or the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2(f), if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by the Bankruptcy Code or any similar Applicable Law, as determined in good faith by the Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
(g)Time.     All references to time herein shall be references to Pacific Standard Time or Pacific Daylight Time, as the case may be, unless specified otherwise.
(h)Divisions. Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).
1.3Letter of Credit Amounts.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
1.4Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.
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(a)The Agent shall determine the Spot Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Revolving Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars. Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by the Borrower hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of Canadian Dollars for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Agent.
(b)Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, continuation or prepayment of a CDOR Rate Loan, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such CDOR Rate Loan is denominated in Canadian Dollars, such amount shall be the Canadian Dollar Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of Canadian Dollars, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Agent.
1.5Rates.
The Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR, the CDOR Rate, CDOR or any other Benchmark, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or with respect to any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement), as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.12(c), will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR, the CDOR Rate, CDOR, such Benchmark or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. The Agent and its Affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of a Benchmark, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto and such transactions may be adverse to the Borrower. The Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
Article II.

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE CREDIT FACILITIES
1.1Revolving Loans.
(a)General Terms.
(i)Each Lender severally agrees, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at any time from and after the Closing Date until the Business Day next preceding the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, to make revolving loans in Dollars or Canadian Dollars (each a “Revolving Loan”) to the Borrower; provided that (A) the sum of all Revolving Loans outstanding plus all Bid Loans outstanding plus all L/C Obligations outstanding plus all Swing Line Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount and (B) with respect to each individual Lender, such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Revolving Loans plus such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding L/C Obligations plus such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount.
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(ii)[Reserved].
(iii)Revolving Loans may be voluntarily prepaid pursuant to Section 2.8(c) and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, any amounts so prepaid or otherwise repaid in accordance with their terms may be re-borrowed, up to the amount available under this Section 2.1 at the time of such reborrowing.
(b)Type of Loans and Amounts.
(i)Loans made under this Section 2.1 that are denominated in Dollars may be Base Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans, subject, however, to Sections 2.4(c) and 2.12. Loans made under this Section 2.1 that are denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be CDOR Rate Loans, subject, however, to Sections 2.4(c) and 2.12.
(ii)Except as provided in Sections 2.19(c) and 2.20(c), each Borrowing of Revolving Loans shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, or a minimum aggregate amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, in the case of a Borrowing of Term SOFR Loans and CDOR Rate Loans.
(c)Notice of Borrowing.
(i)When the Borrower desires to borrow Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.1, it shall provide irrevocable notice to the Agent, which may be given by (x) telephone or (y) a Notice of Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(c) or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent), duly completed and executed by a Responsible Officer (a “Notice of Borrowing”); provided that any telephonic notice to the Agent must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Agent of a Notice of Borrowing. Each such Notice of Borrowing (or telephonic notice) must be received by (A) no later than 10:00 a.m. on the proposed Funding Date, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, (B) no later than 10:00 a.m. at least three (3) Term SOFR Business Days before the proposed Funding Date, in the case of a Borrowing of Term SOFR Loans or (C) no later than 10:00 a.m. at least three (3) CDOR Business Days before the proposed Funding Date, in the case of a Borrowing of CDOR Rate Loans. A Notice of Borrowing received after 10:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, Term SOFR Business Day or CDOR Business Day, as applicable.
(ii)No Lender Party shall incur any liability to the Borrower or the other Lender Parties in acting upon any telephonic notice that such Lender Party believes to have been given by a Responsible Officer or for otherwise acting in good faith under this Section 2.1 and in making any Loan in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any telephonic notice and, upon funding of Revolving Loans by any Lender in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to any such telephonic notice, the Borrower shall have effected Revolving Loans hereunder.
(iii)The Borrower shall notify the Agent of the names of its officers and employees authorized to request and take other actions with respect to Loans and Letters of Credit on behalf of the Borrower (each a “Responsible Officer”) by providing the Agent with a Notice of Responsible Officers substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(c)(iii) duly completed and executed by a Senior Officer (a “Notice of Responsible Officers”) or by designating such Responsible Officers in or pursuant to an agreement between the Borrower and the Agent. The Agent shall be entitled to rely conclusively on a Responsible Officer’s authority to request and take other actions with respect to Loans and Letters of Credit on behalf of the Borrower until the Agent receives a new Notice of Responsible Officers that no longer designates such Person as a Responsible Officer.
(iv)Any Notice of Borrowing (or telephonic notice) delivered pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be irrevocable and, subject to Section 2.12(a), the Borrower shall be bound to make a Borrowing in accordance therewith.
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(v)The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the contents of any Notice of Borrowing (or telephonic notice) received by it, and such Lender’s pro rata portion of the Borrowing requested. Prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date specified in such notice as the Funding Date, each Lender, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, shall make its pro rata portion of the Borrowing available, in the applicable currency and in Same Day Funds, to the Agent at the Agent’s Account.
(d)Funding. Not later than 1:00 p.m. on the applicable Funding Date or such later time as may be agreed to by the Borrower and the Agent, and subject to and upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Article 3 as determined by the Agent, the Agent shall, upon receipt of the proceeds of the requested Loans, make such proceeds available to the Borrower in the applicable currency in Same Day Funds in the Borrower Account; provided, however, that if, on the date of a Borrowing of Revolving Loans, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.
(e)Several Obligations; Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Agent. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans, if applicable, and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.2(b) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Revolving Loan, to fund any such participation, if applicable, or to make any payment under Section 9.2(b) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Revolving Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.2(b). Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Term SOFR Loans or CDOR Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Agent such Lender’s share of such Revolving Loan, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.1(c) (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.1(c)) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Agent, then the applicable Lender agrees to pay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent at the Overnight Rate. If such Lender has not paid such amount to the Agent within two (2) Business Days following the Agent’s demand therefor, then the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent at the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay interest to the Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Revolving Loan to the Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Agent. A notice of the Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (e) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
1.2Bid Loans.
(a)General Terms. At any time prior to the Business Day immediately preceding the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower may request the Lenders to make offers to make bid loans to the Borrower (each a “Bid Loan”); provided that (i) the sum of all Bid Loans outstanding plus all Revolving Loans outstanding plus all Swing Line Loans outstanding plus all L/C Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount; (ii) the aggregate amount of Bid Loans requested for any Funding Date and with the same Interest Period (each a “Bid Loan Borrowing”) shall be at least $2,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and (iii) all Interest Periods applicable to Bid Loans shall be subject to Section 2.4(c). The Lenders may, but shall have no obligation
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to, make such offers, and the Borrower may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers in the manner set forth in this Section 2.2.
(b)Bid Loan Procedures.
(i)When the Borrower wishes to request offers to make Bid Loans, it shall provide telephonic notice to the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) followed promptly by written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(b)(i), or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent), duly completed and executed by a Responsible Officer (a “Bid Loan Quote Request”), so as to be received no later than 10:00 a.m. on the second (2nd) Business Day before the proposed Funding Date (or such other time and date as the Borrower and the Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders, may agree). Subject to Section 2.4(c), the Borrower may request offers for up to three (3) different Bid Loan Borrowings in a single Bid Loan Quote Request, in which case such Bid Loan Quote Request shall be deemed a separate Bid Loan Quote Request for each such Borrowing. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.2, no Bid Loan Quote Request shall be given within five (5) Business Days (or such other number of days as the Borrower and the Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders, may agree) of any other Bid Loan Quote Request.
(ii)Each Lender may, but shall not be obligated to, in response to any Bid Loan Quote Request submit one or more written quotes substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(b)(ii), or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent), duly completed (each a “Bid Loan Quote”), each containing an offer to make a Bid Loan for the Interest Period requested and setting forth the Absolute Rate to be applicable to the Bid Loan; provided that (A) a Lender may make a single submission containing one or more Bid Loan Quotes in response to several Bid Loan Quote Requests given at the same time; and (B) the principal amount of the Bid Loan for which each such offer is being made shall be at least $2,000,000 and multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans for which a Lender submits Bid Loan Quotes (1) may be greater or less than the Revolving Commitment of such Lender but (2) may not exceed the principal amount of the Bid Loan Borrowing for which offers were requested. Each Bid Loan Quote by a Lender other than the Agent must be submitted to the Agent by fax not later than 8:00 a.m. on the Funding Date (or such other time and date as the Borrower and the Agent, with the consent of the Required Lenders, may agree); provided that any Bid Loan Quote may be submitted by the Agent, in its capacity as a Lender, only if the Agent notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer contained therein not later than 7:45 a.m. on the Funding Date. Subject to Sections 3 and 7.2, any Bid Loan Quote so made shall be irrevocable except with the consent of the Agent given on the instructions of the Borrower. Unless otherwise agreed by the Agent and the Borrower, no Bid Loan Quote shall contain qualifying, conditional or similar language or propose terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the applicable Bid Loan Quote Request and, in particular, no Bid Loan Quote may be conditioned upon acceptance by the Borrower of all (or some specified minimum) of the principal amount of the Bid Loan for which such Bid Loan Quote is being made.
(iii)The Agent shall, as promptly as practicable after any Bid Loan Quote is submitted (but in any event not later than 8:30 a.m. on the Funding Date, or 7:45 a.m. on the Funding Date with respect to any Bid Loan Quote submitted by the Agent, in its capacity as a Lender), notify the Borrower of the terms (A) of any Bid Loan Quote submitted by a Lender that is in accordance with Section 2.2(b)(ii) and (B) of any Bid Loan Quote that amends, modifies or is otherwise inconsistent with a previous Bid Loan Quote submitted by such Lender with respect to the same Bid Loan Quote Request. Any subsequent Bid Loan Quote shall be disregarded by the Agent unless the subsequent Bid Loan Quote is submitted solely to correct a manifest error in a former Bid Loan Quote. The Agent’s notice to the Borrower shall specify (1) the aggregate principal amount of the Bid Loan Borrowing for which offers have been received and (2) (A) the respective principal amounts and (B) the rates of interest (which shall be expressed as an absolute number and not in terms of a specified margin over the quoting Lender’s cost of funds) (the
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Absolute Rate”) so offered by each Lender (identifying the Lender that made each such Bid Loan Quote).
(iv)Not later than 9:00 a.m. on the Funding Date (or such other time and date as the Borrower and the Agent, with the consent of each Lender that has submitted a Bid Loan Quote may agree), the Borrower shall notify the Agent of its acceptance or nonacceptance of the offers so notified to it pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(iii) (and the failure of the Borrower to give such notice by such time shall constitute nonacceptance), and the Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender. In the case of acceptance, such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that are accepted. The Borrower may accept any Bid Loan Quote in whole or in part; provided that (A) any Bid Loan Quote accepted in part shall be at least $1,000,000 and multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; (B) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Loan Borrowing may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Bid Loan Quote Request; (C) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Loan Borrowing shall be at least $2,000,000 and multiples of $1,000,000 and shall not cause the limits specified in Section 2.2(a) to be violated; (D) acceptance of offers may be made only in ascending order of Absolute Rates, beginning with the lowest rate so offered; and (E) the Borrower may not accept any offer where the Agent has advised the Borrower that such offer fails to comply with Section 2.2(b)(ii) or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Agreement (including Section 2.2(a)). If offers are made by two (2) or more Lenders with the same Absolute Rates for a greater aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which offers are accepted for the related Interest Period, the principal amount of Bid Loans in respect of which such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the Borrower among such Lenders as nearly as possible (in amounts of at least $1,000,000 and multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof) in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of such offers. Determinations by the Borrower of the amounts of Bid Loans shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, the Borrower shall have no obligation to accept any Bid Loan Quote by a Defaulting Lender.
(v)Subject to the terms set forth in this Agreement, any Lender whose offer to make any Bid Loan has been accepted shall, prior to 10:00 a.m. on the date specified for the making of such Loan, make the amount of such Loan available to the Agent at the Agent’s Account in Same Day Funds, for the account of the Borrower. The amount so received by the Agent shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower on or before 11:00 a.m. on such date by depositing the same, in Same Day Funds, in the Borrower Account.
1.3Use of Proceeds.
The proceeds of the Loans shall be used by the Borrower only for working capital, capital expenditures and other lawful general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including loans made by the Borrower to its Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds of the Loans shall be used directly or indirectly for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or maintaining or extending credit to others for such purpose or for any other purpose that otherwise violates the Margin Regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the proceeds of the Loans shall not be used to finance any acquisition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of another Person unless the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) of such Person has duly approved such acquisition.
1.4Interest; Interest Periods; Conversion/Continuation.
(a)Interest Rate and Payment.
(i)Each Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof, from and including the date of the making of such Loan to and excluding the due date or the date of any repayment thereof, at the following rates per annum: (A) for so long as and to the extent that such Loan is a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin; (B) for so long as and to the extent that such Loan is a Term SOFR Loan, at Adjusted Term SOFR for each Interest Period applicable thereto plus the Applicable Margin; (C) if such Loan is a Bid Loan, at the Absolute Rate quoted by the Lender making such Bid Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(ii); (D) if such Loan
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is a Swing Line Loan, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans and (E) if such Loan is a CDOR Rate Loan, at the CDOR Rate for each Interest Period applicable thereto plus the Applicable Margin. To the extent that any calculation of interest or any fee required to be paid under this Agreement shall be based on (or result in) a calculation that is less than zero, such calculation shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4(a), (A) during the existence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(i), such overdue principal shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Post-Default Rate, without notice or demand of any kind and (B) during the existence of any Event of Default (other than pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(i)), any principal, overdue interest or other amount payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall, at the request of the Required Lenders, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Post-Default Rate.
(iii)Accrued interest shall be payable in arrears (A) in the case of a Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), on the last Business Day of each month; (B) in the case of a Term SOFR Loan or a CDOR Rate Loan, on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto; provided that if the Interest Period applicable to a Term SOFR Loan or CDOR Rate Loan is longer than three (3) months, interest also shall be payable on the last day of the third month of such Interest Period; (C) in the case of a Bid Loan, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto; and (D) in the case of any Loan, when the Loan shall become due, whether by reason of maturity, mandatory prepayment, acceleration or otherwise.
(b)Conversion or Continuation of Revolving Loans.
(i)Subject to this Section 2.4(b) and Sections 2.4(c) and 2.14, the Borrower shall have the option (A) at any time, to convert all or any part of its outstanding Base Rate Loans to Term SOFR Loans, and (B) on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, to (1) convert all or any part of its outstanding Term SOFR Loans to Base Rate Loans, (2) to continue all or any part of its Term SOFR Loans as Loans of the same Type or (3) to continue all or any part of its CDOR Rate Loans as Loans of the same Type; provided that, in the case of clause (A), (B) (2) or (B) (3), there does not exist a Default or an Event of Default at such time. If a Default or an Event of Default shall exist upon the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to any Term SOFR Loan, such Term SOFR Loan automatically shall be converted into a Base Rate Loan. If a Default or an Event of Default shall exist upon the expiration of an Interest Period applicable to any CDOR Rate Loan, such CDOR Rate Loan shall be continued as a CDOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one (1) month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be converted from one (1) Type of Loan to another. No Loan may be converted into or continued as a Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be prepaid in the original currency of such Loan and reborrowed in the other currency.
(ii)If the Borrower elects to convert or continue a Revolving Loan under this Section 2.4(b), it shall provide irrevocable notice to the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), which may be given by (x) telephone or (y) a Notice of Conversion/Continuation substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.4(b)(ii) or such other form as may be approved by the Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agent), duly completed and executed by a Responsible Officer (a “Notice of Continuation/Conversion”); provided that any telephonic notice to the Agent must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Agent of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation. Each such Notice of Conversion/Continuation (or telephonic notice) must be received by (A) not later than 10:00 a.m. at least three (3) Term SOFR Business Days before the proposed conversion or continuation date, if the Borrower proposes to convert into, or to continue, a Term SOFR Loan, (B) not later than 10:00 a.m. at least three (3) CDOR Business Days before the proposed conversion or continuation date, if the Borrower proposes to continue, a CDOR Rate Loan and (C) otherwise not later than 10:00 a.m. on the Business Day next preceding the proposed conversion or continuation date. A Notice of Conversion/Continuation received after 10:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, Term SOFR Business Day or CDOR Business Day, as applicable.
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(iii)No Lender Party shall incur any liability to the Borrower or any other Lender Party in acting upon any telephonic notice that such Lender Party believes to have been given by a Responsible Officer or for otherwise acting in good faith under this Section 2.4(b) in converting or continuing any Loan (or a part thereof) pursuant to any telephonic notice.
(iv)Any Notice of Conversion/Continuation (or telephonic notice) shall be irrevocable and the Borrower shall be bound to convert or continue in accordance therewith. If any request for the conversion or continuation of a Loan is not made in accordance with this Section 2.4(b), or if no notice is so given with respect to a Term SOFR Loan or a CDOR Rate Loan as to which the Interest Period expires, then (A) in the case of a Term SOFR Loan, such Term SOFR Loan automatically shall be converted into a Base Rate Loan and (B) in the case of a CDOR Rate Loan, such CDOR Rate Loan shall automatically be continued as a CDOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one (1) month.
(v)Bid Loans may not be continued or converted but instead must be repaid in full at the end of the applicable Interest Period.
(c)Interest Periods and Minimum Amounts. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) all Interest Periods applicable to Term SOFR Loans, CDOR Rate Loans and Bid Loans shall comply with the definition of “Interest Period,” and (ii) there may be no more than ten (10) different Interest Periods for all Term SOFR Loans, CDOR Rate Loans and Bid Loans outstanding at any one time. For purposes of the foregoing clause (ii), Interest Periods applicable to Loans of different Types shall constitute different Interest Periods even if they are coterminous.
(d)Computations. Interest on each Loan and all Fees and other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year or, in the case of interest on Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to Adjusted Term SOFR) or Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, a 365 or 366-day year, as the case may be, for the actual number of days elapsed including the first day but excluding the last day on which such Loan is outstanding (it being understood and agreed that if a Loan is borrowed and repaid on the same day, one (1) day’s interest shall be payable with respect to such Loan). Any change in the interest rate on any Loan or other amount resulting from a change in the rate applicable thereto (or any component thereof, including the Applicable Margin) pursuant to the terms hereof shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change in the applicable rate (or component) shall become effective. Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all parties for all purposes, in the absence of manifest error.
(e)Maximum Lawful Rate of Interest. The rate of interest payable on any Loan or other amount shall in no event exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permissible under Applicable Law (including, without limitation, the Criminal Code (Canada)). If the rate of interest payable on any Loan or other amount is ever reduced as a result of this Section 2.4(e) and at any time thereafter the maximum rate permitted by Applicable Law shall exceed the rate of interest provided for in this Agreement, then the rate provided for in this Agreement shall be increased to the maximum rate provided by Applicable Law for such period as is required so that the total amount of interest received by the Lenders is that which would have been received by the Lenders but for the operation of the first sentence of this Section 2.4(e).
(f)For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada), (i) whenever a rate of interest or fee rate hereunder is calculated on the basis of a year (the “deemed year”) that contains fewer days than the actual number of days in the calendar year of calculation, such rate of interest or fee rate shall be expressed as a yearly rate by multiplying such rate of interest or fee rate by the actual number of days in the calendar year of calculation and dividing it by the number of days in the deemed year, (ii) the principle of deemed reinvestment of interest shall not apply to any interest calculation hereunder and (iii) the rates of interest stipulated herein are intended to be nominal rates and not effective rates or yields. Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably agrees not to plead or assert, whether by way of defense or otherwise, in any proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, that the interest payable under this Agreement and the calculation thereof has not been adequately disclosed to it, whether pursuant to section 4 of the Interest Act (Canada) or any other applicable law or legal principle.
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1.5Notes, Etc.
(a)Loans Evidenced by Notes. The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Agent) a promissory note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each such promissory note shall (i) in the case of Revolving Loans, be a Revolving Loan Note, (ii) in the case of the Bid Loans, be a Bid Loan Note and (iii) in the case of Swing Line Loans, be a Swing Line Note. Each Note shall, by its terms, mature in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement applicable to the relevant Loans.
(b)Notation of Amounts and Maturities, Etc. Each Lender is hereby irrevocably authorized to record on the schedule attached to its Notes (or a continuation thereof) the information contemplated by such schedule. The failure to record, or any error in recording, any such information shall not, however, affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Note to repay the principal amount of the Loans evidenced thereby, together with all interest accrued thereon. All such notations shall constitute conclusive evidence of the accuracy of the information so recorded, in the absence of manifest error.
(c)Participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (b), each Lender and the Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, in the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
1.6Fees.
In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.19:
(a)Facility Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders, a per annum facility fee (the “Facility Fee”) in Dollars equal to the Applicable Margin for the Facility Fee, in effect from time to time, based upon the then Revolving Committed Amount, whether or not used, for each day from and after the Closing Date until the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.22. The Facility Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
(b)Other Fees. On the Closing Date and from time to time thereafter as specified in the Agent Fee Letter, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent the fees in Dollars specified in the Agent Fee Letter.
(c)Fees Non-Refundable. All Fees shall be fully earned when payable hereunder or under the Agent Fee Letter and shall be non-refundable.
1.7Termination and Reduction of Revolving Commitments.
(a)Automatic Termination. Each Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall terminate without further action on the part of such Lender on the earlier to occur of (i) the Maturity Date, and (ii) the date of complete (but not partial) termination of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.7(b) or
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Section 7.2 (such earlier date being referred to herein as the “Revolving Commitment Termination Date”).
(b)Voluntary Reductions. Upon not less than five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent, the Borrower shall have the right, at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date, to terminate in whole or permanently reduce in part, without premium or penalty, the Revolving Committed Amount to an amount not less than the then aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, as applicable; provided, that if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Revolving Committed Amount, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. Any such termination or partial reduction shall be effective on the date specified in the Borrower’s notice, and any such partial reduction shall be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
(c)Change of Control. If a Change of Control shall occur (a) the Borrower will, within ten (10) days after the occurrence thereof, give the Agent notice thereof and shall describe in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances giving rise thereto and (b) each Lender may, by three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Borrower and the Agent given not later than ninety (90) days after receipt of such notice of Change of Control, terminate its Revolving Commitment, which shall thereupon be terminated, and declare the Notes held by it (together with accrued interest thereon) and any other amounts payable hereunder for its account to be, and such Notes and such other amounts shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
1.8Repayments and Prepayments.
(a)Repayment.
(i)Revolving Loans. The unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Loans, together with accrued but unpaid interest and all other sums owing thereunder shall be due and payable in full on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
(ii)Swing Line Loans. The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten (10) Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made and (ii) the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
(b)Excess Revolving Loans.
(i)If at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans plus all outstanding L/C Obligations plus all outstanding Swing Line Loans plus all outstanding Bid Loans exceeds the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower shall, not later than the Business Day after the Borrower learns or is notified of the excess, make mandatory prepayments of the Revolving Loans and/or Swing Line Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as may be necessary so that, after such prepayment, such excess is eliminated.
(ii)[Reserved].
(iii)If the Agent notifies the Borrower at any time that, as a result of a change in the Spot Rate, the principal amount of all Revolving Loans at such time exceeds 105% of the Revolving Committed Amount then in effect, the Borrower shall, not later than the Business Day after the Borrower learns or is notified of the excess, make mandatory prepayments of the Revolving Loans as may be necessary, so that after such prepayment, such excess is eliminated.
(c)Optional Prepayments.
(i)Subject to this Section 2.8(c), the Borrower may, at its option, at any time or from time to time, prepay Revolving Loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty,
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provided that (A) any prepayment shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, alternatively, the whole amount of Revolving Loans then outstanding) and (B) any prepayment of a Term SOFR Loan or a CDOR Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto shall be made together with the amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14. Bid Loans may not be voluntarily prepaid at any time.
(ii)If the Borrower elects to prepay a Revolving Loan under this Section 2.8(c), it shall deliver to the Agent a Notice of Loan Prepayment (A) with respect to a Base Rate Loan, not later than 10:00 a.m. on the proposed repayment date, (B) with respect to a Term SOFR Loan, not later than 10:00 a.m. at least three (3) Term SOFR Business Days before the proposed prepayment date or (C) with respect to a CDOR Rate Loan, not later than 10:00 a.m. at least three (3) CDOR Business Days before the proposed prepayment date. Any Notice of Loan Prepayment shall be irrevocable, and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified in such notice, together with interest accrued thereon to such date.
(iii)The Borrower may, upon delivery to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Agent) of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. Any Notice of Loan Prepayment shall be irrevocable, and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified in such notice, together with interest accrued thereon to such date.
(d)Payments Set Aside. To the extent the Agent or any Lender receives payment of any amount under the Loan Documents, whether by way of payment by a Loan Party, set-off or otherwise, which payment is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver, receiver-manager, or any other party under any Debtor Relief Law, other law or equitable cause, in whole or in part, then, to the extent of such payment received, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied thereby shall be revived and continue in full force and effect.
1.9Manner of Payment.
(a)All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the Borrower shall make each payment under the Loan Documents to the Agent, in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and in Same Day Funds at the Agent’s Office for the applicable currency, for the account of the Applicable Lending Offices of the Lenders entitled to such payment, by depositing such payment in the Agent’s Account not later than 11:00 a.m., in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, and not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Agent in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, in each case, on the due date thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. If, for any reason, the Borrower is prohibited by any Applicable Law from making any required payment hereunder in Canadian Dollars, the Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of Canadian Dollars payment amount. Any payments received (i) after 11:00 a.m., in the case of payments in Dollars, or (ii) after the Applicable Time specified by the Agent in the case of payments in Canadian Dollars, in each case, on any Business Day shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day. Not later than 12:00 Noon on the day such payment is made, the Agent shall deliver to each Lender entitled to such payment, for the account of the Lender’s Applicable Lending Office, in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and in Same Day Funds, such Lender’s share of the payment so made. Delivery shall be made in accordance with the written instructions satisfactory to the Agent from time to time given to the Agent by each Lender.
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(b)Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Agent for the account of the Lenders or any L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuers, as the case may be, the amount due.
A notice of the Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this clause (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c)If the Agent shall fail to deliver to any other Lender Party its share of any payment received from the Borrower as and when required by Section 2.9(a), the Agent shall pay to such Lender its share of such payment together with interest on such amount at the Overnight Rate, for each day from the date such amount was required to be paid to such Lender until the date the Agent pays such amount to such Lender.
(d)Subject to Sections 2.10 and 7.3, all payments made by the Borrower under the Loan Documents shall be applied to the Obligations as the Borrower may direct; provided that if the Borrower does not provide any such direction to the Agent, all amounts paid or received shall be applied, subject to Section 2.10, as the Agent may reasonably deem appropriate.
(e)Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall instead by made on the next succeeding Business Day (subject to accrual of interest and fees for the period of extension), except that, in the case of Term SOFR Loans or CDOR Rate 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 preceding Business Day.
1.10Pro Rata Treatment.
Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein,
(a)Revolving Loans and participations in Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations shall be made by the Lenders pro rata according to their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages.
(b)Each reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount and each payment of Revolving Loans, participations in Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations, interest on Revolving Loans and Facility Fees shall be applied pro rata among the Lenders, according to their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages.
(c)Each payment by the Borrower of principal of Bid Loans made as part of the same Borrowing shall be made and applied for the account of the Lenders holding such Bid Loans pro rata according to the respective unpaid principal amount of such Bid Loans owed to such Lenders and each payment by the Borrower of interest on Bid Loans shall be made and applied for the account of the Lenders holding such Bid Loans pro rata according to the respective accrued but unpaid interest on the Bid Loans owed to such Lenders.
1.11Sharing of Payments.
The Lenders agree among themselves that, except to the extent otherwise provided herein, in the event that any Lender shall obtain payment in respect of any Loan, participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans or any other obligation owing to such Lender under this Agreement through the exercise of a right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 of the Bankruptcy 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 Agreement, such Lender shall promptly pay in cash or purchase from the other Lenders a participation in such Loans, and if such Lender is a Lender, subparticipations in such L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans 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
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as provided for in this 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 payment in cash or a repurchase of a participation 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. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, if any Lender or the Agent shall fail to remit to any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender or the Agent to such other Lender pursuant to this 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 Agent or such other Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight 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 2.11 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 2.11 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.
1.12Mandatory Suspension and Conversion of Term SOFR Loans or CDOR Rate Loans.
(a)Term SOFR Loans. Each Lender’s obligation to make, continue or convert Loans into Term SOFR Loans shall be suspended, all outstanding Term SOFR Loans shall be converted into Base Rate Loans (other than Base Rate Loans as to which the interest rate is based on Adjusted Term SOFR) on the last day of the respective Interest Periods applicable thereto (or, if earlier, in the case of Section 2.12(a)(ii), on the last day that such Lender can lawfully continue to maintain Term SOFR Loans) and all pending requests for the making or continuation of, or conversion into, Term SOFR Loans shall be considered requests for the making or conversion into Base Rate Loans (other than Base Rate Loans as to which the interest rate is based on Adjusted Term SOFR) (or, in the case of requests for conversion, disregarded) on the same Funding Date or the end of the currently applicable Interest Period, as applicable, if:
(i)on or prior to the determination of the interest rate for a Term SOFR Loan for any Interest Period, the Agent determines that for any reason appropriate quotations (as referenced in the definition of “Term SOFR” appearing in Section 1.1) are not available to the Agent in the relevant interbank market for purposes of determining Adjusted Term SOFR, or a Lender advises the Agent (which shall thereupon notify the Borrower and the other Lenders) that such rate would not accurately reflect the cost to such Lender of making, continuing, or converting a Loan into, a Term SOFR Loan for such Interest Period; or
(ii)after the Closing Date, a Lender notifies the Agent (which shall thereupon notify the Borrower and the other Lenders) of its determination that any Regulatory Change makes it unlawful or impossible for such Lender or its Term SOFR Lending Office to make or maintain any Term SOFR Loan or any Base Rate Loan as to which the interest rate is based on Adjusted Term SOFR, or to comply with its obligations hereunder in respect thereof; provided, however, that if the Term SOFR Lending Office of any affected Lender is other than the affected Lender’s main office, before giving such notice, such affected Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Term SOFR Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not be otherwise materially disadvantageous to such Lender.
(b)CDOR Rate Loans. Each Lender’s obligation to make or continue CDOR Rate Loans shall be suspended, all outstanding CDOR Rate Loans shall be repaid by the Borrower on the last day of the respective Interest Periods applicable thereto (or, if earlier, in the case of Section 2.12(b)(ii), on the last day that such Lender can lawfully continue to maintain CDOR Rate Loans) and all pending requests for the making or continuation of CDOR Rate Loans shall be considered disregarded on the same Funding Date or the end of the currently applicable Interest Period, as applicable, if:
(i)on or prior to the determination of the interest rate for a CDOR Rate Loan for any Interest Period, the Agent determines that for any reason appropriate quotations (as referenced in
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the definition of “CDOR Rate” appearing in Section 1.1) are not available to the Agent in the Canadian interbank market for purposes of determining the CDOR Rate, or a Lender advises the Agent (which shall thereupon notify the Borrower and the other Lenders) that such rate would not accurately reflect the cost to such Lender of making or continuing a CDOR Rate Loan for such Interest Period; or
(ii)after the Closing Date, a Lender notifies the Agent (which shall thereupon notify the Borrower and the other Lenders) of its determination that any Regulatory Change makes it unlawful or impossible for such Lender or its CDOR Lending Office to make or maintain any CDOR Rate Loan, or to comply with its obligations hereunder in respect thereof; provided, however, that if the CDOR Lending Office of any affected Lender is other than the affected Lender’s main office, before giving such notice, such affected Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different CDOR Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not be otherwise materially disadvantageous to such Lender.
(c)Benchmark Replacement Setting.
(i)Benchmark Replacement.
(A)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event with respect to any Benchmark, the Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace such Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all affected Lenders and the Borrower so long as the Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.12(c)(i)(A) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.
(B)No Swap Contract shall be deemed to be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Section 2.12(c).
(ii)Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use or administration of Term SOFR.
(iii)Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (A) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Start Date, (B) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement selected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (C) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement and (D) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. The Agent will promptly notify the Borrower of the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.12(c)(iv). Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Agent or, if applicable, the Agent and the Borrower or any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.12(c), including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to
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this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.12(c).
(iv)Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (A) if any then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the CDOR Rate) and either (1) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Agent in its reasonable discretion or (2) the administrator of such Benchmark or the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks, then the Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable, non-representative, non-compliant or non-aligned tenor and (B) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (A) above either (1) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (2) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative or in compliance with or aligned with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(v)Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a given Benchmark, (A) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term SOFR Loans or CDOR Rate Loans, in each case, to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period denominated in the applicable currency and, failing that, (I) in the case of any request for any affected Term SOFR Loans, if applicable, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein and (II) in the case of any request for any affected Term SOFR Loan or CDOR Rate Loan, if applicable, then such request shall be ineffective and (B)(I) any outstanding affected Term SOFR Loans, if applicable, will be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period and (II) any outstanding affected Term Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, at the Borrower’s election, shall either (1) be converted into Base Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of Canadian Dollars) immediately or, in the case of CDOR Rate Loans, at the end of the applicable Interest Period or (2) be prepaid in full immediately or, in the case of CDOR Rate Loans, at the end of the applicable Interest Period; provided, further that, with respect to any CDOR Rate Loan, if no election is made by the Borrower by the earlier of (x) the date that is three (3) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of such notice and (y) the last day of the current Interest Period for the applicable CDOR Rate Loan, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected clause (1) above. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.14. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to any Benchmark or at any time that a tenor for any then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark that is the subject of such Benchmark Unavailability Period or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Base Rate.
1.13Regulatory Changes.
(a)Increased Costs.
(i)Term SOFR Loans. If, on or after the Closing Date, any Regulatory Change shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance or similar requirement, against, or any fees or charges in respect of, assets held by, deposits with or
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other liabilities for the account of, commitments of, advances or Loans or Letters of Credit by, any Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) or shall impose on any Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) or on the relevant interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting any Term SOFR Loan, or any obligation to make Term SOFR Loans, and the effect of the foregoing is (x) to increase the cost to such Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, issuing, renewing, continuing, converting or maintaining any Term SOFR Loan or its Revolving Commitment in respect thereof or any Letter of Credit or participation therein or (y) to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect thereto, then, the Borrower shall from time to time pay to such Lender Party, within fifteen (15) days after request by such Lender Party, such additional amounts as are necessary, in such Lender Party’s reasonable determination, to compensate such Lender Party for such increased cost or reduction; provided, however, that if the Term SOFR Lending Office of any affected Lender is other than the affected Lender’s main office, before giving such notice, such affected Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Term SOFR Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not be otherwise materially disadvantageous to such Lender.
(ii)CDOR Rate Loans. If, on or after the Closing Date, any Regulatory Change shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance or similar requirement, against, or any fees or charges in respect of, assets held by, deposits with or other liabilities for the account of, commitments of, advances or Loans by, any Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) involved in Revolving Loans or shall impose on any such Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) or on the relevant interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting any CDOR Rate Loan, or any obligation to make CDOR Rate Loans, and the effect of the foregoing is (x) to increase the cost to such Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, issuing, renewing, continuing or maintaining any CDOR Rate Loan or (y) to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender Party (or its Applicable Lending Office) hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect thereto, then, the Borrower shall from time to time pay to such Lender Party, within fifteen (15) days after request by such Lender Party, such additional amounts as are necessary, in such Lender Party’s reasonable determination, to compensate such Lender Party for such increased cost or reduction; provided, however, that if the CDOR Lending Office of any affected Lender is other than the affected Lender’s main office, before giving such notice, such affected Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different CDOR Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not be otherwise materially disadvantageous to such Lender.
(b)Capital Costs. If a Regulatory Change after the Closing Date regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of or maintained by any Lender or any company controlling such Lender as a consequence of such Lender’s Loans, participations in Letters of Credit or obligations hereunder and other commitments of this type to a level below that which such Lender or company could have achieved but for such Regulatory Change (taking into account such Lender’s or company’s policies with respect to capital adequacy), then the Borrower shall from time to time pay to such Lender, within fifteen (15) days after request by such Lender, such additional amounts as are necessary in such Lender’s reasonable determination to compensate such Lender or company for such reduction in return, to the extent such Lender or company determines such reduction to be attributable to the existence of obligations for the account of the Borrower.
(c)Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section will not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower will not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Regulatory Change giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Regulatory Change giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is
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retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above will be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
1.14Compensation for Funding Losses.
The Borrower shall pay to any Lender, upon demand by such Lender, such amount or amounts as such Lender reasonably determines is or are necessary to compensate it for any loss, cost, expense or liabilities incurred (including any loss, cost, expense or liability incurred by reason of the liquidation or redeployment of deposits and any foreign exchange losses) by it as a result of (a) any payment, prepayment or conversion of any Term SOFR Loan or CDOR Rate Loan for any reason (including by reason of a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.8(b) or an acceleration pursuant to Section 7.2, but excluding any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.1(e)) on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable to such Term SOFR Loan or such CDOR Rate Loan, or (b) any Term SOFR Loan or CDOR Rate Loan for any reason not being made (other than a wrongful failure to fund by such Lender or failure to make such a Loan due to circumstances described in Section 2.12), converted or continued, or any payment of principal of or interest thereon not being made, on the date therefor determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement or (c) for any prepayment of a Bid Loan due to acceleration pursuant to Section 7.2 or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be responsible to any Lender for any costs hereunder that result from the application of Section 2.12 or from any wrongful actions or omissions or default (including under Section 2.1(e)) of such Lender.
1.15Certificates Regarding Yield Protection, Etc.
Any request by any Lender Party for payment of additional amounts pursuant to Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.16 shall be accompanied by a certificate of such Lender Party setting forth the basis and amount of such request. In determining the amount of such payment, such Lender Party may use such reasonable attribution or averaging methods as it deems appropriate and practical.
1.16Taxes.
(a)Tax Liabilities Imposed on a Lender.
(i)Any and all payments by any Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law. If any Applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Agent or Borrower, as applicable) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Agent or a Loan Party, then the Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) below.
(ii)If any Loan Party or the Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment then (A) the Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) below, (B) the Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent the withholding or deduction is made on account of Taxes other than Excluded Taxes, the sum payable by such Loan Party shall be increased as may be necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.16) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deductions been made.
(iii)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.16, no Loan Party shall be required to pay any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.16(a) with respect to Taxes that are attributable to such Lender’s failure to fully comply with Section 2.16(d) and (e) and/or the certifications provided by such Lender being inaccurate.
(b)Other Taxes.
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(i)In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay, upon written notice from a Lender or Agent and prior to the date when penalties attach thereto, all other Taxes (other than Excluded Taxes) that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement. Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Agent as required pursuant to Section 2.16(b)(ii) below.
(ii)Each Lender and L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Agent against any Taxes other than Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that the Loan Parties have not already indemnified the Agent for such Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (y) the Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.6(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register or as a result of the failure by such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to deliver, or as a result of the inaccuracy, inadequacy or deficiency of, any documentation required to be delivered by such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to the Borrower or the Agent pursuant to Section 2.16(d) or (e) and (z) the Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Agent or the Loan Parties in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Agent under this clause (ii).
(c)Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Borrower or the Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party or by the Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 2.16, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent or the Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Applicable Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Agent, as the case may be.
(d)Evidence of Exemption.
(i)Any Lender or L/C Issuer that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and to the Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or the taxing authorities of a jurisdiction pursuant to such Applicable Law reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Agent to determine whether or not such Lender or L/C Issuer is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two (2) sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 2.16(d)(ii) and (e) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender or L/C Issuer to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender or L/C Issuer.
(ii)Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
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(A)any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent on or before the Closing Date (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Agent), copies of executed IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B)each Foreign Lender (which, for purposes of this Section 2.16, shall include any Affiliate of a Lender that makes any Term SOFR Loan or a CDOR Rate Loan pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) shall submit to the Borrower and the Agent on or before the Closing Date (or, in the case of a Person that becomes a Lender after the Closing Date by assignment, promptly upon such assignment), either:
(I)    copies of the following executed forms (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, certifying and establishing that such Foreign 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, and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, certifying and establishing that such Foreign Lender is entitled to an exemption from U.S. tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(II)    copies of executed IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the income receivable pursuant to this Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States;
(III)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, copies of the following executed documents (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.16(d)(ii)-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or
(IV)    to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, copies of executed IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.16(d)(ii)-2 or Exhibit 2.16(d)(ii)-3, W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.16(d)(ii)-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(iii)Each such Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, from time to time after submitting any such form, submit to the Borrower and the Agent such additional duly completed and signed copies of such forms (or such substantively comparable successor forms or other documents as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxing authorities as a basis for claiming an exemption from or reduction in United States federal withholding Tax) as may be (1) reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower or the Agent and (2) appropriate under then current United States laws or regulations.
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(e)FATCA. If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (e), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Closing Date.
(f)Additional Forms. Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 2.16 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g)    Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by Applicable Laws, at no time shall the Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Loan Parties or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.16, it shall pay to such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.16 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to the Loan Party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.

1.17Applicable Lending Office; Discretion of Lenders as to Manner of Funding.
Each Lender may make, carry or transfer Term SOFR Loans or CDOR Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of an Affiliate of the Lender, provided that such Lender shall not be entitled to receive, nor shall the Borrower be required to pay, any greater amount under Sections 2.13 or 2.16 as a result of the transfer of any such Loan than such Lender would be entitled to receive, or the Borrower obligated to pay, immediately prior thereto unless (a) such transfer occurred at a time when circumstances giving rise to the claim for such greater amount did not exist or (b) such claim would have arisen even if such transfer had not occurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each Lender shall be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of all or any part of its Term SOFR Loans or CDOR Rate Loans in any manner it sees fit, it being understood, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, all determinations hereunder shall be made as if each Lender had actually funded and maintained each Term SOFR Loan or each CDOR Rate Loan, as applicable, through the purchase of deposits in the relevant interbank market having a maturity corresponding to such Loan’s Interest Period and bearing interest at the applicable rate.
1.18Increases in Revolving Committed Amount.
Prior to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and upon at least fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Agent (which notice shall be promptly transmitted by the Agent to each Lender), the
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Borrower shall have the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, to increase the aggregate amount of the Revolving Committed Amount (but not the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit); provided that (a) no Default or Event of Default shall exist at the time of the request or the proposed increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, (b) such increase must be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 above such amount, (c) the Revolving Committed Amount shall not be increased to an amount greater than ONE BILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000,000) without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, (d) the aggregate amount of all increases to the Revolving Committed Amount pursuant to this Section 2.18 shall not exceed $200,000,000 without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, (e) no individual Lender’s Revolving Commitment may be increased without such Lender’s written consent, (f) if requested pursuant to Section 2.5, the Borrower shall execute and deliver such Revolving Loan Note(s) as are necessary to reflect the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, (g) Schedule 1.1(c) shall be amended to reflect the revised Revolving Committed Amount and revised Revolving Commitment Percentages of the Lenders, (h) all of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the time of the request for the proposed increase in the Revolving Committed Amount as though made on and as of that date; provided that, in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof, (i) the Agent shall have received from the Borrower, any customary legal opinions or other documents (including a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of each Loan Party authorizing such increase), and all other documents reasonably requested by Agent in connection with such increase, and (j) if any Revolving Loans are outstanding at the time of an increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower will prepay (provided that any such prepayment shall be subject to Section 2.14) one (1) or more existing Revolving Loans in an amount necessary such that after giving effect to the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount each Lender will hold its pro rata share (based on its share of the revised Revolving Committed Amount) of outstanding Revolving Loans.
Any such increase in the Revolving Committed Amount shall apply, at the option of the Borrower, to (x) the Revolving Commitment of one (1) or more existing Lenders; provided that any Lender whose Revolving Commitment is being increased must consent in writing thereto and/or (y) the creation of a new Revolving Commitment to one (1) or more institutions that is not an existing Lender; provided that any such institution (A) must conform to the definition of Eligible Assignee, (B) must have a Revolving Commitment of at least $10,000,000 and (C) must become a Lender under this Agreement by execution and delivery of an appropriate joinder agreement or of counterparts to this Agreement in a manner acceptable to the Borrower and the Agent.
1.19Letters of Credit.
(a)The Letter of Credit Commitment.
(i)Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) each L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.19, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the sum of all Revolving Loans outstanding plus all Bid Loans outstanding plus all L/C Obligations outstanding plus all Swing Line Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, (y) with respect to each individual Lender, such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Revolving Loans plus such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding L/C Obligations plus such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount and (z) the L/C Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided, further, that after giving effect to all L/C Credit Extensions, the aggregate outstanding amount of all L/C Obligations of any Initial L/C Issuer shall not exceed such Initial L/C Issuer’s L/C Commitment. Each request by the Borrower
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for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the provisos to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.
(ii)An L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A)subject to Section 2.19(b)(iii), the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) have approved such expiry date; or
(B)the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders that have Revolving Commitments have approved such expiry date.
(iii)An L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A)any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Applicable Law applicable to such L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;
(B)the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one (1) or more policies of such L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C)except as otherwise agreed by the Agent and such L/C Issuer, such Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $50,000;
(D)such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;
(E)such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder; or
(F)any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless such L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to such L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which such L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.
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(iv)An L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if such L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.
(v)An L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
(vi)Each L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and such L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Agent in Article 8 with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Agent” as used in Article 8 included such L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to such L/C Issuer.
(b)Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
(i)Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the applicable L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the applicable L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to such L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least five (5) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Agent and such L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may reasonably require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to applicable L/C Issuer and the Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as such L/C Issuer or the Agent may reasonably require.
(ii)Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the applicable L/C Issuer will confirm with the Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, such L/C Issuer will provide the Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the applicable L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Agent or the Borrower, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one (1) or more applicable conditions contained in Article 3 shall not be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with such L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from such L/C Issuer a risk
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participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.
(iii)If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the applicable L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit other than a commercial Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit such L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the applicable L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that such L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) such L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.19(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension, (2) from the Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one (1) or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 3.2 is not then satisfied, and in each case directing such L/C Issuer not to permit such extension or (3) from the Borrower that the Borrower has elected not to permit such extension.
(iv)Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, applicable L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment. On a monthly basis, each L/C Issuer shall deliver to the Agent a complete list of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer as provided in Section 2.19(l).
(c)Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.
(i)Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of drawing under such Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the applicable L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Issuer through the Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer by such time, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.1(b) for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 (other than the delivery of a Notice of Borrowing) and provided that, after giving effect to such Borrowing, the sum of all Revolving Loans outstanding plus all Bid Loans outstanding plus all L/C Obligations outstanding plus all Swing Line Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Any notice given by the applicable L/C Issuer or the Agent pursuant to this Section 2.19(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(ii)Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.19(c)(i) make funds available (and the Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer at the Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified
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in such notice by the Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.19(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Agent shall remit the funds so received to the applicable L/C Issuer.
(iii)With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the applicable L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Post-Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.19(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.19.
(iv)Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.19(c) to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of such L/C Issuer.
(v)Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.19(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against such L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) solely with respect to L/C Advances, the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.19(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Notice of Borrowing). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by such L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
(vi)If any Lender fails to make available to the Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.19(c) by the time specified in Section 2.19(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, such L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by such L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the applicable L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d)Repayment of Participations.
(i)At any time after the applicable L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.19(c), if such L/C Issuer or the Agent receives for the account of such L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Agent), such L/C Issuer shall turn over such payment to the
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Agent for distribution to such Lender or the Agent will distribute to such Lender, in each case, its Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Agent.
(ii)If any payment received by an L/C Issuer or the Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.19(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 8.5 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof on demand of the Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e)Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
(i)any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
(ii)the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), such L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
(iii)any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv)waiver by such L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for such L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by such L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;
(v)honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;
(vi)any payment made by such L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;
(vii)any payment by such L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by such L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar proceeding under any other Applicable Law; or
(viii)any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other
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irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the applicable L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the applicable L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(f)Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by such Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuers, the Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuers shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuers, the Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuers shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 2.19(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the applicable L/C Issuer, and such L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by such L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or such L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and such L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. Any L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.
(g)Applicability of ISP and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP at the time of issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no L/C Issuer shall be responsible to the Borrower for, and such L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of such L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Applicable Law or any order of a jurisdiction where such L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
(h)Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Revolving Commitment Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) (i) for each commercial Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Margin times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and (ii) for each standby Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Margin times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit; provided, however, any Letter of Credit Fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.19 shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, to the other Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in
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their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.22(a)(iv), with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.3. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the first (1st) Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Margin during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Margin separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Margin was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Post-Default Rate.
(i)Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee (i) with respect to each commercial Letter of Credit, at the rate separately agreed between the Borrower and such L/C Issuer, computed on the amount of such Letter of Credit, and payable upon the issuance thereof, (ii) with respect to any amendment of a commercial Letter of Credit increasing the amount of such Letter of Credit, at a rate separately agreed between the Borrower and such L/C Issuer, computed on the amount of such increase, and payable upon the effectiveness of such amendment, and (iii) with respect to each standby Letter of Credit, at the rate separately agreed between the Borrower and such L/C Issuer, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the first (1st) Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.3. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of such L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(j)Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
(k)Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
(l)Letters of Credit Reports.  Unless otherwise agreed by the Agent, each L/C Issuer shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, provide the Agent a Letter of Credit Report, as set forth below:
(i)reasonably prior to the time that such L/C Issuer issues, amends, renews, increases or extends a Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal, increase or extension and the stated amount of the applicable Letters of Credit after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed);
(ii)on each Business Day on which such L/C Issuer makes a payment pursuant to a Letter of Credit, the date and amount of such payment;
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(iii)on any Business Day on which the Borrower fails to reimburse a payment made pursuant to a Letter of Credit required to be reimbursed to such L/C Issuer on such day, the date of such failure and the amount of such payment;
(iv)on any other Business Day, such other information as the Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer; and
(v)for so long as any Letter of Credit issued by an L/C Issuer is outstanding, such L/C Issuer shall deliver to the Agent (A) on the last Business Day of each calendar month, (B) at all other times a Letter of Credit Report is required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and (C) on each date that (1) an L/C Credit Extension occurs or (2) there is any expiration, cancellation and/or disbursement, in each case, with respect to any such Letter of Credit, a Letter of Credit Report appropriately completed with the information for every outstanding Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer.
(m)Additional L/C Issuers. Any Lender hereunder may become an L/C Issuer upon receipt by the Agent of a fully executed Additional L/C Issuer Notice which shall be signed by the Borrower, the Agent and each L/C Issuer.
1.20Swing Line Loans.
(a)Swing Line Facility. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.20, may in its sole discretion make loans (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars at any time from and after the Closing Date until the Business Day next preceding the Revolving Commitment Termination Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit or the Swing Line Lender’s Swing Line Commitment, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Revolving Commitment Percentage of the outstanding amount of Revolving Loans, Bid Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that (i) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan (x) the sum of all Revolving Loans outstanding plus all Bid Loans outstanding plus all L/C Obligations outstanding plus all Swing Line Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount and (y) with respect to each individual Lender, such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Revolving Loans plus such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding L/C Obligations plus such Lender’s pro rata share of outstanding Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount, (ii) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan and (iii) the Swing Line Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such extensions of credit will have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.20, prepay under Section 2.8, and reborrow under this Section 2.20. Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest only at a rate based on the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.
(b)Borrowing Procedures. Each Borrowing of Swing Line Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Agent, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Swing Line Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Agent of a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will
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notify the Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Agent (including at the request of any Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Borrowing of Swing Line Loans (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.20(a), or (B) that one (1) or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article 3 is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower.
(c)Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.
(i)The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Notice of Borrowing for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.1(b), without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 (other than the delivery of a Notice of Borrowing) and provided that, after giving effect to such Borrowing, the sum of all Revolving Loans outstanding plus all Bid Loans outstanding plus all L/C Obligations outstanding plus all Swing Line Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Notice of Borrowing promptly after delivering such notice to the Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the amount specified in such Notice of Borrowing available to the Agent in Same Day Funds for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Notice of Borrowing, whereupon, subject to Section 2.20(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
(ii)If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.20(c)(i), the request for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.20(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
(iii)If any Lender fails to make available to the Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.20(c) by the time specified in Section 2.20(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(iv)Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.20(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or
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continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.20(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(d)Repayment of Participations.
(i)At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
(ii)If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 2.8(d) (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof on demand of the Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate. The Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e)Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.20 to refinance such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Revolving Commitment Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
(f)Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.
1.21Cash Collateral.
(a)Certain Credit Support Events. Upon the request of the Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer (i) if such L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, or (ii) if, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrower shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then outstanding amount of all L/C Obligations. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, immediately upon the request of the Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). For purposes of clarification, if Fronting Exposure remains after giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv), the Agent shall first request that the Defaulting Lender deliver to the Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover the remaining Fronting Exposure and, second, to the extent Fronting Exposure remains after giving effect to Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender, the Agent shall request that the Borrower deliver to the Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover the remaining Fronting Exposure.
(b)Grant of Security Interest. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Wells Fargo Bank. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.21(c). If at any time the Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Agent or an L/C Issuer as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure
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and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Agent, pay or provide to the Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.
(c)Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.21 or Sections 2.8, 2.19, 2.20, 2.22 or 7.2 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such Cash Collateral as may be provided for in this Section 2.21.
(d)Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 9.6(b)(vi))) or (ii) upon the Borrower’s request if there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.21 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 7.3), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the applicable L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
1.22Defaulting Lenders.
(a)Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law:
(i)Waivers and Amendments. That Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.3.
(ii)Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Agent hereunder for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article 8 or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.7), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuers or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by the Agent or requested by any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swing Line Loan or Letter of Credit; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or L/C Borrowings were made at a time
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when the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Borrowings owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Borrowings owed to, that Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.22(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii)Certain Fees.
(A)That Defaulting Lender (x) shall be entitled to receive any Facility Fee pursuant to Section 2.6(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to extent allocable to the sum of (1) the outstanding amount of the Loans funded by it and (2) its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.19, Section 2.20, Section 2.21, or Section 2.22(a)(ii), as applicable (and the Borrower shall (A) be required to pay to each of the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of such fee allocable to its Fronting Exposure arising from that Defaulting Lender and (B) not be required to pay the remaining amount of such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.19(h).
(B)Each Defaulting Lender that is a Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.21.
(C)With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.6(a) or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (a)(iv) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuers and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv)Reallocation of Revolving Commitment Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders that are Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment. Subject to Section 9.21, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non- Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v)Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under Applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lenders’ Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.21.
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For purposes of clarification, the operation of the provisions in this Section 2.22(a) shall not result in a breach of the Borrower’s obligations to the Defaulting Lender under this Agreement.
(b)Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuers agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Commitment Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.22(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
1.23Extension of Maturity Date.
(a)At least thirty (30) days but not more than sixty (60) days prior to any anniversary of the Closing Date, the Borrower, by written notice to the Agent, may request, up to two (2) times during the term of this Agreement, an extension of the Maturity Date in effect at such time by one (1) year from its then scheduled expiration. The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of such request, and each Lender shall in turn, in its sole discretion, not later than twenty (20) days prior to such anniversary date, notify the Borrower and the Agent in writing as to whether such Lender will consent to such extension. If any Lender shall fail to notify the Agent and the Borrower in writing of its consent to any such request for extension of the Maturity Date at least twenty (20) days prior to the applicable anniversary date, such Lender shall be deemed to be a Non-Extending Lender with respect to such request. The Agent shall notify the Borrower not later than fifteen (15) days prior to the applicable anniversary date of the decision of the Lenders regarding the Borrower’s request for an extension of the Maturity Date.
(b)If all of the Lenders consent in writing to any such request in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.23, upon receipt of a consent executed by the Lenders and the Borrower, the Maturity Date in effect at such time shall, effective as at the applicable anniversary date (the “Extension Date”), be extended for one (1) year; provided that on any Extension Date the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article IV are correct on and as of such Extension Date, before and after giving effect to such extension of the Maturity Date, as though made on and as of such Extension Date, and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such Extension Date. If less than all of the Lenders consent in writing to any such request in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.23, upon receipt of a consent executed by those Lenders that so consented (each an “Extending Lender”) and the Borrower, the Maturity Date in effect at such time shall, effective as at the applicable Extension Date and subject to subsection (d) of this Section 2.23, be extended as to the Extending Lenders but shall not be extended as to any other Lender (each a “Non-Extending Lender”). To the extent that the Maturity Date is not extended as to any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.23 and the Revolving Commitment of such Lender is not assumed in accordance with subsection (c) of this Section 2.23 on or prior to the applicable Extension Date, the Revolving Commitment of such Non-Extending Lender shall automatically terminate in whole on such unextended Maturity Date without any further notice or other action by the Borrower, such Lender or any other Person; provided that such Non-Extending Lender’s rights under Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.16, 9.1 and 9.2, and its obligations under Section 9.2(b), shall survive the Maturity Date for such Non-Extending Lenders as to matters occurring prior to such date. It is understood and agreed that no Lender shall have any obligation whatsoever to agree to any request made by the Borrower for any requested extension of the Maturity Date.
(c)If less than all of the Lenders consent to any such request pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 2.23, the Agent shall promptly so notify the Extending Lenders, and each Extending Lender may, in its sole discretion, give written notice to the Agent not later than ten (10) days prior to the Extension Date of the amount of the Non-Extending Lenders’ Revolving Commitments for which it is
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willing to accept an assignment. If the Extending Lenders notify the Agent that they are willing to accept assignments of Revolving Commitments in an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount of the Revolving Commitments of the Non-Extending Lenders, such Revolving Commitments shall be allocated among the Extending Lenders willing to accept such assignments in such amounts as are agreed between the Borrower and the Agent. If after giving effect to the assignments of Revolving Commitments described above there remains any Revolving Commitments of Non-Extending Lenders, the Borrower may arrange for one (1) or more Extending Lenders or other Eligible Assignees (any such Eligible Assignee to be referred to herein as an “Assuming Lender”) to assume, effective as of the Extension Date, any Non-Extending Lender’s Revolving Commitment and all of the obligations of such Non-Extending Lender under this Agreement thereafter arising, without recourse to or warranty by, or expense to, such Non-Extending Lender; provided, however, that the amount of the Revolving Commitment of any such Assuming Lender as a result of such substitution shall in no event be less than $10,000,000 unless the amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Non-Extending Lender is less than $10,000,000, in which case such Assuming Lender shall assume all of such lesser amount; and provided further that:
(i)any such Extending Lender or Assuming Lender shall have paid to such Non-Extending Lender (A) the aggregate principal amount of, and any interest accrued and unpaid to the effective date of the assignment on, the outstanding Loans, if any, of such Non-Extending Lender plus (B) any accrued but unpaid facility fees owing to such Non-Extending Lender as of the effective date of such assignment;
(ii)all additional cost reimbursements, expense reimbursements and indemnities payable to such Non-Extending Lender, and all other accrued and unpaid amounts owing to such Non-Extending Lender hereunder, as of the effective date of such assignment shall have been paid to such Non-Extending Lender; and
(iii)with respect to any such Assuming Lender, the applicable processing and recordation fee required under Section 9.6(b) for such assignment shall have been paid;
provided further that such Non-Extending Lender’s rights under Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.16, 9.1 and 9.2, and its obligations under Section 9.2(b), shall survive such substitution as to matters occurring prior to the date of substitution. At least three (3) Business Days prior to any Extension Date, (A) each such Assuming Lender, if any, shall have delivered to the Borrower and the Agent an Assignment and Assumption, duly executed by such Assuming Lender, such Non-Extending Lender, the Borrower and the Agent, (B) any such Extending Lender shall have delivered confirmation in writing satisfactory to the Borrower and the Agent as to the increase in the amount of its Revolving Commitment and (C) each Non-Extending Lender being replaced pursuant to this Section 2.23 shall have used its commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Agent any Note or Notes held by such Non-Extending Lender. Upon the payment or prepayment of all amounts referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2.23, each such Extending Lender or Assuming Lender, as of the Extension Date, will be substituted for such Non-Extending Lender under this Agreement and shall be a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement, without any further acknowledgement by or the consent of the other Lenders, and the obligations of each such Non-Extending Lender hereunder shall, by the provisions hereof, be released and discharged.

(d)If (after giving effect to any assignments or assumptions pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section 2.23) Lenders have Revolving Commitments equal to at least 50% of the Revolving Commitments in effect immediately prior to the Extension Date consent to a requested extension not later than one (1) Business Day prior to such Extension Date, the Agent shall so notify the Borrower, and, subject to (i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article IV being correct on and as of the date of such extension of the Maturity Date, before and after giving effect thereto, as though made on and as of such date, (ii) no Default or Event of Default having occurred and being continuing on the Extension Date and (iii) execution of a consent by the Extending Lenders, Assuming Lenders and the Borrower, the Maturity Date then in effect shall be extended for the additional one-year period as described in subsection (a) of this Section 2.23, and all references in this Agreement, and in the Notes, if any, to the “Maturity Date” shall, with respect to each Extending Lender and each Assuming Lender for such Extension Date, refer to the Maturity Date as so extended. Promptly following each Extension Date,
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the Agent shall notify the Lenders (including, without limitation, each Assuming Lender) of the extension of the scheduled Maturity Date in effect immediately prior thereto and shall thereupon record in the Register the relevant information with respect to each such Extending Lender and each such Assuming Lender.
1.24ESG Adjustments.
(a)After the Closing Date, the Borrower, in consultation with the Sustainability Structuring Agent, shall be entitled to (i) identify specified Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) related Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) and establish associated annual Sustainability Performance Targets (“SPTs”) with respect to the ESG strategy and disclosure of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and/or (ii) identify external ESG ratings (“ESG Ratings”) and establish associated annual SPTs. Any such KPIs and/or ESG Ratings and associated SPTs are to be mutually agreed between the Borrower and the Sustainability Structuring Agent. Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.3 to the contrary, the Borrower, the Sustainability Structuring Agent, and the Required Lenders may amend this Agreement (such amendment, an “ESG Amendment”) solely for the purpose of incorporating the KPIs and/or ESG Ratings, associated SPTs, and other related provisions (the “ESG Pricing Provisions”) into this Agreement. In the event that any such ESG Amendment does not obtain the requisite consent of the Required Lenders, an alternative ESG Amendment may be effectuated with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Borrower, the Sustainability Structuring Agent, and the Agent. Upon the effectiveness of any such ESG Amendment, based on the Borrower’s performance against the KPIs and/or ESG Ratings and associated SPTs, certain adjustments (an increase, a decrease, or no adjustment) to the Applicable Margin for Facility Fees, Loans and Letters of Credit will be made; provided that the amount of any such adjustments made pursuant to an ESG Amendment shall not exceed (x) in the case of the Applicable Margin for Facility Fees, an increase and/or decrease of 1.00 basis point and (y) in the case of the Applicable Margin for Loans and Letters of Credit, an increase and/or decrease of 4.00 basis points; provided, further, that in no event shall the Applicable Margin for Facility Fees, Loans or Letters of Credit be less than 0%. The pricing adjustments will require, among other things, annual reporting in a manner that is aligned with the Sustainability Linked Loan Principles in effect at the time of the ESG Amendment and is to be mutually agreed between the Borrower, the Sustainability Structuring Agent, and the Agent (each acting reasonably). If KPIs are utilized, any proposed ESG Amendment shall also identify a sustainability assurance provider; provided that any such sustainability assurance provider shall be a qualified external reviewer, independent of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, with relevant expertise, such as an auditor, environmental consultant and/or independent ratings agency of recognized national standing. Following the effectiveness of an ESG Amendment, (A) any modification to the ESG Pricing Provisions which has the effect of reducing the Applicable Margin for Facility Fees, Loans or Letters of Credit to a level not otherwise permitted by this Section 2.24 shall be subject to the consent of all Lenders and (B) any other modification to the ESG Pricing Provisions (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, as provided for in the immediately preceding clause (A)) shall be subject only to the consent of the Required Lenders. For avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Agreement or any fee letter or commitment letter entered into in connection with this Agreement obligates the Borrower to use any services of the Sustainability Structuring Agent or any Sustainability Assurance Provider whether described herein or otherwise.
(b)In connection with any proposed ESG Amendment, the Sustainability Structuring Agent may (i) assist the Borrower in selecting the KPIs and/or ESG Ratings and setting the associated SPTs, (ii) determine the ESG Pricing Provisions in connection with the ESG Amendment, and (iii) assist the Borrower in preparing informational materials focused on ESG to be used in connection with the ESG Amendment, in each case based upon the information provided by the Borrower with respect to the applicable KPIs and/or ESG Ratings selected in accordance with this Section 2.24; provided that the Sustainability Structuring Agent (A) shall have no duty to ascertain, inquire into, or otherwise independently verify any such information and (B) shall have no responsibility for (and shall not be liable for) the completeness or accuracy of any such information.
(c) Each party hereto agrees that neither the Sustainability Structuring Agent nor the Agent (i) makes any assurances whether any ESG Amendment meets any criteria or expectations of the Borrower or any Lender with regard to environmental or social impact and sustainability performance, or whether any ESG Amendment, including the characteristics of the relevant KPI metrics (including any environmental, social and sustainability criteria or any computation methodology) meet any industry
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standards for sustainability-linked credit facilities, and (ii) has any responsibility for or liability in respect of reviewing, auditing or otherwise evaluating any calculation by the Borrower of the KPI metrics or any Applicable Margin adjustment (or any of the data or computations that are part of or related to any such calculation) set out in any pricing certificate delivered by the Borrower (and the Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry, when implementing any pricing adjustment).
Article III.

CONDITIONS TO LOANS
1.1Closing Conditions.
The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Agreement shall be subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions:
(a)Loan Documents. The Agent shall have received duly executed copies of (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Notes, if any, all of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and each of the Lenders, (iii) the Guaranty, (iv) the Security Agreement and (v) the Canadian Security Agreement.
(b)Corporate Documents. The Agent shall have received the following:
(i)Charter Documents. Copies of the articles or certificate of incorporation of the Borrower certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state of its incorporation and certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the Closing Date.
(ii)Bylaws. A copy of the bylaws of the Borrower certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the Closing Date.
(iii)Resolutions. Copies of resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower or an authorized committee thereof, approving and adopting the transactions contemplated herein and authorizing execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.
(iv)Good Standing. Copies of a certificate of good standing, existence or its equivalent with respect to the Borrower certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state of its incorporation.
(v)Incumbency. An incumbency certificate of the Borrower certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the Closing Date.
(c)Opinion of Counsel. The Agent shall have received an opinion or opinions (which shall cover, among other things, authority, legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability), satisfactory to the Agent, addressed to the Lender Parties and dated as of the Closing Date, from legal counsel to the Borrower.
(d)Closing Officer’s Certificate. The Agent shall have received a certificate executed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit 3.1(d).
(e)Material Adverse Change. As of the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred a Material Adverse Change since January 29, 2022.
(f)Litigation. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.5, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of its properties before any Governmental Authority (i) in which there is a reasonable
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possibility of an adverse determination that could result in a material liability or have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that in any manner draws into question the validity, legality or enforceability of any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated thereby.
(g)Collateral. The Agent shall have received:
(i)(x) searches of UCC and PPSA filings in the jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as applicable, of each Loan Party and each jurisdiction where any Collateral is located or where a filing would need to be made in order to perfect the Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, copies of the financing statements on file in such jurisdictions and evidence that no Liens exist other than Permitted Liens and (y) tax lien and judgment searches.
(ii)(x) completed UCC financing statements and filed PPSA financing statements for each appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the Agent’s reasonable discretion, to perfect the Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, (y) such patent, trademark and copyright notices, filings and recordations necessary or appropriate to perfect the security interests in intellectual property and intellectual property rights, as reasonably determined by the Agent, and (z) insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Loan Parties evidencing liability and casualty insurance meeting the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents, including naming the Agent and its successors and assigns as additional insured (in the case of liability insurance) or lender’s loss payee (in the case of property insurance) on behalf of the Lenders.
(h)Fees, Expenses and Interest Paid. The Borrower shall have paid all fees and expenses due and owing pursuant to the terms of this Agreement for which the Borrower shall have been billed on or before the Closing Date, including, but not limited to, fees owed pursuant to (i) the Agent Fee Letter, (ii) that certain fee letter dated as of April 13, 2022 by and among the Borrower, Wells Fargo, Wells Fargo Securities, Bank of America, N.A., BofA Securities, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, (iii) that certain fee letter dated as of April 13, 2022 by and among the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A. and BofA Securities, Inc. and (iv) that certain fee letter dated as of April 13, 2022 by and between the Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association.
(i)Existing Credit Agreement. The Existing Credit Agreement shall be terminated and all amounts owing there under, if any, shall have been paid in full and all Liens in connection therewith shall have been terminated.
(j)PATRIOT Act, etc.
(i)The Agent and the Lenders shall have received, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information requested by the Agent or any Lender or required by regulatory authorities in order for the Agent and the Lenders to comply with requirements of any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including the PATRIOT Act, the Canadian AML Acts and any applicable “know your customer” rules and regulations.
(ii)The Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent, and directly to any Lender requesting the same, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to it (or a certification that such Borrower qualifies for an express exclusion from the “legal entity customer” definition under the Beneficial Ownership Regulations), in each case at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.
(k)General. All other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been delivered or executed or recorded in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and the Agent shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified copies thereof as the Agent may reasonably request.
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 8.4, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 3.1, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a
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Lender unless the Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
1.2Conditions Precedent to Loans.
The obligation of the Lenders to make any Loan or an L/C Issuer to make any L/C Credit Extension on any Funding Date shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a)Closing Date. The conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 shall have been satisfied or waived in writing by the Lenders as of the Closing Date.
(b)Notice of Borrowing. The Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent and, if applicable, the applicable L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, (i) in the case of a Revolving Loan, a Notice of Borrowing, duly executed and completed in accordance with Section 2.1, and the Borrower shall have otherwise complied with all of the terms of Section 2.1, (ii) in the case of a Bid Loan, a Bid Loan Quote Request, duly executed and completed, in accordance with Section 2.2, and the Borrower shall have otherwise complied with all of the terms of Section 2.2, (iii) in the case of an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, duly executed and completed in accordance with Section 2.19(b)(i), and the Borrower shall have otherwise complied with all of the terms of Section 2.19 and (iv) in the case of a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice, duly executed and completed in accordance with Section 2.20(b), and the Borrower shall have otherwise complied with all of the terms of Section 2.20.
(c)Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Funding Date as though made on and as of that date; provided that, in each case, such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof.
(d)No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist or result from the making of the Loan.
(e)Canadian Dollars. In the case of a Loan to be denominated in Canadian Dollars, there shall not have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which in the reasonable opinion of the Agent or the Required Lenders would make it impracticable for such Loan to be denominated in Canadian Dollars.
(f)Satisfaction of Conditions. Each Borrowing of a Loan shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the Funding Date that the conditions contained in Sections 3.2(c) and 3.2(d) have been satisfied.
Article IV.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender Parties as follows:
1.1Organization, Powers and Good Standing.
(a)    Each of the Loan Parties and, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, their Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or in existence or similar standard for which a certificate from the applicable jurisdiction may be obtained) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, as shown on Schedule 4.1, and (ii) has all requisite power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as heretofore conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries possesses all Governmental Approvals, in full force and effect, that are necessary
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for the ownership, maintenance and operation of its properties and conduct of its business as now conducted, and is not in violation thereof. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified, in good standing (or in existence or similar standard for which a certificate from the applicable jurisdiction may be obtained) and authorized to do business in each state or other jurisdiction where the nature of its business activities conducted or properties owned or leased requires it to be so qualified and where any failure to be so qualified, individually or in the aggregate, could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)    Set forth on Schedule 4.1 is an indication as to whether a Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary and a Loan Party as of the Closing Date (and as of each date such schedule is required to be updated pursuant to Section 5.1(i)) and if such Subsidiary is a Loan Party, (i) the exact legal name, (ii) any former legal names in the four (4) months prior to the Closing Date, (iii) the type of organization, (iv) the chief executive office, and (v)  the U.S. federal taxpayer identification number or, other applicable unique identification number issued to it by the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization.
1.2Authorization, Binding Effect, No Conflict, Etc.
(a)Authorization, Binding Effect, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Loan Party; and each such Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally.
(b)No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, do not and will not (i) violate any provision of the charter or other organizational documents of such Loan Party, (ii) except for consents that have been obtained and are in full force and effect, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute) a default under, or require the approval or consent of any Person pursuant to, any Material Contractual Obligation of such Loan Party, (iii) violate any Applicable Law binding on such Loan Party, or (iv) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien on any assets or properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
(c)Governmental Approvals. No Governmental Approval is required in connection with the (i) execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party or the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (iii) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents or (iv) as of the date of such representation, the exercise by the Agent or any Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents, other than (x) authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained and (y) filings to perfect the Liens created by the Collateral Documents.
1.3Financial Information.
The balance sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of January 29, 2022 and the related statements of earnings, stockholder’s equity and cash flow for the Fiscal Year then ended, certified by the Borrower’s independent certified public accountants, which are included in the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended January 29, 2022, were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and fairly present the financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and the results of operations and cash flow for the period then ended. Neither the Borrower nor any of its consolidated Subsidiaries on such date had any liabilities for Taxes or long-term leases, forward or long-term commitments or unrealized losses from any unfavorable commitments that are not reflected in the foregoing statements or in the notes thereto and that, individually or in the aggregate, are material.
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1.4No Material Adverse Changes.
Since January 29, 2022, there has been no Material Adverse Change.
1.5Litigation.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.5 or as otherwise disclosed in accordance with Section 5.1(g) below, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any of its properties before any Governmental Authority (a) in which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that could result in a material liability or have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) that in any manner draws into question the validity, legality or enforceability of any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated thereby.
1.6Agreements: Applicable Law.
Neither the Borrower nor any Loan Party is in material violation of any Applicable Law, or in default under its charter documents, bylaws or other organizational or governing documents or any of its Material Contractual Obligations.
1.7Insurance.
The property and general liability insurance coverage of the Loan Parties as in effect on the Closing Date is outlined as to carrier, policy number, expiration date, type, amount and deductibles on Schedule 4.7.

1.8Governmental Regulation.
The Borrower is neither an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or a company controlled by such a company, nor is the Borrower subject to any federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Debt for money borrowed (other than the Margin Regulations).
1.9Margin Regulations/Proceeds of Loans.
Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purposes of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. The value of all Margin Stock held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries constitutes less than 25% of the value, as determined in accordance with the Margin Regulations, of all assets of the Borrower. The proceeds of the Loans will be and have been used solely in accordance with Section 2.3.
1.10Employee Benefit Plans.
None of the Plans of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group are in “at risk status” (as defined in Section 430(i)(4) of the Code, without regard to Section 430(i)(4)(B) relating to the transition rule) and no Plan has incurred any liability to the PBGC in connection with any Plan.
During the five-year period prior to the date this representation is made or deemed made, no ERISA Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan (whether or not terminated). Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group is required to make or accrue a contribution or has within any of the preceding five (5) plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions to any Multiemployer Plan. To the extent the Borrower in the future has or enters into any applicable Plan, the fair market value of the assets of each Plan is at least equal to the present value of the “benefit liabilities” (within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or not vested, under such Plan determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 87 using the actuarial assumptions and methods used by the actuary to such Plan in its valuation of such Plan.
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As of the Closing Date, the Borrower is not and will not be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one (1) or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Revolving Commitments.
Each Canadian Pension Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of all Applicable Laws and (ii) each Canadian Pension Plan has received a confirmation of registration from the Canada Revenue Agency and, to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such registration. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary has made all contributions required to be made by such Loan Party or Subsidiary to each Canadian Pension Plan.
No Loan Party or Subsidiary maintains, contributes to, or has any liability or contingent liability with respect to, a Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
1.11Beneficial Ownership.
As of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of the Borrower all of the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification, if any, is true and correct.
1.12Solvency.
As of the Closing Date, each Loan Party is, individually and on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries, Solvent.
1.13Title to Properties.
The Borrower and each of the Loan Parties is the owner of, and has good and marketable title to, or material licenses and leases which are valid for the use of, all of its material properties and other material assets, and none of such properties or assets is subject to any Liens other than Permitted Liens.
1.14Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a)Sanctions Concerns. None of the Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, the Canadian Sanctions List, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets or the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.
(b)Anti-Corruption Laws. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have conducted their business in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions, and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
1.15Affected Financial Institution.
No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.

1.16Covered Entities.
No Loan Party is a Covered Entity.
1.17Collateral Representations.
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(a)Collateral Documents. The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein. Except for filings completed prior to the Closing Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Collateral Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect or protect such Liens.
(b)Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts. Set forth on Schedule 4.17(b) as of the Closing Date (and as of each date such schedule is required to be updated pursuant to Section 5.1(i)) is a list of all deposit accounts and securities accounts of the Loan Parties.
(c)Properties. Set forth on Schedule 4.17(c) as of the Closing Date (and as of each date such schedule is required to be updated pursuant to Section 5.1(i)) is a list of all real property located in the United States that is owned or leased by any Loan Party.
1.18Intellectual Property.
The Loan Parties own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, trade secrets, know-how, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) that are used in the operation of the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, without conflict with the rights of any other Person. To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, neither the operation of the business, nor any product, service, process, method, substance, part or other material now used, or now contemplated to be used, by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, there has been no unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification, corruption or malfunction of any information technology assets or systems (or any information or transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby) owned or used by the any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, which, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on Schedule 4.18 is a list of (i) all Intellectual Property registered or pending registration with the United States Copyright Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office that, as of the Closing Date (and as of each date such schedule is required to be updated pursuant to Section 5.1(i)), a Loan Party owns and (ii) all licenses of Intellectual Property registered with the United States Copyright Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office as of the Closing Date.

Article V.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER
Until the Facility Termination Date:
1.1Financial Statements and Other Reports.
The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent (which shall promptly provide copies to each Lender), for the benefit of the Lenders:
(a)as soon as practicable and in any event within the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year or (ii) two (2) Business Days after the date the Borrower files its Form 10-K with the SEC, the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such year and the related statements of earnings, stockholder’s equity and cash flow for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and accompanied by an unqualified report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, which report shall state that such financial statements fairly present the financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date indicated and its results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP (except as
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otherwise stated therein) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
(b)as soon as practicable and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter (other than the last Fiscal Quarter of any Fiscal Year) (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending April 30, 2022), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the related statements of earnings, stockholder’s equity and cash flow for such quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year ended at the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods of the prior Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by the Borrower’s chief financial officer or controller as fairly presenting the financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and its results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end adjustments.
(c)together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) and 5.1(b), a certificate of the chief financial officer or the treasurer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.1(c) (a “Compliance Certificate”), duly executed and completed, setting forth the calculations required to establish compliance with Section 6.3, as of the date of such financial statements (which delivery may, unless the Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes).
(d)within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower becomes aware of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, a certificate of a Senior Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action that the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(e)promptly upon their becoming available, copies of all material reports, notices and proxy statements sent or made available by the Borrower to its security holders, and all material registration statements (other than the exhibits thereto) and annual, quarterly or monthly reports, if any, filed by the Borrower with the SEC.
(f)within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower becomes aware of the occurrence of a material ERISA Event, a statement of a Senior Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action that the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the notice, if any, of such event given or required to be given to the PBGC; within five (5) days of the date the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group becomes obliged to make or accrue a contribution to a Multiemployer Plan, a statement of a Senior Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action that the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; and within five (5) days of the date the Borrower or any Loan Party becomes aware of any material failure by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to perform its obligations under a Canadian Pension Plan, a statement of a Senior Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action that the Borrower or any other Loan Party is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(g)within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, notice of all litigation or proceedings commenced or threatened affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that questions the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document.
(h)at least ten (10) days prior to any such change, notify the Agent of any change in an Loan Party’s name, jurisdiction of formation, form of organization or chief executive office or other principal place of business.
(i)during any Collateral Period, concurrently with the delivery of the Compliance Certificate referred to in Section 5.1(c), the following updated Schedules to this Agreement (which may be attached to the Compliance Certificate) to the extent required to make the representation related to such Schedule true and correct as of the date of such Compliance Certificate: Schedules 4.1, 4.17(b), 4.17(c) and 4.18.
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(j)from time to time such additional information regarding the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or the business, assets, liabilities, prospects, results of operation or financial condition of any such Person as the Agent, on behalf of any Lender Party, may reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b) or (e) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 9.5; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Agent); provided that: (x) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Agent or such Lender and (y) the Borrower shall notify the Agent and each Lender (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Agent and/or Wells Fargo Securities may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar encrypted electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that so long as the Borrower is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.13); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Agent and Wells Fargo Securities shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform that is not marked as “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”
1.2Records and Inspection.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain adequate books, records and accounts as may be required or necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements required to be delivered hereunder in accordance with sound business practices and GAAP. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, permit such Persons as the Agent may designate, at reasonable times during the Borrower’s regular office hours as often as may reasonably be requested (which, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, shall not exceed one (1) visit and/or inspection in any Fiscal Year) and under reasonable circumstances, to (a) visit and inspect any of its properties, (b) inspect and copy its books and records (which books and records may be provided by electronic means), and (c) discuss with its officers, as the Agent may reasonably request (which discussions may be by electronic means), and its independent accountants, its business, assets, liabilities, results of operation or financial condition; provided that the
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Agent shall not have access to consumer information or any other similar restricted information if such access is prohibited by Applicable Law.
1.3Corporate Existence, Etc.
The Borrower shall, and shall (except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.4) cause each Loan Party to, at all times (a) preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and all rights and franchises material to the Borrower and to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and (b) preserve or renew all of its registered Intellectual Property, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
1.4Payment of Taxes and Claims.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to (a) file all United States federal income Tax returns and all other material Tax returns required to be filed by them, (b) maintain adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP with respect to any Tax deficiencies asserted or proposed to be asserted against them and (c) pay and discharge all claims of any kind (including claims for labor, material and supplies) that, if unpaid, might by Applicable Law become a Lien upon any material portion of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that, unless and until foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar proceedings shall have commenced, the Loan Parties need not pay or discharge any such claim so long as the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and so long as any reserves or other appropriate provisions as may be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor.
1.5Maintenance of Properties.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), all properties and other assets useful and necessary to its business, and from time to time the Loan Parties shall make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereto except, in each case, to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use reasonable efforts to prevent offsets of and defenses to its receivables and other rights to payment. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, maintain or cause to be maintained good and marketable title to, or material licenses and leases which are valid for the use of, all of its material properties and other material assets.
1.6Maintenance of Insurance.
(a)The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance (or adequate self-insurance) in at least such amounts, of such character and against at least such risks as is usually maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or a similar business in the same general area.
(b)As soon as practical, and any event, no later than thirty (30) days after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, cause the Agent to be named as lenders’ loss payable, loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect of any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any Collateral, and cause, unless otherwise agreed to by the Agent, each provider of any such insurance to agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Agent that it will give the Agent thirty (30) days prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or cancelled (or ten (10) days prior notice in the case of cancellation due to the nonpayment of premiums). Annually, upon expiration of current insurance coverage, the Loan Parties shall provide, or cause to be provided, to the Agent, such evidence of insurance as required by the Agent, including, but not limited to: (i) evidence of such insurance policies (including, without limitation and as applicable, ACORD Form 28 certificates (or similar form of insurance certificate), and ACORD Form 25 certificates (or similar form of insurance certificate)), (ii) declaration pages for each insurance policy and (iii) lender’s loss payable endorsement if the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties is not on the declarations page for such policy.
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1.7Conduct of Business; Compliance with Law.
The Borrower shall not change the general character of its business as conducted at the Closing Date or engage, directly or through a Subsidiary, in any type of business not reasonably related to its business as normally conducted except for those businesses which are immaterial to the Borrower’s business as normally conducted. Each Loan Party shall maintain its right to carry on business in any jurisdiction where it is doing business at such time and remain in and continuously operate the same lines of business presently engaged in except for (i) periodic shutdown in the ordinary course of business, (ii) interruptions caused by strike, labor dispute, catastrophe, acts of war or terrorism or any other events over which it has no control, and (iii) discontinuance of operations when reasonably determined by the Borrower to be in the best interest of the Loan Parties, provided that such discontinuance will not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the Loan Parties to, conduct its business in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Law and all its Material Contractual Obligations. The Borrower shall notify the Agent and each Lender that previously received a Beneficial Ownership Certification (or a certification that the Borrower qualifies for an express exclusion to the “legal entity customer” definition under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation) of any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified therein (or, if applicable, the Borrower ceasing to fall within an express exclusion to the definition of “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation) and promptly upon the reasonable request of the Agent or any Lender, provide the Agent or directly to such Lender, as the case may be, any information or documentation requested by it for purposes of complying with the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
1.8Further Assurances.
At any time and from time to time, upon the request of the Agent, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, execute and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as the Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Loan Documents and any other agreement contemplated thereby and to provide for payment and performance of the Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.
1.9Additional Guarantors; Release of Guarantors.
(a)    Within thirty (30) days (or such later date as the Agent may agree in its sole discretion) after (i) any Person becomes a Material Subsidiary, cause such Person to, or (ii) the Loan Parties fail to own all of the Intellectual Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the total inventory of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the total accounts receivable of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, cause such Persons as are necessary to be in compliance with the foregoing to, in each case, (x) become a Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Agent a Joinder Agreement or such other documents as the Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose, and (y) deliver to the Agent such Organization Documents, resolutions and opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; provided, however, except as required to comply with clause (ii) above, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor to the extent such Guaranty would result in a material adverse tax consequence for the Borrower.

(b)    So long as no Default shall exist, in the event a Guarantor ceases to meet the standards to be a Material Subsidiary, upon the written request of the Borrower, such Guarantor shall be released from the Guaranty and the Security Agreement, and any financing statement or other filing against it in perfection of a security interest released or terminated. The Agent shall (to the extent applicable) deliver to the Borrower, upon the Borrower’s request and at the Borrower’s expense, such documentation as is reasonably necessary to evidence the release of such Guarantor(s).

(c)    Upon the written request of the Borrower during any time that (i) no Default shall exist and (ii) the Ratings Condition shall have been satisfied, the guarantee provided by the Guarantors pursuant to the Guaranty shall be released. The Agent shall (to the extent applicable)
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deliver to the Borrower, upon the Borrower’s request and at the Borrower’s expense, such documentation as is reasonably necessary to evidence the release of the Guarantors.

(d)    At any time following a release of the Guarantors pursuant to clause (c) above, if a Collateral Trigger Event has occurred, then the Loan Parties shall be required to comply with clause (a) above until the date thereafter, if any, that the Guarantors are released pursuant to clause (c) above.

1.10Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause of each of its Subsidiaries to, conduct its business in all material respects in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and with all applicable Sanctions, and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and Sanctions.
1.11Pledged Assets.
(a)During any Collateral Period, except with respect to Excluded Property, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, promptly (and in any event, within thirty (30) days of a Collateral Trigger Event):
(i)cause all property of each Loan Party that constitutes Collateral to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected Liens in favor of the Agent to secure the Obligations pursuant to the Collateral Documents (subject to Permitted Liens) and, in connection with the foregoing, deliver to the Agent such other documentation as the Agent reasonably may request including filings and deliveries necessary to perfect such Liens, Organization Documents, resolutions, and favorable opinions of counsel to such Person, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
(ii)at any time upon request of the Agent, promptly execute and deliver any and all further instruments and documents and take all such other action as the Agent reasonably may deem necessary or desirable to maintain in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, Liens and insurance rights on the Collateral that are duly perfected in accordance with the requirements of, or the obligations of the Loan Parties under, the Loan Documents and all applicable Laws.
(b)Upon the occurrence of a Collateral Release Event, the Agent shall promptly release the Liens and security interests in the Collateral, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.
1.12Deposit Accounts.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, maintain all primary cash management and treasury business with Wells Fargo Bank or another Lender or any of their respective Affiliates, including, without limitation, all deposit accounts, disbursement accounts, investment accounts and lockbox accounts; provided, that, this Section 5.12 shall not prohibit the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from maintaining cash management and treasury business with minority owned depository institutions.


Article VI.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER
Until the Facility Termination Date:
1.1Liens.
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The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a)Liens securing the Obligations and Existing Liens;
(b)(i) Liens for Taxes, assessments or charges of any Governmental Authority for claims that are not material or are not yet due or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP (and as to which foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar proceedings have not yet commenced with respect to the property subject to any such Lien on account thereof); (ii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, bankers and other Liens imposed by law and created in the ordinary course of business for amounts that are not material and are not yet due or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP (and as to which foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar proceedings have not yet commenced with respect to the property subject to any such Lien on account thereof); (iii) Liens incurred and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security benefits or to secure the performance (including by way of surety bonds or appeal bonds) of tenders, bids, leases, contracts, statutory obligations or similar obligations or arising as a result of progress payments under contracts, in each case in the ordinary course of business and not relating to the repayment of Debt; (iv) easements, rights-of-way, covenants, consents, reservations, encroachments, variations and other restrictions, conditions (including those conditions commonly referred to as “CC&Rs”), charges or encumbrances (whether or not recorded) that do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the Loan Parties’ business; (v) building restrictions, zoning laws and other statutes, laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and restrictions; (vi) leases, subleases, easements or similar use rights granted in the ordinary course of business to others not materially interfering with the business of, and consistent with past practices of, the Loan Parties; (vii) construction, operation and reciprocal easement agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the Loan Parties’ business and not relating to the repayment of Debt; (viii) customary rights of set off, revocation, refund or charge-back under deposit agreements or under the Uniform Commercial Code in favor of banks or other financial institutions where the Borrower or any Subsidiary maintains deposits in the ordinary course of business; (ix) Liens on accounts receivable of the Loan Parties for which collection attempts are being undertaken by a third party at the request of the Loan Parties; (x) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding operating leases; (xi) Liens arising by operation of law on insurance policies and proceeds thereof to secure premiums thereunder; and (xii) Liens in favor of any entity in the state of Iowa, whether or not in replacement of Existing Liens, so long as such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than property subject to the Existing Lien(s) in effect on the Closing Date in favor of Kirkwood Community College;
(c)any attachment or judgment Lien, not otherwise constituting an Event of Default, in existence less than 30 days after the entry thereof or with respect to which (i) execution has been stayed, (ii) payment is covered in full by insurance and the insurer has not denied coverage, or (iii) the Borrower is in good faith prosecuting an appeal or other appropriate proceedings for review and has set aside on its books such reserves as may be required by GAAP with respect to such judgment or award;
(d)precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding consignments, provided that any such financing statements do not describe any property other than the assets acquired through the consignment and proceeds thereof;
(e)Liens securing Debt permitted by Section 6.9(b); provided that any such Lien does not encumber any property other than the assets acquired or improved with the proceeds of such Debt or the assets subject to such Capitalized Lease, related reserve funds, related personal property (which for this purpose shall not include inventory and Intellectual Property) and proceeds of any of the foregoing;
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(f)Liens existing on assets of any Person at the time such assets are acquired; provided such Lien does not encumber any assets other than the assets subject to such Lien at the time such assets are acquired and proceeds thereof and such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition;
(g)Liens arising from the sale or securitization of receivables, to the extent the Debt arising from such securitization is not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement at the time such Debt was incurred;
(h)any Lien constituting a renewal, extension or replacement of any Existing Lien or any Lien permitted by clauses (e) or (f) of this Section 6.1, provided such Lien is limited to all or a part of the property subject to the Lien extended, renewed or replaced;
(i)Liens granted by (i) a Subsidiary of the Borrower in favor of the Borrower or another Subsidiary of the Borrower (provided that any such Lien granted by a Loan Party may only be granted to a Loan Party), or (ii) the Borrower to any Subsidiary financial institution to secure any transaction deemed to be a credit transaction or other covered transaction with an affiliate under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and implementing regulations;
(j)covenants contained in the following agreements (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time so long as the covenants contained therein relating to the grant of security therefore are not modified in a manner adverse to the Lenders) which require the grant of security for the obligations evidenced thereby if security is given for some other obligation: (i) the 1998 Indenture; and (ii) the 2007 Indenture; provided, however, that this clause (j) shall not be deemed to restrict additional Debt from being issued under any of the foregoing agreements or any supplement thereto so long as the covenants contained therein relating to the grant of security therefore are not modified in a manner adverse to the Lenders;
(k)leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others (including, without limitation, licenses of Intellectual Property) not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(l)[reserved]; and
(m)other Liens (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Sale and Leaseback Transactions and/or other similar Liens), on assets other than inventory, accounts receivable or Intellectual Property, securing obligations not exceeding $100,000,000 in the aggregate.
Notwithstanding anything to contrary contained herein, the Loan Parties shall not grant a Lien on (i) the Capital Stock of their Subsidiaries or (ii) the inventory, accounts receivable or Intellectual Property of the Loan Parties, except, in the case of this clause (ii), to secure the Obligations.

1.2Restricted Payments.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, declare, pay or make, or agree to declare, pay or make, any Restricted Payment, except that:
(a)     During any period that is not a Collateral Period or during any period that is a Collateral Period in which the Leverage Ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.0, computed as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), (i) the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries may declare, pay or make, or agree to declare, pay or make, Restricted Payments (other than purchases or other acquisition for value of any Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom (assuming for this purpose that compliance with Section 6.3 is being measured as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter giving pro forma effect to the Restricted Payment) and (ii) in addition to the Restricted Payments permitted by the foregoing clause (i), the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries may declare, pay or make, or agree to declare, pay or make, (x) Restricted Payments by any Subsidiary to the Borrower and any other Person that owns capital stock or other equity interests in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of capital stock or other equity
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interests in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made and (y) purchases or other acquisitions for value of any Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and
(b)    During any Collateral Period in which the Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1.0, computed as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may declare, pay or make, or agree to declare, pay or make,
(i)    Restricted Payments to Persons that own Capital Stock in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Capital Stock in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made; and
(ii)     Restricted Payments so long as (A) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom (assuming for this purpose that compliance with Section 6.3 is being measured as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), giving pro forma effect to the Restricted Payment) and (B) if the Leverage Ratio as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b) was (1) greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0 and less than 3.50 to 1.0, the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to this Section 6.2(b)(ii) shall not exceed $100,000,000 in any Fiscal Quarter and (2) greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.0, the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to this Section 6.2(b)(ii) shall not exceed $60,000,000 in any Fiscal Quarter.
1.3Financial Covenants.
(a)    As of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending April 30, 2022), for the twelve month period ending on such date, the Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) the sum of (A) Funded Debt as of the last day of such period and (B) operating lease liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of such period to (ii) EBITDAR for such period (the “Leverage Ratio”) to be greater than 4.0 to 1.0.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any Acquisition (or series of related Acquisitions) having aggregate cash consideration (including cash, cash equivalents and other deferred payment obligations) in excess of $600,000,000, the Borrower may, at its election, in connection with such Acquisition (or the last Acquisition in a series of related Acquisitions) and upon prior written notice to the Agent, increase the required Leverage Ratio pursuant to this Section 6.3(a) to 4.50 to 1.00, which such increase shall be applicable for the Fiscal Quarter in which such Acquisition is consummated and the three (3) consecutive quarterly test periods thereafter (each, a “Leverage Ratio Increase”); provided that (x) such increase shall apply solely with respect to compliance with this Section 6.3(a) and any determination of the Leverage Ratio for purposes of any incurrence test with respect to any Debt used to finance an Acquisition and shall not apply to any other pro forma leverage test set forth in this Agreement and (y) there shall be at least one (1) full Fiscal Quarter following the cessation of each such Leverage Ratio Increase during which no Leverage Ratio Increase shall then be in effect.
(b)    As of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending April 30, 2022), for the twelve month period ending on such date, the Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) EBITDAR for such period to (ii) the sum of (x) Rent Expense for such period plus (y) net Interest Expense for such period (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”) to be less than 1.25 to 1.0.
1.4Restriction on Fundamental Changes.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to enter into any merger, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, liquidate, wind up or dissolve or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one (1) transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its or their business or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; provided that as long as no
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Default or Event of Default shall exist either before or after giving effect thereto (a) any Solvent Subsidiary or other Solvent Person (other than the Borrower) may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower (so long as the Borrower is the surviving entity) or any Subsidiary (provided that if a Loan Party is a party to such transaction, such Loan Party is the surviving or resulting entity), (b) any Subsidiary (including, but not limited to, a Material Subsidiary, which shall then be released from its obligations under any Guaranty and any security interest against its assets under a Security Agreement shall be released; provided, that, if such Material Subsidiary is a Guarantor, the assets of such Guarantor shall have been transferred to a Loan Party) may be liquidated, wound up or dissolved so long as it does not cause or could not be reasonably expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect, (c) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be sold pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 6.5 and (d) in addition to transactions permitted under Section 6.5 (which permitted transactions shall not be restricted by this Section 6.4), all or substantially all of any Subsidiary’s business or assets may be sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one (1) transaction or a series of transactions, to the Borrower or another Subsidiary (provided that if the transferor of such property is a Loan Party then the transferee thereof must be a Loan Party).
1.5Asset Dispositions.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not (except as permitted by Section 6.4(c)) permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of during any Fiscal Year property or other assets (other than (a) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business, (b) sales of credit card accounts, associated receivables and related assets in connection with a credit card program agreement, and (c) sales of aircraft for fair market value) constituting, in the aggregate, 10% or more of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, computed as of the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b).
1.6Transactions with Affiliates.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Borrower, unless (a) such transaction is not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, (b) such transaction is in the ordinary course of business and (c) if such transaction is other than with a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, such transaction is on fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower or its Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those terms which might be obtained at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person who is not an Affiliate or, if such transaction is not one which by its nature could be obtained from such other Person, is on fair and reasonable terms and was negotiated in good faith; provided that this Section 6.6 shall not restrict (i) dividends, distributions and other payments and transfers on account of any shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary otherwise permissible hereunder, and (ii) transactions pursuant to (A) any agreement between the Borrower and any Affiliate of the Borrower pursuant to which the Borrower sells, discounts or otherwise transfers an interest in accounts receivable in the ordinary course of its business (including agreements under which the Borrower has an obligation to repurchase from or indemnify the purchaser with respect to accounts discounted, sold or otherwise transferred by the Borrower), (B) any agreement between the Borrower and any Affiliate of the Borrower or between one (1) or more Affiliates of the Borrower for or related to the sale of credit card accounts, associated receivables and related assets, (C) sales of loans or participations in loans by any Subsidiary financial institution to an Affiliate, and (D) loans, advances and other transactions between or among the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted under Section 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.9 or 6.10.
1.7Sanctions.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, use any Loan, issue any Letter of Credit or use the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the
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transaction, whether as Lender, arranger, Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender or otherwise) of Sanctions.
1.8Anti-Corruption Laws.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, use any Loan, issue any Letter of Credit or use the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit directly or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, indirectly, for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
1.9Debt.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:
(a)Debt under the Loan Documents;
(b)Debt existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 6.9, and any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof;
(c)Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary used to finance the acquisition of fixed assets (including, without limitation, equipment and vehicles) of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, the construction of additional buildings or the expansion otherwise of their respective facilities and Debt consisting of Capitalized Leases; provided that such Debt (i) does not exceed the cost to the Borrower or such Subsidiary of the assets acquired or improved with the proceeds of such Debt or the value of the assets subject to such Capitalized Leases, (ii) in the case of new construction or expansion of existing facilities, is either a construction or permanent loan secured by the facilities constructed and/or the real property on which such facilities are located and related equipment and fixtures, leases, rents, reserves and other personal property (which for this purpose shall not include inventory and Intellectual Property) to the extent located on or commonly considered to be part of the real property as applicable, and (iii) in the case of other asset financing, is incurred within twelve months following the date of the acquisition (which for this purpose shall, in the case of a construction project, be the date that construction is completed and the asset constructed is placed into service or in the case of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction the date of disposition);
(d)obligations (contingent or otherwise) existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;
(e)unsecured intercompany Debt permitted by Section 6.10(c); provided that in the case of Debt owing by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party such Debt shall be subordinated to the Obligations in a manner and to an extent reasonably acceptable to the Agent;
(f)Debt under the 1998 Indenture to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date;
(g)Debt under the 2007 Indenture to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date;
(h)[reserved];
(i)unsecured Debt of the Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding;
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(j)secured Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, that such Debt shall not be secured by a Lien on the inventory or Intellectual Property;
(k)unsecured Debt of the Loan Parties; provided, that, after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt, the Borrower would be in compliance on a pro forma basis with the Leverage Ratio set forth in Section 6.3(a); and
(l)Contingent Obligations in respect of Debt otherwise permitted under this Section 6.9.
1.10Investments.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur or assume, any Investment, except that:
(a)During any period that is not a Collateral Period or during any period that is a Collateral Period in which the Leverage Ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.0, computed as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may, so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom (assuming for this purpose that compliance with Section 6.3 is being measured as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter giving pro forma effect to the Investment) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Investment.
(b)During any Collateral Period in which the Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1.0, computed as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter end of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may, so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom (assuming for this purpose that compliance with Section 6.3 is being measured as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b) giving pro forma effect to the Investment), create, incur or assume:
(i)Investments held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the form of short-term marketable securities;
(ii)advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;
(iii)(A) Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in their respective Subsidiaries outstanding on the Closing Date, (B) additional Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in Loan Parties, (C) additional Investments by Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are not Loan Parties in other Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, and (D) additional Investments by the Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, joint ventures or other minority equity Investments (a “Non-Loan Party Investment”) in an aggregate amount invested during a specific Collateral Period not to exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding (it being understood that Investments passed through an intermediate Subsidiary for purposes of allowing the Borrower or such Subsidiary to consummate a Non-Loan Party Investment shall be permitted so long as such Non-Loan Party Investment is consummated substantially concurrently with the making of such Investment);
(iv)Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;
(v)Contingent Obligations permitted by Section 6.9;
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(vi)Investments existing on the Closing Date or any date on which a Collateral Trigger Event occurs, in each case, as set forth on Schedule 6.10 (for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower shall be permitted to deliver to the Agent an updated Schedule 6.10 after the occurrence of a Collateral Trigger Event, provided that such Schedule shall only include Investments made prior to the occurrence of such Collateral Trigger Event); and
(vii)Investments so long as (A) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom (assuming for this purpose that compliance with Section 6.3 is being measured as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b) giving pro forma effect to such Investments) and (B) if the Leverage Ratio as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b) is (A) greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0 but less than 3.50 to 1.0, the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to this Section 6.10(b)(vii) shall not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding and (B) greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.0, the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to this Section 6.10(b)(vii) shall not exceed $35,000,000 at any time outstanding.
1.11Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, maintain, contribute to, or incur any liability or contingent liability in respect of a Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
Article VII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT, ETC.
1.1Events of Default.
The occurrence of any one (1) or more of the following events, acts or occurrences shall constitute an event of default (each an “Event of Default”):
(a)Failure to Make Payments. Any Loan Party (i) shall fail to pay as and when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration, upon required prepayment or otherwise), and in the currency required hereunder, any principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) shall fail to pay any interest, Fees or other amounts (other than principal) payable under the Loan Documents within five (5) days of the date when due under the Loan Documents;
(b)Default in Other Debt. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary shall default in the payment (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration, upon required prepayment or otherwise), beyond any period of grace provided therefor, of any principal of or interest on any other Debt with a principal amount (individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $100,000,000, or (ii) any other breach or default (or other event or condition), beyond any period of grace provided therefor, shall occur under any agreement, indenture or instrument relating to any such other Debt with a principal amount (individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $100,000,000, if the effect of such breach or default (or such other event or condition) is to cause, or to permit, the holder or holders of such other Debt (or a Person on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (upon the giving of notice or otherwise), such other Debt to become or be declared due and payable, or required to be prepaid, redeemed, purchased or defeased (or an offer of prepayment, redemption, purchase or defeasance be made), prior to its stated maturity (other than by a scheduled mandatory prepayment); provided, however, that if any such breach or default described in this Section 7.1(b) is cured or waived prior to any action being taken pursuant to Section 7.2(a) or 7.2(b), the Event of Default under this Agreement in respect of such breach or default shall be deemed cured to the extent of such cure or waiver;
(c)Breach of Certain Covenants.
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(i)Any Loan Party shall fail to perform, comply with or observe any agreement, covenant or obligation under Section 2.3, under Sections 6.2 through 6.5 inclusive, or under Section 5.1(d) or 5.3 (insofar as it requires the preservation of the corporate existence of the Borrower);
(ii)Any Loan Party shall fail to perform, comply with or observe any agreement, covenant or obligation under Section 6.1, Section 6.6, Section 6.9 or Section 6.10 and such failure shall not have been remedied within ten (10) days; or
(iii)Any Loan Party shall fail to perform, comply with or observe any agreement, covenant or obligation under Sections 5.1(a), (b) or (c) and such failure shall not have been remedied within five (5) days;
(d)Other Defaults Under Loan Documents. Any Loan Party shall fail to perform, comply with or observe any agreement, covenant or obligation under any provision of any Loan Document (other than those provisions referred to in Sections 7.l(a), 7.1(b) and 7.1(c)) and such failure shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after the earlier to occur of (i) the Borrower’s knowledge thereof or (ii) written notice thereof by the Agent to the Borrower; or
(e)Breach of Representation or Warranty. Any representation or warranty or certification made or furnished by any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall prove to have been false or incorrect in any material respect when made (or deemed made);
(f)Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. There shall be commenced against the Borrower or any Loan Party, an involuntary case seeking the liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Loan Party under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11, respectively, of the Bankruptcy Code, or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other Applicable Law or an involuntary case or proceeding seeking the appointment of a receiver, receiver-manager, liquidator, sequestrator, custodian, trustee or other officer having similar powers over the Borrower or any Loan Party or to take possession of all or a substantial portion of its property or to operate all or a substantial portion of its business, and any of the following events occurs: (i) the Borrower or any Loan Party consents to the institution of the involuntary case or proceeding; (ii) the petition commencing the involuntary case or proceeding is not timely controverted; (iii) the petition commencing the involuntary case or proceeding remains undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or (iv) an order for relief is issued or entered therein;
(g)Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. The Borrower or any Loan Party shall institute a voluntary case seeking liquidation or reorganization under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11, respectively, of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other Applicable Law, or shall consent thereto; or shall consent to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case; or shall make a proposal to its creditors or file notice of its intention to do so, shall institute any other proceeding under Applicable Law seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or an insolvent, or seeking liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, compromise, arrangement, adjustment, protection, moratorium, relief, stay of proceedings of creditors, composition of it or its debts or any other similar relief; or shall file a petition, answer a complaint or otherwise institute any proceeding seeking, or shall consent to or acquiesce in the appointment of, a receiver, receiver-manager, liquidator, sequestrator, custodian, trustee or other officer with similar powers over the Borrower or any Loan Party or to take possession of all or a substantial portion of its property or to operate all or a substantial portion of its business; or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or shall generally not pay, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due; or the board of directors of the Borrower or any Loan Party (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize action to approve any of the foregoing;
(h)Judgments and Attachments. The Borrower or any Subsidiary shall suffer any money judgments, writs or warrants of attachment or similar processes (collectively, “Judgments”) that, individually or in the aggregate, involve an amount or value in excess of $100,000,000 and such Judgments shall continue unsatisfied or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; provided that no Event of Default shall exist if (i) payment of the Judgments are covered in full by insurance and the insurer has
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affirmed such coverage or (ii) the Borrower is in good faith prosecuting an appeal of such Judgments and has (A) deposited funds as required for such appeal, if any and (B) reserved amounts on its books for such Judgments as required in accordance with GAAP;
(i)ERISA, etc. (i) The Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group shall fail to pay when due any material amount or amounts that it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or a proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any such Plan or Plans against the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group to enforce Section 515 of ERISA; or any ERISA Event shall occur which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group shall partially or completely withdraw from any Multiemployer Plan; or any Multiemployer Plan to which Borrower or any member of its Controlled Group becomes obligated to make or accrue a contribution is placed in reorganization or terminates or (ii) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall fail to perform its obligations under a Canadian Pension Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party in a material amount or amounts or which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(j)Termination of Loan Documents, Etc. Any Loan Document, or any material provision thereof, shall cease to be in full force and effect with respect to any Loan Party for any reason, or any Loan Party shall contest or purport to repudiate or disavow any of its obligations under, or the validity of enforceability of, any Loan Document or any material provision thereof; or
(k)Collateral Documents. During any Collateral Period, any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents shall for any reason cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, or any Loan Party shall assert the invalidity of such Liens.
1.2Remedies.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default:
(a)If an Event of Default occurs under Section 7.1(f) or 7.1(g), then (i) the Revolving Commitments shall automatically and immediately terminate, and the obligation of the Lenders to make any Loan and any obligation of an L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions hereunder shall cease, (ii) the unpaid principal amount of the Loans and all other Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower and (iii) the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then outstanding L/C Obligations).
(b)If an Event of Default occurs, other than under Section 7.1(f) or 7.1(g), the Agent may (i) with the consent of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower, declare that the Revolving Commitments and all pending Bid Loan Quotes (whether or not accepted) are terminated, whereupon the obligation of the Lender Parties to make any Loan or to make L/C Credit Extensions hereunder shall cease, (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, declare the unpaid principal amount of the Loans and all other Obligations to be, and the same shall thereupon become, due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, any additional notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower and/or (iii) with the consent of the Required Lenders or at the direction of an L/C Issuer, require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then outstanding L/C Obligations).
(c)The Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any and all rights and interests created and existing under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, all rights of set-off.
Notwithstanding the fact that enforcement powers reside primarily with the Agent, each Lender has, to the extent permitted by law, a separate right of payment and shall be considered a separate “creditor” holding a separate “claim” within the meaning, and for the purposes, of Section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other insolvency statute.
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1.3Allocation of Payments After Event of Default.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Agent or any Lender on account of amounts outstanding under any of the Loan Documents 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 Agent or any of the Lenders in connection with enforcing the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents and any protective advances made by the Agent or any of the Lenders, pro rata as set forth below;
SECOND, to the payment of any fees owed to the Agent or any Lender (other than Letter of Credit Fees), pro rata as set forth below;
THIRD, to the payment of all Letter of Credit Fees and accrued interest payable to the Lenders hereunder, pro rata as set forth below;
FOURTH, to (a) the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and L/C Borrowings and all other obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Loan Documents and (b) Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit, pro rata as set forth below;
FIFTH, to the payment of all other Obligations which shall have become due and payable, pro rata as set forth below; and
SIXTH, the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.
In carrying out the foregoing, (a) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category and (b) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Loans held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding Loans) of amounts available to be applied.
Subject to Section 2.19(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause FOURTH above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section 7.3.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Agent has not received a Secured Party Designation Notice, together with such supporting documentation as the Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank (in each case, other than the Agent or an Affiliate of the Agent), as the case may be. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Agent pursuant to the terms of Article VIII for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.
Article VIII.

THE AGENT
1.1Appointment and Authority.
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(a)Each of the Lenders and each L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes (i) Wells Fargo to act on its behalf as the Agent hereunder and (ii) Wells Fargo Securities to act on its behalf as Sustainability Structuring Agent hereunder and, in each case, under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Agent and Sustainability Structuring Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Agent and Sustainability Structuring Agent, as applicable, by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as provided in Sections 8.6 and 8.9 the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Agent, the Sustainability Structuring Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and their respective Related Parties, and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
(b)The Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including each holder of Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements) and the L/C Issuers hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and such L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto (including to enter into additional Loan Documents or supplements to existing Loan Documents on behalf of the Secured Parties). The Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Agent pursuant to this Article VIII for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article VIII and Article IX (including Section 9.2, as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.
(c)It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Agent or the Sustainability Structuring Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law. Instead, such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties..
1.2Rights as a Lender.
The Person serving as the Agent hereunder and the Person serving as the Sustainability Structuring Agent hereunder (if a Lender) shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent or the Sustainability Structuring Agent, as applicable, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Agent or the Sustainability Structuring Agent, as applicable, hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, capital markets or other business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or to provide notice to or consent of the Lenders with respect thereto.
1.3Exculpatory Provisions.
(a)The Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Sustainability Structuring Agent and their respective Related Parties shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder and thereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Sustainability Structuring Agent and their respective Related Parties:
(i)shall not be subject to any agency, trust, fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii)shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by
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the other Loan Documents that the Agent or the Sustainability Structuring Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that neither the Agent nor the Sustainability Structuring Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;
(iii)shall not, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose to any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Person, any credit or other information relating concerning the business, prospects, operations, properties, assets, financial or other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that is communicated to, obtained by or otherwise in the possession of the Person serving as the Agent, a Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent or their respective Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents that are required to be furnished by the Agent to the Lenders pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; and
(iv)shall not be required to account to any Lender or any L/C Issuer for any sum or profit received by the Agent for its own account.
(b)The Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Sustainability Structuring Agent and their respective Related Parties shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.3 and Section 7.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final non-appealable judgment. The Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given in writing to the Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an L/C Issuer.
(c)The Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Sustainability Structuring Agent and their respective Related Parties shall not be responsible for or have any duty or obligations to any Lender or Participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith (including any report provided to it by an L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.19(l)), (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Agent or (vii) the utilization of any L/C Issuer’s L/C Commitment (it being understood and agreed that each L/C Issuer shall monitor compliance with its own L/C Commitment without any further action by the Agent).
1.4Reliance by Agent.
The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, communication, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person, including any certification pursuant to Section 5.7. The Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining
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compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an L/C Issuer, the Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such L/C Issuer unless the Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Each Lender or L/C Issuer that has signed this Agreement or a signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it is to become a Lender or L/C Issuer hereunder shall be deemed to have consented to, approved and accepted and shall deemed satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to, approved or accepted by such Lender or L/C Issuer or that is to be acceptable or satisfactory to such Lender or L/C Issuer.
1.5Delegation of Duties.
The Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one (1) or more sub-agents appointed by the Agent. The Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Agent and any such sub-agent and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facility as well as activities as Agent. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
1.6Resignation of Agent.
(a)The Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a Lender with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such Lender with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall any such successor Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b)If the Person serving as Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person, remove such Person as Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
(c)With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable), (i) the retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuers under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a
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successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Agent (other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Sections 9.1 and 9.2 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Agent was acting as Agent or relating to its duties as Agent that are carried out following its retirement or removal, including, without limitation, any actions taken with respect to acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any Collateral on behalf of any of the Secured Parties or in respect of any actions taken in connection with the transfer of agency to a replacement or successor Agent.
(d)Any resignation by, or removal of, Wells Fargo as Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as an L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer, if in its sole discretion it elects to, and Swing Line Lender, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer, if in its sole discretion it elects to, shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit issued by Wells Fargo, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Wells Fargo to effectively assume the obligations of Wells Fargo with respect to such Letters of Credit.
1.7Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders.
Each Lender and each L/C Issuer expressly acknowledges that none of the Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent or any of their respective Related Parties has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act taken or failure to act by the Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent or any of their respective Related Parties, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall be deemed to constitute a representation or warranty of the Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent or any of their respective Related Parties to any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Secured Party as to any matter, including whether the Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent or any of their respective Related Parties have disclosed material information in their (or their respective Related Parties’) possession. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer expressly acknowledges, represents and warrants to the Agent, the Sustainability Structuring Agent and each Lead Arranger that (a) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (b) it is engaged in making, acquiring, purchasing or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party as a Lender for the purpose of making, acquiring, purchasing and/or holding the commercial loans set forth herein as may be applicable to it, and not for the purpose of making, acquiring, purchasing or holding any other type of financial instrument, (c) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire, purchase or hold the commercial loans applicable to it and either it or the Person exercising discretion in making its decisions to make, acquire, purchase or hold such commercial loans is experienced in making, acquiring, purchasing or holding commercial loans, (d) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and appraisal of, and investigations into, the business, prospects, operations, property, assets, liabilities, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all applicable bank or other regulatory Applicable Laws relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (e) it has made its own independent decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to extend credit hereunder and thereunder. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer also acknowledges that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent or any other
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Lender or any of their respective Related Parties (A) continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate and its own independent investigations and (B) continue to make such investigations and inquiries as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) it will not assert any claim in contravention of this Section 8.7.
1.8No Other Duties, Etc.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the syndication agents, documentation agents, co-agents, arrangers or bookrunners listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Agent, a Lender or an L/C Issuer hereunder, but each such Person shall have the benefit of the indemnities and exculpatory provisions hereof.
1.9Collateral and Guaranty Matters.
(a)Each of the Lenders (including in its or any of its Affiliate’s capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and potential Hedge Bank) and the L/C Issuers irrevocably authorize the Agent, at its option and in its discretion:
(i)to release any Lien on any Collateral granted to or held by the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, under any Loan Document (A) upon the Facility Termination Date, (B) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition to a Person other than a Loan Party permitted under the Loan Documents, as certified by the Borrower, or (C) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 9.3; provided that any release of all or substantially of the Collateral shall be subject to Section 9.3(f);
(ii)to subordinate any Lien on any Collateral granted to or held by the Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien; provided that the subordination of all or substantially all of the Collateral shall be subject to Section 9.3(f); and
(iii)to release any Guarantor from its obligations under any Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents, as certified by the Borrower; provided that the release of Guarantors comprising substantially all of the credit support for the Obligations shall be subject to Section 9.3(f).
Upon request by the Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 8.9. In each case as specified in this Section 8.9, the Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 8.9 as certified by the Borrower. In the case of any such sale, transfer or disposal of any property constituting Collateral in a transaction constituting a disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.5 to a Person other than a Loan Party, the Liens created by any of the Collateral Documents on such property shall be automatically released without need for further action by any person; provided that (i) such transaction is entered into for a bona fide business purpose (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) and, for the avoidance of doubt, not for the primary purpose of causing such release and (ii) such assets were not transferred to an Affiliate of the Borrower (other than for purposes of a bona fide joint venture arrangement on terms that are not less favorable than arm’s-length terms).
(b)The Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence,
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priority or perfection of the Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
1.10Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements.
No Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 7.3 or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral), or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or any Collateral Document, other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Except as expressly provided in Section 7.3, the Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements.
1.11Certain ERISA Matters.
(a)Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Agent, each Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one (1) of the following is and will be true:
(i)such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) of one (1) or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Revolving Commitments or this Agreement;
(ii)the prohibited transaction exemption set forth in one (1) or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable so as to exempt from the prohibitions of Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement;
(iii)(A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement; or
(iv)such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b)In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x)
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represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Agent, each Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of the Agent, any Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).
1.12Erroneous Payments.
(a)Each Lender, each L/C Issuer, each other Secured Party and any other party hereto hereby severally agrees that if (i) the Agent notifies (which such notice shall be conclusive absent manifest error) such Lender or L/C Issuer or any other Secured Party (or the Lender Affiliate of a Secured Party) or any other Person that has received funds from the Agent or any of its Affiliates, either for its own account or on behalf of a Lender, L/C Issuer or other Secured Party (each such recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Payment Recipient were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Payment Recipient) or (ii) any Payment Recipient receives any payment from the Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, or (z) that such Payment Recipient otherwise becomes aware was transmitted or received in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) then, in each case, an error in payment shall be presumed to have been made (any such amounts specified in clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 8.12(a), whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise; individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”), then, in each case, such Payment Recipient is deemed to have knowledge of such error at the time of its receipt of such Erroneous Payment; provided that nothing in this Section shall require the Agent to provide any of the notices specified in clauses (i) or (ii) above. Each Payment Recipient agrees that it shall not assert any right or claim to any Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.
(b)Without limiting the immediately preceding clause (a), each Payment Recipient agrees that, in the case of clause (a)(ii) above, it shall promptly notify the Agent in writing of such occurrence.
(c)In the case of either clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above, such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, and upon demand from the Agent such Payment Recipient shall (or, shall cause any Person who received any portion of an Erroneous Payment on its behalf to), promptly, but in all events no later than two (2) Business Days thereafter, return to the Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in Same Day Funds and in the currency so received, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Agent at the Overnight Rate.
(d)In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by the Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (c), from any Lender that is a Payment Recipient or an Affiliate of a Payment Recipient (such unrecovered amount as to such Lender, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), then at the sole discretion of the Agent and upon the Agent’s written notice to such Lender (i) such Lender shall be deemed to have made a cashless assignment of the full face amount of the portion of its Loans (but not its Revolving Commitment) of the relevant Class with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) to the Agent or, at the option of the Agent, the Agent’s applicable
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lending affiliate in an amount that is equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Revolving Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such assigned amount, without further consent or approval of any party hereto and without any payment by the Agent or its applicable lending affiliate as the assignee of such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (1) any assignment contemplated in this clause (d) shall be made without any requirement for any payment or other consideration paid by the applicable assignee or received by the assignor, (2) the provisions of this clause (d) shall govern in the event of any conflict with the terms and conditions of Section 9.6 and (3) the Agent may reflect such assignments in the Register without further consent or action by any other Person.
(e)Each party hereto hereby agrees that (x) in the event an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Agent (1) shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Payment Recipient with respect to such amount and (2) is authorized to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Payment Recipient under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Agent to such Payment Recipient from any source, against any amount due to the Agent under this Section 8.12 or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, (y) the receipt of an Erroneous Payment by a Payment Recipient shall not for the purpose of this Agreement be treated as a payment, prepayment, repayment, discharge or other satisfaction of any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Agent from the Borrower or any other Loan Party for the purpose of making a payment on the Obligations and (z) to the extent that an Erroneous Payment was in any way or at any time credited as payment or satisfaction of any of the Obligations, the Obligations or any part thereof that were so credited, and all rights of the Payment Recipient, as the case may be, shall be reinstated and continue in full force and effect as if such payment or satisfaction had never been received.
(f)Each party’s obligations under this Section 8.12 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Agent or any transfer of right or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.
(g)Nothing in this Section 8.12 will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of the Agent hereunder arising from any Payment Recipient’s receipt of an Erroneous Payment.
Article IX.

MISCELLANEOUS
1.1Expenses.
The Borrower shall pay on demand:
(a)any and all reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (including allocated costs of in-house counsel) and out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the development, drafting, negotiation and administration of the Loan Documents, any amendments thereto and the syndication and closing of the transactions contemplated thereby;
(b)all reasonable costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of in-house and other attorneys, appraisers, financial advisors and consultants) incurred by the Lender Parties in any workout, restructuring or similar arrangements or, after an Event of Default, in connection with the protection, preservation, exercise or enforcement of any of the terms of the Loan Documents or in connection with any foreclosure, collection or bankruptcy proceedings; and
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(c)all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder.
The foregoing costs and expenses shall include all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent and the cost of independent public accountants and other outside experts retained by the Agent or, to the extent reimbursable under subpart (b) above, any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 9.1 shall be payable within ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of the Revolving Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.
1.2Indemnity; Damages.
(a)Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender, the Sustainability Structuring Agent, any L/C Issuer and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all reasonable fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by any Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by such Indemnitee hereto of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (it being understood that nothing in this Section 9.2(a) shall require the Borrower to pay attorneys’ fees and disbursements and other out-of-pocket costs in connection with the development, drafting, negotiation and administration of the Loan Documents, any amendments thereto and the syndication and closing of the transaction for any Indemnitee other than the Agent and its Affiliates as set forth in Section 9.1(a)) or (ii) any actual or threatened claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by any Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if such Loan Party has obtained a final, nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b)Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 9.1 or subsection (a) of this Section to be paid by it to the Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Sustainability Structuring Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Agent (or any such sub-agent), such L/C Issuer, the Sustainability Structuring Agent or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the outstanding Loans, unfunded Revolving Commitments and participation interests in Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations of all Lenders at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders’ Revolving Commitment Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Agent (or any such sub-agent), any L/C Issuer or the Sustainability Structuring Agent in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Sustainability Structuring Agent or any L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (b) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(e).
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(c)Waiver of Damages, Etc. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (a) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder, in each case, as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d)Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.
(e)Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Agent, any L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, and the Facility Termination Date.
(f)Limit on Indemnity. To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify and hold harmless set forth in Section 9.2(a) may be unenforceable as violative of any Applicable Law or public policy, the Borrower shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of its obligations set forth in Section 9.2(a) that is permissible under Applicable Law.
1.3Amendments; Waivers; Modifications in Writing.
No amendment of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including a waiver thereof or consent relating thereto) shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Agent and the Required Lenders and, except as to a waiver or consent requested by or to the benefit of the Borrower, the Borrower, provided further:
(a)no amendment, waiver, consent, forbearance or other agreement that has the effect of (i) reducing the rate or amount of any amount payable by the Borrower to any Lender Party under the Loan Documents, (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of the Post-Default Rate of interest), (ii) extending the stated maturity or due date, of any amount payable by the Borrower to any Lender Party under the Loan Documents, (iii) increasing the amount, or extending the stated termination or reduction date, of any Lender’s Revolving Commitment hereunder or subjecting any Lender Party to any additional obligation to extend credit (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or a waiver of any mandatory reduction in the Revolving Commitments shall not constitute a change in the terms of any Revolving Commitment of any Lender), (iv) altering the rights and obligations of the Borrower to prepay the Loans, (v) changing Section 2.11 or Section 7.3 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby or otherwise adversely affect the priority of payment of the Obligations among the Lenders or (vi) changing this Section 9.3 or the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or any other percentage of Lenders specified in this Agreement to be the applicable percentage to act on specified matters shall be effective unless the same shall be signed by or on behalf of each of the Lenders affected thereby;
(b)no amendment that modifies Article 8 or otherwise has the effect of (i) increasing the duties or obligations of the Agent, (ii) increasing the standard of care or performance required on the part of the Agent, or (iii) reducing or eliminating the indemnities or immunities to which the Agent is entitled (including any amendment of this Section 9.3), shall be effective unless the same shall be signed by or on behalf of the Agent;
(c)no amendment that has the effect of (i) increasing the duties or obligations of the L/C Issuers, (ii) increasing the standard of care or performance required on the part of the L/C Issuers, or (iii) reducing or eliminating the indemnities or immunities to which the L/C Issuers are entitled (including any amendment of this Section 9.3), shall be effective unless the same shall be signed by or on behalf of the L/C Issuers;
(d)no amendment that has the effect of (i) increasing the duties or obligations of the Swing Line Lender, (ii) increasing the standard of care or performance required on the part of the Swing Line Lender, or (iii) reducing or eliminating the indemnities or immunities to which the Swing Line Lender is
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entitled (including any amendment of this Section 9.3), shall be effective unless the same shall be signed by or on behalf of the Swing Line Lender;
(e)no amendment that has the effect of (i) increasing the duties or obligations of the Sustainability Structuring Agent, (ii) increasing the standard of care or performance required on the part of the Sustainability Structuring Agent, or (iii) reducing or eliminating the indemnities or immunities to which the Sustainability Structuring Agent is entitled (including any amendment of this Section 9.3), shall be effective unless the same shall be signed by or on behalf of the Sustainability Structuring Agent;
(f)except as permitted herein on the Closing Date except as permitted herein on the Closing Date (or the effective date of any amendment or modification to this agreement then in effect which permits such release or subordination as set out in this paragraph and has been approved by the written consent of each Lender), release or subordinate all or substantially all of the Collateral or release or subordinate any Collateral Document (or any Lien created thereby) which would have the effect of releasing or subordinating all or substantially all of the Collateral without the written consent of each Lender;
(g)except as permitted herein on the Closing Date (or the effective date of any amendment or modification to this agreement then in effect which permits such release as set out in this paragraph and has been approved by the written consent of each Lender), release (i)  all of the Guarantors or (iii) Guarantors comprising all or substantially all of the credit support for the Secured Obligations, in any case, from the Guaranty, without the written consent of each Lender;
(h)the L/C Commitment reflected on Schedule 2.19 may be amended from time to time by the Borrower, the Agent and the L/C Issuers, to reflect the L/C Commitment of the L/C Issuers in effect from time to time;
(i)the Swing Line Commitment reflected on Schedule 2.20 may be amended from time to time by the Borrower, the Agent and the Swing Line Lender to reflect the Swing Line Commitment of the Swing Line Lender in effect from time to time; and
(j)any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, 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 of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein.
Except as required herein, no notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 9.3 shall be binding upon each present and future Lender Party and the Borrower.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Revolving Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary the Agent and the Borrower may make amendments contemplated by Section 2.12(c).

1.4Cumulative Remedies: Failure or Delays; Enforcement.
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The rights and remedies provided for under this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights and remedies that may be available to the Lender Parties under Applicable Law or otherwise. No failure or delay on the part of any Lender Party in the exercise of any power, right or remedy under the Loan Documents shall impair such power, right or remedy or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or remedy preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or remedy.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Agent in accordance with Section 7.2 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.7 (subject to the terms of Section 2.11), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Agent pursuant to Section 7.2 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.11, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
1.5Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
(a)Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier (it being understood that if notice is given to the Borrower by telecopier, it shall also be sent by electronic mail) as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i)if to any Loan Party or the Agent, Wells Fargo Bank as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 9.5; and
(ii)if to any other Lender or L/C Issuer, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent, if confirmation of receipt has been received (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b). Upon the request of the Borrower, the Agent shall provide the Borrower with copies of the Administrative Questionnaires delivered by the Lenders.
(b)Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agent, provided that the foregoing
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shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications and neither the Borrower nor the Agent shall have any obligation to agree to accept any electronic notices. Unless the Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or other communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
(c)The Platform.
(i)Each Loan Party, each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees that the Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Borrower Materials available to the L/C Issuers and the other Lenders by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform.
(ii)The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Borrower Materials or the adequacy of the Platform, and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Borrower Materials. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Borrower Materials or the Platform. Although the Platform is secured pursuant to generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Agent and its Related Parties, each of the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that distribution of information through an electronic means is not necessarily secure in all respects, the Agent, the Lead Arrangers and their respective Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) are not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives, designees or contacts of any Lender or L/C Issuer that are provided access to the Platform and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such form of distribution. Each of the Borrower, each Lender and each L/C Issuer party hereto understands and accepts such risks. In no event shall the Agent Parties have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender or any other Person or entity for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or the Agent’s transmission of communications through the Internet (including the Platform), except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, losses or expenses (as opposed to direct or actual damages, losses or expenses).
(d)Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto; provided that the Borrower shall only be required to deliver such notice to the Agent and the Agent shall provide such notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Agent from time to time to ensure that the Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions
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for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one (1) individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and Applicable Law, including United States federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal or state securities laws.
(e)Reliance by Agent and Lenders. The Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Loan Prepayment, Letter of Credit Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party (it being understood that only the Borrower can provide Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Loan Prepayment, Letter of Credit Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. To the extent otherwise required by Section 9.2 of this Agreement, the Borrower shall indemnify the Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all reasonable losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of a Loan Party. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Agent may be recorded by the Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
1.6Successors and Assigns; Designations.
(a)Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section, or (iv) to an SPC (as defined in Section 9.6(f)) in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b)Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one (1) or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that:
(i)except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Revolving Commitment are not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that
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concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;
(ii)each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Revolving Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to rights in respect of Bid Loans or the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;
(iii)no consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i) of this Section and, in addition:
(A)the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that it is understood that it shall be reasonable for the Borrower to withhold consent to a new assignee Lender (x) if as a result of such assignment the Borrower would incur additional costs, including without limitation, under Sections 2.13 and 2.16; and the assignee Lender shall provide such information, if requested by the Borrower, in connection with any proposed assignment or (y) if such new assignee Lender is a competitor of the Borrower or an Affiliate of a competitor of the Borrower; provided, further, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof;
(B)the consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; provided that, in consenting to any such assignment, the Agent has no duty to, and shall not be liable to the Borrower, any assignor or assignee Lenders or any of their respective Affiliates for any failure to, inquire or otherwise verify whether or not such assignment is being made to a competitor of the Borrower or an Affiliate of a competitor of the Borrower, and the Agent shall have no duty or obligation to prohibit such assignment; and
(C)the consent of the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments.
(iv)the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The Eligible Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v)no such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) a natural Person (or to a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person).
(vi)in connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional
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payments to the Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Revolving Commitment Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under Applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.16, 9.1 and 9.2 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment and shall continue to retain the obligations with respect thereto as well); provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver applicable Note(s) to the assignee Lender, and the assignor Lender shall surrender and cancel any Notes, if requested. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.
(c)Register. The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice, and the Borrower may also receive a copy of the Register upon request.
(d)Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Agent, the Swing Line Lender or any L/C Issuer, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, or holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, shall be the sole holder of the Note(s), if any, and Loan Documents subject to the participation and shall have the sole right to enforce its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents and (iii) the Borrower, the Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection
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with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 9.2(b) without regard to the existence of any participation.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in Sections 9.3(a) through 9.3(g) that affects such Participant. Subject to the proviso at the end of this sentence, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.16 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.16(d), 2.16(e) and 2.16(f) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation); provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 9.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.13 or 2.16, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 9.19 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.7 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.11 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent (in its capacity as Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(e)Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(f)Special Purpose Funding Vehicles. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, so long as any action in accordance with this Section 9.6(f) does not cause increased costs or expenses for the Borrower, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”) the option to fund all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to fund pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Loan, (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to fund all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to fund such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof, (iii) no SPC shall have any voting rights pursuant to Section 9.3 and (iv) with respect to notices, payments and other matters hereunder, the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders shall not be obligated to deal with an SPC, but may limit their communications and other dealings relevant to such SPC to the applicable Granting Lender. The funding of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Revolving Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent that, and as if, such Loan were funded by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall
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be liable for any indemnity or payment under this Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise be liable for so long as, and to the extent, the Granting Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any SPC may disclose any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or guarantee to such SPC so long as such disclosure is clearly designated as being made on a confidential basis. This Section 9.6(f) may not be amended without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender, all or any part of whose Loan is being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment.
(g)Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time a Lender acting as an L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, such Lender may, as applicable, (i) upon thirty days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as an L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon thirty days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as an L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of such Lender as an L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If a Lender resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.19(c)). If Wells Fargo Bank resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.20(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (1) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (2) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit issued by the resigning L/C Issuer, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the resigning L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of such resigning L/C issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.
1.7Set Off.
In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under Applicable Law and to the extent not prohibited by law or Contractual Obligation of such Lender Party, during the existence of any Event of Default, each Lender Party is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Borrower, at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts) and any other indebtedness, in each case whether direct or indirect or contingent or matured or unmatured at any time held or owing by such Lender Party to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower, against and on account of the Obligations, irrespective of whether or not such Lender Party shall have made any demand for payment, provided that such Lender Party shall, promptly following such set off or application, give notice to the Borrower thereof, which notice shall contain an explanation of the basis for the set off or application provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set off and application; provided, further, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.
1.8Survival of Agreements, Representations and Warranties.
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All agreements, representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Agent and each Lender regardless of any investigation made by the Agent or any Lender or on their behalf (unless the Agent or such Lender, as applicable, had actual knowledge contrary thereto prior to its reliance), and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding. Without limitation, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in Sections 2.13, 2.16, 9.1, and 9.2 and the obligations of the Lenders under Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 8.7 shall survive the payment in full of all other Obligations.
1.9Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
1.10Complete Agreement.
This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Agent, any L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and/or any Lead Arranger, represents the entire agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated therein.
1.11Limitation of Liability.
No claim shall be made by the Borrower or any Lender Party against any party hereto or the Affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents of any party hereto for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages in respect of any claim for breach of contract or under any other theory of liability arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith; and the Borrower and each Lender Party waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor. Nothing in this Section 9.11 shall limit the indemnification obligations of the Borrower under Section 9.2 in respect of any such damages actually incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third Person.
1.12WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
1.13Confidentiality.
Each of the Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ Related Parties who have a specific need to use the Information in connection with this Agreement and any transactions contemplated hereby (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such
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Information confidential and to use such Information only in connection with this Agreement and any transactions contemplated hereby), (b) to the extent requested or required by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto in connection with this Agreement and any transactions contemplated hereby and with the understanding that the Information will be used only in connection with this Agreement and any transactions contemplated hereby, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Agent and any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower; (i) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization or (j) on a confidential basis to any rating agency in connection with rating any Loan Party or the credit facilities provided hereunder; provided that with respect to clause (c) above, the Agent or the Lender, as applicable, will use reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower prior to any such disclosure. In addition, the Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement (to the extent such information constitutes public information pursuant to the Borrower’s SEC disclosure) to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Revolving Commitments.
For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, including, without limitation, inventions, improvements, trade secrets, processes, data, software programs, techniques, marketing plans, strategies, forecasts, forward looking statements and projections, estimates and assumptions concerning anticipated results, unpublished copyrightable material, customer lists, customer information, sources of supply, prospects or projections, manufacturing techniques, formulas, research or experimental work, work in process and all information regarding transactions between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and its customers, including without limitation, sales documents, transactions receipts, customer names, account numbers, transaction amounts and dates, other than any such information that is available to the Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information except to the extent that Applicable Law imposes additional requirements in which case such Person shall be required to abide by such additional requirements.
Each of the Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with Applicable Law, including Federal and state securities laws.
In addition, the Agent may disclose to any agency or organization that assigns standard identification numbers to loan facilities (including, without limitation, the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers) such basic information describing the facilities provided hereunder as is necessary to assign unique identifiers (and, if requested, supply a copy of this Agreement), it being understood that the Person to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to make available to the public only such Information as such person normally makes available in the course of its business of assigning identification numbers.
1.14Binding Effect; Continuing Agreement.
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(a)This Agreement shall become effective at such time when all of the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 have been satisfied or waived by the Lenders and it shall have been executed by the Borrower, the Agent, and each Lender, and thereafter this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Loan Party, the Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.
(b)This Agreement shall be a continuing agreement and shall remain in full force and effect until all Loans, L/C Obligations, interest, Fees and other Obligations have been paid in full and the Revolving Commitments are terminated. Upon termination, the Borrower shall have no further obligations (other than the indemnification provisions that survive) under the Loan Documents; provided that should any payment, in whole or in part, of the Obligations be rescinded or otherwise required to be restored or returned by the Agent or any Lender, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or any similar reason, then the Loan Documents shall automatically be reinstated and all amounts required to be restored or returned and all costs and expenses incurred by the Agent or any Lender in connection therewith shall be deemed included as part of the Obligations.
1.15NO ORAL AGREEMENTS.
ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.
1.16Patriot Act Notice, Etc.
Each Lender that is subject to the PATRIOT Act (as hereinafter defined) or any Canadian AML Act and the Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “PATRIOT Act”) and the Canadian AML Acts, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties which information includes the name and address of the Loan Parties, information concerning its direct and indirect holders of Equity Interests and other Persons exercising Control over it, and other information that will allow such Lender or the Agent, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the PATRIOT Act and the Canadian AML Acts. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and the Canadian AML Acts.
1.17No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, the other Lead Arrangers and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Loan Parties and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, the other Lead Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate, and (C) the Loan Parties are capable of evaluating, and understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, each other Lead Arranger and each Lender each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, any other Lead Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, the other Lead Arrangers, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, any other Lead Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower and its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, each
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Loan Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agent, Wells Fargo Securities, the other Lead Arrangers and the Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
1.18Electronic Execution; Electronic Records.
The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery” and words of like import in or related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document, amendment, approval, consent, waiver, modification, information, notice, certificate, report, statement, disclosure, or authorization to be signed or delivered in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures or execution in the form of an Electronic Record, and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Agent, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Each party hereto agrees that any Electronic Signature or execution in the form of an Electronic Record shall be valid and binding on itself and each of the other parties hereto to the same extent as a manual, original signature. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the parties of a manually signed paper which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed paper converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Agent is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Agent has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature from any party hereto, the Agent and the other parties hereto shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the executing party without further verification and (ii) upon the request of the Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by an original manually executed counterpart thereof.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Agent, the Lenders and any of the Loan Parties, electronic images of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto)  shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (B) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of any Loan Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto.

1.19Replacement of Lenders.
If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, (iii) a Lender (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) does not consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document that has been approved by the Required Lenders as provided in Section 9.3 but requires unanimous consent of all Lenders or all Lenders directly affected thereby (as applicable) or (iv) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.6), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 2.13 and 2.16) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a)the Borrower shall have paid to the Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 9.6(b)(iv);
(b)such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it
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hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.13) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(c)in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(d)such assignment does not conflict with Applicable Laws; and
(e)in the case of any such assignment resulting from a Non-Consenting Lender’s failure to consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document, the applicable replacement bank, financial institution or Fund consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination;
provided that the failure by such Lender to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption shall not impair the validity of the removal of such Lender and the mandatory assignment of such Lender’s Revolving Commitments and outstanding Loans and participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 9.19 shall nevertheless be effective without the execution by such Lender of an Assignment and Assumption.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
1.20Judgment Currency.
If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of a Person in respect of any such sum due from it to any other Person hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Person to whom the sum is owed, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Person owed, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Person entitled to receive the payment hereunder in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower, Agent or Lender, as applicable, agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Person owed, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Person owed in such currency, the Person entitled to receive the payment, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Person owed (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under Applicable Law).
1.21Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions.
Solely to the extent any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
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(a)the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b)the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii)the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
1.22Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.
To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States or any other jurisdiction): In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

1.23Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc..
(a)Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except, as to any other Loan Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws (other than the rules regarding conflicts of laws) of the State of New York.
(b)Submission to Jurisdiction. The Borrower and each other Loan Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Sustainability Structuring Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender,
110



or any Related Party of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except as expressly set forth in the Canadian Security Agreement) or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c)Waiver of Venue. The Borrower and each other Loan Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d)Service of Process. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.5. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first written above.

BORROWER:                NORDSTROM, INC.


By:                        
Name:    
Title:    










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AGENTS AND LENDERS:        WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Agent, Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuer and Lender

By:             
Name:    
Title:    

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
as Sustainability Structuring Agent

By:             
Name:    
Title:    


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as L/C Issuer and Lender

By:             
Name:    
Title:    

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as L/C Issuer and Lender

By:             
Name:    
Title:    

[_________________],
as a Lender

By:             
Name:    
Title:    


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Document

Exhibit 31.1
Certification required by Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Erik B. Nordstrom, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nordstrom, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:June 3, 2022
/s/ Erik B. Nordstrom
Erik B. Nordstrom
Chief Executive Officer of Nordstrom, Inc.


Document

Exhibit 31.2
Certification required by Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Anne L. Bramman, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nordstrom, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:June 3, 2022
/s/ Anne L. Bramman
Anne L. Bramman
Chief Financial Officer of Nordstrom, Inc.
``

Document

Exhibit 32.1
NORDSTROM, INC.
1617 SIXTH AVENUE
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98101
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Nordstrom, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Erik B. Nordstrom, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), and Anne L. Bramman, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
                     
Date:June 3, 2022
/s/ Erik B. Nordstrom
Erik B. Nordstrom
Chief Executive Officer of Nordstrom, Inc.
/s/ Anne L. Bramman
Anne L. Bramman
Chief Financial Officer of Nordstrom, Inc.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Nordstrom, Inc. and will be retained by Nordstrom, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.