Exhibit 4.1

 

VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO., 

as Company

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 

 

FORM OF INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY [●], 2021

 

 

4.625% Senior Notes due 2029

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 101.		Definitions		5
Section 102.		Other Definitions		46
Section 103.		Rules of Construction		47
Section 104.		[Reserved]		48
Section 105.		[Reserved]		48
Section 106.		Compliance Certificates and Opinions		48
Section 107.		Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee		49
Section 108.		Acts of Noteholders; Record Dates		49
Section 109.		Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company		51
Section 110.		Notices to Holders; Waiver		51
Section 111.		Effect of Headings and Table of Contents		52
Section 112.		Successors and Assigns		52
Section 113.		Separability Clause		52
Section 114.		Benefits of Indenture		52
Section 115.		Governing Law		52
Section 116.		Waiver of Trial by Jury		52
Section 117.		Legal Holidays		52
Section 118.		No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Stockholders		52
Section 119.		Exhibits and Schedules		53
Section 120.		Counterparts		53
Section 121.		Force Majeure		53
Section 122.		USA PATRIOT Act		53
Section 123.		Limited Condition Transaction and Incurrence-Based Amounts		53
ARTICLE II
NOTE FORMS
Section 201.		Forms Generally		55
Section 202.		Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication		56
Section 203.		Restrictive and Global Note Legends		57
ARTICLE III
THE NOTES
Section 301.		General Terms; Additional Notes		59
Section 302.		Denominations		59
Section 303.		Execution, Authentication and Delivery and Dating		59
Section 304.		Temporary Notes		60
Section 305.		Note Registrar and Paying Agent		60
Section 306.		Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes		61

 

 

Section 307.		Payment of Interest Rights Preserved		62
Section 308.		Persons Deemed Owners		63
Section 309.		Cancellation		63
Section 310.		Computation of Interest		63
Section 311.		CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc.		63
Section 312.		Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes		63
Section 313.		Special Transfer Provisions		65
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
Section 401.		Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest		67
Section 402.		Maintenance of Office or Agency		67
Section 403.		Money for Payments to Be Held in Trust		68
Section 404.		[Reserved]		68
Section 405.		Reports		69
Section 406.		Statement as to Default		69
Section 407.		Limitation on Indebtedness		69
Section 408.		[Reserved]		74
Section 409.		Limitation on Restricted Payments		74
Section 410.		Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries		78
Section 411.		Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock		79
Section 412.		Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates		83
Section 413.		Limitation on Liens		84
Section 414.		Future Subsidiary Guarantors		84
Section 415.		Purchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control		85
Section 416.		Suspension of Covenants on Achievement of Investment Grade Rating		86
Section 417.		[Reserved]		87
Section 418.		Additional Limitations on Intellectual Property Transfers		87
Section 419.		Activities of the Company Prior to the Escrow Release		87
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS
Section 501.		When the Company May Merge, Etc.		87
Section 502.		Successor Company Substituted		88
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES
Section 601.		Events of Default		89
Section 602.		Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment		91
Section 603.		Other Remedies; Collection Suit by Trustee		91
Section 604.		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim		91
Section 605.		Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes		91
Section 606.		Application of Money Collected		92
Section 607.		Limitation on Suits		92
Section 608.		Net Short Provisions		93

 

 

Section 609.		Restoration of Rights and Remedies		93
Section 610.		Rights and Remedies Cumulative		93
Section 611.		Delay or Omission Not Waiver		94
Section 612.		Control by Holders		94
Section 613.		Waiver of Past Defaults		94
Section 614.		Undertaking for Costs		94
Section 615.		Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws		95
ARTICLE VII
THE TRUSTEE
Section 701.		Certain Duties and Responsibilities		95
Section 702.		Notice of Defaults		96
Section 703.		Certain Rights of Trustee		96
Section 704.		Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes		97
Section 705.		May Hold Notes		97
Section 706.		Money Held in Trust		97
Section 707.		Compensation and Reimbursement		97
Section 708.		Conflicting Interests		98
Section 709.		Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility		98
Section 710.		Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor		98
Section 711.		Acceptance of Appointment by Successor		99
Section 712.		Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business		99
Section 713.		Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company		100
Section 714.		Appointment of Authenticating Agent		100
ARTICLE VIII
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY
Section 801.		The Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders		100
Section 802.		Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders		100
Section 803.		Reports by Trustee		101
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT OR WAIVER
Section 901.		Without Consent of Holders		101
Section 902.		With Consent of Holders		102
Section 903.		Execution of Amendments, Supplements or Waivers		103
Section 904.		Revocation and Effect of Consents		103
Section 905.		[Reserved]		103
Section 906.		Notation on or Exchange of Notes		103
ARTICLE X
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
Section 1001.		Applicability of Article		104

 

 

Section 1002.		[Reserved]		104
Section 1003.		Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee		104
Section 1004.		Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed		104
Section 1005.		Notice of Redemption		104
Section 1006.		Deposit of Redemption Price		105
Section 1007.		Notes Payable on Redemption Date		105
Section 1008.		Notes Redeemed in Part		106
Section 1009.		Optional Redemption		106
Section 1010.		Special Mandatory Redemption		107
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 1101.		Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture		108
Section 1102.		[Reserved]		109
Section 1103.		Application of Trust Money		109
ARTICLE XII
DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 1201.		The Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance		109
Section 1202.		Defeasance and Discharge		109
Section 1203.		Covenant Defeasance		110
Section 1204.		Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance		110
Section 1205.		Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions		111
Section 1206.		Reinstatement		112
Section 1207.		Repayments to the Company		112
ARTICLE XIII
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
Section 1301.		Guarantees Generally		112
Section 1302.		Continuing Guarantees		114
Section 1303.		Release of Subsidiary Guarantees		114
Section 1304.		[Reserved]		115
Section 1305.		Waiver of Subrogation		115
Section 1306.		Notation Not Required		115
Section 1307.		Successors and Assigns of Subsidiary Guarantors		115
Section 1308.		Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantees		115
Section 1309.		Notices		116
Exhibit A		Form of Note
Exhibit B		[Reserved]
Exhibit C		Form of Certificate of Beneficial Ownership
Exhibit D		Form of Regulation S Certificate
Exhibit E		Form of Supplemental Indenture in Respect of Subsidiary Guarantees
Exhibit F		Form of Certificate from Acquiring Institutional Accredited Investors

 

 

INDENTURE, dated as of July [●], 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Indenture”), among Victoria’s Secret & Co., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee.

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Company (as defined herein) has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Initial Notes”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein):

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

Section 101.     Definitions.

 

“ABL Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent under the ABL Credit Agreement and collateral agent for the ABL Facility Secured Parties under the ABL Credit Agreement and the ABL Facility Collateral Documents, together with its successors and permitted assigns under the ABL Credit Agreement and the ABL Facility Collateral Documents.

 

“ABL Bank Products Affiliate” means any lender under the ABL Credit Agreement or any Affiliate of any such lender that has entered into a Bank Products Agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with the obligations of the Company or any such Subsidiary, as applicable, being secured by one or more ABL Facility Collateral Documents.

 

“ABL Collateral Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with its successors and permitted assigns in its capacity as collateral agent in respect of the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

“ABL Credit Agreement” means the ABL Credit Agreement, to be entered into on or around the Escrow Release Date, among the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company, the ABL Collateral Agent and the other ABL Facility Secured Parties, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original administrative agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original ABL Credit Agreement or other credit agreements or otherwise), except to the extent such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not an ABL Credit Agreement under this Indenture. Any references to the ABL Credit Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to each ABL Credit Agreement then in existence.

 

 

“ABL Facility” means the collective reference to the ABL Credit Agreement, any Loan Documents (as defined therein), any notes and letters of credit issued pursuant thereto and any guarantee and collateral agreement, patent and trademark security agreement, mortgages, letter of credit applications and other guarantees, pledge agreements, security agreements and collateral documents, and other instruments and documents, executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original ABL Credit Agreement or one or more other credit agreements, indentures or financing agreements or otherwise) except to the extent such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not an ABL Facility. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “ABL Facility” shall include any agreement (i) changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, (ii) adding Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, (iii) increasing the amount of Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed thereunder or (iv) otherwise altering the terms and conditions thereof.

 

“ABL Facility Collateral Agreements” means (i) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, to be entered into on or around the Escrow Release Date, among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries identified therein as grantors and the ABL Agent and (ii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, to be entered into on or around the Escrow Release Date, among the Company, certain of its Foreign Subsidiaries identified therein as grantors and the ABL Agent, and, in each case, together with the documents related thereto (including any supplements thereto), as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ABL Facility Collateral Documents” means the ABL Facility Collateral Agreements, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, the intellectual property security agreements and each other agreement, instrument or other document entered into in favor of the ABL Agent or any of the other ABL Facility Secured Parties for purposes of securing the ABL Facility Obligations (including the guarantees thereof), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ABL Facility Documents” means the ABL Credit Agreement, the related guarantees, the ABL Facility Collateral Documents, the Loan Documents (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement), any Bank Products Agreement between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and any ABL Bank Products Affiliate, any Hedging Agreements between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and any ABL Hedging Affiliate, any Open Account Agreement between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and any ABL Open Account Affiliate, and those ancillary agreements as to which the ABL Agent or any lender under the ABL Credit Agreement is a party or a beneficiary and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or their respective Affiliates, and delivered to the ABL Agent, in connection with any of the foregoing or the ABL Credit Agreement, in each case as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

“ABL Facility Obligations” shall mean all obligations of every nature of the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time owed to the ABL Agent, the lenders under the ABL Credit Agreement or any of them, any ABL Bank Products Affiliates, any ABL Open Account Affiliates or any ABL Hedging Affiliates, under any ABL Facility Document, including, without limitation, all “Obligations” as defined in the ABL Facility Collateral Agreement, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses (including interest, fees, and expenses which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, would have accrued on any ABL Facility Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against the Company or any such Subsidiary for such interest, fees, or expenses in the related bankruptcy proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under letters of credit, payments for early termination of Hedging Agreements, indemnification or otherwise, and all other amounts owing or due under the terms of the ABL Facility Documents, as amended, restated modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

 

 

“ABL Facility Secured Parties” means (a) the holders of ABL Facility Obligations, (b) the Representative(s) with respect thereto and (c) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.

 

“ABL Hedging Affiliate” means any lender under the ABL Credit Agreement or any Affiliate of any such lender that has entered into a Hedging Agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with the obligations of the Company or any such Subsidiary, as applicable, being secured by one or more ABL Facility Collateral Documents.

 

“ABL Intercreditor Agreement” means the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, to be entered into on or around the Escrow Release Date, by and between the ABL Agent and the Term Loan Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ABL Open Account Affiliate” means any lender under the ABL Credit Agreement or any Affiliate of any such lender that has entered into an Open Account Agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with the obligations of the Company or any such Subsidiary, as applicable, being secured by one or more ABL Facility Collateral Documents.

 

“Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person (i) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to be Incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

 

“Additional Assets” means (i) any property or assets that replace the property or assets that are the subject of an Asset Disposition; (ii) any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) used or to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise useful in a Related Business, and any capital expenditures in respect of any property or assets already so used; (iii) the Capital Stock of a Person that is engaged in a Related Business and becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (iv) Capital Stock of any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary acquired from a third party.

 

“Additional Notes” means any additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 303 and 407.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note at any Redemption Date, the greater of (i) 1.00% of the principal amount of such Note and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such Redemption Date, calculated as of the date of the applicable redemption notice, of (1) the redemption price of such Note on July 15, 2024 (such redemption price being that described in Section 1009), plus (2) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through such date (excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such Note on such Redemption Date, as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate; provided that such calculation shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

 

 

“Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares, or (in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary) to the extent required by applicable law), property or other assets (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction) other than (i) a disposition to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) a disposition in the ordinary course of business, (iii) a disposition of Cash Equivalents, Investment Grade Securities or Temporary Cash Investments, (iv) the sale or discount (with or without recourse, and on customary or commercially reasonable terms, as determined by the Company in good faith) of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, or the conversion or exchange of accounts receivable for notes receivable, (v) any Restricted Payment Transaction, (vi) a disposition that is governed by Article V, (vii) any Financing Disposition, (viii) any “fee in lieu” or other disposition of assets to any Governmental Authority that continue in use by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets upon reasonable notice by paying a nominal fee, (ix) any exchange of property pursuant to or intended to qualify under Section 1031 (or any successor section) of the Code, or any exchange of equipment to be leased, rented or otherwise used in a Related Business, (x) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including without limitation any sale/leaseback transaction or asset securitization, (xi) any disposition arising from foreclosure, condemnation, eminent domain or similar action with respect to any property or other assets, or exercise of termination rights under any lease, license, sublicense, concession or other agreement, or necessary or advisable (as determined by the Company in good faith) in order to consummate any acquisition of any Person, business or assets, or pursuant to buy/sell arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement, or of non-core assets acquired in connection with any acquisition of any Person, business or assets or any Investment, (xii) any disposition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (xiii) a disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired, or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), entered into in connection with such acquisition, (xiv) a disposition of not more than 5.0% of the outstanding Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that has been approved by the Board of Directors, (xv) any disposition or series of related dispositions for aggregate consideration not to exceed $25.0 million, (xvi) any Exempt Sale and Leaseback Transaction, (xvii) the assignment, sale, transfer, lapse, abandonment (including failure to maintain) or other disposition of any Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights or other intellectual property that are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (xviii) any license, sublicense, covenant not to sue or other grant of rights in or to any Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights or other intellectual property, or (xix) the creation or granting of any Lien permitted under this Indenture.

 

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 714 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes.

 

“Bank Products Agreement” means any agreement pursuant to which a bank or other financial institution agrees to provide cash management services or facilities, including: (a) ACH transactions, (b) controlled disbursement services, treasury, depository, overdraft, and electronic funds transfer services, (c) credit card processing services, (d) purchase cards and (e) credit or debit cards.

 

“Bank Products Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Bank Products Agreement.

 

 

“Board of Directors” means, for any Person, the board of directors or other governing body of such Person or, if such Person does not have such a board of directors or other governing body and is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors or other governing body of such entity or, in either case, any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board of directors or other governing body. Unless otherwise provided, “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Borrowing Base” means the sum of (1) 90% of the book value of Inventory of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (2) 85% of the book value of Receivables of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Credit Card Receivables), (3) 95% of the book value of Credit Card Receivables of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal month of the Company for which internal consolidated financial statements of the Company are available) and (4) 50% of the fair market value of real property of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, and, in the case of any determination relating to any Incurrence of Indebtedness, on a pro forma basis including (x) any property or assets of a type described above acquired since the end of such fiscal month and (y) any property or assets of a type described above being acquired in connection therewith.

 

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City (or any other city in which a Paying Agent maintains its office).

 

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares or units of, rights to purchase, warrants or options for, or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

“Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).

 

“Cash Equivalents” means any of the following: (a) money, (b) securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America, Canada or a member state of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality of any thereof, (c) time deposits, certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of (i) any bank or other institutional lender under the ABL Facility or any affiliate thereof or (ii) any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof as of the date of such investment) and the commercial paper of the holding company of which is rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or, if at such time neither is issuing ratings, a comparable rating of another nationally recognized rating agency), (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c)(i) or (c)(ii) above, (e) money market instruments, commercial paper or other short-term obligations rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or, if at such time neither is issuing ratings, a comparable rating of another nationally recognized rating agency), (f) investments in money market funds subject to the risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 or any successor rule of the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (g) investments similar to any of the foregoing denominated in foreign currencies approved by the Board of Directors, and (h) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that Person is permitted to make in accordance with applicable law.

 

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “Person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “Person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares of the Company’s voting stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (1) the Company becomes a wholly owned Subsidiary of a holding company and (2) either the holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to that transaction or no Person (other than such holding company) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding number of shares of the Company’s voting stock.

 

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or any successor securities clearing agency.

 

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

 

“Commodities Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any commodity futures contract, forward contract, option or similar agreement or arrangement (including derivative agreements or arrangements), as to which such Person is a party or beneficiary.

 

“Company” means Victoria’s Secret & Co., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

 

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request, order or consent signed in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company.

 

“Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided that

 

(1)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness or the Company has issued any Designated Preferred Stock that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Designated Preferred Stock of the Company, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock as if such Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock had been Incurred or issued, as applicable, on the first day of such period (except that in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the date of such calculation shall be computed based on (A) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four fiscal quarters or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (B) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quarters, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation),

 

 

(2)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or discharged any Indebtedness or any Designated Preferred Stock of the Company that is no longer outstanding on such date of determination (each, a “Discharge”) or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio involves a Discharge of Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness Incurred under any revolving credit facility, unless such Indebtedness has been repaid with an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder) or a Discharge of Designated Preferred Stock of the Company, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Discharge of such Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock, including with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness or new Designated Preferred Stock of the Company, as if such Discharge had occurred on the first day of such period,

 

(3)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have disposed of any company, any business or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business, including any such disposition occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, or designated any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (any such disposition or designation, a “Sale”), the Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the assets that are the subject of such Sale for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such period, and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to (A) the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Sale for such period (including, but not limited to, through the assumption of such Indebtedness by another Person) plus (B) if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is disposed of in such Sale or any Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such Sale,

 

(4)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Person that thereby becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or otherwise acquired any company, any business or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business, including any such Investment or acquisition occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, or designated any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (any such Investment, acquisition or designation, a “Purchase”), Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any related Indebtedness) as if such Purchase occurred on the first day of such period, and

 

(5)          if, since the beginning of such period, any Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and since the beginning of such period such Person shall have Discharged any Indebtedness or made any Sale or Purchase that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2), (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Discharge, Sale or Purchase occurred on the first day of such period;

 

 

provided that, in the event that the Company shall classify Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination as Incurred in part under Section 407(a) and in part under Section 407(b), as provided in Section 407(c)(ii), any pro forma calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense shall not give effect on such date of determination (x) to any Incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 407(b) (other than if the Company at its option has elected to disregard Indebtedness being Incurred on the date of determination in part pursuant to Section 407(a) for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio for Incurring Indebtedness on the date of determination in part pursuant to Section 407(b)(xi)) or (y) to any Discharge of Indebtedness from the proceeds of any such Incurrence pursuant to Section 407(b) (other than Section 407(b)(xi), if the Incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 407(b)(xi) is being given effect to in the calculation of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio).

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, or the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred, Designated Preferred Stock issued, or Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or discharged in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations in respect thereof (including without limitation in respect of anticipated cost savings or synergies relating to any such Sale, Purchase or other transaction) shall be as determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer or an authorized Officer of the Company. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness). If any Indebtedness bears, at the option of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, a rate of interest based on a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, a secured overnight financing rate, or other fixed or floating rate, and such Indebtedness is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated by applying such optional rate as the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may designate. If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect was Incurred under a revolving credit facility, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on a Finance Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Finance Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets and deferred financing fees and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, without duplication and, except in the case of clause (9) below, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:

 

(1)

Consolidated Taxes; plus

 

(2)

Fixed Charges and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, plus amounts excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” and any non-cash interest expense, to the extent deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(3)

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense; plus

 

(4)

Consolidated Non-Cash Charges; plus

 

 

(5)

any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense) related to any issuance of Capital Stock, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence, modification or repayment of Indebtedness (in each case including a refinancing thereof), whether or not successful, including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, the Notes or the Senior Credit Facilities, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes or other Indebtedness and (iii) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Specified Receivables Facility; plus

 

(6)

business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of facility closures, facility consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges); plus

 

(7)

the amount of loss or discount on sale of assets to a Receivables Subsidiary and any commissions, yield and other fees and charges, in each case in connection with a Specified Receivables Facility; plus

 

(8)

any costs or expense incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the determination of the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 409(a)(3)(A); plus

 

(9)

the amount of net cost savings, operating improvements or synergies projected by the Company in good faith to be realized within twelve months following the date of any operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, restructurings or reorganizations which have been or are intended to be initiated (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such net cost savings and operating improvements or synergies are reasonably identifiable and quantifiable; provided, further, that the aggregate amount added to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (9) shall not exceed 20.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (determined after giving effect to such adjustments);

 

less, without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,

 

(10)

non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of deferred revenue or any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in a prior period).

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of (1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including the interest component of Finance Lease Obligations and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations, and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP) but excluding commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges related to any Specified Receivables Facility; plus (2) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus (3) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges Incurred in connection with any Specified Receivables Facility which are payable to Persons other than the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries; minus (4) interest income for such period and excluding debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses (including bridge, commitment or other financing fees).

 

 

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Finance Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Finance Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that:

 

(1)

any net after-tax extraordinary, infrequently occurring, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses or charges shall be excluded;

 

(2)

any severance expenses, relocation expenses, restructuring expenses, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, excess pension charges, any expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternate uses and fees, expenses or charges relating to facilities closing costs, acquisition integration costs, facilities opening costs, project start-up costs, business optimization costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, expenses or charges related to any issuance, redemption, repurchase, retirement or acquisition of Capital Stock, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or issuance, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded;

 

(3)

effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries and including, without limitation, the effects of adjustments to (A) Finance Lease Obligations or (B) any other deferrals of income) in amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

(4)

the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period;

 

(5)

any net after-tax income or loss from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded;

 

(6)

any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by management of the Company) shall be excluded, provided, that notwithstanding any classification of any Person, business, assets or operations as discontinued operations because a definitive agreement for the sale, transfer or other disposition in respect thereof has been entered into, the Company shall not exclude any such net after-tax income or loss or any such net after-tax gains or losses attributable thereto until such sale, transfer or other disposition has been consummated;

 

(7)

any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

 

(8)

(a) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and (b) the Net Income for such period shall include any dividend, distribution or other payment in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) received by the referent Person or a Subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent Person) from any Person in excess of, but without duplication of, the amounts included in subclause (a);

 

 

(9)

solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 409(a)(3)(A), the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor or Foreign Subsidiary) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person; to the extent not already included therein;

 

(10)

an amount equal to the amount of tax distributions actually made to any Parent Entity in respect of such period in accordance with Section 409(b)(viii)(C) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;

 

(11)

any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles and other fair value adjustments arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

 

(12)

any non-cash expense realized or resulting from management equity plans, stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded;

 

(13)

any (a) non-cash compensation charges, (b) costs and expenses after the Issue Date related to employment of terminated employees, or (c) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights existing on the Issue Date of officers, directors and employees, in each case of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;

 

(14)

accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the Escrow Release Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

(15)

non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded;

 

(16)

any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from hedging transactions for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded;

 

(17)

(a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts in respect of which such Person has determined that there exists reasonable evidence that such amounts will in fact be reimbursed by insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount, to the extent included in Net Income in a future period);

 

 

(18)

non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded; and

 

(19)

the amount of loss or discount on sale of Receivables Facility Assets and related assets in connection with a Receivables Facility shall be excluded.

 

“Consolidated Non-ABL Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date consisting of (without duplication) Indebtedness for borrowed money (including Purchase Money Obligations and unreimbursed outstanding drawn amounts under funded letters of credit); Finance Lease Obligations; debt obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments; Disqualified Stock; and (in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor) Preferred Stock, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding (x) items eliminated in Consolidation and (y) Hedging Obligations), minus (ii) the sum of (A) the amount of such Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness of a type referred to in, or Incurred pursuant to, Section 407(b)(ix), (B) the amount of such Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness under the ABL Facility and (C) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available.

 

“Consolidated Non-ABL Secured Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, (i) an amount equal to the sum of, without duplication, Consolidated Non-ABL Indebtedness (without regard to clause (ii) of the definition thereof) and any Ratio Tested Committed Amount as of such date that, in each case, is either (x) secured by a Lien on property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than property or assets held in a defeasance or similar trust or arrangement for the benefit of the Indebtedness secured thereby) or (y) Incurred (or, in the case of any Ratio Tested Committed Amount, established) pursuant to Section 407(b)(i)(II), minus (ii) the sum of (A) the amount of such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 407(b)(ix), (B) the amount of such Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness under the ABL Facility and (C) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available.

 

“Consolidated Non-Cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash expenses (other than Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash expenses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.

 

“Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Non-ABL Secured Indebtedness as at such date (after giving effect to any Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness on such date) to (ii) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available, provided that:

 

(1)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made a Sale (including any Sale occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder), the Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the assets that are the subject of such Sale for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such period;

 

 

(2)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) shall have made a Purchase (including any Purchase occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder), Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Purchase occurred on the first day of such period; and

 

(3)          if, since the beginning of such period, any Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and since the beginning of such period such Person shall have made any Sale or Purchase that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period, Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Sale or Purchase occurred on the first day of such period;

 

provided that, in the event that the Company shall classify Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as Incurred in part pursuant to Section 407(b)(i)(II) and in part pursuant to one or more other clauses or subclauses of Section 407(b) and/or pursuant to Section 407(a) at the time of Incurrence thereof (as provided in Section 407(c)(ii) and 407(c)(iii)), Consolidated Non-ABL Secured Indebtedness at such time shall not include any such Indebtedness (and shall not give effect to any Discharge of Consolidated Non-ABL Secured Indebtedness from the proceeds thereof) to the extent Incurred pursuant to any such other clause or subclause of such Section 407(b) and/or pursuant to such Section 407(a).

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, or the amount of income or earnings relating thereto, the pro forma calculations in respect thereof (including, without limitation, in respect of anticipated cost savings or synergies relating to any such Sale, Purchase or other transaction) shall be as determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer or another authorized Officer of the Company.

 

“Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the total assets less the sum of the goodwill, net, and other intangible assets, net, in each case reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as at the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company for which such a balance sheet is available, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (and, in the case of any determination relating to any Incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens or any Investment, on a pro forma basis including any property or assets being acquired in connection therewith).

 

“Consolidated Taxes” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any tax distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

 

 

“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Non-ABL Indebtedness as at such date (after giving effect to any Incurrence or Discharge of Consolidated Non-ABL Indebtedness on such date) to (ii) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available, provided that:

 

(1)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made a Sale (including any Sale occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder), the Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the assets that are the subject of such Sale for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such period;

 

(2)          if, since the beginning of such period, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) shall have made a Purchase (including any Purchase occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder), Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Purchase occurred on the first day of such period; and

 

(3)          if, since the beginning of such period, any Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and since the beginning of such period such Person shall have made any Sale or Purchase that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period, Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Sale or Purchase occurred on the first day of such period;

 

provided that, for purposes of the foregoing calculation, in the event that the Company shall classify Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination as Incurred in part pursuant to Section 407(b)(xi) (other than by reason of subclause (2) of the proviso to such Section 407(b)(xi)) and in part pursuant to one or more other clauses of such Section 407(b) and/or (unless the Company at its option has elected to disregard Indebtedness being Incurred on the date of determination in part pursuant to subclause (2) of the proviso to Section 407(b)(xi) for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for Incurring Indebtedness on the date of determination in part under Section 407(a)) pursuant to Section 407(a) (as provided in Section 407(c)(ii) and (iii)), Consolidated Non-ABL Indebtedness shall not (x) include any such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to one or more of such other clauses of such Section 407(b) and/or pursuant to such Section 407(a), and (y) shall not give effect to any Discharge of any Indebtedness from the proceeds of any such Indebtedness being disregarded for purposes of the calculation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio that otherwise would be included in Consolidated Non-ABL Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, or the amount of income or earnings relating thereto, the pro forma calculations in respect thereof (including, without limitation, in respect of anticipated cost savings or synergies relating to any such Sale, Purchase or other transaction) shall be as determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer or another authorized Officer of the Company.

 

“Consolidation” means the consolidation of the accounts of each of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Company in accordance with GAAP; provided that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning.

 

 

“Contingent Obligation” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any obligation that does not constitute Indebtedness (a “primary obligation”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (2) to advance or supply funds (a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or (b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, or (3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

“Contribution Amounts” means the aggregate amount of capital contributions applied by the Company to permit the Incurrence of Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to Section 407(b)(x).

 

“Contribution Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate amount of cash contributions (other than Excluded Contributions, the proceeds from the issuance of Disqualified Stock or contributions by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) made to the capital of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date (whether through the issuance or sale of Capital Stock or otherwise); provided that such Contribution Indebtedness (a) is Incurred within 180 days after the receipt of the related cash contribution and (b) is so designated as Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate on the date of Incurrence thereof.

 

“Copyrights” means the following: (a) all copyrights, rights and interests in copyrights, works protectable by copyright whether published or unpublished, copyright registrations and copyright applications; (b) all renewals of the foregoing; (c) all income, royalties, damages, and payments now or hereafter due or payable under any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past or future infringements thereof; (d) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements thereof; and (e) all domestic rights corresponding to any of the foregoing.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be administered, which office on the Issue Date is located at 10 W Broad St., CN-OH-BD12, Columbus, OH 43215.

 

“Credit Card Receivables” has the meaning assigned to such term in the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

“Credit Facilities” means one or more of (i) the Senior Term Facility, (ii) the ABL Facility and (iii) any other facilities or arrangements designated by the Company, in each case with one or more banks or other lenders or institutions providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables, inventory or real estate financings (including without limitation through the sale of receivables, inventory, real estate and/or other assets to such institutions or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such institutions against such receivables, inventory, real estate and/or other assets or the creation of any Liens in respect of such receivables, inventory, real estate and/or other assets in favor of such institutions), letters of credit or other Indebtedness, in each case, including all agreements, instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing, including but not limited to any notes and letters of credit issued pursuant thereto and any guarantee and collateral agreement, patent, trademark and copyright security agreement, mortgages or letter of credit applications and other guarantees, pledge agreements, security agreements and collateral documents, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original banks, lenders or institutions or other banks, lenders or institutions or otherwise, and whether provided under any original Credit Facility or one or more other credit agreements, indentures, financing agreements or other Credit Facilities or otherwise). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Credit Facility” shall include any agreement (i) changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, (ii) adding Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, (iii) increasing the amount of Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed thereunder or (iv) otherwise altering the terms and conditions thereof.

 

 

“Currency Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangements (including derivative agreements or arrangements), as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

 

“Default” means any event or condition that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and successors.

 

“Derivative Instrument” with respect to a Person, means any contract, instrument or other right to receive payment or delivery of cash or other assets to which such Person or any Affiliate of such Person that is acting in concert with such Person in connection with such Person’s investment in the Notes (other than a Regulated Bank or a Screened Affiliate) is a party (whether or not requiring further performance by such Person), the value and/or cash flows of which (or any material portion thereof) are materially affected by the value and/or performance of the Notes and/or the creditworthiness of the Company and/or any one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Performance References”).

 

“Designated Noncash Consideration” means noncash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation.

 

“Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued after the Issue Date for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate of the Company; provided that the cash proceeds of such issuance shall be excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 409(a)(3)(B).

 

“Disinterested Directors” means, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction, one or more members of the Board of Directors of the Company, or one or more members of the Board of Directors having no material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such Affiliate Transaction. A member of any such Board of Directors shall not be deemed to have such a financial interest by reason of such member’s holding Capital Stock of the Company or any options, warrants or other rights in respect of such Capital Stock or by reason of such member receiving any compensation in respect of such member’s role as director.

 

“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock (other than Management Stock) that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) or upon the happening of any event (other than following the occurrence of a Change of Control or other similar event described under such terms as a “change of control,” or an Asset Disposition or other disposition) (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than following the occurrence of a Change of Control or other similar event described under such terms as a “change of control,” or an Asset Disposition or other disposition), in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that Capital Stock issued to any employee benefit plan, or by any such plan to any employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased or otherwise acquired or retired in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

 

 

“Distribution” means L Brands, Inc.’s distribution of the shares of the Company’s common stock to L Brands, Inc.’s stockholders as described in the Form 10.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

“Domestic Transportation Services Agreement” means the Domestic Transportation Services Agreement between L Brands, Inc. or one or more of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Company or one or more of its Affiliates, on the other hand, to be dated on or prior to the Escrow Release Date.

 

“Employee Matters Agreement” means the Employee Matters Agreement between L Brands, Inc. and the Company, to be dated on or prior to the Escrow Release Date.

 

“Equity Offering” means a sale of Capital Stock of the Company after the Escrow Release Date (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or through an Excluded Contribution) other than (a) offerings registered on Form S-8 (or any successor form) under the Securities Act or any similar offering in other jurisdictions or other securities of the Company or any Parent Entity and (b) issuances of Capital Stock to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Escrow Account” means the account into which the Initial Purchasers deposit the gross proceeds of the Initial Notes sold on the Issue Date.

 

“Escrow Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as escrow agent, together with its successors.

 

“Escrow Agreement” means the Escrow Agreement related to the Initial Notes, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent.

 

“Escrow End Date” means January 15, 2022.

 

“Escrowed Property” means the gross proceeds of the offering of the Initial Notes sold on the Issue Date.

 

“Escrow Release Date” means the date the Company delivers to the Escrow Agent, on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date, an Officer’s Certificate of the Company certifying that the following conditions have been (or, substantially concurrently with the release of the Escrowed Property, will be) satisfied:

 

(1)

the Restructuring will be consummated on the Escrow Release Date;

 

(2)

all conditions precedent to the Separation will be satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement on the Escrow Release Date;

 

(3)

all conditions precedent to the borrowings under the Senior Credit Agreements in effect as of such date (other than the release of the Escrowed Property or the receipt of proceeds from this offering, as applicable) to be drawn in connection with the Separation have been satisfied or waived, and the borrowings under such Senior Credit Agreements to be drawn in connection with the Separation (as applicable) will be available to the Company on the Escrow Release Date; and

 

 

(4)

the initial Subsidiary Guarantors have, by supplemental indenture, become parties to this Indenture.

 

“Escrow Release Date Distribution” means the distribution by the Company to L Brands, Inc. of 100% of the Company’s common stock for distribution to L Brands Inc.’s existing shareholders.

 

“Escrow Release Date Payment” means the payment of the Special Cash Payment (as defined in the Separation and Distribution Agreement).

 

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or any successor securities clearing agency.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

“Excluded Contribution” means Net Cash Proceeds, or the Fair Market Value (as of the date of contribution) of property or assets, received by the Company as capital contributions to the Company after the Issue Date or from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, in each case to the extent designated as an Excluded Contribution pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate of the Company and not previously included in the calculation set forth in Section 409(a)(3)(B)(x) for purposes of determining whether a Restricted Payment may be made.

 

“Exempt Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (a) in which the sale or transfer of property occurs within 180 days of the acquisition of such property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) that involves property with a book value equal to the greater of $60.0 million and 1.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or less and is not part of a series of related Sale and Leaseback Transactions involving property with an aggregate value in excess of such amount and entered into with a single Person or group of Persons. For purposes of the foregoing, “Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or any such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of the Company or such Subsidiary.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the fair market value of such asset or property as determined in good faith by senior management of the Company or the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive.

 

“Finance Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a finance lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Stated Maturity of any Finance Lease Obligation shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under the related lease.

 

“Financing Disposition” means any sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of, or creation or incurrence of any Lien on, property or assets by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof to or in favor of any Receivables Subsidiary in connection with the Incurrence by a Receivables Subsidiary of Indebtedness, or obligations to make payments to the obligor on Indebtedness, which may be secured by a Lien in respect of such property or assets.

 

 

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs) of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Fixed GAAP Date” means the Issue Date; provided that at any time after the Issue Date, the Company may by written notice to the Trustee elect to change the Fixed GAAP Date to be the date specified in such notice, and upon such notice, the Fixed GAAP Date shall be such date for all periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice.

 

“Fixed GAAP Terms” means (a) the definitions of the terms “Borrowing Base”, “Consolidated Coverage Ratio”, “Consolidated EBITDA”, “Consolidated Interest Expense”, “Consolidated Net Income”, “Consolidated Non-ABL Secured Indebtedness”, “Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio”, “Consolidated Tangible Assets”, “Consolidated Non-ABL Indebtedness”, “Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio”, “Consolidation”, “Finance Lease Obligation”, “Inventory” and “Receivable”, (b) all defined terms in this Indenture to the extent used in or relating to any of the foregoing definitions, and all ratios and computations based on any of the foregoing definitions, and (c) any other term or provision of this Indenture or the Notes that, at the Company’s election, may be specified by the Company by written notice to the Trustee from time to time.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company (a) that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and any Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Subsidiary of the Company which is organized and existing under the laws of Puerto Rico or any other territory of the United States of America), or (b) that has no material assets other than securities or indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries (or Subsidiaries thereof), intellectual property relating to such Foreign Subsidiaries (or Subsidiaries thereof), and/or other assets (including cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments) relating to an ownership interest in any such securities, indebtedness, intellectual property or Subsidiaries.

 

“Form 10” means the registration statement on Form 10, originally filed by the Company with the SEC on June 21, 2021, as amended or supplemented.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the Fixed GAAP Date (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms, except that no operating lease (as determined prior to the effectiveness of ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842)) shall be treated as Indebtedness hereunder) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes under this Indenture), including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and subject to the following sentence. If at any time the SEC permits or requires U.S. domiciled companies subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act to use IFRS in lieu of GAAP for financial reporting purposes, the Company may elect by written notice to the Trustee to so use IFRS in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such notice, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean (a) for periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice, IFRS as in effect on the date specified in such notice (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes under this Indenture) and (b) for prior periods, GAAP as defined in the first sentence of this definition. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

 

 

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supranational bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

“Guarantor Subordinated Obligations” means, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary).

 

“Guarantor Supplemental Indenture” means a Supplemental Indenture, to be entered into substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

 

“Hedging Agreements” means, collectively, Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements and Commodities Agreements or other agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates or currency, commodity or equity values (including, without limitation, any option with respect to any of the foregoing and any combination of the foregoing agreement or arrangements), and any confirmation executed in connection with any such agreement or arrangement.

 

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodities Agreement.

 

“Holder” or “Noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered in the Note Register.

 

“IFRS” means International Financial Reporting Standards and applicable accounting requirements set by the International Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto (or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or any successor to either such board, or the SEC, as the case may be), as in effect from time to time.

 

“Incur” means issue, assume, enter into any Guarantee of, incur or otherwise become liable for; and the terms “Incurs,” “Incurred” and “Incurrence” shall have a correlative meaning; provided that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, and the payment of dividends on Capital Stock constituting Indebtedness in the form of additional shares of the same class of Capital Stock, will be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness. Any Indebtedness issued at a discount (including Indebtedness on which interest is payable through the issuance of additional Indebtedness) shall be deemed Incurred at the time of original issuance of the Indebtedness at the initial accreted amount thereof.

 

 

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

 

(i)       the principal of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

(ii)      the principal of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(iii)     all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (the amount of such obligations being equal at any time to the aggregate amount of drawings thereunder that have not then been reimbursed);

 

(iv)   all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except accruals and Trade Payables), which purchase price is due more than one year after the date of placing such property in final service or taking final delivery and title thereto;

 

(v)      all Finance Lease Obligations of such Person;

 

(vi)   the redemption, repayment or other repurchase amount of such Person with respect to any Disqualified Stock of such Person or (if such Person is a Subsidiary of the Company other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) any Preferred Stock of such Subsidiary, but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends (the amount of such obligation to be equal at any time to the maximum fixed involuntary redemption, repayment or repurchase price for such Capital Stock, or if less (or if such Capital Stock has no such fixed price), to the involuntary redemption, repayment or repurchase price therefor calculated in accordance with the terms thereof as if then redeemed, repaid or repurchased, and if such price is based upon or measured by the Fair Market Value of such Capital Stock, such Fair Market Value shall be as determined in good faith by senior management of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company or the Board of Directors of the issuer of such Capital Stock);

 

(vii)   all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall be the lesser of (A) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination (as determined in good faith by the Company) and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

 

(viii)   all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of other Persons, to the extent so Guaranteed by such Person; and

 

(ix)     to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net Hedging Obligations of such Person (the amount of any such obligation to be equal at any time to the termination value of such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation that would be payable by such Person at such time);

 

provided that Indebtedness shall not include Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be determined as set forth above or as otherwise provided for in this Indenture, or otherwise shall equal the amount thereof that would appear as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person (excluding any notes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Initial Notes” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Indenture.

 

 

“Initial Purchasers” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Huntington Securities, Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

 

“interest,” with respect to the Notes, means interest on the Notes and, except for purposes of Article IX, any additional or special interest pursuant to the terms of any Note.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means, when used with respect to any Note and any installment of interest thereon, the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which such installment of interest is due and payable, as set forth in such Note.

 

“Interest Rate Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, future agreement, option agreement, swap agreement, cap agreement, collar agreement, hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement (including derivative agreements or arrangements), as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

 

“Inventory” means goods held for sale, lease or use by a Person in the ordinary course of business, net of any reserve for goods that have been segregated by such Person to be returned to the applicable vendor for credit, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Investment” in any Person by any other Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extension of credit (other than to customers, dealers, licensees, franchisees, suppliers, consultants, directors, officers or employees of any Person in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others) to, or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such Person. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 409 only, (i) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) at the time of such transfer and (iii) for purposes of Section 409(a)(3)(C), the amount resulting from the redesignation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall be the Fair Market Value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation. Guarantees shall not be deemed to be Investments. The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced (at the Company’s option) by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount or value received in respect of such Investment; provided that to the extent that the amount of Restricted Payments outstanding at any time pursuant to Section 409(a) is so reduced by any portion of any such amount or value that would otherwise be included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income, such portion of such amount or value shall not be so included for purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to Section 409(a).

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or any equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

 

 

“Investment Grade Securities” means (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents); (ii) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Company and its Subsidiaries; (iii) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, which fund may also hold cash pending investment or distribution; and (iv) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high-quality investments.

 

“Issue Date” means July [●], 2021.

 

“Junior Capital” means, collectively, any Indebtedness of the Company that (i) is not secured by any asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full of the Notes on terms consistent with those for senior subordinated high yield debt securities issued by U.S. companies (as determined in good faith by the Company, which determination shall be conclusive), (iii) has a final maturity date that is not earlier than, and provides for no scheduled payments of principal prior to, the date that is 91 days after the maturity of the Notes (other than through conversion or exchange of any such Indebtedness for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any other Junior Capital), (iv) has no mandatory redemption or prepayment obligations other than (x) obligations that are subject to the prior payment in full in cash of the Notes or (y) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Junior Capital and (v) does not require the payment of cash interest until the date that is 91 days after the maturity of the Notes.

 

“L Brands Commitment” means the commitment letter from L Brands, Inc. to the Company, dated as of the Issue Date, pursuant to which L Brands, Inc. has agreed to fund to the Company amounts required to pay the accrued and unpaid interest owing to the Holders of the Notes and such additional amounts as may be necessary to redeem the Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof in the event that the Special Mandatory Redemption Price exceeds the amount of the funds held in the Escrow Account on the date of the Special Mandatory Redemption.

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof), in each case in the nature of security; provided that in no event shall a Non-Financing Lease Obligation in and of itself be deemed to constitute a Lien or lease in the nature thereof).

 

“Limited Condition Transaction” means (x) any acquisition, including by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise, by one or more of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of any assets, business or Person or any other Investment permitted by this Indenture whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing or (y) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or prepayment.

 

“Long Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with negative changes to the Performance References.

 

“Management Advances” means (1) loans or advances made to directors, management members, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (x) in respect of travel, entertainment or moving-related expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, (y) in respect of moving-related expenses incurred in connection with any closing or consolidation of any facility or (z) in the ordinary course of business and (in the case of this clause (z)) not exceeding $20.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time, (2) promissory notes of Management Investors acquired in connection with the issuance of Management Stock to such Management Investors, (3) Management Guarantees, or (4) other Guarantees of borrowings by Management Investors in connection with the purchase of Management Stock, which Guarantees are permitted under Section 407.

 

 

“Management Guarantees” means guarantees (x) of up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time of $30.0 million of borrowings by Management Investors in connection with their purchase of Management Stock or (y) made on behalf of, or in respect of loans or advances made to, directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) in respect of travel, entertainment and moving related expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business or (2) in the ordinary course of business and (in the case of this clause (2)) not exceeding $15.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

 

“Management Indebtedness” means Indebtedness Incurred to (a) any Person other than a Management Investor of up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time of $30.0 million and (b) any Management Investor, in each case, to finance the repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof) from any Management Investor, which repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock is permitted by Section 409.

 

“Management Investors” means the management members, officers, directors, employees and other members of the management of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or family members or relatives of any of the foregoing, or trusts, partnerships or limited liability companies for the benefit of any of the foregoing, or any of their heirs, executors, successors and legal representatives, who at any date beneficially own or have the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Management Stock” means Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof) held by any of the Management Investors.

 

“Market Capitalization” means an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company on the date of declaration of the relevant dividend multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of such capital stock on the New York Stock Exchange (or, if the primary listing of such capital stock is on another exchange, on such other exchange) for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such dividend.

 

“Material Indebtedness” means any long-term Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries with an aggregate principal amount (or, if applicable, committed amount) in excess of $250.0 million.

 

“MMDA” means a JPMorgan Money Market Deposit Account or a successor investment offered by the Escrow Agent in which the Escrow Agent will invest and reinvest the Escrowed Property and the proceeds thereof pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.

 

 

“Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means an amount equal to the cash payments received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom, in each case net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid or to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, in each case as a consequence of, or in respect of, such Asset Disposition (including as a consequence of any transfer of funds in connection with the application thereof in accordance with Section 411), (ii) all payments made, and all installment payments required to be made, on any Indebtedness (x) that is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or (y) that must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, including but not limited to any payments required to be made to increase borrowing availability under any revolving credit facility, (iii) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition, or to any other Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition, (iv) any liabilities or obligations associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained, indemnified or insured by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition, including without limitation pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters, and liabilities relating to any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Disposition, and (v) the amount of any purchase price or similar adjustment (x) claimed by any Person to be owed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, until such time as such claim shall have been settled or otherwise finally resolved, or (y) paid or payable by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in either case in respect of such Asset Disposition.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds” with respect to any issuance or sale of any Indebtedness or securities of the Company or any Subsidiary by the Company or any Subsidiary, or any capital contribution, means the cash proceeds of such issuance, sale, contribution or Incurrence net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance, sale, contribution or Incurrence and net of all taxes paid or payable as a result, or in respect, thereof.

 

“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

“Net Short” means, with respect to a Holder or beneficial owner, as of a date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of the (x) the value of its Notes plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that such would have been the case were a Failure to Pay or Bankruptcy Credit Event (each as defined in the 2014 International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Credit Derivatives Definitions) to have occurred with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.

 

“Non-Financing Lease Obligation” of any Person means a lease obligation of such Person that is not an obligation in respect of a Finance Lease Obligation. A straight-line or operating lease shall be considered a Non-Financing Lease Obligation.

 

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. person, as defined in Regulation S.

 

“Note Documents” means the Notes (including any Additional Notes), the Subsidiary Guarantees and this Indenture.

 

 

“Notes” means the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes that are actually issued. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase, except for certain waivers and amendments as set forth herein.

 

“Obligations” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, any principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed or allowable in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, Guarantees of such Indebtedness (or of Obligations in respect thereof), other monetary obligations of any nature and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.

 

“Offering Memorandum” means the confidential Offering Memorandum of the Company, dated June 30, 2021, relating to the offering of the Initial Notes.

 

“Officer” means, with respect to the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Controller, the Treasurer or the Secretary (a) of such Person or (b) if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, of such entity (or any other individual designated as an “Officer” for the purposes of this Indenture by the Board of Directors).

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, a certificate signed by one Officer of such Person.

 

“Open Account Agreement” has the meaning specified in the ABL Facility Collateral Agreements.

 

“Open Account Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Open Account Agreement.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

 

“Outstanding” or “outstanding,” when used with respect to Notes means, as of the date of determination, all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

(i)       Notes theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(ii)      Notes for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such Notes; provided that, if such Notes are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

 

(iii)     Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture.

 

 

A Note does not cease to be Outstanding because the Company or any Affiliate of the Company holds the Note (and such Note shall be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of this Indenture); provided that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite amount of Outstanding Notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

“Parent Entity” means, with respect to a Person, any direct or indirect parent of such Person, and, if not in reference to any Person, any direct or indirect parent of the Company.

 

“Parent Entity Expenses” means (i) costs (including all professional fees and expenses) incurred by any Parent Entity in connection with maintaining its existence or in connection with its reporting obligations under, or in connection with compliance with, applicable laws or applicable rules of any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory body or stock exchange, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument relating to Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including in respect of any reports filed with respect to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) expenses incurred by any Parent Entity in connection with the acquisition, development, maintenance, ownership, prosecution, protection and defense of its intellectual property and associated rights (including but not limited to trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress, patents, copyrights and similar rights, including registrations and registration or renewal applications in respect thereof; inventions, processes, designs, formulae, trade secrets, know-how, confidential information, computer software, data and documentation, and any other intellectual property rights; and licenses of any of the foregoing) to the extent such intellectual property and associated rights relate to the business or businesses of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, (iii) indemnification obligations of any Parent Entity owing to directors, officers, employees or other Persons under its charter or by-laws or pursuant to written agreements with or for the benefit of any such Person, or obligations in respect of director and officer insurance (including premiums therefor), (iv) other administrative and operational expenses of any Parent Entity incurred in the ordinary course of business, (v) fees and expenses incurred by any Parent Entity in connection with maintenance and implementation of any management equity incentive plan, and (vi) fees and expenses incurred by any Parent Entity in connection with any offering of Capital Stock or Indebtedness, (w) which offering is not completed, or (x) where the net proceeds of such offering are intended to be received by or contributed or loaned to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or (y) in a prorated amount of such expenses in proportion to the amount of such net proceeds intended to be so received, contributed or loaned, or (z) otherwise on an interim basis prior to completion of such offering so long as any Parent Entity shall cause the amount of such expenses to be repaid to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary out of the proceeds of such offering promptly if completed.

 

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Notes on behalf of the Company; provided that neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates shall act as Paying Agent for purposes of Section 1103 or Section 1205. The Trustee will initially act as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

“Patents” means the following: (a) all patents and patent applications; (b) all inventions described and claimed therein; (c) all reissues, divisions, continuations, renewals, extensions and continuations in part thereof; (d) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past or future infringements thereof; (e) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements thereof; and (f) all domestic rights corresponding to any of the foregoing.

 

 

“Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in, or consisting of, any of the following:

 

(i)       a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company, or a Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary (and any Investment held by such Person that was not acquired by such Person, or made pursuant to a commitment by such Person that was not entered into, in contemplation of so becoming a Restricted Subsidiary);

 

(ii)      another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and, in each case, any Investment held by such other Person that was not acquired by such Person, or made pursuant to a commitment by such Person that was not entered into, in contemplation of such merger, consolidation or transfer);

 

(iii)     Temporary Cash Investments, Investment Grade Securities or Cash Equivalents;

 

(iv)     receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

 

(v)     any securities or other Investments received as consideration in, or retained in connection with, sales or other dispositions of property or assets, including Asset Dispositions made in compliance with Section 411;

 

(vi)     securities or other Investments received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to, or of other claims asserted by, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or as a result of foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien, or in satisfaction of judgments, including in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding or other reorganization of another Person;

 

(vii)    Investments in existence or made pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on the Issue Date, and in each case any extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased in such extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal only (x) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

(viii)   Currency Agreements, Interest Rate Agreements, Commodities Agreements and related Hedging Obligations, which obligations are Incurred in compliance with Section 407;

 

(ix)     pledges or deposits (x) with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or (y) otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or made in connection with Liens permitted under Section 413;

 

(x)      (1) Investments in or by any Receivables Subsidiary, or in connection with a Financing Disposition by, to, in or in favor of any Receivables Subsidiary, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Financing Disposition or any related Indebtedness, or (2) any promissory note issued by the Company;

 

 

(xi)    bonds secured by assets leased to and operated by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that were issued in connection with the financing of such assets so long as the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets at any time by paying a nominal fee, canceling such bonds and terminating the transaction;

 

(xii)    the Notes;

 

(xiii)   any Investment to the extent made using Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or Junior Capital as consideration;

 

(xiv)   Management Advances;

 

(xv)    Investments in Related Businesses in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount equal to the greater of $50.0 million and 1.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(xvi)   any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with Section 412(b) (except transactions described in clauses (i), (v) and (vi) of Section 412(b)), including any Investment pursuant to any transaction described in Section 412(b)(ii) (whether or not any Person party thereto is at any time an Affiliate of the Company);

 

(xvii)  any Investment by any Captive Insurance Subsidiary in connection with its provision of insurance to the Company or its Subsidiaries which Investment is made in the ordinary course of business of such Captive Insurance Subsidiary or by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or is required or approved by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Captive Insurance Subsidiary or its business, as applicable;

 

(xviii) other Investments in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount equal to the greater of $50.0 million and 1.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(xix)   Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xx)    advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xxi)   any Investment in any Subsidiary of the Company or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(xxii)  any Investment acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (x) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (y) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default.

 

If any Investment pursuant to clause (xv) or (xviii) above, or Section 409(b)(vii) or Section 409(b)(xii), as applicable, is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary and such Person thereafter (A) becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (B) is merged or consolidated into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, then such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, respectively, and not clause (xv) or (xviii) above, or Section 409(b)(vii) or Section 409(b)(xi), as applicable.

 

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a)      Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet delinquent or the nonpayment of which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b)      Liens with respect to outstanding motor vehicle fines, and carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations that are not known to be overdue for a period of more than 60 days or that are bonded or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

(c)      pledges, deposits or Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, professional liability insurance, insurance programs, unemployment insurance and other social security and other similar legislation or other insurance-related obligations (including, without limitation, pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements);

 

(d)      pledges, deposits or Liens to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade, government or other contracts (other than for borrowed money), obligations for utilities, leases, licenses, statutory obligations, completion guarantees, surety, judgment, appeal or performance bonds, other similar bonds, instruments or obligations, and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)      easements (including reciprocal easement agreements), rights-of-way, building, zoning and similar restrictions, utility agreements, covenants, reservations, restrictions, encroachments, charges, and other similar encumbrances or title defects incurred, or leases or subleases granted to others, in the ordinary course of business, which do not in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(f)      Liens existing on, or provided for under written arrangements existing on, the Issue Date, or (in the case of any such Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries existing or arising under written arrangements existing on the Issue Date) securing any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred under Section 407(b)(i) and secured under clause (k)(1) of this definition) so long as the Lien securing such Refinancing Indebtedness is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or under such written arrangements would secure) the original Indebtedness;

 

(g)      (i) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has easement rights or on any leased property and subordination or similar agreements relating thereto and (ii) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property;

 

(h)     Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) consisting of Hedging Obligations, Bank Products Obligations, Open Account Obligations, Purchase Money Obligations or Finance Lease Obligations Incurred in compliance with Section 407;

 

 

(i)        Liens arising out of judgments, decrees, orders or awards in respect of which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review, which appeal or proceedings shall not have been finally terminated, or if the period within which such appeal or proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired;

 

(j)      leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses, covenants not to sue or other similar rights granted to or from third parties (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to intellectual property);

 

(k)     Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) consisting of (1) Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with Section 407(b)(i), (b)(iii) (other than Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of Indebtedness described in Section 407(a)), (b)(iv), (b)(v), (b)(vii), (b)(viii) (other than Section 407(b)(viii)(H)), (b)(xi), (b)(xiii) or (b)(xv), (2) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, or (3) obligations in respect of Management Advances or Management Guarantees; and in each case under the foregoing clauses (1) through (3) Liens securing any Guarantee of any thereof;

 

(l)       Liens existing on property or assets of a Person at, or provided for under written arrangements existing at, the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company (or at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquires such property or assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that such Liens and arrangements are not created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary (or such acquisition of such property or assets), and that such Liens are limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which such Liens arose, could secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate; provided, further, that for purposes of this clause (l), if a Person other than the Company is the Successor Company with respect thereto, any Subsidiary thereof shall be deemed to become a Subsidiary of the Company, and any property or assets of such Person or any such Subsidiary shall be deemed acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, when such Person becomes such Successor Company;

 

(m)     Liens on Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture that is not a Subsidiary of the Company that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture, respectively;

 

(n)      any encumbrance or restriction (including, but not limited to, pursuant to put and call agreements or buy/sell arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

 

(o)      Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) consisting of Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred under Section 407(b)(i) and secured under clause (k)(1) of this definition) secured by, or securing any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (in whole or in part) of any other obligation secured by, any other Permitted Liens; provided that any such new Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate;

 

 

(p)      Liens (1) arising by operation of law (or by agreement to the same effect) in the ordinary course of business, (2) on property or assets under construction (and related rights) in favor of a contractor or developer or arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets, (3) on receivables (including related rights), (4) on cash set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness or government securities purchased with such cash, in either case to the extent that such cash or government securities prefund the payment of interest on such Indebtedness and are held in an escrow account or similar arrangement to be applied for such purpose, (5) securing or arising by reason of any netting or set-off arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of banking or other trading activities (including in connection with purchase orders and other agreements with customers), (6) in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than Liens on property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor), (7) arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business, (8) on inventory or other goods and proceeds securing obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods, (9) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft, cash pooling or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (10) attaching to commodity trading or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, (11) arising in connection with repurchase agreements permitted under Section 407 on assets that are the subject of such repurchase agreements, or (12) in favor of any Receivables Subsidiary in connection with any Financing Disposition;

 

(q)      other Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations that in the aggregate at any time outstanding do not exceed an amount equal to the greater of $100.0 million and 2.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations; and

 

(r)      Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) or other obligations of, or in favor of, any Receivables Subsidiary, or in connection with a Specified Receivables Facility or otherwise Incurred pursuant to Section 407(b)(ix).

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, (u) a Lien need not be incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in this definition but may be incurred under any combination of such categories (including in part under one such category and in part under any other such category), (v) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of such categories of Permitted Liens, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this definition, (w) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by a Lien outstanding under any category of Permitted Liens shall be determined after giving effect to the application of proceeds of any such Indebtedness to refinance any such other Indebtedness, (x) any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness shall also be permitted to secure any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with the accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends on Capital Stock constituting Indebtedness in the form of additional shares of the same class of Capital Stock, (y) if any Indebtedness or other obligation is secured by any Lien outstanding under any category of Permitted Liens measured by reference to a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations, and is refinanced by any Indebtedness or other obligation secured by any Lien incurred by reference to such category of Permitted Liens, and such refinancing would cause the percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets to be exceeded if calculated based on the Consolidated Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Lien shall be deemed permitted) so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness or other obligation does not exceed an amount equal to the principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligation being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing and (z) if any Indebtedness or other obligation is secured by any Lien outstanding under any category of Permitted Liens measured by reference to a dollar amount, and is refinanced by any Indebtedness or other obligation secured by any Lien incurred by reference to such category of Permitted Liens, and such refinancing would cause such dollar amount to be exceeded, such dollar amount shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Lien shall be deemed permitted) so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness or other obligation does not exceed an amount equal to the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing.

 

 

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

 

“Place of Payment” means a city or any political subdivision thereof in which any Paying Agent appointed pursuant to Article III is located.

 

“Predecessor Notes” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in lieu of a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note.

 

“Preferred Stock” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation or company means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that by its terms is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation or company, over Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation or company.

 

“Purchase Money Obligations” means any Indebtedness Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition, leasing, construction or improvement of property (real or personal) or assets, and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets or the acquisition of the Capital Stock of any Person owning such property or assets, or otherwise.

 

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer,” as that term is defined in Rule 144A.

 

“Rating Agency” means Moody’s or S&P or, if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

 

“Receivable” means a right to receive payment pursuant to an arrangement with another Person pursuant to which such other Person is obligated to pay, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Receivables Facility” means any of one or more transactions pursuant to which the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries sells or conveys Receivables Facility Assets to a Receivables Subsidiary that borrows or issues debt on a secured basis against Receivables Facility Assets.

 

“Receivables Facility Assets” means (a) Accounts and, in each case, any related assets and rights (including any collateral securing such Accounts, any contract rights in respect of such Accounts, proceeds collected on such Accounts, lockbox accounts into which such proceeds are collected and related records) customarily transferred in connection with similar receivables financing or securitization transactions and/or (b) Capital Stock issued by any Receivables Subsidiary;

 

 

“Receivables Facility Guarantee” means (i) any guarantee of performance and related indemnification entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of the obligations of a seller or servicer of Receivables Facility Assets in a Receivables Facility or (ii) any other guarantee of performance entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Facility.

 

“Receivables Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary (x) formed as a special purpose entity for the purpose of facilitating or entering into one or more Specified Receivables Facilities and (y) engaged only in activities reasonably related or incidental to Specified Receivables Facilities (it being understood and agreed that any entity formed solely for the purpose of holding any bank account into which collections or other proceeds of Receivables Facility Assets are paid shall satisfy the requirement in clause (y) above).

 

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed or purchased (other than pursuant to a Special Mandatory Redemption), means the date fixed for such redemption or purchase by or pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes.

 

“refinance” means refinance, refund, replace, renew, repay, modify, restate, defer, substitute, exchange, supplement, reissue, resell or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism); and the terms “refinances,” “refinanced” and “refinancing” as used for any purpose in this Indenture shall have a correlative meaning.

 

“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refinance any Indebtedness (or unutilized commitment in respect of Indebtedness) existing on the date of this Indenture or Incurred (or established) in compliance with this Indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (to the extent permitted in this Indenture) and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or of another Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, and Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to a commitment that refinances any Indebtedness or unutilized commitment; provided, that (1) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations, the Refinancing Indebtedness has a final Stated Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the final Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced (or if shorter, of the Notes), (2) such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced, plus (y) an amount equal to any unutilized commitment relating to the Indebtedness being refinanced or otherwise then outstanding under a Credit Facility or other financing arrangement being refinanced to the extent the unutilized commitment being refinanced could be drawn in compliance with Section 407 immediately prior to such refinancing, plus (z) fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing and (3) Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor that could not have been initially Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 407 or (y) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means July 1 and January 1 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

 

“Regulated Bank” means a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital surplus of at least $5,000,000,000 that is (i) a U.S. depository institution the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (ii) a corporation organized under section 25A of the U.S. Federal Reserve Act of 1913; (iii) a branch, agency or commercial lending company of a foreign bank operating pursuant to approval by and under the supervision of the Board of Governors under 12 CFR part 211; (iv) a non-U.S. branch of a foreign bank managed and controlled by a U.S. branch referred to in clause (iii); or (v) any other U.S. or non U.S. depository institution or any branch, agency or similar office thereof supervised by a bank regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.

 

“Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

“Regulation S Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

 

“Related Business” means those businesses in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is engaged on the Escrow Release Date, or that are similar, related, complementary, incidental or ancillary thereto or extensions, developments or expansions thereof.

 

“Relevant Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Below Investment Grade Rating Event”.

 

“Representative” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s designated agent.

 

“Resale Restriction Termination Date” means, with respect to any Note, the date that is one year (or such other period as may hereafter be provided under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereto as permitting the resale by non-affiliates of Restricted Securities without restriction) after the later of the original issue date in respect of such Note and the last date on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Note (or any Predecessor Note thereto).

 

“Restricted Payment Transaction” means any Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to Section 409, any Permitted Payment, any Permitted Investment, or any transaction specifically excluded from the definition of the term “Restricted Payment” (including pursuant to the exception contained in clause (i) of such definition and the parenthetical exclusions contained in clauses (ii) and (iii) of such definition).

 

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

 

“Restricted Security” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, at its request, and conclusively rely on an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note constitutes a Restricted Security.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Escrow Release Date.

 

“Restructuring” means each of the transactions that collectively constitute the Restructuring (as defined in the Separation and Distribution Agreement).

 

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

 

“Screened Affiliate” means any Affiliate of a Holder (i) that makes investment decisions independently from such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate, (ii) that has in place customary information screens between it and such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate and such screens prohibit the sharing of information with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iii) whose investment policies are not directed by such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes, and (iv) whose investment decisions are not influenced by the investment decisions of such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

“Senior Credit Agreements” means, collectively, the ABL Credit Agreement and the Senior Term Agreement.

 

“Senior Credit Facilities” means, collectively, the ABL Facility and the Senior Term Facility.

 

“Senior Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than, (x) in the case of the Company, Subordinated Obligations and (y) in the case of any Subsidiary Guarantor, Guarantor Subordinated Obligations.

 

“Senior Term Agreement” means the Term Loan Credit Agreement, to be entered into on or around the Escrow Release Date, among the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company, the Term Loan Agent and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original administrative agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Senior Term Agreement or one or more other credit agreements or otherwise), except to the extent such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Senior Term Agreement under this Indenture. Any reference to the Senior Term Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to each Senior Term Agreement then in existence.

 

“Senior Term Facility” means the collective reference to the Senior Term Agreement, any Loan Documents (as defined therein), any notes and letters of credit issued pursuant thereto and any guarantee and collateral agreement, patent and trademark security agreement, mortgages, letter of credit applications and other guarantees, pledge agreements, security agreements and collateral documents, and other instruments and documents, executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Senior Term Agreement or one or more other credit agreements, indentures (including this Indenture) or financing agreements or otherwise, except to the extent unless such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Senior Term Facility. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Senior Term Facility” shall include any agreement (i) changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, (ii) adding Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, (iii) increasing the amount of Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed thereunder or (iv) otherwise altering the terms and conditions thereof.

 

“Separation” means the Restructuring and the Distribution.

 

 

“Separation and Distribution Agreement” means the Separation and Distribution Agreement between L Brands, Inc. and the Company, to be dated on or prior to the Escrow Release Date.

 

“Short Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with negative changes to the Performance References.

 

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

 

“Special Purpose Financing Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Specified Receivables Facility.

 

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

 

“Specified Receivables Facility” means any Receivables Facility that meets the following conditions: (a) the Company shall have determined in good faith that such Receivables Facility (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair, reasonable and beneficial to the Company; (b) all sales or other conveyances of Receivables Facility Assets by the Company or applicable Restricted Subsidiary to any Receivables Subsidiary are made for fair market value; (c) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be on market terms (as determined by the Company in good faith) and may include Standard Receivables Undertakings; and (d) the obligations under such Receivables Facility shall not be guaranteed by, or secured by assets of, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than a Receivables Subsidiary (it being agreed that the foregoing shall not prohibit Standard Receivables Undertakings, or precautionary financing statements or similar filings, in respect of Receivables Facility Assets).

 

“Standard Receivables Undertakings” means any Receivables Facility Guarantee and/or any representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Facility, including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary.

 

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, the date specified in such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such Indebtedness is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase or repayment of such Indebtedness at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency).

 

“Subordinated Obligations” means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter Incurred) that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement.

 

“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person or (ii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

 

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means any guarantee of the Notes that may from time to time be entered into by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on the Escrow Release Date or after the Escrow Release Date pursuant to Section 414. As used in this Indenture, “Subsidiary Guarantee” refers to a Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that enters into a Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case, unless and until such Subsidiary is released from such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

“S&P” means S&P Global, Inc., a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

 

“Tax Matters Agreement” means the Tax Matters Agreement between L Brands, Inc. and the Company, to be dated on or prior to the Escrow Release Date.

 

“Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following: (i) any investment in (x) direct obligations of the United States of America, Canada, a member state of the European Union or any country in whose currency funds are being held pending their application in the making of an investment or capital expenditure by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in that country or with such funds, or any agency or instrumentality of any thereof, or obligations Guaranteed by the United States of America or a member state of the European Union or any country in whose currency funds are being held pending their application in the making of an investment or capital expenditure by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in that country or with such funds, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, or obligations guaranteed by any of the foregoing or (y) direct obligations of any foreign country recognized by the United States of America rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-1” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (ii) overnight bank deposits, and investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and money market deposits (or, with respect to foreign banks, similar instruments) maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition thereof issued by (x) any bank or other institutional lender under a Credit Facility or any affiliate thereof or (y) a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America having capital and surplus aggregating in excess of $250.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and whose long term debt is rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-1” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization) at the time such Investment is made, (iii) repurchase obligations for underlying securities or instruments of the types described in clause (i) or (ii) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 24 months after the date of acquisition, issued by a Person (other than that of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-2” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-2” (or higher) according to S&P (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (v) Investments in securities maturing not more than 24 months after the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “BBB-” by S&P or “Baa3” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (vi) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock (other than of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) having a rating of “A” or higher by S&P or “A2” or higher by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (vii) investment funds investing 95.0% of their assets in securities of the type described in clauses (i) through (vi) above (which funds may also hold cash pending investment and/or distribution), (viii) any money market deposit accounts issued or offered by a domestic commercial bank or a commercial bank organized and located in a country recognized by the United States of America, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof), or investments in money market funds subject to the risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 (or any successor rule) of the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and (ix) similar investments approved by the Board of Directors in the ordinary course of business.

 

 

“Term Loan Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent under the Senior Term Agreement and the collateral agent for the Term Loan Secured Parties under the Senior Term Agreement and Term Loan Collateral Documents, together with its successors and permitted assigns under the Senior Term Agreement and the Term Loan Collateral Documents.

 

“Term Loan Bank Products Affiliate” means any lender under the Senior Term Agreement or any Affiliate of any such lender that has entered into a Bank Products Agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with the obligations of the Company or any such Subsidiary of the Company thereunder being secured by one or more Term Loan Collateral Documents.

 

“Term Loan Collateral Agreement” means the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, to be entered into on or around the Escrow Release Date, among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries identified therein as grantors and the Term Loan Agent, together with the documents related thereto (including any supplements thereto), as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Term Loan Collateral Documents” means the Term Loan Collateral Agreement, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, the intellectual property security agreements, the mortgages and each other agreement, instrument or other document entered into in favor of the Term Loan Secured Parties for purposes of securing the Term Loan Obligations (including the guarantees thereof), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Term Loan Documents” means the Senior Term Agreement, the related guarantees, the Term Loan Collateral Documents, the Loan Documents (as defined in the Senior Term Agreement), any Bank Products Agreements between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and any lender under the Senior Term Agreement (or affiliate thereof), any Hedging Agreements between the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and any lender under the Senior Term Agreement (or affiliate thereof), those other ancillary agreements as to which the Term Loan Agent or any lender under the Senior Term Agreement is a party or a beneficiary and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates, and delivered to the Term Loan Agent, in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Term Loan Hedging Affiliate” means any lender under the Senior Term Agreement or any Affiliate of any lender under the Senior Term Agreement that has entered into a Hedging Agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, with the obligations of the Company or any such Subsidiary thereunder being secured by one or more Term Loan Collateral Documents.

 

 

“Term Loan Obligations” shall mean all obligations of every nature of the Company and any Subsidiary of the Company from time to time owed to the Term Loan Agent, the lenders under the Senior Term Agreement or any of them, any Term Loan Bank Products Affiliates or any Term Loan Hedging Affiliates, under any Term Loan Document, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses (including interest, fees, and expenses which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, would have accrued on any Term Loan Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against the Company or any such Subsidiary of the Company for such interest, fees, and expenses in the related bankruptcy proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under letters of credit, payments for early termination of Hedging Agreements, indemnification or otherwise, and all other amounts owing or due under the terms of the Term Loan Documents, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

 

“Term Loan Secured Parties” means (a) the holders of Term Loan Obligations, (b) the Representative(s) with respect thereto and (c) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as otherwise provided herein.

 

“Trademarks” means the following: (a) all trademarks (including service marks), common law marks, trade names, trade dress, logos, slogans and other indicia of origin, and the registrations and applications for registration thereof and the goodwill of the business symbolized by the foregoing; (b) all renewals of the foregoing; (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past or future infringements thereof; (d) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof; and (e) all domestic rights corresponding to any of the foregoing.

 

“Trade Payables” means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services.

 

“Transaction Documents” means the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Transition Services Agreements, Tax Matters Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement, Domestic Transportation Services Agreement, and any other instruments, assignment, documents and agreements executed in connection with the implementation of the transactions contemplated by any of the foregoing.

 

“Transactions” means (1) (A) the Separation, (B) any other transactions contemplated by, or pursuant to, the Transaction Documents or otherwise in connection with the Separation (including any cancelation or termination of Indebtedness, agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings, including intercompany accounts payables, receivables or Indebtedness, between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and L Brands, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company or its Subsidiaries), on the other hand, and making certain intercompany contributions and dividend payments) and (C) any other transactions pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect on the Escrow Release Date on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum or any amendment, modification, addition or supplement thereto or replacement thereof, as long as the terms of such agreement or arrangement, as so amended, modified, added, supplemented or replaced, are not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole compared to the applicable agreements as described in the Offering Memorandum (as determined in good faith by the Company), (2) the issuance of the Notes, (3) the entering into of the Senior Credit Agreements and the borrowing of the loans thereunder and (4) the payment of fees or expenses incurred or paid the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the foregoing.

 

 

“Transition Services Agreements” means the L Brands to VS Transition Services Agreement and the VS to L Brands Transition Services Agreement (each as described in the Form 10) between L Brands, Inc. or one or more of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Company or one or more of its Affiliates, on the other hand, to be dated on or prior to the Escrow Release Date.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to a Redemption Date, the weekly average rounded to the nearest 1/100th of a percentage point (for the most recently completed week for which such information is available as of the date that is two Business Days prior to such Redemption Date) of the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 with respect to each applicable day during such week (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such Redemption Date to July 15, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to such date is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which such yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to such date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

“Trust Officer” means any corporate trust officer or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such corporate trust officers who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, or any other officer of the Trustee to whom a corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

“Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

“Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the state of New York from time to time.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (i) Retail Transportation Company and each of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, as designated by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below, and (iii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, that (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 409. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (x) the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 407(a) or (y) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be greater than it was immediately prior to giving effect to such designation or (z) such Subsidiary shall be a Receivables Subsidiary with no Indebtedness outstanding other than Indebtedness that can be Incurred (and upon such designation shall be deemed to be Incurred and outstanding) pursuant to Section 407(b)(ix). Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate of the Company certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

 

 

“U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security that is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under the preceding clause (i) or (ii) is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation that is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation that is so specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.

 

“VS Transaction” means (i) the Separation of the Spin Business (each as defined in the Form 10) from L Brands, Inc. as described in the Form 10, (ii) the Distribution (as defined in the Separation and Distribution Agreement), (iii) the payment of the Special Cash Payment (as defined in the Separation and Distribution Agreement), (iv) the consummation of the other ancillary transactions described in the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Form 10 (including the Restructuring) and (v) the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.

 

“Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” means as to any Person, any Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of such Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary” means as to any Person, any Domestic Subsidiary of such Person, and of which such Person owns, directly or indirectly through one or more Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiaries, all of the Capital Stock of such Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Section 102.     Other Definitions.

 

Term		Defined in Section
“Act”		108
“Affiliate Transaction”		412
“Agent Members”		312
“Amendment”		410
“Authentication Order”		303
“Bankruptcy Law”		601
“Certificate of Beneficial Ownership”		313
“Change of Control Offer”		415
“Covenant Defeasance”		1203
“Custodian”		601
“Declined Excess Proceeds”		411
“Defaulted Interest”		307
“Defeasance”		1202
“Defeased Notes”		1201
“Directing Holder		608
“Discharge”		101
“Event of Default”		601
“Excess Proceeds”		411
“Expiration Date”		108

 

 

Term		Defined in Section
“Global Notes”		201
“Initial Agreement”		410
“Initial Lien”		413
“LCT Election”		123
“LCT Test Date”		123
“Material Intellectual Property”		418
“Note Register” and “Note Registrar”		305
“Noteholder Direction”		608
“Notice of Default”		601
“Offer”		411
“Permanent Regulation S Global Notes”		201
“Permitted Payment”		409
“Physical Notes”		201
“Position Representation”		608
“Private Placement Legend”		203
“Ratio Tested Committed Amount”		407
“Refinancing Agreement”		410
“Refunding Capital Stock”		409
“Regulation S Global Notes”		201
“Regulation S Note Exchange Date”		313
“Regulation S Physical Notes”		201
“Reporting Date”		405
“Restricted Payment”		409
“Reversion Time”		416
“Rule 144A Global Notes”		201
“Rule 144A Physical Notes”		201
“Special Mandatory Redemption”		1010
“Special Mandatory Redemption Date”		1010
“Special Mandatory Redemption Price”		1010
“Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations”		1301
“Successor Company”		501
“Suspended Covenants”		416
“Suspension Date”		416
“Suspension Period”		416
“Treasury Capital Stock”		409
“Verification Covenant”		608

Section 103.     Rules of Construction. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)        the terms defined in this Indenture have the meanings assigned to them in this Indenture;

 

(2)        “or” is not exclusive;

 

(3)        all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

 

 

(4)       the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

 

(5)        all references to “$” or “dollars” shall refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America;

 

(6)      the words “include,” “included” and “including,” as used herein, shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “without limitation,” if not expressly followed by such phrase or the phrase “but not limited to”;

 

(7)        words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(8)        references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

 

(9)        any reference to a Section, Article or clause refers to such Section, Article or clause of this Indenture; and

 

(10)      notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture, no provision of the TIA shall apply or be incorporated by reference into this Indenture or the Notes, except as specifically set forth in this Indenture.

 

Section 104.     [Reserved].

 

Section 105.     [Reserved].

 

Section 106.     Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company or by any other obligor upon the Notes (including any Subsidiary Guarantor) to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such other obligor (including any Subsidiary Guarantor), as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under this Indenture. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of one or more Officer’s Certificates, if to be given by an Officer, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of any such request or application as to which the furnishing of any Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular request or application, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 406) shall include:

 

(1)        a statement that the individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, as applicable, and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(2)        a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)        a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he or she made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition, as applicable, has been complied with; and

 

 

(4)        a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such individual, such condition or covenant, as applicable, has been complied with.

 

Section 107.     Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

Any certificate or opinion of an Officer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such Officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer or Officers to the effect that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

Section 108.     Acts of Noteholders; Record Dates. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company, as the case may be. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 701) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company, and any other obligor upon the Notes, if made in the manner provided in this Section 108.

 

(b)        The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by an officer of a corporation or a member of a partnership or other legal entity other than an individual, on behalf of such corporation or partnership or entity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of such Person’s authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)          The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

 

(d)        Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind the Holder of every Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, suffered or omitted to be done by the Trustee, the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

 

 

(e)      (i) The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Notes entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Notes, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Notes on such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Persons remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Notes in the manner set forth in Section 110.

 

(ii)      The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Notes entitled to join in the giving or making of (A) any Notice of Default, (B) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 602, (C) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 607(ii) or (D) any direction referred to in Section 612, in each case with respect to Notes. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Notes on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Notes in the manner set forth in Section 110.

 

(iii)     With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 108, the party hereto that sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the Company or the Trustee, whichever such party is not setting a record date pursuant to this Section 108(e) in writing, and to each Holder of Notes in the manner set forth in Section 110, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 108, the party hereto that set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

 

(iv)     Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

 

 

(v)       Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including the Depositary, that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and the Depositary, as the Holder of a Global Note, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

 

(vi)      The Company may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by the Depositary entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization direction, notice consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

 

Section 109.     Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

(1)      the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company or by any other obligor upon the Notes shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at 10 W Broad St., CN-OH-BD12, Columbus, OH 43215. Attention: Scott R. Miller, Vice President (telephone: 614-849-3402; email: scott.miller6@usbank.com) or at any other address furnished in writing to the Company by the Trustee,

 

(2)      the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the Company at 4 Limited Parkway East, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 or at any other address furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company,

 

(3)      the Company or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Section 110.     Notices to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to each Holder, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Note Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

 

In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail notice of any event as required by any provision of this Indenture, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures of such Depositary (including delivery by electronic mail).

 

Section 111.     Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

Section 112.     Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.

 

Section 113.    Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 114.     Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any Paying Agent and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

Section 115.   Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES, EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR AND (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES) THE HOLDERS AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES.

 

Section 116.     Waiver of Trial by Jury. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives the right to trial by jury with respect to any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Indenture.

 

Section 117.    Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Note shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Notes) payment of interest or principal and premium (if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

 

Section 118.   No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Subsidiary of any thereof, in their respective capacities as such, shall have any liability for any obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Note Documents, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, any such obligation or its creation. Each Noteholder, by accepting the Notes, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

 

Section 119.     Exhibits and Schedules. All exhibits and schedules attached hereto are by this reference made a part hereof with the same effect as if herein set forth in full.

 

Section 120.     Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Indenture by facsimile, electronically in portable document format (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or in any other format will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using electronic signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties. Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice instruction or other communication (a “Notice”) by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Trustee may in any instance and in its sole discretion require that an original document bearing a manual signature be delivered to Trustee in lieu of, or in addition to, any such electronic Notice.

 

Section 121.     Force Majeure. To the extent permitted by the TIA, in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services (it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable best efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances).

 

Section 122.     USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

Section 123.     Limited Condition Transaction and Incurrence-Based Amounts.

 

(a)        In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Indenture which requires that no Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default, as applicable, has occurred, is continuing or would result from any such action, as applicable, such condition shall, at the option of the Company, be deemed satisfied, so long as no Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default, as applicable, exists on the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into or irrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is given. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company has exercised its option under the first sentence of this Section 123, and any Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default, as applicable, occurs following the date the definitive agreements for the applicable Limited Condition Transaction were entered into or irrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is given and prior to the consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default, as applicable, shall be deemed to not have occurred or be continuing for purposes of determining whether any action being taken in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction is permitted hereunder.

 

 

In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of:

 

(i)      determining compliance with any provision of this Indenture which requires the calculation of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio or the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio; or

 

(ii)      testing baskets set forth in this Indenture (including baskets measured as a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets);

 

in each case, at the option of the Company (the Company’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination of whether any such action is permitted hereunder, shall be deemed to be the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into or irrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is given, as applicable (the “LCT Test Date”), and if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any Incurrence or discharge of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds of such Incurrence) as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the LCT Test Date for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available, the Company could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, basket or amount, such ratio, basket or amount shall be deemed to have been complied with. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company has made an LCT Election and any of the ratios, baskets or amounts for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, basket or amount, including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Company or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction or any applicable currency exchange rate, at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction or action, such baskets, ratios or amounts will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations. If the Company has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any ratio, basket or amount with respect to the Incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens, or the making of Restricted Payments, Asset Dispositions, mergers, the conveyance, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such ratio, basket or amount shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including any Incurrence or discharge of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated.

 

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless the Company otherwise elects, with respect to any amounts incurred or transactions entered into (or consummated) in reliance on a provision of this Indenture that does not require compliance with a financial ratio or financial test (including any Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio test, and/or any Consolidated Coverage Ratio test) (any such amounts, the “Fixed Amounts”) substantially concurrently with any amounts incurred or transactions entered into (or consummated) in reliance on a provision of this Indenture that requires compliance with a financial ratio or financial test (including any Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio test, and/or any Consolidated Coverage Ratio test) (any such amounts, the “Incurrence-Based Amounts”) it is understood and agreed that (A) the incurrence of the Incurrence-Based Amount shall be calculated first without giving effect to any Fixed Amount but giving full pro forma effect to the use of proceeds of such Fixed Amount and the related transactions and (B) the incurrence of the Fixed Amount shall be calculated thereafter. Unless the Company elects otherwise, the Company shall be deemed to have used amounts under an Incurrence-Based Amount then available to the Company prior to utilization of any amount under a Fixed Amount then available to the Company.

 

ARTICLE II

NOTE FORMS

 

Section 201.     Forms Generally. The Initial Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication relating thereto shall be in substantially the forms set forth, or referenced, in this Article II and Exhibit A attached hereto (as such forms may be modified in accordance with Section 301). Any Additional Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication relating thereto shall be in substantially the forms set forth, or referenced, in this Article II and Exhibit A attached hereto (as such forms may be modified in accordance with Section 301). Exhibit A is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions, notations, legends, endorsements, identifications and other variations as are required or permitted by law, stock exchange rule or depositary rule or usage, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or other customary usage, or as may consistently herewith be determined by the Officers of the Company executing such Notes, as evidenced by such execution (provided always that any such notation, legend, endorsement, identification or variation is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Indenture. Any portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note.

 

Notes offered and sold to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A shall, unless the Company otherwise notifies the Trustee in writing, be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (as such form may be modified in accordance with Section 301), except as otherwise permitted herein. Such Global Notes shall be referred to collectively herein as the “Rule 144A Global Notes,” and shall be deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, for credit to an account of an Agent Member, and shall be duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of a Rule 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

 

Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act shall, unless the Company otherwise notifies the Trustee in writing, be issued in the form of one or more global Notes substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (as such form may be modified in accordance with Section 301), except as otherwise permitted herein. Such Global Notes shall be referred to herein as the “Regulation S Global Notes,” and shall be deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee for the accounts of designated Agent Members holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream and shall be duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made in the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

 

 

Subject to the limitations on the issuance of certificated Notes set forth in Sections 312 and 313, Notes issued pursuant to Section 305 in exchange for or upon transfer of beneficial interests (x) in a Rule 144A Global Note shall be in the form of permanent certificated Notes substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (as such form may be modified in accordance with Section 301) (the “Rule 144A Physical Notes”) or (y) in a Regulation S Global Note (if any), on or after the Regulation S Note Exchange Date with respect to such Regulation S Global Note, shall be in the form of permanent certificated Notes substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (as such form may be modified in accordance with Section 301) (the “Regulation S Physical Notes”), respectively, as hereinafter provided.

 

The Rule 144A Physical Notes and Regulation S Physical Notes shall be construed to include any certificated Notes issued in respect thereof pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306 or 1008, and the Rule 144A Global Notes and Regulation S Global Notes shall be construed to include any global Notes issued in respect thereof pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306 or 1008. The Rule 144A Physical Notes and the Regulation S Physical Notes, together with any other certificated Notes issued and authenticated pursuant to this Indenture, are sometimes collectively herein referred to as the “Physical Notes.” The Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes, together with any other global Notes that are issued and authenticated pursuant to this Indenture, are sometimes collectively referred to as the “Global Notes.”

 

Section 202.     Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Notes will have endorsed thereon a Trustee’s certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

 

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	as Trustee
	By:
		Authorized Officer

 

Dated:

 

If an appointment of an Authenticating Agent is made pursuant to Section 714, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

 

 

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	[NAME]
	as Trustee
	By:
		As Authenticating Agent
	By:
		Authorized Officer

 

Dated:

 

Section 203.     Restrictive and Global Note Legends. Each Global Note and Physical Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the following legend set forth below (the “Private Placement Legend”) on the face thereof until the Private Placement Legend is removed or not required in accordance with Section 313(4):

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION, AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A, REGULATION S OR ANOTHER EXEMPTION THEREUNDER.

 

BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (C) IT IS AN “INSTITUTIONAL” ACCREDITED INVESTOR (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER REGULATION D PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) AND (2) AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED NOTES, THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN [ONE YEAR— FOR NOTES ISSUED PURSUANT TO RULE 144A][40 DAYS—FOR NOTES ISSUED IN OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S] AFTER THE LATER OF THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE AND THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OWNED THIS NOTE, OFFER, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (X) (I) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (II) FOR SO LONG AS THIS NOTE IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT IS ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES OF $250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR THE OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, AND THAT PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES (OR HAS FURNISHED ON ITS BEHALF BY A U.S. BROKER DEALER) TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE FOR THIS NOTE), (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (V) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS) OR (VII) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (Y) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE PURSUANT TO SUBCLAUSES (III) TO (VI) OF CLAUSE (X) ABOVE, AND THAT, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

 

Each Global Note, whether or not an Initial Note, shall also bear the following legend on the face thereof:

 

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 312 AND 313 OF THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).”

 

Each Regulation S Global Note shall also bear the following legend on the face thereof:

 

“BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

 

Each Note issued with OID will contain a legend substantially to the following effect:

 

THIS NOTE IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1271 ET SEQ. OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. A HOLDER MAY OBTAIN THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY FOR SUCH NOTE BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO: VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO., 4 LIMITED PARKWAY EAST, REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO 43068.”

 

ARTICLE III

THE NOTES

 

Section 301.     General Terms; Additional Notes. All Notes will vote (or consent) as a class with the other Notes and otherwise be treated as a single class of Notes for all purposes of this Indenture. Each Note will bear interest at a rate of 4.625% per annum from the Issue Date or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing January 15, 2022 to Holders of record as of the close of business on January 1 and July 1, whether or not a Business Day, immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date.

 

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Company without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes other than with respect to the date of issuance and, if applicable, original interest accrual date and original interest payment date; provided that the Company’s ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 407 hereof. Any Additional Notes may be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture; provided further, however, that in the event any Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such non-fungible notes will be issued with a separate CUSIP number or ISIN so they are distinguishable from the Initial Notes.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

Section 302.     Denominations. The Notes shall be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Section 303.     Execution, Authentication and Delivery and Dating. The Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by one Officer of the Company. The signature of any such Officer on the Notes may be manual or by facsimile.

 

 

  

Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signature of an individual who was at any time an Officer of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individual has ceased to hold such office prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or did not hold such office at the date of such Notes.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication; and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) Initial Notes for original issue in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $600.0 million and (ii) subject to Section 407, Additional Notes from time to time for original issue in aggregate principal amounts specified by the Company (which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes, other than with respect to the date of issuance and, if applicable, original interest accrual date and original interest payment date), in each case specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, upon a written order of the Company in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of the Company (an “Authentication Order”). Such Authentication Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, the “CUSIP”, “ISIN”, “Common Code” or other similar identification numbers of such Notes, if any, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes or Additional Notes, the issue price (in the case of Additional Notes) and whether the Notes are to be issued as one or more Global Notes or Physical Notes and such other information as the Company may include or the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

All Notes shall be dated the date of their authentication.

 

No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 

Section 304.     Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and upon receipt of an Authentication Order the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. If temporary Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the Company shall execute and upon receipt of an Authentication Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Notes.

 

Section 305.     Note Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, such Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Company may have one or more co-registrars. The term “Note Registrar” includes any co-registrars.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as “Note Registrar” and “Paying Agent” in connection with the Notes, until such time as it has resigned or a successor has been appointed. The Company may have one or more additional paying agents, and the term “Paying Agent” shall include any additional Paying Agent. The Company may change the Paying Agent or Note Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of Notes. The Company may enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Note Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. Any such agency agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain a Note Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 707. The Company or any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Company may act as Paying Agent (except for purposes of Section 1103 or Section 1205) or Note Registrar.

Upon surrender for transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, in compliance with all applicable requirements of this Indenture and applicable law, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.

 

At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

Every Note presented or surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed, by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

No service charge shall be made for any registration, transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

 

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, transfer or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption (or purchase) of Notes selected for redemption (or purchase) under Section 1004 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (ii) to transfer or exchange any Note so selected for redemption (or purchase) in whole or in part.

 

Section 306.     Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Note Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder (a) notifies the Company or the Trustee within a reasonable time after such Holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Note Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Company or the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Company. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of (i) the Trustee to protect the Trustee and (ii) the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, a Paying Agent and the Note Registrar, from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section 306, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section 306 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and ratably with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section 306 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

 

Section 307.     Payment of Interest Rights Preserved. Interest on any Note that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date.

 

Any interest on any Note that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:

 

(1)          The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee and Paying Agent in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or Paying Agent for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as provided in this clause (1). Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee and the Paying Agent of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Note Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

 

(2)          The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Note.

 

Section 308.     Persons Deemed Owners. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and any agent of any of them may treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any), and (subject to Section 307) interest on, such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue, and neither the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Section 309.     Cancellation. All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, transfer, exchange or conversion shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not already cancelled, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Notes shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes cancelled as provided in this Section 309, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Notes held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act).

 

Section 310.    Computation of Interest. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 311.    CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc. The Company in issuing Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (if then generally in use), and if so, the Trustee may use the CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such numbers printed in the notice or on the Notes; that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes; and that any redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

 

Section 312.    Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes. (a) Each Global Note initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or the nominee of such Depositary, in each case for credit to the account of an Agent Member, and (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary. None of the Company, any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

(b)          Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or its custodian, or under such Global Notes. The Depositary may be treated by the Company, any other obligor upon the Notes, the Trustee and any agent of any of them as the absolute owner of the Global Notes for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, any other obligor upon the Notes, the Trustee or any agent of any of them from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Note. The Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

(c)          Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such Global Note in whole, but, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Note may not be transferred or exchanged for Physical Notes unless (i) the Company has consented thereto in writing, or such transfer or exchange is made pursuant to the next sentence, and (ii) such transfer or exchange is in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 305 and Section 313. Subject to the limitation on issuance of Physical Notes set forth in Section 313(3), Physical Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in the relevant Global Note, if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 120 days; (ii) the Depositary ceases to be registered as a “Clearing Agency” under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 120 days; (iii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee that it elects to cause the issuance of Physical Notes; or (iv) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Notes and the Trustee has received a written request from the Depositary to issue Physical Notes.

 

(d)          In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the beneficial interest in any Global Note to beneficial owners for Physical Notes pursuant to Section 312(c), the Note Registrar shall record on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred, and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of an Authentication Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Physical Notes of like principal amount of authorized denominations.

 

(e)          In connection with a transfer of an entire Global Note to beneficial owners for Physical Notes pursuant to Section 312(c), the applicable Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of an Authentication Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary, in exchange for its beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Rule 144A Physical Notes (in the case of any Rule 144A Global Note) or Regulation S Physical Notes (in the case of any Regulation S Global Note), as the case may be, of authorized denominations.

 

(f)           The transfer and exchange of a Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 313) and the procedures therefor of the Depositary. Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a different Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it remains such an interest. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Note Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in the relevant Global Note. Subject to Section 313, the Note Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depositary to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in such Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

 

(g)          Any Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 312(c) shall, unless such exchange is made on or after the Resale Restriction Termination Date applicable to such Note and except as otherwise provided in Section 203 and Section 313, bear the Private Placement Legend.

(h)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, through the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may be held only through designated Agent Members holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream unless delivery is made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 313.

 

Section 313.     Special Transfer Provisions.

 

(1)          Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons. The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Note that is a Restricted Security to any Non-U.S. Person: The Note Registrar shall register such transfer if it complies with all other applicable requirements of this Indenture (including Section 305) and,

 

(a)          if (x) such transfer is after the relevant Resale Restriction Termination Date with respect to such Note or (y) the proposed transferor has delivered to the Note Registrar and the Company and the Trustee a Regulation S Certificate and, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, an opinion of counsel, certifications and other information satisfactory to the Company, and

 

(b)          if the proposed transferor is or is acting through an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in a Global Note, upon receipt by the Note Registrar and the Company and the Trustee of (x) the certificate, opinion, certifications and other information, if any, required by clause (a) above and (y) written instructions given in accordance with the procedures of the Note Registrar and of the Depositary;

 

whereupon (i) the Note Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and (if the transfer does not involve a transfer of any Outstanding Physical Note) a decrease in the principal amount of the relevant Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the relevant Global Note to be transferred, and (ii) either (A) if the proposed transferee is or is acting through an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in a relevant Regulation S Global Note, the Note Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of such Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest being so transferred or (B) otherwise the Company shall execute and (upon receipt of an Authentication Order) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Physical Notes of like amount.

 

(2)          Transfers to QIBs. The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Note that is a Restricted Security to a QIB (excluding transfers to Non-U.S. Persons): The Note Registrar shall register such transfer if it complies with all other applicable requirements of this Indenture (including Section 305) and,

 

(a)          if such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has checked the box provided for on the form of such Note stating, or has otherwise certified to the Note Registrar and the Company and the Trustee in writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the certification provided for on the form of such Note stating, or has otherwise certified to Note Registrar and the Company and the Trustee in writing, that it is purchasing such Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A; and

(b)          if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Note to be transferred consists of a Physical Note that after transfer is to be evidenced by an interest in a Global Note or consists of a beneficial interest in a Global Note that after the transfer is to be evidenced by an interest in a different Global Note, upon receipt by the Note Registrar of written instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Note Registrar’s procedures, whereupon the Note Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the transferee Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Physical Note or such beneficial interest in such transferor Global Note to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Note so transferred or reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such transferor Global Note, as the case may be.

 

(3)          Limitation on Issuance of Physical Notes. No Physical Note shall be exchanged for a beneficial interest in any Global Note, except in accordance with Section 312 and this Section 313.

 

A beneficial owner of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note shall not be permitted to exchange such interest for a Physical Note until a date, which must be after the end of the Restricted Period, on which the Company receives a certificate of beneficial ownership substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C from such beneficial owner (a “Certificate of Beneficial Ownership”). Such date, as it relates to a Regulation S Global Note, is herein referred to as the “Regulation S Note Exchange Date.”

 

(4)          Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Note Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Note Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Private Placement Legend unless (i) the requested transfer is after the relevant Resale Restriction Termination Date with respect to such Notes, (ii) upon written request of the Company after there is delivered to the Note Registrar an opinion of counsel (which opinion and counsel are satisfactory to the Company) to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) with respect to a Regulation S Global Note (on or after the Regulation S Note Exchange Date with respect to such Regulation S Global Note) or Regulation S Physical Note, in each case with the agreement of the Company, or (iv) such Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

 

(5)          Other Transfers. The Note Registrar shall effect and register, upon receipt of a written request from the Company to do so, a transfer not otherwise permitted by this Section 313, such registration to be done in accordance with the otherwise applicable provisions of this Section 313, upon the furnishing by the proposed transferor or transferee of a written opinion of counsel (which opinion and counsel are satisfactory to the Company) to the effect that, and such other certifications or information as the Company may require (including, in the case of a transfer to an Accredited Investor (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act), a certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F) to confirm that, the proposed transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

A Note that is a Restricted Security may not be transferred other than as provided in this Section 313. A beneficial interest in a Global Note that is a Restricted Security may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in another Global Note other than through a transfer in compliance with this Section 313.

(6)          General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.

 

The Note Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 312 or this Section 313 (including all Notes received for transfer pursuant to this Section 313). The Company shall have the right to require the applicable Note Registrar to deliver to the Company, at the Company’s expense, copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Note Registrar.

 

In connection with any transfer of any Note, the Trustee, the Note Registrar and the Company shall be entitled to receive, shall be under no duty to inquire into, may conclusively presume the correctness of, and shall be fully protected in relying upon the certificates, opinions and other information referred to herein (or in the forms provided herein, attached hereto or to the Notes, or otherwise) received from any Holder and any transferee of any Note regarding the validity, legality and due authorization of any such transfer, the eligibility of the transferee to receive such Note and any other facts and circumstances related to such transfer.

 

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

 

Section 401.     Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company shall duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes in accordance with the terms of such Notes and this Indenture. Principal amount (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes shall be considered paid on the date due if the Company shall have deposited with the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or another wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Company) as of 12:00 p.m. New York City time on the due date money in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal amount (and premium, if any) and interest then due. At the option of the Company, payment of interest on such Note may be made through the Paying Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated to the Company by the Person entitled thereto or by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Note Register.

 

Section 402.     Maintenance of Office or Agency. (a)  The Company shall maintain in the United States an office or agency where such Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where such Notes may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served to the Trustee; provided, however, that with respect to payments on the Notes and any exchange, transfer, or other surrender of the Notes, the Corporate Trust Office shall mean the corporate trust operations office of the Trustee in St. Paul, Minnesota or such other office or location designated by the Trustee by written notice; provided, further, that no service of legal process may be made against the Company at any office of the Trustee.

 

(b)          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 305.

 

Section 403.     Money for Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as Paying Agent, it shall, on or before 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on, any of such Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

 

If the Company is not acting as Paying Agent, it shall, on or prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on, such Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

 

If the Company is not acting as Paying Agent, the Company shall cause any Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 403, that such Paying Agent shall:

 

(1)          hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

 

(2)          give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes) in the making of any such payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest;

 

(3)          at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent; and

 

(4)          acknowledge, accept and agree to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties, rights and liabilities of such Paying Agent.

 

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of such Notes, this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

Section 404.     [Reserved].

Section 405.     Reports. Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, from and after the Escrow Release Date the Company will file with the SEC (unless the SEC will not accept such filings) and furnish to the Noteholders all quarterly and annual financial information, and within 15 days of the dates, that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10- K (including pursuant to any extension authorized by the SEC, rule, regulation or executive order).

 

In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Company will furnish to Holders of the Notes and prospective investors in the Notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4).

 

The Company will be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the first paragraph of this Section 405 if any Parent Entity furnishes or makes available information regarding the Parent Entity of the type otherwise so required with respect to the Company and such Parent Entity is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and has filed reports required under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC via EDGAR (or successor) filing system and such reports are publicly available, in each case provided that the same is accompanied by information describing the non-equity differences between the financial information relating to such Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the financial information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand (as determined by the Company in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) and for the avoidance of doubt need not be audited or compliant with Regulation S-X.

 

Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate). The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for the filing, timeliness, or content of such reports. The Trustee shall further not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or posted to any website or to participate in any conference calls.

 

Section 406.     Statement as to Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company commencing with the Company’s fiscal year ending January 29, 2022, an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that to the best knowledge of the signer thereof (on behalf of the Company) the Company is or is not in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture applicable to the Company (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such signer may have knowledge.

 

Section 407.     Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness if on the date of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, after giving effect to the Incurrence thereof, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than 2.00:1.00.

 

(b)         Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 407(a), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness:

 

(i)          Indebtedness (I) Incurred (including but not limited to in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created thereunder) and (without limiting the foregoing), in each case, any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, in a maximum principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding in the aggregate the amount equal to (A) $500.0 million, plus (B) the greater of (x) $1.0 billion and (y) 100.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available, plus (C) the greater of (x) $750.0 million and (y) an amount equal to the Borrowing Base (plus, in the event of any refinancing of any such Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing) plus (II) in an unlimited amount, if on the date of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness Incurred in reliance on this clause (II)), after giving effect to such Incurrence (or, at the Company’s option, on the date of the initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing the commitment to fund such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount of such Indebtedness (such committed amount, a “Ratio Tested Committed Amount”), in which case such Ratio Tested Committed Amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with this clause) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio would be equal to or less than 1.50:1.00; and (in the case of this subclause (II)) any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any such Indebtedness (or Ratio Tested Committed Amount);

(ii)          Indebtedness (A) of any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company, or (B) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of this Section 407(b)(ii), any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary to which such Indebtedness is owed, or other event, that results in such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (except to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) will be deemed, in each case, an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof not permitted by this Section 407(b)(ii);

 

(iii)         Indebtedness represented by the Notes (other than Additional Notes), any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness described in Section 407(b)(i)(I) above) outstanding (or Incurred pursuant to any commitment outstanding) on the Issue Date and any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness (or unutilized commitments) described in this Section 407(b)(iii) or Section 407(a) above;

 

(iv)         Purchase Money Obligations and Finance Lease Obligations, and in each case any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, (A) outstanding on the Issue Date and (B) in an additional aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $140.0 million and 3.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(v)          Indebtedness (A) supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to any Credit Facility in a principal amount not exceeding the face amount of such letter of credit or (B) consisting of accommodation guarantees for the benefit of trade creditors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(vi)         (A) Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or any other obligation or liability of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in violation of this Section 407), or (B) without limiting Section 413, Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising by reason of any Lien granted by or applicable to such Person securing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in violation of this Section 407); 

(vii)        Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) arising from the honoring of a check, draft or similar instrument of such Person drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, or (B) consisting of guarantees, indemnities, obligations in respect of earnouts or other purchase price adjustments, or similar obligations, Incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Person;

 

(viii)       Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of (A) letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments or obligations issued, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred, in the ordinary course of business (including those issued to governmental entities in connection with self-insurance under applicable workers’ compensation statutes), (B) completion guarantees, surety, judgment, appeal or performance bonds, or other similar bonds, instruments or obligations, provided, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred, in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of liabilities or obligations of franchisees, (C) Hedging Obligations, (D) Management Guarantees or Management Indebtedness, (E) the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business, (F) take-or-pay obligations under supply arrangements incurred in the ordinary course of business, (G) netting, overdraft protection and other arrangements arising under standard business terms of any bank at which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains an overdraft, cash pooling or other similar facility or arrangement, (H) Junior Capital, (I) Bank Products Obligations or (J) Open Account Obligations;

 

(ix)         Indebtedness (A) of a Receivables Subsidiary secured by a Lien on all or part of the assets disposed of in, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, a Financing Disposition or (B) otherwise Incurred in connection with a Specified Receivables Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this this Section 407(b)(ix) not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $120.0 million and 60.0% of the aggregate accounts excluded from the definition of “Eligible Accounts” under the ABL Facility as such definition is in effect on the Escrow Release Date; provided that (1) such Indebtedness is not recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Receivables Subsidiary (other than with respect to Standard Receivables Undertakings); (2) in the event such Indebtedness shall become recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Receivables Subsidiary (other than with respect to Standard Receivables Undertakings), such Indebtedness will be deemed to be, and must be classified by the Company as, Incurred at such time (or at the time initially Incurred) under one or more of the other provisions of this Section 407 for so long as such Indebtedness shall be so recourse; and (3) in the event that at any time thereafter such Indebtedness shall comply with the provisions of the preceding subclause (1), the Company may re-classify such Indebtedness in whole or in part as Incurred under this Section 407(b)(ix);

 

(x)          Contribution Indebtedness and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto;

 

(xi)         Indebtedness of (A) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance or refinance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (B) any Person that is acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Indebtedness thereof Incurred in connection with any such acquisition, merger or consolidation); provided that on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation, after giving effect thereto, (x) in the case of any such Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien, either (1) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio would be equal to or less than 1.50:1.00 or (2) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio would be equal to or be less than the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio immediately prior to giving effect thereto, or (y) in the case of any such Indebtedness that is unsecured, either (1) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than 2.00:1.00 or (2) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or be greater than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio immediately prior to giving effect thereto; and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any such Indebtedness;

(xii)        Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $240.0 million and 6.0% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(xiii)       Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred as consideration in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $100.0 million and 2.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(xiv)       Indebtedness issuable upon the conversion or exchange of shares of Disqualified Stock issued in accordance with Section 407(a), and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto;

 

(xv)        Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $200.0 million and 5.0% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(xvi)       Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding $200.0 million; and

 

(xvii)      Indebtedness existing on the Escrow Release Date.

 

(c)          For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this Section 407, (i) any other obligation of the obligor on such Indebtedness (or of any other Person who could have Incurred such Indebtedness under this Section 407) arising under any Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation supporting such Indebtedness shall be disregarded to the extent that such Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation secures the principal amount of such Indebtedness; (ii) in the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 407(a) or (b) above, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness and may include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in Section 407(a) or one or more of the clauses or subclauses of Section 407(b) above (including in part under one such clause or subclause and in part under another such clause or subclause); provided that (if the Company shall so determine) any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 407(b)(iv), 407(b)(ix), 407(b)(xii), 407(b)(xiii), 407(b)(xv), 407(b)(xvi) or 407(b)(xvii) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of such clause but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of Section 407(a) or Section 407(b)(i)(II) from and after the first date on which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 407(a) or Section 407(b)(i)(II), as applicable, without reliance on such clause; (iii) the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof shall be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; (iv) the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under any clause of Section 407(b) above shall be determined after giving effect to the application of proceeds of any such Indebtedness to refinance any such other Indebtedness; (v) if any Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance Indebtedness initially Incurred (or, Indebtedness Incurred to refinance Indebtedness initially Incurred) in reliance on any provision of Section 407(b) above measured by reference to a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence, and such refinancing would cause such percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets to be exceeded if calculated based on the Consolidated Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Indebtedness shall be deemed permitted) so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed an amount equal to the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing; and (vi) if any Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance Indebtedness initially Incurred (or, Indebtedness Incurred to refinance Indebtedness initially Incurred) in reliance on any provision of Section 407(b) above measured by a dollar amount, such dollar amount shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Indebtedness shall be deemed permitted) to the extent the principal amount of such newly Incurred Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Indebtedness outstanding on the Escrow Release Date under the Senior Credit Facilities shall be classified as Incurred under Section 407(b)(i)(I), and may not later be reclassified.

(d)          For purposes of determining compliance with any provision of Section 407(b) (or any category of Permitted Liens described in the definition thereof) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets, in each case, for the Incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens securing Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, the dollar equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant thereto shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date that such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving or deferred draw Indebtedness; provided that (x) the dollar equivalent principal amount of any such Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the Issue Date, (y) if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency (or in a different currency from such Indebtedness so being Incurred), and such refinancing would cause the applicable provision of Section 407(b) (or category of Permitted Liens) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets, as applicable, to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such provision of Section 407(b) (or category of Permitted Liens) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets, as applicable, shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the outstanding or committed principal amount (whichever is higher) of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing and (z) the dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on, at the Company’s option, (A) the Issue Date, (B) any date on which such rate is calculated for any purpose under the definitive documentation governing such Indebtedness, or (C) the date of such Incurrence. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

Section 408.     [Reserved].

 

Section 409.     Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its Capital Stock (including any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party) except (x) dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and (y) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (and, in the case of any such Restricted Subsidiary making such dividend or distribution, to holders of its Capital Stock on no more than a pro rata basis, measured by the number of shares owned of the applicable class), (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than any acquisition of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof), (iii) voluntarily purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise voluntarily acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Obligations (other than a purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement) or (iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person (any such dividend, distribution, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, other acquisition or retirement or Investment being herein referred to as a “Restricted Payment”), if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment after giving effect thereto:

 

(1)           an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);

 

(2)           the Company could not Incur at least an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 407(a); or

 

(3)           the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments (the amount so expended, if other than in cash, to be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors) declared or made subsequent to the Escrow Release Date and then outstanding would exceed, without duplication, the sum of:

 

(A)          50.0% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) beginning on August 2, 2021 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a negative number, zero);

 

(B)          the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of property or assets received (x) by the Company as capital contributions to the Company after the Escrow Release Date or from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Escrow Release Date (other than Excluded Contributions and Contribution Amounts) or (y) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Escrow Release Date of Indebtedness that shall have been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or Capital Stock of any Parent Entity, plus the amount of any cash and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of any property or assets, received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange;

 

(C)          (i) the aggregate amount of cash and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of any property or assets received from dividends, distributions, interest payments, return of capital, repayments of Investments or other transfers of assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Unrestricted Subsidiary, including dividends or other distributions related to dividends or other distributions made pursuant to Section 409(b)(ix), plus (ii) the aggregate amount resulting from the redesignation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (valued in each case as provided in the definition of “Investment”); and

(D)            in the case of any disposition or repayment of any Investment constituting a Restricted Payment (without duplication of any amount deducted in calculating the amount of Investments at any time outstanding included in the amount of Restricted Payments), the aggregate amount of cash and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of any property or assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary with respect to all such dispositions and repayments.

 

(b)           The provisions of Section 409(a) do not prohibit any of the following (each, a “Permitted Payment”):

 

(i)            (x) any purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Capital Stock of the Company (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Obligations made by exchange (including any such exchange pursuant to the exercise of a conversion right or privilege in connection with which cash is paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares) for, or out of the proceeds of the issuance or sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) or a capital contribution to the Company, in each case other than Excluded Contributions and Contribution Amounts; provided that the Net Cash Proceeds from such issuance, sale or capital contribution shall be excluded in subsequent calculations under Section 409(a)(3)(B) and (y) if immediately prior to such acquisition or retirement of such Treasury Capital Stock, dividends thereon were permitted pursuant to Section 409(b)(xi), dividends on such Refunding Capital Stock in an aggregate amount per annum not exceeding the aggregate amount per annum of dividends so permitted on such Treasury Capital Stock;

 

(ii)           any purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations (w) made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the Incurrence of, Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with Section 407, (x) from Net Available Cash or an equivalent amount to the extent permitted by Section 411, (y) following the occurrence of a Change of Control (or other similar event described therein as a “change of control”), but only if the Company shall have complied with Section 415 and, if required, purchased all Notes tendered pursuant to the offer to repurchase all the Notes required thereby, prior to purchasing or repaying such Subordinated Obligations or (z) constituting Acquired Indebtedness;

 

(iii)          any dividend paid or redemption made within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or of the giving of notice thereof, as applicable, if at such date of declaration or the giving of such notice, such dividend or redemption would have complied with this Section 409;

 

(iv)          Investments or other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the amount of Excluded Contributions;

(v)           loans, advances, dividends or distributions by the Company to any Parent Entity to permit any Parent Entity to repurchase or otherwise acquire its Capital Stock (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), or payments by the Company to repurchase or otherwise acquire Capital Stock of the Company (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), in each case from current or former Management Investors or repurchases of equity from others to offset dilution from issuances of equity to such persons (including any repurchase or acquisition by reason of the Company retaining any Capital Stock, option, warrant or other right in respect of tax withholding obligations, and any related payment in respect of any such obligation), such payments, loans, advances, dividends or distributions not to exceed an amount (net of repayments of any such loans or advances) equal to (w) (1) $50.0 million, plus (2) $25.0 million multiplied by the number of calendar years that have commenced since the Issue Date, plus (x) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company since the Issue Date from, or as a capital contribution from, the issuance or sale to Management Investors of Capital Stock (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not included in any calculation under Section 409(a)(3)(B)(x), plus (y) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date to the extent such cash proceeds are not included in any calculation under Section 409(a)(3)(A); provided that any cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary by any current or former Management Investor in connection with any repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof) from any Management Investor shall not constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of this Indenture;

 

(vi)          any Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed in any fiscal year of the Company the greater of (x) $280.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Market Capitalization;

 

(vii)         Restricted Payments (including loans or advances) in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount (net of repayments of any such loans or advances) equal to the greater of $120.0 million and 3.0% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(viii)        loans, advances, dividends or distributions to any Parent Entity or other payments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) to satisfy or permit any Parent Entity to satisfy obligations under any management agreements, (B) pursuant to any tax sharing agreement, or (C) to pay or permit any Parent Entity to pay (but without duplication) any Parent Entity Expenses or any related taxes;

 

(ix)           payments by the Company, or loans, advances, dividends or distributions by the Company to any Parent Entity to make payments, to holders of Capital Stock of the Company in lieu of issuance of fractional shares of such Capital Stock;

 

(x)            dividends or other distributions of, or Investments paid for or made with, Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xi)           (A) dividends on any Designated Preferred Stock of the Company issued after the Issue Date; provided that at the time of such issuance and after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than 2.00:1.00, (B) loans, advances, dividends or distributions to any Parent Entity to permit dividends on any Designated Preferred Stock of any Parent Entity issued on or after the Issue Date if the net proceeds of the issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock have been contributed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate amount of all loans, advances, dividends or distributions paid pursuant to this subclause (B) shall not exceed the net proceeds of such issuance of Designated Preferred Stock received by or contributed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) any dividend on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock; provided that at the time of the declaration of such dividend and after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00:1.00;

(xii)          Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $100.0 million and 2.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

 

(xiii)        distributions or payments of Special Purpose Financing Fees;

 

(xiv)        the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock, or of any Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, Incurred in accordance with the terms of Section 407;

 

(xv)         Investments or other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount equal to Declined Excess Proceeds;

 

(xvi)        any Restricted Payment; provided that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would be equal to or less than 1.50:1.00;

 

(xvii)       the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xviii)       payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with the covenant described under Section 501; provided that as a result of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of assets, the Company shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and all Notes tendered by Holders in connection with any such Change of Control Offer shall have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value; and

 

(xix)         solely in connection with the consummation of the Separation, the Escrow Release Date Payment, the Escrow Release Date Distribution and any distribution, as a dividend, cash payment or otherwise, of all or any portion of the equity interests of the Spin Business (as defined in the Form 10) or any of the assets thereof;

 

provided that (A) in the case of clause (iii) of this Section 409(b), the net amount of any such Permitted Payment shall be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments for purposes of Section 409(a), (B) in all cases other than pursuant to clause (A) immediately above, the net amount of any such Permitted Payment shall be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments for purposes of Section 409(a), and (C) solely with respect to clauses (vi) and (xvi) of this Section 409(b), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any such Permitted Payment after giving effect thereto. The Company, in its sole discretion, may classify any Investment or other Restricted Payment as being made in part under one of the clauses or subclauses of this Section 409, (or, in the case of any Investment, the clauses or subclauses of Permitted Investments) and in part under one or more other such clauses or subclauses (or, as applicable, clauses or subclauses).

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, this Indenture does not restrict any redemption or other payment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made as a mandatory principal redemption or other payment in respect of Subordinated Obligations pursuant to an “AHYDO saver” provision of any agreement or instrument in respect of Subordinated Obligations, and the Company’s determination in good faith of the amount of any such “AHYDO saver” mandatory principal redemption or other payment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes under this Indenture.

Section 410.     Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company, (ii) make any loans or advances to the Company or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company (provided that dividend or liquidation priority between classes of Capital Stock, or subordination of any obligation (including the application of any remedy bars thereto) to any other obligation, will not be deemed to constitute such an encumbrance or restriction), except any encumbrance or restriction:

 

(1)           pursuant to an agreement or instrument in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date, any Credit Facility, this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(2)           pursuant to any agreement or instrument of a Person, or relating to Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person, which Person is acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or which agreement or instrument is assumed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of assets from such Person, or any other transaction entered into in connection with any such acquisition, merger or consolidation, as in effect at the time of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transaction (except to the extent that such Indebtedness was incurred to finance, or otherwise in connection with, such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transaction); provided that for purposes of this clause (2), if a Person other than the Company is the Successor Company with respect thereto, any Subsidiary thereof or agreement or instrument of such Person or any such Subsidiary shall be deemed acquired or assumed, as the case may be, by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, when such Person becomes such Successor Company;

 

(3)           pursuant to an agreement or instrument (a “Refinancing Agreement”) effecting a refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred or outstanding pursuant or relating to, or that otherwise extends, renews, refunds, refinances or replaces, any agreement or instrument referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this Section 410 or this clause (3) (an “Initial Agreement”) or that is, or is contained in, any amendment, supplement or other modification to an Initial Agreement or Refinancing Agreement (an “Amendment”); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such Refinancing Agreement or Amendment taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Holders of the Notes than encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Initial Agreement or Initial Agreements to which such Refinancing Agreement or Amendment relates (as determined in good faith by the Company);

 

(4)           pursuant to customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(5)           (A) pursuant to any agreement or instrument that restricts in a customary manner the assignment or transfer thereof, or the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset subject thereto, (B) by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture, (C) contained in mortgages, pledges or other security agreements securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent restricting the transfer of the property or assets subject thereto, (D) pursuant to customary provisions restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (E) pursuant to Purchase Money Obligations that impose encumbrances or restrictions on the property or assets so acquired, (F) on cash or other deposits, net worth or inventory imposed by customers or suppliers under agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (G) pursuant to customary provisions contained in agreements and instruments entered into in the ordinary course of business (including but not limited to leases and licenses) or in joint venture and other similar agreements or in shareholder, partnership, limited liability company and other similar agreements in respect of non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiaries, (H) that arises or is agreed to in the ordinary course of business and does not detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, or (I) pursuant to Hedging Obligations, Bank Products Obligations or Open Account Obligations;

(6)           with respect to any agreement for the direct or indirect disposition of Capital Stock, property or assets of any Person, property or assets, imposing restrictions with respect to such Person, Capital Stock, property or assets pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

 

(7)           by reason of any applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or required by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their businesses, including any such law, rule, regulation, order or requirement applicable in connection with such Restricted Subsidiary’s status (or the status of any Subsidiary of such Restricted Subsidiary) as a Captive Insurance Subsidiary; or

 

(8)           pursuant to an agreement or instrument (A) relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 407 (i) if the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such agreement or instrument taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Holders of the Notes than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Initial Agreements (as determined in good faith by the Company) or (ii) if such encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes than is customary in comparable financings (as determined in good faith by the Company) and either (x) the Company determines in good faith that such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Notes or (y) such encumbrance or restriction applies only if a default occurs in respect of a payment or financial covenant relating to such Indebtedness, (B) relating to any sale of receivables by or Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary or (C) relating to Indebtedness of or a Financing Disposition by or to or in favor of any Receivables Subsidiary.

 

Section 411.     Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition unless:

 

(i)            the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition, as such Fair Market Value (on the date a legally binding commitment for such Asset Disposition was entered into) may be determined in good faith by the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive (including as to the value of all noncash consideration);

 

(ii)           in the case of any Asset Disposition (or series of related Asset Dispositions) having a Fair Market Value (on the date a legally binding commitment for such Asset Disposition was entered into) of $50.0 million or more, at least 75.0% of the consideration therefor (excluding, in the case of an Asset Disposition (or series of related Asset Dispositions), any consideration by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, that are not Indebtedness) for such Asset Disposition, together with all other Asset Dispositions since the Issue Date (on a cumulative basis) received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash; and

(iii)          an amount equal to 100.0% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) as follows:

 

(A)           first, either (x) to the extent the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary elects (or is required by the terms of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor), to prepay, repay or purchase any such Indebtedness or Obligations in respect thereof or (in the case of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments) cash collateralize any such Indebtedness or Obligations in respect thereof (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) within 18 months  after the later of the date of such Asset Disposition and the date of receipt of such Net Available Cash, or (y) to the extent the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary elects, to invest in Additional Assets (including by means of an investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with an amount equal to Net Available Cash received by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) within 18 months from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition and the date of receipt of such Net Available Cash or, if such investment in Additional Assets is a project authorized by the Board of Directors that will take longer than such 18 months to complete, the period of time necessary to complete such project; provided that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be deemed to have reinvested such Net Available Cash if and to the extent that, within 18 months after the Asset Disposition that generated the Net Available Cash, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has entered into and not abandoned or rejected a binding agreement to consummate any such investment described in this clause (A) with the good faith expectation that such Net Available Cash will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment;

 

(B)            second, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A) above (such balance, the “Excess Proceeds”), to make an offer to purchase Notes and (to the extent the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary elects, or is required by the terms thereof) to purchase, redeem, prepay or repay any other Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, pursuant and subject to Section 411(b) and Section 411(c) and the agreements governing such other Indebtedness; provided, further, that, if after giving effect to such purchases, redemptions, prepayments or repayments, (x) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 1.00:1.00 and greater than 0.75:1.00, only 50% and (y) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 0.75:1.00, 0.00%, in each case, of such Excess Proceeds shall be required to be used to make such an offer; and

 

(C)            third, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B) above (the amount of such balance, “Declined Excess Proceeds”), to fund (to the extent consistent with any other applicable provision of this Indenture) any general corporate purpose (including but not limited to the repurchase, repayment or other acquisition or retirement of any Subordinated Obligations or the making of other Restricted Payments);

provided, however, that (1) in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A)(x) or (B) above, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary will cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased and (2) the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may elect to invest in Additional Assets prior to receiving the Net Available Cash attributable to any given Asset Disposition (provided that such investment shall be made no earlier than the earliest of notice to the Trustee of the relevant Asset Disposition, execution of a definitive agreement for the relevant Asset Disposition, and consummation of the relevant Asset Disposition) and deem the amount so invested to be applied pursuant to and in accordance with clause (A)(y) above with respect to such Asset Disposition.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provision in Section 411(a)(iii), to the extent that repatriating any or all of the Net Available Cash from any Asset Disposition by a Foreign Subsidiary (x) would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (y) is prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the United States (in the case of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith which determination shall be conclusive), the portion of such Net Available Cash so affected will not be required to be applied in compliance with clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this covenant, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of this clause (y), the Company shall take commercially reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediments or other impediment to permit such repatriation, and if such repatriation of any of such affected Net Available Cash can be achieved such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Available Cash will be applied (whether or not repatriation actually occurs) in compliance with clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this covenant. The time periods set forth in this covenant shall not start until such time as the Net Available Cash may be repatriated whether or not such repatriation actually occurs.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 411, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any Net Available Cash or equivalent amount in accordance with this Section 411 except to the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions or equivalent amount that is not applied in accordance with this Section 411 exceeds $30.0 million. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and/or other Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary validly tendered and not withdrawn (or otherwise subject to purchase, redemption or repayment) in connection with an offer pursuant to clause (B) above exceeds the Excess Proceeds, the Excess Proceeds will be apportioned between such Notes and such other Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, with the portion of the Excess Proceeds payable in respect of such Notes to equal the lesser of (x) the Excess Proceeds amount multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of such Notes and the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes and the outstanding principal amount of the relevant other Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, and (y) the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn.

 

For the purposes of Section 411(a)(ii), the following are deemed to be cash: (1) Temporary Cash Investments and Cash Equivalents; (2) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock of the Company) or any Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on payment of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition; (3) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Disposition, to the extent that the Company and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any Guarantee of payment of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition; (4) securities received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days; (5) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (6) Additional Assets; and (7) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an Asset Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause, not to exceed an aggregate amount at any time outstanding equal to the greater of $50.0 million and 1.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured on the date a legally binding commitment for such disposition (or, if later, for the payment of such item) was entered into and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

(b)       In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of Notes pursuant to Section 411(a)(iii)(B), the Company will be required to purchase Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to an offer by the Company for the Notes (the “Offer”) at a purchase price of 100.0% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase in accordance with the procedures (including prorating among the Notes and other applicable Indebtedness) set forth in Section 411(c). If the aggregate purchase price of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer is less than the Net Available Cash allotted to the purchase of Notes, the remaining Net Available Cash will be available to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for use in accordance with Section 411(a)(iii)(B) (to repay other Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or Section 411(a)(iii)(C) and the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero. The Company shall not be required to make an Offer for Notes pursuant to this Section 411 if the Net Available Cash available therefor (after application of the proceeds as provided in Section 411(a)(iii)(A)) is less than $50.0 million for any particular Asset Disposition (which lesser amounts shall be carried forward for purposes of determining whether an Offer is required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition). No Note will be repurchased in part if less than $2,000 in original principal amount of such Note would be left outstanding.

 

(c)       The Company shall, not later than 45 days after the Company becomes obligated to make an Offer pursuant to this Section 411, mail or otherwise deliver in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating: (1) that an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of a portion of the Notes has occurred and that such Holder has the right (subject to the prorating described below) to require the Company to purchase a portion of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the purchase date); (2) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 10 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or delivered, except that such notice may be delivered more than 60 days prior to the purchase date if the purchase is delayed as provided in clause (5) of this Section 411(c)); (3) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 411, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased; (4) the amount of the Offer which amount may be contingent upon the Net Available Cash remaining following the application of Net Available Cash pursuant to Section 411(a)(iii)(A) and (5) if such notice is mailed or delivered prior to the date the Net Available Cash attributable to such Asset Disposition is received, that such offer is conditioned upon receipt of such Net Available Cash and that the purchase date may, in the Company’s discretion, be delayed until such time as the Net Available Cash is received. If, upon the expiration of the period for which the Offer remains open, the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the amount of the Offer, the Company shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased).

 

(d)       The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 411. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 411, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 411 by virtue thereof.

Section 412.     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction or series of related transactions (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of the greater of $20.0 million and 0.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets unless (i) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained at the time in a transaction with a Person who is not such an Affiliate and (ii) if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate consideration in excess of the greater of $50.0 million and 1.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, the terms of such Affiliate Transaction have been approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section 412(a), any Affiliate Transaction shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements set forth in this Section 412(a) if (x) such Affiliate Transaction is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors or (y) in the event there are no Disinterested Directors, a fairness opinion is provided by a nationally recognized appraisal or investment banking firm with respect to such Affiliate Transaction.

 

(b)           The provisions of Section 412(a) will not apply to:

 

(i)            any Restricted Payment Transaction;

 

(ii)           (1) the entering into, maintaining or performance of any employment or consulting contract, collective bargaining agreement, benefit plan, program or arrangement, related trust agreement or any other similar arrangement for or with any current or former management member, employee, officer or director or consultant of or to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary heretofore or hereafter entered into in the ordinary course of business, including vacation, health, insurance, deferred compensation, severance, retirement, savings or other similar plans, programs or arrangements, (2) payments, compensation, performance of indemnification or contribution obligations, the making or cancellation of loans in the ordinary course of business to any such management members, employees, officers, directors or consultants, (3) any issuance, grant or award of stock, options, other equity related interests or other securities, to any such management members, employees, officers, directors or consultants, (4) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Company or such Subsidiary), or (5) any transaction with an officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, or (6) Management Advances and payments in respect thereof (or in reimbursement of any expenses referred to in the definition of such term);

 

(iii)          any transaction between or among any of the Company, one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, or one or more Receivables Subsidiaries,

 

(iv)          (A) any agreement or arrangement as in effect as of the Issue Date (or transactions pursuant thereto), (B) any other agreements or arrangements (or transactions pursuant thereto) as in effect on the Escrow Release Date (including the Transaction Documents) or pursuant to or in connection with the Transaction Documents (including the Transactions) or (C) any amendment, modification or supplement to the agreements referenced in clauses (A) or (B) above or any replacement thereof, as long as the terms of such agreement or arrangement, as so amended, modified, supplemented or replaced are not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole when compared to the applicable agreements or arrangements as in effect on the Issue Date or as generally described in the Offering Memorandum, as applicable, as determined in good faith by the Company;

(v)           any transaction in the ordinary course of business on terms that are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company, or are not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time in a transaction with a Person who is not an Affiliate of the Company;

 

(vi)          any transaction in the ordinary course of business, or approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Affiliate of the Company controlled by the Company that is a joint venture or similar entity;

 

(vii)         the Transactions and all transactions in connection therewith (including but not limited to the financing thereof), to the extent consistent with the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum, and all fees and expenses paid or payable in connection with the Transactions;

 

(viii)        any issuance or sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or Junior Capital or any capital contribution to the Company;

 

(ix)           any investment by any Affiliate of the Company in securities or term loans of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any such Affiliate in connection therewith) so long as such securities or term loans are being offered generally to investors (other than Affiliates of the Company) on the same or more favorable terms; and

 

(x)            any transactions undertaken in connection with the VS Transaction, the Separation, the Escrow Release Date Payment or the Escrow Release Date Distribution.

 

Section 413.     Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) on any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock of any other Person), whether owned on the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired, securing any Indebtedness, other than such Initial Lien if (a) the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case such Initial Lien secures any Subordinated Obligations) the Obligations secured by such Initial Lien or (b) such Initial Lien is a Permitted Lien.

 

Any such Lien thereby created in favor of the Notes or any such Subsidiary Guarantee will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) the release and discharge of the Initial Lien to which it relates, (ii) in the case of any such Lien in favor of any such Subsidiary Guarantee, upon the termination and discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of Section 1303 or (iii) any sale, exchange or transfer (other than a transfer constituting a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company that is governed by Section 501) to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company of the property or assets secured by such Initial Lien, or of all of the Capital Stock held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in, or all or substantially all the assets of, any Restricted Subsidiary creating such Initial Lien.

 

Section 414.     Future Subsidiary Guarantors. After the Escrow Release Date, the Company will cause each Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor and that (x) guarantees payment by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under any of the Senior Credit Facilities, (y) becomes a borrower under the ABL Facility or (z) becomes a primary obligor or guarantor in respect of any Material Indebtedness to execute and deliver to the Trustee within 30 days thereafter a supplemental indenture or other instrument pursuant to which such Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the Notes, whereupon such Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary will become a Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes under this Indenture. The Company will also have the right to cause any other Subsidiary to guarantee payment of the Notes. Subsidiary Guarantees will be subject to release and discharge under certain circumstances prior to payment in full of the Notes pursuant to Section 1303.

Section 415.     Purchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control. (a) If a Change of Control occurs after the Escrow Release Date, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to Article X, Noteholders will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part in an integral multiple of $1,000 of such Noteholder’s Notes (provided that no Note will be purchased in part if the remaining principal amount of such Note would be less than $2,000) pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) on the terms set forth in this Indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to but excluding the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company will be required to send a notice to Noteholders describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase the Notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice. The notice shall, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. The Company must comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture, the Company will be required to comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 415 by virtue of such conflicts.

 

(b)           On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will be required, to the extent lawful, to (i) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased.

 

(c)           The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

 

(d)           The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 415. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 415, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 415 by virtue thereof.

(e)           A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement that if fully performed would result in a Change of Control is in effect at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

Section 416.     Suspension of Covenants on Achievement of Investment Grade Rating. (a) If on any day following the Escrow Release Date (a) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (b) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), then, beginning on that day (the “Suspension Date”) and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the covenants set forth in Section 407, Section 409, Section 410, Section 411, Section 412, Section 414, Section 501(a)(iii) and Section 501(a)(iv) (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”) will be suspended. During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries unless such designation would have complied with Section 409 as if Section 409 would have been in effect during such period.

 

(b)           If on any subsequent date one or both of the Rating Agencies downgrade the ratings assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, the foregoing covenants will be reinstated as of and from the time at which the Company obtains actual knowledge of such rating decline (any such time, a “Reversion Time”). The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Time is referred to as the “Suspension Period.” Upon such reinstatement, all Indebtedness Incurred during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been Incurred under the exception provided by Section 407(b)(iii). With respect to Restricted Payments made after any such reinstatement, the amount of Restricted Payments will be calculated as if Section 409 had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. For purposes of Section 411, upon the occurrence of the Reversion Time the amount of Net Available Cash not applied in accordance with such covenant will be deemed to be reset to zero. In addition, for purposes of Section 412, all agreements and arrangements entered into by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate of the Company during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Time will be deemed to have been entered into on or prior to the Issue Date, and for purposes of Section 410, all contracts entered into during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Time that contain any of the encumbrances or restrictions subject to such covenant will be deemed to have been existing on the Issue Date. The Subsidiary Guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be released during the Suspension Period. The Trustee shall not have any duty to monitor any Suspension Period or Reversion Time or to notify Holders of such.

 

(c)           During the Suspension Period, any reference in the definitions of “Permitted Liens” and “Unrestricted Subsidiary” to Section 407 or any provision thereof shall be construed as if such covenant were in effect during the Suspension Period.

 

Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred as a result of any actions taken by the Company or any Subsidiary (including for the avoidance of doubt any failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants) or other events that occurred during any Suspension Period (or upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time arising out of events that occurred or actions taken during the Suspension Period) and the Company and any Subsidiary will be permitted, without causing a Default or Event of Default or breach of any kind under this Indenture, to honor, comply with or otherwise perform any contractual commitments or obligations entered into during a Suspension Period following a Reversion Time and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(d)           The Company shall deliver promptly to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate notifying it of the occurrence of any Suspension Date or any Reversion Time, but failure to so notify the Trustee shall not invalidate the occurrence of any Suspension Date or Reversion Time and shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default by the Company. The Trustee shall have no independent obligation to determine if a Suspension Period or Reversion Time has commenced or terminated or to notify Holders regarding the same.

Section 417.     [Reserved].

 

Section 418.     Additional Limitations on Intellectual Property Transfers. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, transfer the ownership of any intellectual property that the Company determines in good faith is material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole (“Material Intellectual Property”) to an Unrestricted Subsidiary except to the extent such Material Intellectual Property is related to the anticipated business activities to be conducted by such Unrestricted Subsidiary (as determined by the Company in good faith).

 

Section 419.     Activities of the Company Prior to the Escrow Release. Prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Company’s activities shall be limited to (i) issuing the Notes, (ii) issuing equity interests to, and receiving capital contributions from, L Brands, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries and maintaining in effect the L Brands Commitment, (iii) Incurring Obligations solely for purposes of paying any Special Mandatory Redemption, (iv) performing its obligations in respect of the Notes under this Indenture and the Escrow Agreement, (v) consummating the Restructuring (including interim transactions required to effect the Restructuring in accordance with the Separation Agreement) or redeeming the Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, as applicable, (vi) directing the investment by the Escrow Agent of the amounts deposited in the Escrow Account as specified under the Escrow Agreement and (vii) conducting such other activities as are necessary or appropriate to carry out, or are incidental or related to, the activities described above, including borrowing under the Senior Credit Agreements in connection with the Separation as described in the Offering Memorandum. Prior to the Restructuring on the Escrow Release Date, the Company shall not Incur any Indebtedness (other than Obligations solely for purposes of paying any Special Mandatory Redemption) other than the Notes and Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreements or own, hold or otherwise have any interest in any assets other than the Escrowed Property and cash or the MMDA.

 

ARTICLE V

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 501.     When the Company May Merge, Etc. (a) After the Escrow Release Date, the Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, lease or otherwise transfer other than for cash all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

 

(i)            the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) will be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) will expressly assume all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture by executing and delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and a supplemental indenture or one or more other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

(ii)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default will have occurred and be continuing;

(iii)          immediately after giving effect to such transaction, either (A) the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor Company with respect thereto) could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 407(a) or (B) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor Company with respect thereto) would equal or exceed the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to giving effect to such transaction;

 

(iv)          each Subsidiary Guarantor (other than (x) any Subsidiary Guarantor that will be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee in connection with such transaction and (y) any party to any such consolidation or merger) shall have delivered a supplemental indenture or other document or instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, confirming its Subsidiary Guarantee (other than any Subsidiary Guarantee that will be discharged or terminated in connection with such transaction); and

 

(v)           the Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the effect that such consolidation, merger or transfer complies with the provisions described in this Section 501(a); provided that (x) in giving such opinion such counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate as to compliance with the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii) and as to any matters of fact, and (y) no Opinion of Counsel will be required for a consolidation, merger or transfer described in Section 501(b).

 

Any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor Company with respect thereto) or any Restricted Subsidiary (or that is deemed to be Incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) as a result of any such transaction undertaken in compliance with this Section 501, and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, shall be deemed to have been Incurred in compliance with Section 407.

 

(b)           Clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 501(a) will not apply to any transaction in which the Company consolidates or merges with or into or transfers all or substantially all its properties and assets to (x) an Affiliate incorporated or organized for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Company in another jurisdiction or changing its legal structure to a corporation, limited liability company or other entity or (y) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company so long as all assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction (other than Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary) are owned by such Restricted Subsidiary and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately after the consummation thereof. Section 501(a) will not apply to any transaction in which any Restricted Subsidiary consolidates with, merges into or transfers all or part of its assets to the Company.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 501 shall not prohibit, restrict or limit the Company’s ability to consummate the Separation.

 

Section 502.     Successor Company Substituted. Upon any transaction involving the Company in accordance with Section 501 in which the Company is not the Successor Company, the Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Note Documents, and thereafter the predecessor Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Note Documents, except that the predecessor Company the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES

 

Section 601.     Events of Default. An “Event of Default” means the occurrence of the following:

 

(i)            a default in any payment of interest on any Note when due, continued for a period of 30 days;

 

(ii)           a default in the payment of principal of any Note when due, whether at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, Special Mandatory Redemption, required repurchase, declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

 

(iii)          the failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Sections 501(a);

 

(iv)          the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after the notice specified in the penultimate paragraph of this Section 601 with any of its obligations under Section 415 (other than a failure to purchase the Notes);

 

(v)           the failure by the Company to comply for (x) 180 days after the notice specified in the penultimate paragraph of this Section 601 with any of its obligations under Section 405 or (y) 60 days after the notice specified in the penultimate paragraph of this Section 601 with its other agreements contained in a Note Document;

 

(vi)          the failure by any Subsidiary Guarantor to comply for 45 days after the notice specified in the penultimate paragraph of this Section 601 with its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(vii)         the failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, if the total amount of such Indebtedness so unpaid or accelerated exceeds $100.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent; provided that no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to occur with respect to any such Indebtedness that is paid or otherwise acquired or retired (or for which such failure to pay or acceleration is waived or rescinded) within 20 Business Days after such failure to pay or such acceleration;

 

(viii)        the taking of any of the following actions by the Company or a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)            the commencement of a voluntary case;

 

(B)            the consent to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(C)            the consent to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(D)            the making of a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(ix)          a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A)            is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(B)            appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(C)            orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

 

(x)           the rendering of any judgment or decree for the payment of money in an amount (net of any insurance or indemnity payments actually received in respect thereof prior to or within 90 days from the entry thereof, or to be received in respect thereof in the event any appeal thereof shall be unsuccessful) in excess of $100.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary that is not discharged, or bonded or insured by a third Person, if such judgment or decree remains outstanding for a period of 90 days following such judgment or decree and is not discharged, waived or stayed; or

 

(xi)          the failure of any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof or of this Indenture) or the denial or disaffirmation in writing by any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of its obligations under this Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or such Subsidiary Guarantee or the release of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with such Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture), if such Default continues for 10 days.

 

The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

However, a Default under Section 601(iv), Section 601(v) or Section 601(vi) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30.0% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes notify the Company in writing of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within 30 days after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.” When a Default or an Event of Default is cured, it ceases. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, a notice of Default may not be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to Holders, more than two years prior to such notice of Default.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of any Event of Default under Section 601(vii) or Section 601(x) and any event that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under Section 601(iv), Section 601(v) or Section 601(vi), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 602.     Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 601(viii) or Section 601(ix) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 30.0% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, in either case specifying in such notice the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a “notice of acceleration,” may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon the effectiveness of such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately.

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 601(viii) or Section 601(ix) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Outstanding Notes will ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except non-payment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of such acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

Section 603.     Other Remedies; Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, but is not obligated under this Section 603 to, pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture. If an Event of Default specified in Section 601(i) or 601(ii) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 707.

 

Section 604.     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 707.

 

No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 605.     Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 606.     Application of Money Collected. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Notes and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

First: to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 707;

 

Second: to the payment in full of the Obligations in respect of the Notes (including the Subsidiary Guarantees) (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the holders of such Obligations pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the obligations owed to them on the date of such distribution); and

 

Third: to the Company or such other Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, their successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

 

Section 607.     Limitation on Suits. No Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

(i)            such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

(ii)           Holders of at least 30.0% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy;

 

(iii)          such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(iv)          the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

(v)           Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of another Holder, to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder or to enforce any right under this Indenture except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders.

Section 608.     Net Short Provisions.

 

Any notice of Default, notice of acceleration or instruction to the Trustee to provide a notice of Default, notice of acceleration or take any other action (a “Noteholder Direction”) provided by any one or more Holders (each a “Directing Holder”) must be accompanied by a written representation from each such Holder to the Company and the Trustee that such Holder is not (or, in the case such Holder is DTC or its nominee, that such Holder is being instructed solely by beneficial owners that have represented to such Holder that they are not) Net Short (a “Position Representation”), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to a notice of Default shall be deemed repeated at all times until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the notes are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder must, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, covenant to provide the Company with such other information as the Company may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Holder’s Position Representation within five Business Days of request therefor (a “Verification Covenant”). In any case in which the Holder is DTC or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the beneficial owner of the Notes in lieu of DTC or its nominee. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to the acceleration of the Notes, the Company determines in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder providing such Noteholder Direction was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and provides to the Trustee evidence that the Company has filed papers with a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Event of Default shall be automatically stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Company provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant, the cure period with respect to any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically stayed pending satisfaction of such Verification Covenant. Any breach of the Position Representation shall result in such Holder’s participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and, if, without the participation of such Holder, the percentage of Notes held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio, with the effect that such Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely without liability on any Noteholder Direction delivered to it in accordance with this Indenture, shall have no duty to inquire as to or investigate the accuracy of any Position Representation, enforce compliance with any Verification Covenant, verify any statements in any Officer’s Certificate delivered to it, or otherwise make calculations, investigations or determinations with respect to Derivative Instruments, Net Shorts, Long Derivative Instruments, Short Derivative Instruments or otherwise and shall have no liability for ceasing to take any action or staying any remedy. The Trustee shall have no liability to the Company, any Holder or any other Person in acting in good faith on a Noteholder Direction or taking no action in good faith with respect thereto.

 

Section 609.     Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture or any Note and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, any other obligor upon the Notes, the Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 610.    Rights and Remedies Cumulative. No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 611.     Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Section 612.     Control by Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided that

 

(1)           such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and

 

(2)           the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 701, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would subject the Trustee to personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

Section 613.     Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past Default hereunder and its consequences, except a Default

 

(1)           in the payment of principal of or interest on any Note (which may only be waived with the consent of each Holder of Notes), or

 

(2)           in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 902 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note.

 

Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. In case of any such waiver, the Company, any other obligor upon the Notes, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder and under the Notes, respectively.

 

Section 614.     Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or the Notes, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant. This Section 614 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10.0% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Note on or after the respective Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Dates expressed in such Note.

Section 615.     Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company agrees (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury or other similar law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the Notes contemplated herein or in the Notes or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

ARTICLE VII

THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 701.     Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

 

(1)           the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Note Documents, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)           in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, but need not verify the contents thereof.

 

(b)           In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(c)           No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that (i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 701(a); (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 612.

 

(d)           No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(e)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 701 and Section 703.

 

Section 702.     Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail within 90 days after it occurs, to all Holders as their names and addresses appear in the Note Register, notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders. The Trustee will not be deemed to have knowledge of any Defaults or Events of Default unless written notice of a Default or Event of Default has been delivered to and actually received by a Trust Officer of the Trustee at its office specified in this Indenture and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture and states that it is a “Notice of Default.”

 

Section 703.     Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 701:

 

(1)           the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

(2)           any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order thereof, and any resolution of any Person’s board of directors shall be sufficiently evidenced if certified by an Officer of such Person as having been duly adopted and being in full force and effect on the date of such certificate;

 

(3)           whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may request and, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate of the Company;

 

(4)           the Trustee shall be entitled to request and receive written instructions from the Company and shall have no responsibility or liability for any losses or damages of any nature that may arise from any action taken or not taken by the Trustee in accordance with the written direction of the Company;

 

(5)           the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(6)           the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(7)           the Trustee shall not be responsible for nor have any duty to monitor the performance or any action of the Company or any other party to this Indenture, or any of their directors, members, officers, agents, affiliates or employee, nor shall it have any liability in connection with the malfeasance or nonfeasance by such party;

(8)           the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document;

 

(9)           the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

(10)         to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Trustee shall not be liable to any Person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage; and

 

(11)         the permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

 

Section 704.     Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Notes and perform its obligations hereunder. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Notes or the proceeds thereof.

 

Section 705.     May Hold Notes. The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Note Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and, subject to Section 708 and Section 713, may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Note Registrar or such other agent.

 

Section 706.     Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

 

Section 707.     Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees,

 

(1)           to pay to the Trustee from time to time the reasonable compensation agreed to by the Company in writing for all services rendered by the Trustee hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

(2)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct; and

(3)           to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the Trustee’s part, arising out of or in connection with the administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, the costs of enforcement of this Indenture or any provision thereof and the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

 

The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The provisions of this Section 707 shall survive the termination of this Indenture or the resignation and removal of the Trustee.

 

The Trustee shall have a claim prior to the Notes for payment of all amounts due the Trustee under this Section 707 on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, other than money or property held in trust to pay the principal of and interest on any Notes.

 

Section 708.     Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the TIA, the Trustee shall eliminate such interest, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee with such conflict or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the TIA and this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Initial Notes and Additional Notes, or a trustee under any other indenture between the Company and the Trustee.

 

Section 709.     Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder. The Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the TIA to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 709 and to the extent permitted by the TIA, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 709, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

Section 710.     Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 711.

 

The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 711 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

 

If at any time:

 

(1)           the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 708 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months, or

 

(2)           the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 709 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

(3)           the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

then, in any such case, (A) the Company may remove the Trustee, or (B) subject to Section 614, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 711. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 711, become the successor Trustee and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 711, then, subject to Section 614, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders in the manner provided in Section 110. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 710, the Company’s obligations under Section 707 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 711.     Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to above.

 

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article VII.

 

Section 712.     Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder; provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VII, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Notes shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes.

Section 713.     Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor) or realizing on certain property received by it in respect of such claims.

 

Section 714.     Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate such Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an Authenticating Agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication (or execution of a certificate of authentication) by the Trustee includes authentication (or execution of a certificate of authentication) by such Authenticating Agent. An Authenticating Agent has the same rights as any Note Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

ARTICLE VIII

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY
TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY

 

Section 801.     The Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

 

(1)           semi-annually, not more than 10 days after each Regular Record Date, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date, and

 

(2)           at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

provided, however, that if and to the extent and so long as the Trustee shall be the Note Registrar, no such list need be furnished pursuant to this Section 801.

 

Section 802.     Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list, if any, furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 801 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar; provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Note Registrar, the Note Register shall satisfy the requirements relating to such list. None of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee or any other Person shall be under any responsibility with regard to the accuracy of such list. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 801 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the TIA.

 

Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company, nor the Trustee, nor any agent of any of them, shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the TIA.

 

Section 803.     Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each June 1, beginning with June 1, 2022, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the TIA at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto for so long as any Notes remain outstanding. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee or any applicable listing agent with each stock exchange upon which any Notes are listed, with the SEC and with the Company. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing when any Notes are listed on any stock exchange, but any failure to so notify the Trustee shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default by Company.

 

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT OR WAIVER

 

Section 901.     Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Trustee and, as applicable, any Subsidiary Guarantor may amend or supplement the Note Documents for any of the following purposes:

 

(1)           to cure any ambiguity, mistake, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)           to provide for the assumption by a successor of the obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor under any Note Document (and to make appropriate conforming changes to the Note Documents in connection therewith);

 

(3)           to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(4)           to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes;

 

(5)           to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant any Lien in favor of the Trustee and the Holders, as security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the Obligations in respect of the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture;

 

(6)           to evidence a successor Trustee;

 

(7)           to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is provided for under this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(8)           to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(9)            to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in compliance with this Indenture;

 

(10)          to conform the text of the Note Documents to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum;

 

(11)          to make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or

 

(12)          to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with any qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or otherwise.

 

Section 902.     With Consent of Holders. Subject to Section 608 and except as otherwise expressly provided below in this Section 902, the Company, the Trustee and (as applicable) any Subsidiary Guarantor may amend or supplement the Note Documents with the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) and the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) may waive any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 902 to the contrary, without the consent of Holders of at least 90% of the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes), an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 613, may not:

 

(i)            reduce the principal amount of the Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(ii)           reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(iii)          reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note;

 

(iv)          reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the date on which any Note may be redeemed as described in Section 1009;

 

(v)           make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

 

(vi)          amend or waive the legal right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Holder’s Note on or after the Stated Maturity for the principal or Interest Payment Date for the interest expressed in such Note, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date;

 

(vii)         make any change or modification to the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the rights of a Holder in any material respect;

 

(viii)        change the provisions applicable to the redemption of any Note pursuant to Section 1010 that would adversely affect the rights of a Holder in any material respect;

(ix)           make any change in the Escrow Agreement that would adversely affect the Holders in any material respect; or

 

(x)            make any change in the amendment or waiver provisions described in this paragraph.

 

Any amendment, supplement or waiver referred to in any of the preceding clauses (i) through (x) that are consented to by Holders of at least 90% of the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes will be binding on any non-consenting Holder of the Notes.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

Section 903.     Execution of Amendments, Supplements or Waivers. After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 902 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any supplemental indenture or the effectiveness of any such amendment, supplement or waiver. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted or complies with this Indenture, that all conditions precedent to such amendment, supplement or waiver required by this Indenture have been complied with and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 904.     Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or any Note that evidences all or any part of the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. Subject to the following paragraph of this Section 904, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to such Holder’s Note by written notice to the Trustee or the Company, received by the Trustee or the Company, as the case may be, before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate from the Company certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented (and not theretofore revoked such consent) to the amendment, supplement or waiver. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver as set forth in Section 108.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder of Notes.

 

Section 905.     [Reserved].

 

Section 906.     Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee shall (if required by the Company and in accordance with the specific direction of the Company) request the Holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee shall (if required by the Company and in accordance with the specific direction of the Company) place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

ARTICLE X

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

 

Section 1001.     Applicability of Article. The Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, before their Stated Maturity in accordance with this Article X.

 

Section 1002.     [Reserved].

 

Section 1003.     Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. In case of any redemption of less than all of the Notes, the Company shall, at least two Business Days (but not more than 60 days (except that such notice may be delivered more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date if the Redemption Date is delayed as provided in Section 1009)), prior to the date on which notice is required to be delivered to Holders pursuant to Section 1005, notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, but failure to so notify the Trustee shall not invalidate any notice given in accordance with Section 1005 and shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default by the Company.

 

Section 1004.     Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed. In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate, and in the case of global notes, in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in integral multiples of $1,000, although no Note of $2,000 in original principal amount or less will be redeemed in part.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Notes shall relate, in the case of the Notes redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of the Notes that has been or is to be redeemed.

 

Section 1005.     Notice of Redemption. Subject to the third paragraph of Section 110, notice of redemption or purchase as provided in Section 1001 shall be given electronically or, at the Company’s option, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date (except that such notice may be delivered more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date if such notice is issued in connection with the defeasance of Notes pursuant to Section 1201 or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to Section 1101, or if the Redemption Date is delayed as provided in Section 1009), to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Note Register.

 

Any such notice shall state:

 

(1)           the expected Redemption Date,

(2)           the redemption price (or the formula by which the redemption price will be determined),

 

(3)           if less than all Outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the portion of the respective principal amounts) of the Notes to be redeemed,

 

(4)           that, on the Redemption Date, the redemption price will become due and payable upon each such Note, and that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest thereon shall cease to accrue from and after said date, and

 

(5)           the place where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.

 

In addition, if such redemption, purchase or notice is subject to satisfaction (or, waiver by the Company in its sole discretion) of one or more conditions precedent, as permitted by Section 1009, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been (or, in the Company’s sole determination, may not be) satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date as so delayed.

 

The Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and the performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

 

Notice of any redemption or purchase of Notes hereunder (or the selection of Notes in connection with a partial redemption) to be so redeemed or purchased at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request (made to the Trustee at least 15 days (or such shorter period as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) prior to the Redemption Date), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. Any such request will set forth the information to be stated in such notice, as provided by this Section 1005.

 

The notice if delivered in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

 

Section 1006.     Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, the Company shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 403) an amount of money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Notes or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 1007.     Notes Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as provided in this Article X, the Notes so to be redeemed shall (subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company of any applicable conditions precedent), on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the redemption price herein specified and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price or the Paying Agent is prohibited from paying the redemption price pursuant to the terms of this Indenture) such Notes shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of such Notes for redemption in accordance with such notice, such Notes shall be paid by the Company at the redemption price. Installments of interest whose Interest Payment Date is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Notes registered as such on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and any accrued and unpaid interest on Notes called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with Section 1006, the Notes (or the portions thereof) called for redemption will cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Notes (or portions thereof) will be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the last sentence of the preceding paragraph, any accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes (or portions thereof) to the Redemption Date. If any Note (or portion thereof) called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Note (or portion thereof).

 

Section 1008.     Notes Redeemed in Part. Any Note that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment (with due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and (upon receipt of an Authentication Order) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Note so surrendered (or if the Note is a global note, an adjustment shall be made to the schedule attached thereto).

 

Section 1009.     Optional Redemption.

 

The Notes will be redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time on and after July 15, 2024, at the applicable redemption price set forth below. The Notes will be so redeemable at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the relevant Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years set forth below:

 

Redemption Period Price
2024	102.313%
2025	101.156%
2026 and thereafter	100.000%

 

In addition, at any time and from time to time after the Escrow Release Date and prior to July 15, 2024, the Company at its option may redeem Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to up to 40.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes), with funds in an aggregate amount not exceeding the aggregate proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings consummated after the Escrow Release Date, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 104.625%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date); provided, however, that if Notes are redeemed pursuant to this paragraph, an aggregate principal amount of Notes equal to at least 50.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes) must remain outstanding immediately after each such redemption of Notes (unless all the Notes not redeemed under this paragraph are concurrently being redeemed under any other applicable provision of this Indenture). Any amount payable in any such redemption may be funded from any source. Any notice of any such redemption may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering, but in no event may be given more than 180 days after the completion of the related Equity Offering.

At any time and from time to time after the Escrow Release Date and prior to July 15, 2024, Notes may also be redeemed in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at a price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any tender offer for any Notes, if Holders of not less than 90% in the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Company, or any other Person making such tender offer, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon notice given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to such tender offer, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price in cash equal to the highest price offered to each Holder in such tender offer, plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date).

 

Except as set forth in Section 1010, any redemption of Notes may be made upon notice sent electronically or, at the Company’s option, mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address in accordance with Section 1005, and, if applicable, the Company should notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed in accordance with Section 1003. The Company may provide in any redemption notice that payment of the redemption price and the performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

 

Except with respect to a Special Mandatory Redemption, any redemption of Notes (including in connection with an Equity Offering) or notice thereof may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction (or, waiver by the Company in its sole discretion) of one or more conditions precedent, which may include consummation of any related Equity Offering or the occurrence of a Change of Control. If such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice may state that, in the Company’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been (or, in the Company’s sole determination, may not be) satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date so delayed.

 

Section 1010.     Special Mandatory Redemption. If (i) the Escrow Agent has not received the Officer’s Certificate described in the definition of “Escrow Release Date” on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date or (ii) the Company notifies the Escrow Agent in writing on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date that the Company will not pursue the Separation, then the Escrow Agent shall, without the requirement of notice to or action by the Company, the Trustee or any other Person, release the Escrowed Property (including investment earnings thereon and proceeds thereof) to the Trustee (x) in the case of the foregoing clause (i), within three Business Days of the Escrow End Date and (y) in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), within three Business Days of the date such notice is delivered to the Escrow Agent, and in either case, the Trustee shall apply (or cause a paying agent to apply) such proceeds, together with cash received pursuant to the L Brands Commitment, to redeem the Notes (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”) on the third Business Day following the date of the release of the Escrowed Property to the Trustee (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”) or as otherwise required by the applicable procedures of DTC, at a redemption price (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”) equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. In the event that there are insufficient funds in the Escrow Account to pay the aggregate Special Mandatory Redemption Price for all Notes, the Company shall separately transfer to the Trustee an amount in cash equal to such shortfall, including cash received pursuant to the L Brands Commitment. On the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the Trustee shall pay to the Company any Escrowed Property in excess of the amount necessary to effect the Special Mandatory Redemption.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 1101.     Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. The Outstanding Notes and this Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the Outstanding Notes and this Indenture, when

 

(i)            either

 

(a)           all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 403) have been cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b)           all such Notes not theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

 

(1)       have become due and payable,

 

(2)       will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(3)       have been called for redemption, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company;

 

(ii)           the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee money, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, sufficient (without reinvestment) to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not previously cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes that have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be (provided that if such redemption shall be pursuant to the third paragraph of Section 1009, (x) the amount of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, that the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited shall be determined using an assumed Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit, as calculated by the Company in good faith, and (y) the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited additional money in trust on the Redemption Date, as required by Section 1006, as necessary to pay the Applicable Premium as determined on such date);

(iii)          the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

(iv)          the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each to the effect that all conditions precedent provided for in this Section 1101 relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with; provided that any such counsel may rely on any Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact (including as to compliance with the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)).

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Outstanding Notes, (a) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 707 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 1101(ii), the obligations of the Trustee under Section 1103 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge, and (b) if such satisfaction and discharge is effected through redemption in accordance with Section 1101(i)(b)(3), the provisions of Section 1007 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge, and the other provisions of Article X shall survive such satisfaction and discharge until the Redemption Date shall have occurred.

 

Section 1102.     [Reserved]

 

Section 1103.     Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 403, all money and/or U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 1101 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

ARTICLE XII

DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 1201.     The Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Company may, at its option, at any time, elect to have terminated the obligations of the Company with respect to Outstanding Notes and the other Note Documents and to have terminated all of the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantees, in each case, as set forth in this Article XII, and elect to have either Section 1202 or 1203 be applied to all of the Outstanding Notes (the “Defeased Notes”), upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in Section 1204. Either Section 1202 or Section 1203 may be applied to the Defeased Notes to any Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity of the Notes.

 

Section 1202.     Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 1201 of the option applicable to this Section 1202, the Company shall be deemed to have been released and discharged from its obligations with respect to the Defeased Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have been released and discharged from their obligations with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantees on the date the relevant conditions set forth in Section 1204 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Defeased Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1205 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and the Company, and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have satisfied all other obligations under such Notes, Subsidiary Guarantees and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following, which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of Defeased Notes to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1204 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Defeased Notes under Sections 304, 305, 306, 402, and 403, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including the Trustee’s rights (and the Company’s obligations) under Section 707, and (d) this Article XII. If the Company exercises its option under this Section 1202, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. Subject to compliance with this Article XII, the Company may, at its option and at any time, exercise its option under this Section 1202 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1203 with respect to the Notes.

Section 1203.     Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 1201 of the option applicable to this Section 1203, (a) the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenant or provision contained in Section 405, Sections 407 through 415, the provisions of clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) of Section 501(a) and the provisions of clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 501(b) shall not apply, and (b) the occurrence of any event specified in clause (iv), (v) (with respect to Section 405, Sections 407 through 415, inclusive), (vi), (vii), (viii) (with respect to Subsidiaries), (ix) (with respect to Subsidiaries), (x) or (xi) of Section 601 shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to the Defeased Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not to be “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants or provisions, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant or provision, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or provision or by reason of any reference in any such covenant or provision to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 601, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Outstanding Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

 

Section 1204.     Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 1202 or Section 1203 to the Outstanding Notes:

 

(1)           The Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, in trust, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient (without reinvestment), to pay and discharge the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Defeased Notes issued by the Company to the Stated Maturity or relevant Redemption Date in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Notes (provided that if such redemption shall be pursuant to the third paragraph of Section 1009, (x) the amount of money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof that the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited shall be determined using an assumed Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit, as calculated by the Company in good faith and (y) the Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited additional money in trust on the Redemption Date, as required by Section 1006, as necessary to pay the Applicable Premium as determined on such date);

(2)           No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

(3)           Such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default or Event of Default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(4)           In the case of an election under Section 1202, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (y) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm to the effect that, the Holders of the Outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Defeasance had not occurred; provided that such Opinion of Counsel need not be delivered if all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 403) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company;

 

(5)           In the case of an election under Section 1203, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(6)           The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent provided for in this Section 1204 relating to either the Defeasance under Section 1202 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 1203, as the case may be, have been complied with. In rendering such Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate as to compliance with the foregoing clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this Section 1204 or as to any matters of fact.

 

Section 1205.     Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 403, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or such other Person that would qualify to act as successor trustee under Article VII, collectively and solely for purposes of this Section 1205, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1204 in respect of the Defeased Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee and its agents and hold them harmless against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited by the Company pursuant to Section 1204, or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect thereof, other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the Defeased Notes.

Anything in this Article XII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company from time to time, upon Company Request, any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1204 that, in the opinion of a nationally recognized accounting or investment banking firm expressed in a written certification thereof to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Subject to Article VII, the Trustee shall not incur any liability to any Person by relying on such opinion.

 

Section 1206.     Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 1202 or 1203, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 1202 or 1203, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money and U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 1202 or 1203, as the case may be; provided, however, that if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor makes any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money and U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

Section 1207.     Repayments to the Company. The Trustee shall pay to the Company upon Company Request any money held by it for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years after the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person and all liability of the Trustee or Paying Agent with respect to such money shall thereupon cease.

 

ARTICLE XIII

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

 

Section 1301.     Guarantees Generally.

 

(a)           Guarantee of Each Subsidiary Guarantor. On the Escrow Release Date, Company shall cause each of its Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries that Guarantees, or is a co-borrower in respect of, the Senior Term Facility or the ABL Facility to, jointly and severally, unconditionally Guarantee on a senior basis the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes by executing and delivering to the Trustee a Guarantor Supplemental Indenture, or a supplemental indenture otherwise in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee evidencing its Subsidiary Guarantee on substantially the terms set forth in this Article XIII. Each Subsidiary Guarantor, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, jointly and severally, irrevocably and fully and unconditionally Guarantees, on a senior basis, the punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes, whether for principal of or interest on the Notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantors being herein called the “Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations”).

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including, but not limited to, any Guarantee by it of any other Indebtedness) and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law, or being void or unenforceable under any law relating to insolvency of debtors.

 

(b)           Further Agreements of Each Subsidiary Guarantor. (i) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that (to the fullest extent permitted by law) its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor to the Holders, the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, any release of any other Subsidiary Guarantor, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same, whether or not a notation concerning its Subsidiary Guarantee is made on any particular Note, or any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(ii)           Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives (to the fullest extent permitted by law) the benefit of diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that (except as otherwise provided in Section 1303) its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, this Indenture and this Subsidiary Guarantee. Such Subsidiary Guarantee is a guarantee of payment and not of collection. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees (to the fullest extent permitted by law) that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, on the other hand, subject to this Article XIII, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed by its Subsidiary Guarantee may be accelerated as and to the extent provided in Article VI for the purposes of such Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantee, and (2) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VI, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Section 1301 for the purpose of such Subsidiary Guarantee. Neither the Trustee nor any other Person shall have any obligation to enforce or exhaust any rights or remedies or to take any other steps under any security for the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations or against the Company or any other Person or any property of the Company or any other Person before the Trustee is entitled to demand payment and performance by any or all Subsidiary Guarantors of their obligations under their respective Subsidiary Guarantees or under this Indenture.

 

(iii)          Until terminated in accordance with Section 1303, each Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Company for liquidation or reorganization, should the Company become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Company’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on such Notes, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(c)           Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall have the right to seek contribution from the Company or any non-paying Subsidiary Guarantor that has also Guaranteed the relevant Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations in respect of which such payment or distribution is made, so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

(d)           Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that its Subsidiary Guarantee, and the waiver set forth in Section 1305, are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

(e)           Each Subsidiary Guarantor, pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee, also hereby agrees to pay any and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the Holders in enforcing any rights under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Section 1302.     Continuing Guarantees. (a) Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be a continuing Guarantee and shall (i) subject to Section 1303, remain in full force and effect until payment in full of the principal amount of all Outstanding Notes (whether by payment at maturity, purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition) and all other Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing, (ii) be binding upon such Subsidiary Guarantor, and (iii) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Trustee, the Holders and their permitted successors, transferees and assigns.

 

(b)           The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment which would otherwise have reduced or terminated the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder and under its Subsidiary Guarantee (whether such payment shall have been made by or on behalf of the Company, or by or on behalf of a Subsidiary Guarantor) is rescinded or reclaimed from any of the Holders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, or any Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

Section 1303.     Release of Subsidiary Guarantees. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1302, from and after the Escrow Release Date, Subsidiary Guarantees will be subject to termination and discharge under the circumstances described in this Section 1303. Any Subsidiary Guarantor will automatically and unconditionally be released from all obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, and such Subsidiary Guarantee shall thereupon terminate and be discharged and of no further force or effect, (i) concurrently with any direct or indirect sale or disposition (by merger or otherwise) of any Subsidiary Guarantor or any interest therein, or any other transaction, (x) in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (including Section 411 and Section 501) or (y) pursuant to an enforcement action in accordance with the terms of any intercreditor agreement, in each case, following which such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) on the substantially concurrent release, discharge or termination of (x) the Guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Senior Credit Facilities and (y) if applicable, all of its obligations as a borrower under the ABL Facility and as a primary obligor or guarantor in respect of any other then outstanding Material Indebtedness, in each case other than a release, discharge or termination resulting from payment under the relevant Indebtedness (it being understood that a release subject to contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such Guarantee or obligation is reinstated, such Subsidiary Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Subsidiary Guarantor would then be required to provide a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to Section 414), (iii) upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor that is the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor following the transfer of all of its assets to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, (iv) concurrently with any Subsidiary Guarantor becoming an Unrestricted Subsidiary or ceasing to constitute a Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Company, (v)  upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event; provided that after the Reversion Time, such Subsidiary Guarantee shall be reinstated to the extent required and within the time period provided under the covenant described under Section 414, (vi) upon Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of the Company’s obligations under, or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 1101, or (vii) subject to Section 1302(b), upon payment in full of the aggregate principal amount of all Notes then Outstanding and all other Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing. In addition, the Company will have the right, upon 10 days’ notice to the Trustee (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Trustee), to cause any Subsidiary Guarantor that is not a primary obligor or guarantor under any of the Senior Credit Facilities or any other then outstanding Material Indebtedness to be unconditionally released from all obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, and such Subsidiary Guarantee shall thereupon terminate and be discharged and of no further force or effect.

Upon any such occurrence specified in this Section 1303, the Trustee shall execute any documents (subject to the review and approval of counsel to the Trustee) reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence such release, discharge and termination in respect of such Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Section 1304.     [Reserved].

 

Section 1305.     Waiver of Subrogation. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights that it may now or hereafter acquire against the Company that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture, including any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Company, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, until this Indenture is discharged and all of the Notes are discharged and paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Subsidiary Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be deemed to have been paid to such Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders of the Notes, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

Section 1306.     Notation Not Required. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be required to make a notation on the Notes to reflect any such Subsidiary Guarantee or any release, termination or discharge thereof.

 

Section 1307.     Successors and Assigns of Subsidiary Guarantors. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by each Subsidiary Guarantor shall bind its respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 1308.     Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantees. The Company shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary that is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 414, and each Subsidiary of the Company that the Company causes to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 414 or Section 1301(a), to promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guarantor Supplemental Indenture, or a supplemental indenture otherwise in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee evidencing its Subsidiary Guarantee on substantially the terms set forth in this Article XIII. Concurrently therewith, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such Guarantor Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized or permitted or complies with this Indenture, that all conditions precedent to such Guarantor Supplemental Indenture required by this Indenture have been complied with and that such Guarantor Supplemental Indenture is a valid and binding agreement of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

Section 1309.      Notices. Notice to any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be sufficient if addressed to such Subsidiary Guarantor care of the Company at the address, place and manner provided in Section 109.

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

 

	VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO.
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

   

[Signature Page to Indenture] 

	U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Initial Note¹
(FACE OF NOTE)

 

Victoria’s Secret & Co.

 

4.625% Senior Notes due 2029

 

CUSIP No. [              ] 

ISIN No. [             ]
No. __________            $ _______

Victoria’s Secret & Co., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware, (and its successors and assigns, the “Company”) hereby promises to pay to ________________, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of $________________ ([                         ] United States Dollars) [(or such lesser or greater amount as shall be outstanding hereunder from time to time in accordance with Sections 312 and 313 of the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof)]² (the “Principal Amount”) on July 15, 2029. The Company hereby promises to pay interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 in each year, commencing [         ], 20[  ]³, at the rate of 4.625% per annum (subject to adjustment as provided below), until the Principal Amount is paid or made available for payment. [Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its Predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date.]⁴ [Interest on this Note will accrue (or will be deemed to have accrued) from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its Predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no such interest has been paid, from __________, ____⁵.]⁶ Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the January 1 or July 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Notes not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

 

¹ Insert any applicable legends as provided in Article II of the Indenture.

 

² Include only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

³ January 15, 2022 for the Initial Notes.

 

⁴ Include only for Initial Notes.

 

⁵ Insert applicable date.

 

⁶ Include only for Additional Notes.

 

 

 

 

Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or such other office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made through the Paying Agent by wire transfer or immediately available funds to the account designated to the Company by the Person entitled thereto or by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Note Register.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

	VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO.
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

 

 

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Trustee
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

Dated: ____________________

 

 

 

 

(REVERSE OF NOTE)

 

This Note is one of the duly authorized issue of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 of the Company (herein called the “Notes”), issued under an Indenture, dated as of July [●], 2021 (the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), among Victoria’s Secret & Co., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, any other obligor upon this Note, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the maximum extent permitted by law, in the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control. Additional Notes may be issued from time to time under the Indenture and will vote as a class with the Notes and otherwise be treated as Notes for purposes of the Indenture.

 

All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

From and after the Escrow Release Date, this Note may be entitled to certain Subsidiary Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders. Reference is made to Article XIII of the Indenture for terms relating to such Subsidiary Guarantees, including the release, termination and discharge thereof. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be required to make any notation on this Note to reflect any Subsidiary Guarantee or any such release, termination or discharge.

 

The Notes are redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, as provided in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture provides that, upon the occurrence after the Escrow Release Date of a Change of Control and subject to further limitations contained therein, each Holder will have the right to require that the Company repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 415 of the Indenture.

 

The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund.

 

[If (i) the Escrow Agent has not received the Officer’s Certificate described in the definition of “Escrow Release Date” on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date or (ii) the Company notifies the Escrow Agent in writing on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date that the Company will not pursue the Separation, then the Notes will be subject to a Special Mandatory Redemption in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 1010 of the Indenture.]⁷

 

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire Indebtedness of this Note or certain restrictive covenants and certain Events of Default with respect to this Note, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

⁷ Include if applicable.

 

 

 

 

If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be continuing, the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Notes to be effected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Notes, to waive compliance by the Company and its Subsidiaries with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

 

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Note shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Notes, the Holders of not less than 30.0% in principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to pursue such remedy in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Note for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

 

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations and other provisions therein set forth, (a) the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Note Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees, (b) the Notes are issuable only in fully registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, and (c) the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

No service charge shall be made for any such registration, transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration or transfer, the Company, any other obligor in respect of this Note, the Trustee and any agent of any of them may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and none of the Company, any other obligor in respect of this Note, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

 

 

 

No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Subsidiary of any thereof, in their respective capacities as such, shall have any liability for any obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Note Documents, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, any such obligation or its creation. Each Noteholder, by accepting the Notes, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THIS NOTE AND (BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE) THE HOLDER HEREOF AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE, OR THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES.

 

 

 

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee)

 

 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing

 

attorney to transfer such Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Check One

 

[   ] (a)

this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided by Rule 144A thereunder.

 

or

 

[   ] (b)

this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

 

If neither of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Note Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section 313 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.

 

Date:

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Note Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Note Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:
			NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

  

 

 

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 411 or Section 415 of the Indenture, check the box: [    ].

 

If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 411 or Section 415 of the Indenture, state the amount (in principal amount) below:

 

$ ___________________

 

Date: ___________________

 

Your Signature: ___________________

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee: ___________________

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Note Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Note Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange		Amount of decreases in Principal Amount of this Global Note		Amount of increases in Principal Amount of this Global Note		Principal amount of this Global Note following such decreases or increases		Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[Reserved]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Certificate of Beneficial Ownership

 

On or after [__________], 20[  ]

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
10 W Broad St

CN-OH-BD12

Columbus, OH 43215

Attention: Scott R. Miller, Vice President

 

Re:

VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO. (the “Company”)

 

4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter relates to $________ principal amount of Notes represented by the offshore global note certificate (the “Regulation S Global Note”). Pursuant to Section 313(3) of the Indenture dated as of July [●], 2021 relating to the Notes (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), we hereby certify that (1) we are the beneficial owner of such principal amount of Notes represented by the Regulation S Global Note and (2) we are either (i) a Non-U.S. person to whom the Notes could be transferred in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S (“Regulation S”) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) or (ii) a U.S. person who purchased securities in a transaction that did not require registration under the Act.

 

You, the Company, and counsel for the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

	Very truly yours,
	[Name of Holder]
	By:
		Authorized Signature

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

Form of Regulation S Certificate

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
10 W Broad St

CN-OH-BD12

Columbus, OH 43215

Attention: Scott R. Miller, Vice President

 

Re:

VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO. (the “Company”)

 

4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with our proposed sale of $________ aggregate principal amount of Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and accordingly, we hereby certify as follows:

 

1. The offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States (unless such person or the account held by it for which it is acting is excluded from the definition of “U.S. person” pursuant to Rule 902(k) of Regulation S under the circumstances described in Rule 902(h)(3) of Regulation S) or specifically targeted at an identifiable group of U.S. citizens abroad.

 

2. Either (a) at the time the buy order was originated, the buyer was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the buyer was outside the United States or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market, and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States.

 

3. No directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a)(2) or Rule 904(a)(2) of Regulation S, as applicable.

 

4. The proposed transfer of Notes is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

5. If we are a dealer or a person receiving a selling concession or other fee or remuneration in respect of the Notes, and the proposed transfer takes place before end of the distribution compliance period under Regulation S, or we are an officer or director of the Company or a distributor, we certify that the proposed transfer is being made in accordance with the provisions of Rules 903 and 904 of Regulation S.

 

6. If the proposed transfer takes place before the end of the distribution compliance period under Regulation S, the beneficial interest in the Notes so transferred will be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear (as defined in such Indenture) or Clearstream (as defined in such Indenture).

 

7. We have advised the transferee of the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes.

 

 

 

 

You, the Company, and counsel for the Company are entitled to rely upon this Certificate and are irrevocably authorized to produce this Certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

	Very truly yours,
	[NAME OF SELLER]
	By:
		Name:
		Title:
		Address:

  

Date of this Certificate: _________________, 20__

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

Form of Supplemental Indenture in Respect of Subsidiary Guarantee

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of [_________] (this “Supplemental Indenture”), among [name of Guarantor(s)] (the “New Subsidiary Guarantor(s)”), Victoria’s Secret & Co. (the “Company”), and each other then-existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture referred to below (the “Existing Guarantors”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company[, any Existing Guarantors] and the Trustee have heretofore become parties to an Indenture, dated as of July [●], 2021 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Notes;

 

[WHEREAS, Section 1301 of the Indenture provides that, on the Escrow Release Date, the Company is required to cause each of its Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries that Guarantees, or is a co-borrower in respect of, the Senior Term Facility or the ABL Facility to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which each such Wholly Owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiary shall guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in Article XIII of the Indenture;]

 

[WHEREAS, Section 1308 of the Indenture provides that the Company is required to cause (i) each Restricted Subsidiary that is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 414 of the Indenture and (ii) each Subsidiary of the Company that the Company causes to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 414 of the Indenture, to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in Article XIII of the Indenture;]

 

WHEREAS, each New Subsidiary Guarantor desires to enter into this Supplemental Indenture for good and valuable consideration, including substantial economic benefit in that the financial performance and condition of such New Subsidiary Guarantor is dependent on the financial performance and condition of the Company, the obligations hereunder of which such New Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed, and on such New Subsidiary Guarantor’s access to working capital through the Company’s access to revolving credit borrowings under the ABL Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 901 of the Indenture, the parties hereto are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantors, the Company, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

1.          Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

2.          Agreement to Guarantee. The New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with [all] [any] other Existing Subsidiary Guarantors and fully and unconditionally, to guarantee the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations under the Indenture and the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XIII of the Indenture and to be bound by (and shall be entitled to the benefits of) all other applicable provisions of the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

 

 

 

3.          Termination, Release and Discharge. The New Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or effect, and the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released and discharged from all obligations in respect of such Subsidiary Guarantee, as and when provided in Section 1303 of the Indenture.

 

4.          Parties. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of the New Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee or any provision contained herein or in Article XIII of the Indenture.

 

5.          Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES AND (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES) THE HOLDERS AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

6.          Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby. The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or as to the accuracy of the recitals to this Supplemental Indenture.

 

7.          Counterparts. The parties hereto may sign one or more copies of this Supplemental Indenture in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

8.          Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

 

 

 

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

 

	[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)], as Subsidiary Guarantor
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

	VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO.
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

	U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
	By:
		Authorized Officer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F

 

Form of Certificate from Acquiring Institutional Accredited Investors

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
10 W Broad St

CN-OH-BD12

Columbus, OH 43215

Attention: Scott R. Miller, Vice President

 

Re:

VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO. (the “Company”)

 

4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with our proposed sale of $________ aggregate principal amount of Notes, we confirm that:

 

1.         We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as of July [●], 2021, relating to the Notes (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”) and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

2.         We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, and that the Notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should offer, sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of any Notes within one year after the original issuance of the Notes, we will do so only (A) to the Company, (B) inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, (C) inside the United States to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes to you a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter, (D) outside the United States to a foreign person in compliance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available), or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any of the Notes from us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of the Notes are restricted as stated herein and in the Indenture.

 

3.         We understand that, on any proposed transfer of any Notes prior to the later of the original issue date of the Notes and the last date the Notes were held by an affiliate of the Company pursuant to paragraphs 2(C), 2(D) and 2(E) above, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed transfer complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

 

4.         We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are acquiring the Notes for investment purposes and not with a view to, or offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act, and we are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

 

 

 

5.         We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

 

You, the Company and counsel to the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

	Very truly yours,
	(Name of Transferee)
	By:
		Authorized Signature

 

 

(1)

GRANT.

a.

Effective as of [●] (the “Grant Date”) the Company hereby grants to the Participant a target award of a number of Performance Share Units as set forth in the Participant’s compensation statement (“Target Award”), with the actual number of Performance Share Units to be determined based on the satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth in Section 2.

b.

The Participant will be eligible to receive up to the following number of shares of Common Stock upon satisfaction of the performance conditions set forth in Section 2(b):

1.

Threshold:    [●] % of Target Award;

2.

Target:          100% of Target Award;

3.

Maximum:    [●] % of Target Award.

c.

If the threshold level of performance is not achieved, the Participant will not receive any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement.

(2)

VESTING.

a.

Subject to the achievement of the applicable performance requirements as set forth in Section 2(b) and the other requirements of this Agreement, Performance Share Units will vest as of [●] (the “Vesting Date” and the period from the Grant Date to the Vesting Date, the “Restricted Period”) provided that the Participant continues to be employed through such Vesting Date.

b.

The performance period for the Performance Share Units shall be [●] through [●] (the “Performance Period”). The performance requirement applicable to the Performance Share Units shall be based on satisfaction of the following metrics, each measured [equally][●] based on the performance of the Company during the Performance Period:

c.

[Performance goals (as applicable)] for the Company shall be as reflected in the Company’s [annual audited financial statements] for [each fiscal year] of the Performance Period and [shall be compared to comparable measures for the Peer Group companies], in each case adjusted by the Committee for the following items or otherwise in accordance with the Plan:

d.

The Committee shall have full discretion in making all determinations relating to the measurement of and satisfaction of the performance goals, including performance of the Company, performance of the Peer Group companies and the comparison of these measures in determining the percentile of the Company’s performance, including determining comparable measures and adjustments of net sales and operating income for the Peer Group, adjusting the measures for the Peer Group company fiscal periods that do not align with the fiscal periods of the Company, treatment of changes in the Peer Group (e.g., due to mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or restructurings), rounding of applicable percentages and percentiles and any other questions or issues relating to the performance measures applicable with respect to the Performance Share Units.

(3)	RESTRICTIONS.  None of the Performance Share Units may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of all conditions specified in this Agreement.

(3)	RECORDING OF AWARD.  The Company shall cause the Performance Share Unit award to be appropriately recorded as of the Grant Date.

(4)	RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANT.  Prior to settlement and receipt of the underlying shares of Common Stock, the Participant shall not have the right to vote the Performance Share Units or to receive dividends with respect thereto.

(5)	FORFEITURES.

(a)

Except as noted in this Section (5) and in Section (7), Performance Share Units granted to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement shall be forfeited (i) in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason prior to the Vesting Date or (ii) if the performance conditions set forth in Section 2 are not satisfied.  Upon such forfeiture, the Performance Share Unit award or portion thereof shall be cancelled.

(b)

Subject to the conditions outlined below, upon the Participant’s involuntary Termination of Service by the Company or its subsidiaries prior to the Vesting Date, the Participant will remain eligible to vest in a portion of the Performance Share Units granted hereunder following the Termination of Service based on achievement of the performance conditions set forth in Section 2 at the end of the Performance Period, calculated as follows: the total number of such Performance Share Units granted hereunder multiplied by a percentage equal to the product of (A)(x) the number of complete months between the Grant Date and the Participant’s termination date, divided by (y) 36, times (B) the applicable Payout Percentage.  Such special vesting shall be effective as of the Vesting Date, subject to each of the following conditions:

(i)

Involuntary Termination of Service by the Company or its subsidiaries must be other than for (x) Cause or (y) misconduct (each as determined by the Committee or its designees in their sole discretion);

(c)

In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service as a result of Total Disability prior to the Vesting Date, the Performance Share Units granted to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement shall continue to service vest with respect to such Performance Share Units during the period of the Participant’s Total Disability, provided that the Participant’s right to settlement of the Performance Share Units shall remain subject to the achievement of the performance conditions set forth in Section 2 at the end of the Performance Period.

(d)

If the Participant dies during such period of the Participant’s Total Disability or in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service as a result of his or her death prior to the Vesting Date, the provision of services conditions applicable to the Performance Share Units shall be deemed to have been satisfied as of the date of death, provided, in each case, that the Participant’s right to settlement of the Performance Share Units shall remain subject to the achievement of the performance conditions set forth in Section 2 at the end of the Performance Period.

(e)

[Upon the Retirement of the Participant, the Participant will remain eligible to vest in a portion of the Performance Share Units calculated pursuant to Section 5(b).

(6)	SETTLEMENT OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS.

(a)

Upon the expiration or termination of the Restricted Period and the satisfaction of all other conditions prescribed by the Committee with respect to the Performance Share Units, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the target number of Performance Share Units times the Payout Percentage shall be delivered, free of all such restrictions, to the Participant or the Participant's beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Such payment in settlement shall be made promptly, but in any event not later than (x) the end of the year in which the Restricted Period ends and the conditions are satisfied or (y) if later, within thirty (30) days following the lapse of the Restricted Period; provided, that the award holder will not be permitted, directly or indirectly, to designate the taxable year of settlement. The Participant (or his or her beneficiary or estate, if applicable) may be required to execute a release of claims against the Company and its subsidiaries in order to receive a settlement payment and shall be required to execute a release to receive the vesting and settlement prescribed in Section (5)(b).

(b)

If the Participant is a “specified employee,” as that term is defined in Section 409A and the Treasury regulations thereunder, and the Participant is scheduled to receive payment(s) in connection with his or her Termination of Service (including Retirement) on a date determinable based on the date of Termination of Service and not a pre-determined fixed date or schedule, then, except in the event of Termination of Service as a result of the Participant’s death or the Participant’s death after such Termination of Service, such payment(s) shall, notwithstanding anything else herein,  be delayed until the date that is six months after the date of the specified employee’s Termination of Service to the extent (but only to the extent) such a delay is required to avoid additional tax under Section 409A.

(7)

EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.  In the event of a Change in Control, unless determined otherwise by the Committee prior to the Change in Control (A) if less than one-third of the Restricted Period has elapsed as of the date of the Change in Control, the Payout Percentage shall be fixed at the time of the Change in Control based on target performance and (B) if more than one-third of the Restricted Period has elapsed as of the date of the Change in Control, the Payout Percentage shall be fixed at the time of the Change in Control based on maximum performance unless the Committee determines prior to the Change in Control, in its discretion, that actual projected performance can be reasonably predicted, in which case the Committee may provide the Payout Percentage shall be based on such predicted performance as determined by the Committee prior to the Change in Control.  From and after the Change in Control the Performance Share Units (as fixed based on the forgoing) shall be subject solely to the continued service of the Participant until the Vesting Date, subject to Section (5) above or, if applicable, the following provisions of this Section (7).  Upon a Participant’s Termination of Service (x) by the Company or its subsidiaries other than for Cause or (y) by the Participant for Good Reason, in each case within twenty four (24) months following a Change in Control, [and provided that that the Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Section 409A and the Treasury regulations thereunder]: (A) any service conditions applicable to the Performance Share Units shall be deemed to have been satisfied and (B) the Restricted Period shall be deemed to have expired and the Performance Share Units shall be settled promptly following the Participant’s Termination of Service.  If the transaction agreement relating to the Change in Control expressly provides for treatment of the Performance Share Units that is more favorable to the Participant than the treatment prescribed above, the provisions of the transaction agreement shall control.

(8)

TAX WITHHOLDING.  The Company shall have the right to require the Participant or the Participant's beneficiaries or legal representatives to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state or local withholding tax requirements, or to deduct from distributions under the Plan amounts sufficient to satisfy such withholding tax requirements.

(9)	MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)

No Right to Employment.  This Agreement shall not confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any subsidiary or to be entitled to any remuneration or benefits not set forth in this Agreement or the Plan nor interfere with or limit the right of the Company or any subsidiary to modify the terms of or terminate the Participant's employment at any time.

(b)

Clawback.  Subject to restrictions set forth in the Plan and/or such clawback policy implemented by the Company from time to time, if required by law or if the Participant engaged, had knowledge of, or should have had knowledge of, fraudulent conduct or activities relating to the Company, the Company may terminate this Agreement and require the Participant to reimburse to the Company (i) an amount required by law or (ii) the amount of compensation received pursuant to this Agreement and based on the aforementioned conduct.

(c)

Notice.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be given electronically or by regular U.S. mail addressed, if to the Committee or the Company, at the principal office of the Company and, if to the Participant, at the Participant's last known address as set forth in the books and records of the Company.

(d)

Plan to Govern.  This Agreement and the rights of the Participant hereunder are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time, as well as to such rules and regulations as the Committee may adopt for the administration of the Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

(e)

Amendment.  Subject to restrictions set forth in the Plan, the Company may from time to time suspend, modify or amend this Agreement.  No suspension, modification or amendment of this Agreement may, without the consent of the Participant, adversely affect the rights of the Participant with respect to the Performance Share Units granted pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent any such action is undertaken to cause this Agreement to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations.

(f)

Severability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

(g)

Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Plan contain all of the understandings between the Company and the Participant concerning the Performance Share Units granted hereunder and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

(h)

Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when signed by the Company and the Participant will be an original and all of which together will be the same Agreement.

(i)

Governing Law.  To the extent not preempted by Federal law, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

(j)

Section 409A. This Agreement and the Performance Share Units are intended to be exempt from, or otherwise comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, and the provisions of this  Agreement shall be interpreted and operated accordingly.  If any provision of this  Agreement or any term or condition of the Performance Share Units would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision, term or condition shall be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict. If the Performance Share Units include a “series of installment payments” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), the Participant's right to the series of installment payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments and not as a right to a single payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under this Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed, and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

---

Exhibit 10.15

 

 

FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT 

dated as of [●], 2021,

 
among 

VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO., 

The Borrowing Subsidiaries Party Hereto, 

The Lenders Party Hereto

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., 

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, BANK OF

AMERICA, N.A., CITIBANK, N.A., HSBC SECURITIES (USA) INC., WELLS

FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, 

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

and

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., CITIBANK, N.A.,

HSBC BANK USA, N.A., WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, 

as Co-Syndication Agents 

and

 

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, MIZUHO BANK, LTD., HUNTINGTON

NATIONAL BANK, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and MUFG UNION

BANK, N.A., 

as Co-Documentation Agents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I   Definitions
SECTION 1.01.	Defined Terms	1
SECTION 1.02.	Classification of Loans and Borrowings	55
SECTION 1.03.	Terms Generally	55
SECTION 1.04.	Accounting Terms; GAAP	57
SECTION 1.05.	Exchange Rates	57
SECTION 1.06.	Letter of Credit Amounts	58
SECTION 1.07.	Divisions	58
SECTION 1.08.	Interest Rates; LIBOR Notification	59
ARTICLE II   The Credits
SECTION 2.01.	Commitments	59
SECTION 2.02.	Loans and Borrowings	60
SECTION 2.03.	Requests for Borrowings	61
SECTION 2.04.	Protective Advances	62
SECTION 2.05.	Letters of Credit	63
SECTION 2.06.	Funding of Borrowings	69
SECTION 2.07.	Interest Elections	70
SECTION 2.08.	Termination, Reduction and Increase of Commitments; Incremental Revolving Commitments	71
SECTION 2.09.	Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Indebtedness	74
SECTION 2.10.	Prepayment of Loans	75
SECTION 2.11.	Fees	76
SECTION 2.12.	Interest	77
SECTION 2.13.	Alternate Rate of Interest	80
SECTION 2.14.	Increased Costs	83
SECTION 2.15.	Break Funding Payments	84
SECTION 2.16.	Taxes	84
SECTION 2.17.	Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs	88
SECTION 2.18.	Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders	90
SECTION 2.19.	Defaulting Lenders	92
SECTION 2.20.	Additional Borrowers; Borrowing Subsidiary Terminations	93
SECTION 2.21.	Canadian Borrower Costs	93

ARTICLE III   Representations and Warranties
SECTION 3.01.	Corporate Existence and Power	94
SECTION 3.02.	Corporate and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention	94
SECTION 3.03.	Binding Effect	94
SECTION 3.04.	Financial Information	95
SECTION 3.05.	Litigation and Environmental Matters	95
SECTION 3.06.	Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions	96
SECTION 3.07.	Subsidiaries	96
SECTION 3.08.	Not an Investment Company	96
SECTION 3.09.	ERISA	96
SECTION 3.10.	Taxes	97
SECTION 3.11.	Disclosure	97
SECTION 3.12.	Credit Card Agreements	98
ARTICLE IV   Conditions
SECTION 4.01.	Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness	98
SECTION 4.02.	Each Credit Event	100
ARTICLE V   Covenants
SECTION 5.01.	Information	101
SECTION 5.02.	Maintenance of Properties	103
SECTION 5.03.	Maintenance of Insurance	104
SECTION 5.04.	Preservation of Corporate Existence	104
SECTION 5.05.	Inspection of Property, Books and Records	104
SECTION 5.06.	Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	104
SECTION 5.07.	[Reserved.]	105
SECTION 5.08.	Limitation on Liens	105
SECTION 5.09.	Compliance with Laws	106
SECTION 5.10.	Limitations on Indebtedness	106
SECTION 5.11.	Transactions with Affiliates	108
SECTION 5.12.	Consolidations, Mergers	108
SECTION 5.13.	Sales of Assets	109
SECTION 5.14.	Use of Proceeds	111
SECTION 5.15.	Information Regarding Collateral; Deposit and Securities Accounts	111
SECTION 5.16.	Collateral and Guarantee Requirement	112
SECTION 5.17.	Investments	112

SECTION 5.18.	Restricted Payments	113
SECTION 5.19.	Restrictive Agreements	114
SECTION 5.20.	Credit Ratings	114
SECTION 5.21.	Prepayment Avoidance	114
SECTION 5.22.	Control Agreements	114
SECTION 5.23.	Field Examinations and Appraisals	115
SECTION 5.24.	Credit Card Agreements and Notifications	115
SECTION 5.25.	Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan	116
ARTICLE VI   Events of Default and Remedies
SECTION 6.01.	Events of Default	116
SECTION 6.02.	Remedies	118
SECTION 6.03.	Notice of Default	118
ARTICLE VII The Agents
SECTION 7.01.	The Agents	119
SECTION 7.02.	Certain ERISA Matters	123
SECTION 7.03.	Erroneous Payments	124
ARTICLE VIII   Miscellaneous
SECTION 8.01.	Notices	125
SECTION 8.02.	Waivers; Amendments	126
SECTION 8.02A.	Certain ABL Amendments	128
SECTION 8.03.	Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver	128
SECTION 8.04.	Successors and Assigns	130
SECTION 8.05.	Survival	133
SECTION 8.06.	Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution	134
SECTION 8.07.	Severability	135
SECTION 8.08.	Right of Setoff	135
SECTION 8.09.	Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process	135
SECTION 8.10.	WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL	136
SECTION 8.11.	Headings	136
SECTION 8.12.	Confidentiality	136
SECTION 8.13.	Interest Rate Limitation	137
SECTION 8.14.	Collateral	137
SECTION 8.15.	USA Patriot Act and Beneficial Ownership Regulation	137
SECTION 8.16.	Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation	138

SECTION 8.17.	Continuing Obligations	138
SECTION 8.18.	Judgment Currency	148
SECTION 8.19.	Intercreditor Agreement	139
SECTION 8.20.	Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions	141
SECTION 8.21.	Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs	141
SECTION 8.22.	MIRE Events	142
SECTION 8.23.	Release	142

 

SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 1.01(a) – Unrestricted Subsidiaries 

Schedule 2.01 – Commitments 

Schedule 3.05 – Disclosed Matters 

Schedule 3.07 – Consolidated Domestic and Canadian Subsidiaries 

Schedule 3.12 – Credit Card Agreements 

Schedule 5.08 – Existing Liens 

Schedule 5.10 – Existing Indebtedness 

Schedule 5.19 – Restrictive Agreements

 

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A – Form of Assignment and Assumption 

Exhibit B-1 – Form of Additional Borrower Agreement 

Exhibit B-2 – Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Termination 

Exhibit C – Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) dated as of [●], 2021, among VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO., a Delaware corporation, the BORROWING SUBSIDIARIES party hereto, the LENDERS party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

“ABL Collection Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreements.

 

“ABL Priority Collateral” means, at any time, any and all of the following that constitute Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired and wherever located: (a) all Accounts (other than (x) Accounts arising under agreements for sale of Non-ABL Priority Collateral described in clauses (a) through (h) of the definition of such term to the extent constituting identifiable Proceeds of such Non-ABL Priority Collateral and (y) Accounts pledged in support of Specified Receivables Facilities), (b) all Payment Intangibles, including all corporate and other tax refunds and all Credit Card Receivables and all other rights to payment arising therefrom in a credit-card, debit-card, prepaid-card or other payment-card transaction (other than any Payment Intangibles constituting identifiable Proceeds of Non-ABL Priority Collateral described in clauses (a) through (f) and (h) of the definition of such term); (c) all Inventory; (d) all Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts (including the ABL Collection Account and the Concentration Account) and all cash, cash equivalents and other assets contained in, or credited to, and all Securities Entitlements arising from, any such Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts (in each case, other than any identifiable Proceeds of Non-ABL Priority Collateral described in clauses (a) through (h) of the definition of such term); (e) for so long as Eligible Real Property is included in the Borrowing Base, all real property, related appurtenant rights and Fixtures and interests therein (including both fee and leasehold interests) located in the United States of America; (f) all rights to business interruption insurance and all rights to credit insurance with respect to any Accounts (in each case, regardless of whether the Collateral Agent is a loss payee thereof); (g) solely to the extent evidencing, governing, securing or otherwise relating to any of the items constituting ABL Priority Collateral under clauses (a) through (e) above, (i) all General Intangibles (excluding Intellectual Property, Indebtedness (or any evidence thereof) between or among the Company or any of the Subsidiaries Loan Parties and any Equity Interests, but including all contract rights as against operators of storage facilities and as against other transporters of Inventory and all rights as consignor or consignee, whether arising by contract, statute or otherwise), (ii) Instruments (including Promissory Notes), (iii) Documents (including each warehouse receipt or bill of lading covering any Inventory), (iv) insurance policies (regardless of whether the Collateral Agent is a loss payee thereof), (v) licenses from any Governmental Authority to sell or to manufacture any Inventory and (vi) Chattel Paper; (h) all collateral and guarantees given by any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing, and all other Supporting Obligations (including Letter-of-Credit Rights) with respect to any of the foregoing; (i) all books and Records to the extent relating to any of the foregoing; and (j) all products and Proceeds of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “ABL Priority Collateral” shall not include any assets referred to in clauses (a) through (h) of the definition of the term “Non-ABL Priority Collateral”. Capitalized terms used in this definition but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Agreements.

2 

 

“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

“Account” has the meaning specified in the UCC.

 

“Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.

 

“Additional Borrower Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.20.

 

“Additional Borrowers” means, at any time, with respect to the Commitments, Loans and Letters of Credit of any Class, each of the wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries that has been designated as an Additional Borrower in respect of such Class pursuant to Section 2.20 or an Incremental Facility Agreement.

 

“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Percentage.

 

“Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and its Affiliates in such capacity.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any U.K. Financial Institution.

 

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

 

“Agents” means the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

“Aggregate Commitments” means, at any time, the sum of the Commitments of all the Lenders at such time.

 

“Aggregate Credit Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the Credit Exposures of all the Lenders at such time.

3 

 

“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% per annum and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a deposit in dollars with a maturity of one month plus 1% per annum; provided, that for purposes of this definition, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Screen Rate on such day for deposits in dollars with a maturity of one month (or, if the LIBO Screen Rate is not available for such one month maturity, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.13 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the applicable Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 2.13(b)), then for purposes of clause (c) above the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be deemed to be 0.00%.

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 and all other laws, rules and regulations of any jurisdiction concerning or relating to bribery, corruption or money laundering, in each case to the extent applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Applicable Creditor” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.18(b).

 

“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender or any Lender of any other Class, the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments or total Commitments of any other Class, as applicable, represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or Commitment of any other Class. If the Revolving Commitments or Commitments of any other Class have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments or Commitments of any other Class most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

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“Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Revolving Loan, ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Loan, with respect to any Protective Advance or with respect to the participation fees payable hereunder in respect of Letters of Credit, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Eurodollar (LIBO Rate) / CDOR Rate Spread”, “ABR / Canadian Prime Rate Spread” or “LC Participation Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Company’s Average Daily Excess Availability applicable on such date:

 

Average Daily Excess Availability:		Eurodollar (LIBO Rate) / CDOR Rate Spread		ABR / Canadian Prime Rate Spread		LC Participation Fee Rate
Category 1  > 66.7%		1.50%		0.50%		1.50%
Category 2 < 66.7% but > 33.3%		1.75%		0.75%		1.75%
Category 3 < 33.3%		2.00%		1.00%		2.00%

 

The Applicable Rate shall be determined based on Average Daily Excess Availability for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company as set forth in the table above. Each change to the Applicable Rate shall be effective on the first day of the first month immediately following the last day of such fiscal quarter. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to Category 3 in the table above (a) if the Company shall fail to deliver any Borrowing Base Certificate by the time required under Section 5.01(a)(iii), for the period from and including the day following the date on which such Borrowing Base Certificate shall have been due to and including the day on which such Borrowing Base Certificate shall have been delivered, and (b) at any other time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (unless such increase in the Applicable Rate is otherwise waived by the Required Lenders).

 

“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 8.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

 

“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any currency, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement 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 2.13(f).

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“Average Daily Excess Availability” means, with respect to any fiscal quarter, (a)(i) the sum of Excess Availability for each day during such fiscal quarter, divided by (ii) the number of days in such fiscal quarter, divided by (b)(i) the Aggregate Commitments in effect for each day during such fiscal quarter divided by (ii) the number of days in such fiscal quarter.

 

“Average Utilization” means, with respect to any period, (a) the sum of Utilization for each day during such period divided by (b) the number of days in such period.

 

“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, regulation, rule 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, as amended.

 

“Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, that such Person has filed a petition or application seeking relief under any applicable Insolvency Law or similar law of any jurisdiction, has become the subject of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, sequestrator, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment.

 

“BBW” means L Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any (i) Loans denominated in US Dollars, the Adjusted LIBO Rate or (ii) Loans denominated in CAD, the CDOR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate or any other then-current Benchmark, as applicable, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.13(b) or (c).

6

 

“Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date; provided that, in the case of any Loan denominated in CAD, “Benchmark Replacement” shall mean the alternative set forth in (3) below:

 

(1)          in the case of any Loan denominated in US Dollars, the sum of: (a) Term SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

(2)          in the case of any Loan denominated in US Dollars, the sum of: (a) Daily Simple SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

(3)          the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor 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 the then-current Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable currency at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

provided that, in the case of clause (1), such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; provided, further, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Term SOFR Transition Event, and the delivery of a Term SOFR Notice, on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date the “Benchmark Replacement” with respect to Loans denominated in US Dollars shall revert to and shall be deemed to be the sum of (a) Term SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, as set forth in clause (1) of this definition (subject to the first proviso above).

 

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement:

 

(1)          for purposes of clauses (1) and (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)       the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for the applicable Corresponding Tenor;

 

(b)       the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that would apply to the fallback rate for a derivative transaction referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon an index cessation event with respect to such Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor; and

7

 

(2)          for purposes of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” 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 Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) 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 on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) 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 at such time;

 

provided that, in the case of clause (1) above, such adjustment is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

 

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides, following consultation with the Company, may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

 

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

 

(1)          in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) 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);

8

 

(2)          in the case of clause (3) 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 no longer 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;

 

(3)          in the case of a Term SOFR Transition Event, the date that is thirty (30) days after the date a Term SOFR Notice is provided to the Lenders and the Borrower pursuant to ‎Section 2.14(c); or

 

(4)          in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) 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 any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

 

(1) 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);

 

(2) 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 Board, the NYFRB, 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), in each case, 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

9

 

(3) 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 no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer 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 Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.13 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.13.

 

“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

 

“Benefit Plan” means (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” means, with respect to any Person, an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k)) of such Person.

 

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

 

“Borrowers” means, with respect to the Commitments, Loans and Letters of Credit of any Class, (i) the Company and (ii) the Borrowing Subsidiaries in respect of such Class.

 

“Borrowing” means (a) Loans of the same Class, Type and currency made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (b) a Protective Advance.

 

“Borrowing Base” means the sum of:

 

(i)        95% of Eligible Credit Card Receivables at such time, plus

 

(ii)       85% of Eligible Accounts at such time, plus

10

 

(iii)      up to 90% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory at such time, plus

 

(iv)      following receipt of the Required Real Property Documentation and prior to receipt of a Real Property Exclusion Notice, 50% of the fair market value (as identified in the most recent Real Property Appraisal) of Eligible Real Property at such time, minus

 

(v)       Reserves determined by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion

 

provided (A) notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, as of any date of determination, the portion of the Borrowing Base attributable to Eligible Real Property shall not exceed the lesser of (x) $150,000,000 and (y) 25% of the Borrowing Base and (B) from and after receipt by the Collateral Agent of a Real Property Exclusion Notice, (I) the component set forth in clause (iv) shall be excluded from the calculation of the Borrowing Base for so long as such Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness remains outstanding and (II) the Collateral Agent shall adjust the Borrowing Base to reflect such exclusion effective from and after the incurrence of such Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness.

 

The Collateral Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, establish or adjust Reserves, with any such changes to be effective three Business Days after delivery of written notice (which notice shall include a reasonably detailed description of such Reserve being established or adjusted) thereof to the Company and the Lenders; provided that during such three Business Day period (i) the Collateral Agent shall, if requested, discuss any such Reserve or adjustment with the Company and (ii) the Company may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or matter that is the basis for such Reserve no longer exists or exists in a manner that would result in the establishment of a lower Reserve, in each case in a manner and to the extent satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, further, that no such prior notice shall be required for (a) changes to any Reserves resulting solely by virtue of mathematical calculations of the amount of the Reserves in accordance with the methodology of calculation previously utilized, or (b) changes to Reserves or the establishment of additional Reserves if a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or it would be reasonably likely that a Material Adverse Effect would occur were such Reserves not changed or established prior to the expiration of such three day period. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence and the other provisions hereof expressly permitting the Collateral Agent to adjust the Borrowing Base or any component thereof, the Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(iii).

 

The parties hereto understand that eligibility criteria and any Reserves that may be imposed as provided herein, any deductions or other adjustments to determine the face amount of Eligible Accounts and factors considered in the calculation of Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory have the effect of reducing the Borrowing Base, and, accordingly, whether or not any provisions hereof so state, all the foregoing shall be determined without duplication so as not to result in multiple reductions in the Borrowing Base for the same facts or circumstances.

11

 

At the time of any disposition of a Loan Party, or any disposition outside the ordinary course of business of, or any casualty or condemnation event affecting, assets reflected in the then-current Borrowing Base having a fair market value of $5,000,000 or more, the Company shall give the Collateral Agent written notice of such disposition, casualty or condemnation event, together with such information as shall be required for the Collateral Agent to adjust the Borrowing Base to reflect such disposition.

 

“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a Borrowing Base Certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit C (with such changes thereto as may be reasonably required by the Collateral Agent from time to time to reflect (a) the results of the most recent field examination or Inventory appraisal conducted pursuant to Section 5.23 and (b) the components of, or Reserves against, the Borrowing Base as provided for hereunder), together with all attachments and supporting documentation contemplated thereby, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Company.

 

“Borrowing Request” means a request by a Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

“Borrowing Subsidiary” means any Additional Borrowers.

 

“Borrowing Subsidiary Termination” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.20.

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, (a) when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in US Dollar deposits in the London interbank market and (b) when used in connection with a CDOR Rate Loan or a Canadian Prime Rate Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for business in Toronto.

 

“CAD Sublimit” means the portion of the Revolving Commitments in an aggregate amount equal to the US Dollar Equivalent in Canadian Dollars of $80,000,000 that is being made available hereunder to the Canadian Borrowers for borrowings in Canadian Dollars.

 

“Canadian Borrower” means any Additional Borrower that is a Canadian Subsidiary.

 

“Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan” means any Canadian Pension Plan which contains a “defined benefit provision”, as defined in subsection 147.1(1) of the ITA.

 

“Canadian Dollars” or “CAD” means the lawful money of Canada.

 

“Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws” means any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing transactions in controlled goods or technologies or dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures.

12

 

“Canadian Loan Party” means any Loan Party organized under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof.

 

“Canadian Pension Benefits Legislation” shall mean any Canadian federal or provincial pension standards legislation, including, without limitation, the Supplemental Pension Plans Act (Quebec) and the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario), that applies in respect of a Canadian Pension Plan.

 

“Canadian Pension Event” means (a) any Loan Party shall, directly or indirectly, terminate or cause to terminate, in whole or in part, or initiate the termination of, in whole or in part, any Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan where doing so results in any wind-up deficit that is required to be funded under Canadian Pension Benefits Legislation; (b) any Loan Party shall fail to make minimum required contributions to amortize any funding deficiencies under a Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan within the time period set out in Canadian Pension Benefits Legislation or fails to make a required contribution under any Canadian Pension Plan which results in the imposition of a Lien upon the assets of any Loan Party (other than inchoate Liens under Canadian Pension Benefits Legislation for amounts required to be remitted but not yet due); or (c) any Loan Party makes any improper withdrawals or applications of assets of a Canadian Pension Plan.

 

“Canadian Pension Plans” means each pension plan required to be registered under Canadian federal or provincial pension standards legislation that is administered or contributed to by a Loan Party or any subsidiary of any Loan Party for its employees or former employees, but does not include the Canada Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan as maintained by the Government of Canada or the Province of Quebec, respectively, or any comparable pension plan maintained by a Governmental Authority in any other Canadian jurisdiction.

 

“Canadian Prime Rate” means, for the relevant interest period, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1% (with 0.005% being rounded up)) determined by the Administrative Agent to be the greater of (a) the rate equal to the PRIMCAN Index rate that appears on the Bloomberg screen at 10:15 a.m., Toronto time, on such day (or, in the event that the PRIMCAN Index is not published by Bloomberg, any other information service that publishes such index from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) and (b) the sum of (i) the CDOR Rate applicable for an Interest Period of one month plus (ii) one percent (1.0%).

 

“Canadian Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP (subject to the proviso in Section 1.04), and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP (subject to the proviso in Section 1.04).

13

 

“Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).

 

“Cash Dominion Period” means (a) each period during which a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (b) each period (i) commencing on any day when Specified Excess Availability has for three consecutive Business Days been less than the greater of (x) $80,000,000 and (y) 12.5% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) ending on the date that Specified Excess Availability has been greater than the amount set forth in clause (i) above for 20 consecutive calendar days during which period no Specified Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

“CCQ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.

 

“CDOR Rate” means, for the relevant Interest Period, on the first day of such Interest Period, the annual rate of interest determined with reference to the arithmetic average of the discount rate quotations of all institutions listed in respect of the relevant Interest Period for Canadian Dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptances displayed and identified as such on the CDOR Rate page of the Reuters screen (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen or service that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion; in each case, the “CDO Screen Rate”), at or about approximately 10:15 a.m., Toronto time, on such day and, if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day (as adjusted by the Administrative Agent after 10:15 a.m. Toronto time to reflect any error in the posted rate of interest or in the posted average annual rate of interest); provided that if such rates are not available for such Interest Period, the applicable Interpolated Rate as of such time on such day; or if such day is not a Business Day, then as so determined on the immediately preceding Business Day.

 

“Change in Control” means the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than the Permitted Holders of shares representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company.

 

“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, or (c) compliance by any Lender or any Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.14(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued.

14

 

“Class”, when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Incremental Revolving Loans of any tranche or Protective Advances, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment or an Incremental Revolving Commitment of any tranche, (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment of a particular Class and (d) any Letter of Credit, refers to whether such Letter of Credit is issued pursuant to a Revolving Commitment or an Incremental Revolving Commitment of any tranche.

 

“Closing Date Distribution” means the distribution by the Company to BBW, of 100% of the Company’s common stock for distribution to BBW’s existing shareholders.

 

“Closing Date Payment” means the payment of the Special Cash Payment (as defined in the Separation Agreement).

 

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

 

“Collateral” means any and all assets, tangible or intangible, on which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

 

“Collateral Access Agreement” means any landlord waiver or other agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, between the Collateral Agent and any warehouseman, bailee or other similar Person in possession of any Collateral, any landlord of any real property where any Collateral is located or any administrative agent, collateral agent and/or similar representative acting on behalf of the holders of any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any real property where any Inventory is located.

 

“Collateral Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent under the Collateral Documents.

 

“Collateral Agreements” means, individually and collectively as the context may require, (a) the Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of April 30, 2020, among the Company, the Subsidiary Loan Parties party thereto and the Collateral Agent and (b) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of June 8, 2020, among the Canadian Loan Parties and the Collateral Agent.

 

“Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” means, at any time, the requirement that:

 

(a) the Collateral Agent shall have received from the Company and each Material Subsidiary either (i) a counterpart of the applicable Collateral Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company or such Material Subsidiary, as applicable, or (ii) in the case of any Person that becomes a Material Subsidiary after the Effective Date, a supplement to the applicable Collateral Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Material Subsidiary;

15

 

(b) all UCC financing statements, and all similar filings and registrations in each applicable jurisdictions, required by law or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded to perfect the Liens intended to be created by each Collateral Agreement to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, such Collateral Agreement, shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or recording;

 

(c) commencing with the date that is 90 days after the Effective Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion), the Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart, duly executed and delivered by the applicable Loan Party and the applicable depositary bank or securities intermediary, as the case may be, of a Control Agreement with respect to (i) each deposit account maintained by any Loan Party with any depositary bank (other than any Excluded Deposit Account) and (ii) each securities account maintained by any Loan Party with any securities intermediary (other than any Excluded Securities Account), and the requirements of a Collateral Agreement relating to the concentration and application of collections on accounts shall have been satisfied;

 

(d) commencing with the date that is 90 days after the Effective Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion), the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence that all Credit Card Notifications required to be provided pursuant to Section 5.24 have been provided;

 

(e) commencing with the date that is 90 days after the Effective Date or such later date as may be agreed by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion), each Loan Party shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent all Collateral Access Agreements requested by the Collateral Agent exercising its Permitted Discretion pursuant to this Agreement or a Collateral Agreement;

 

(f) prior to its inclusion in the Borrowing Base, the Collateral Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property and (ii) all Required Real Property Documentation;

 

(g) commencing with the date that is 90 days after the Effective Date or such later date as may be agreed by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion), the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence of the insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.03; and

 

(h) the Company and each Material Subsidiary shall have obtained all consents and approvals required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution and delivery of all Collateral Documents to which it is a party, the performance of its obligations thereunder and the granting by it of the Liens thereunder.

16

 

With respect to any Mortgaged Property as to which a Mortgage is required to be executed and delivered, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this definition or elsewhere in this Agreement, no such Mortgage shall be required to be executed and delivered until and unless (a) the Collateral Agent shall have received the items referred to in clause (f)(ii) above (it being understood that the Loan Parties shall be required to deliver such items otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents), and shall have provided copies thereof to the Lenders, (b) the Collateral Agent shall have provided copies of all documents referred to in clause (a) of this paragraph received by it to the Lenders and (c) prior to the contemplated date of effectiveness of such Mortgage (as notified by the Collateral Agent to the Lenders), the Collateral Agent shall have been advised in writing by each Lender that such Lender has completed its flood insurance due diligence and flood insurance compliance with respect to such Mortgaged Property (with each Lender agreeing to complete such due diligence and compliance as promptly as practicable following receipt of the documents as referred to in clause (b) of this paragraph).

 

“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Collateral Agreements, the Control Agreements, the Credit Card Notifications, the Mortgages and each other pledge, deed of hypothec, security agreement or other instrument or document granting a Lien upon the Collateral as security for the Obligations (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

 

“Commitment” means a Revolving Commitment, an Incremental Revolving Commitment of any tranche or any combination thereof, as the context requires.

 

“Company” means Victoria’s Secret & Co., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Concentration Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreements.

 

“Consolidated Debt” means, at any date of determination, the total Indebtedness of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period (adjusted (i) to exclude any non-cash items deducted or included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period attributable to Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, Intangibles–Goodwill and Other, or stock options and other equity-linked compensation to officers, directors and employees, and (ii) to deduct cash payments made during such period in respect of Hedging Agreements (or other items subject to FAS 133 – Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities) to the extent not otherwise deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period) plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) consolidated interest expense for such period, (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period and (iv) any extraordinary or nonrecurring charges for such period, and minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, any extraordinary or nonrecurring gains for such period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that if on or prior to the applicable date of determination of Consolidated EBITDA, an acquisition or disposition outside of the ordinary course of business has occurred that has the effect of increasing or decreasing Consolidated EBITDA then (without duplication of any other adjustment made in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such period) Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a pro forma basis to give effect to such acquisition or disposition as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred immediately prior to the commencement of the period for which Consolidated EBITDA is to be determined.

17

 

“Consolidated EBITDAR” means, for any period, Consolidated EBITDA for such period plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted in the determination of such Consolidated EBITDA, consolidated fixed minimum store rental expense for such period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that, if on or prior to the applicable date of determination of Consolidated EBITDAR, an acquisition or disposition outside of the ordinary course of business has occurred that has the effect of increasing or decreasing Consolidated EBITDAR, then (without duplication of adjustments made in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such period) Consolidated EBITDAR shall be determined on a pro forma basis to give effect to such acquisition or disposition as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred immediately prior to the commencement of the period for which Consolidated EBITDAR is to be determined.

 

“Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period, the sum of (a) consolidated interest expense, both expensed and capitalized (including the interest component in respect of Capital Lease Obligations), of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, plus (b) consolidated fixed minimum store rental expense of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that, if on or prior to the applicable date of determination of Consolidated Fixed Charges, an acquisition or disposition outside of the ordinary course of business has occurred that has the effect of increasing or decreasing Consolidated Fixed Charges, then Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be determined on a pro forma basis to give effect to such acquisition or disposition as if such acquisition or disposition had occurred immediately prior to the commencement of the period for which Consolidated Fixed Charges is to be determined.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income or loss of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary), the accounts of which are, or are required to be, consolidated with those of the Company in the Company’s periodic reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

18

 

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

 

“Control Agreement” means, with respect to any deposit account or securities account maintained by any Loan Party, a control agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and the depositary bank or the securities intermediary, as the case may be, with which such account is maintained.

 

“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

 

“Covenant Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06.

 

“Covered Entity” means (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).

 

“Covered Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.21.

 

“Credit Card Agreement” means any agreement between a Loan Party, on the one hand, and a credit card issuer or a credit card processor (including any credit card processor that processes purchases of Inventory from a Loan Party through debit cards or mall cards), on the other hand.

 

“Credit Card Notifications” means each Credit Card Notification, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, executed by one or more Loan Parties and delivered by such Loan Parties to credit card issuers or credit card processors that are party to any Credit Card Agreement.

 

“Credit Card Receivables” means any Account or Payment Intangible due to any Loan Party in connection with purchases from and other goods and services provided by such Loan Party on (a) Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and any other credit card issuers that are reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent and PayPal and (b) such other credit cards (it being understood that such term, for purposes hereof, includes debit cards) as the Collateral Agent shall approve from time to time in its Permitted Discretion, in each case which have been originated in the ordinary course of business by such Loan Party and earned by performance by such Loan Party but not yet paid to such Loan Party by the credit card issuer or the credit card processor, as applicable, and which represents the bona fide amount due to a Loan Party from such credit card processor or credit card issuer; provided that, in any event, “Credit Card Receivables” shall exclude Accounts and Payment Intangibles due in connection with credit cards issued by Affiliates.

 

“Credit Exposure” means a Revolving Exposure, an exposure of any other Class or any combination thereof, as the context requires.

19

 

“Credit Party” means the Agents, each Issuing Bank or any other Lender.

 

“Credit Rating” means, in the case of S&P, the “Issuer Credit Rating” assigned by S&P to the Company and, in the case of Moody’s, the “Corporate Family Rating” assigned by Moody’s to the Company.

 

“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which may include a lookback) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for business loans; provided, that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

 

“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to such 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 any Lender, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans, participations in Letters of Credit or Protective Advances within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Company in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable Default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, (b) notified the Company, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under other agreements 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 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) failed, within five Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Protective Advances (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of such confirmation), (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good-faith dispute, (e) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has consented to, approved of or acquiesced in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has consented to, approved of or acquiesced in any such proceeding or appointment or (f) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that (i) if a Lender would be a “Defaulting Lender” solely by reason of events relating to a parent company of such Lender or solely because a Governmental Authority has been appointed as receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian for such Lender, in each case as described in clause (e) above, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, determine that such Lender is not a “Defaulting Lender” if and for so long as the Administrative Agent is satisfied that such Lender will continue to perform its funding obligations hereunder, (ii) the Administrative Agent may, by notice to the Company and the Lenders, declare that a Defaulting Lender is no longer a “Defaulting Lender” if the Administrative Agent determines, in its discretion, that the circumstances that resulted in such Lender becoming a “Defaulting Lender” no longer apply and (iii) 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 Canada or any state, province or territory of the foregoing or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

20

 

“Designated Real Estate Subsidiary” means each Domestic Subsidiary designated by the Company to the Administrative Agent in writing at any time following the Effective Date for the purpose of including the Eligible Real Property of such Subsidiary in the Borrowing Base subject to the terms and conditions hereof.

 

“Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.05.

 

“Disqualified Equity Interest” means, any Equity Interest in the Company that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or condition:

 

(a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in the Company that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), whether pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, prior to the Specified Date;

 

(b) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Indebtedness or Equity Interests (other than solely for Equity Interests in the Company that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), prior to the Specified Date; or

 

(c) is redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in the Company that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests) or is required to be repurchased by the Company or any of its Affiliates, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof, prior to the Specified Date; provided that this clause (c) shall not apply to any requirement of mandatory redemption or repurchase that is contingent upon an asset disposition or the incurrence of Indebtedness if such mandatory redemption or repurchase can be avoided through repayment or prepayment of Loans or through investments by the Company or the Consolidated Subsidiaries in assets to be used in their businesses.

21

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

“Early Opt-in Election” means, if the then current Benchmark with respect to US Dollars is the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the occurrence of:

 

(1)          a notification by the Administrative Agent to (or the request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to notify) each of the other parties hereto that at least five currently outstanding US Dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, Term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate (and such syndicated credit facilities are identified in such notice and are publicly available for review), and

 

(2)          the joint election by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to trigger a fallback from LIBO Rate and the provision, as applicable, by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country that is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution described in clause (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.

 

“Effective Date” means [●], 2021.

 

“Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

22 

 

“Eligible Accounts” means, at any time, the Accounts owned by any Loan Party and in which such Loan Party has good and marketable title, but excluding Credit Card Receivables and any other Account:

 

(a)        which is not subject to a first priority (subject to a Lien described in clause (a) or (b) in the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreements securing the Obligations;

 

(b)        which is subject to any Lien whatsoever, other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, (ii) Permitted Encumbrances (other than those described in clauses (a) and (b) in the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Obligations created by the Collateral Agreements and (iii) Liens permitted under Section 5.08(b)(ii), (b)(ix) or (b)(x);

 

(c)        (i) with respect to which the scheduled due date is more than 90 days after the date of the original invoice therefor, (ii) which is unpaid more than 90 days after the date of the original invoice therefor or more than 60 days after the original due date therefor or (iii) which has been written off the books of the applicable Loan Party or otherwise designated as uncollectible;

 

(d)        which is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than 50% of the Accounts owing by such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible pursuant to clause (c) above;

 

(e)        which is owing by an Account Debtor to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing by such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to the Loan Parties exceeds 25% of the aggregate Eligible Accounts (or, in the case of M.H. Alshaya Co. and its Affiliates, exceeds $50,000,000); provided that the amount of Eligible Accounts that are excluded because they exceed the percentage set forth in this clause (e) shall be determined based on all of the otherwise Eligible Accounts prior to giving effect to any eliminations based on the foregoing concentration limit;

 

(f)        with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents has been breached or is not true;

 

(g)       which (i) does not arise from the sale of goods or performance of services in the ordinary course of business, (ii) is not evidenced by an invoice or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent which has been sent to the applicable Account Debtor, (iii) represents a sale on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment, cash-on-delivery or any other repurchase or return basis or (iv) relates to payments of interest;

 

(h)       for which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped to the Account Debtor or for which the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed by the applicable Loan Party or if such Account is in respect of an invoice that is duplicative of a previously invoiced Account;

23

 

(i)         with respect to which any check or other instrument of payment has been returned uncollected for any reason;

 

(j)         which is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) is the subject of any Bankruptcy Event, (ii) is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, (iii) is otherwise deemed not creditworthy by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion, (iv) has admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable, to pay its debts as they become due, (v) has become insolvent or (vi) has ceased operation of its business;

 

(k)        which is owed by an Account Debtor which has sold all or substantially all its assets;

 

(l)         which is owed by an Account Debtor that (i) does not have its head office, registered office, principal place of business or chief executive office in the United States or Canada or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of (A) the United States or any state of the United States or (B) Canada or any province or territory of Canada unless, in any such case, such Account is backed by a letter of credit or trade insurance (in the case of Accounts backed by trade insurance, not to exceed $50,000,000), in each case acceptable to the Collateral Agent which, in each case, is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Collateral Agent or otherwise subject to a pledge in favor of the Collateral Agent in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(m)       which is owed in any currency other than US Dollars or Canadian Dollars;

 

(n)       which is owed by (i) any Governmental Authority of any country other than the United States or Canada unless such Account is backed by a letter of credit acceptable to the Collateral Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Collateral Agent, (ii) any Governmental Authority of the United States or Canada, or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless any steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Collateral Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Collateral Agent’s satisfaction, including in respect of the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq.), or (iii) any Governmental Authority of any State of the United States, any province or territory of Canada or any other Governmental Authority not referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above;

 

(o)       which is owed by any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any employee, officer, director, agent or equityholder of any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates;

 

(p)       which is owed by an Account Debtor or any Affiliate of such Account Debtor to which any Loan Party is indebted or which is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor; provided that the excess of the Accounts of such Account Debtor over the aggregate amount of such indebtedness, security, deposits, progress payments, retainage and other similar advances, shall not be excluded pursuant to this clause (p);

24

 

(q)       which is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute; provided that the excess of such Accounts over such counterclaims, deductions, defenses, setoffs or disputes shall not be excluded pursuant to this clause (q);

 

(r)        which is evidenced by any promissory note, judgment, chattel paper or instrument;

 

(s)       which is owed by an Account Debtor located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report in order to permit the applicable Loan Party to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Account, unless such Loan Party has filed such report or is qualified to do business in such jurisdiction;

 

(t)        with respect to which the applicable Loan Party has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business (but only to the extent of any such reduction), or any Account which was partially paid and the applicable Loan Party created a new receivable for the unpaid portion of such Account;

 

(u)       which does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether Federal, state or local, including the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z of the Board;

 

(v)       which is for goods that have been sold under a purchase order or pursuant to the terms of a contract or other agreement or understanding (written or oral) that indicates or purports that any Person other than the applicable Loan Party has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than the applicable Loan Party as payee or remittance party;

 

(w)       which is owed by an Account Debtor that is a Sanctioned Person; or

 

(x)        which is not a true and correct statement of a bona fide obligation incurred in the amount of the Account for merchandise sold to or services rendered and accepted by the applicable Account Debtor;

 

provided, however, that the Collateral Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion and upon prior written notice to the Company, deem any Account ineligible, or impose additional eligibility criteria, based on the results of the most recent field examination or Inventory appraisal conducted pursuant to Section 5.23.

 

In determining the amount of an Eligible Account, the face amount of an Account may, in the Collateral Agent’s Permitted Discretion and upon prior written notice to the Company, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) to the extent not otherwise reflected in the eligibility criteria, the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that the applicable Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to an Account Debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by the applicable Loan Party to reduce the amount of such Account.

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Account acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date outside the ordinary course of business, or acquired or originated by any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date, shall be included in determining Eligible Accounts until a field examination with respect thereto has been completed to the satisfaction of the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood and agreed that additional field examinations conducted at the Company’s election pursuant to this paragraph shall not count against the number of field examinations permitted pursuant to Section 5.23).

 

“Eligible Assignee” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund and (d) any other Person, other than, in each case, a natural person, the Company, any Subsidiary or other Affiliate of the Company or its Subsidiaries; provided that an Eligible Assignee shall not include a Defaulting Lender.

 

“Eligible Credit Card Receivables” means, as of any date of determination, each Credit Card Receivable that satisfies all the requirements set forth below:

 

(a)        such Credit Card Receivable is owned by a Loan Party and such Loan Party has good and marketable title to such Credit Card Receivable;

 

(b)       such Credit Card Receivable has not been outstanding for more than five Business Days;

 

(c)       the credit card issuer or the credit card processor of the applicable credit card with respect to such Credit Card Receivable (i) is not the subject of any Bankruptcy Event, (ii) is not liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, (iii) is not otherwise deemed not creditworthy by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion, (iv) has not admitted in writing its inability, or is not generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) has not become insolvent and (vi) has not ceased operation of its business;

 

(d)       such Credit Card Receivable is a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the applicable credit card issuer or credit card processor with respect thereto;

 

(e)       such Credit Card Receivable is subject to a first priority (subject to a Lien described in clause (a) or (b) in the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreements;

 

(f)        such Credit Card Receivable is not subject to any Lien whatsoever, other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, (ii) Permitted Encumbrances (other than those described in clauses (a) and (b) in the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Obligations created by the Collateral Agreements and (iii) Liens permitted under Section 5.08(b)(ii), (b)(ix) or (b)(x);

26

 

(g)       such Credit Card Receivable conforms in all material respects to all representations, warranties or other provisions in the Loan Documents or in the credit card agreements relating to such Credit Card Receivable;

 

(h)       if such Credit Card Receivable is subject to risk of set-off, non-collection or not being processed due to unpaid and/or accrued credit card processor fee balances, or if a claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been asserted by the applicable credit card issuer or credit card processor, the face amount thereof for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base has been reduced by the amount of such unpaid and/or accrued credit card processor fees or such claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback;

 

(i)        subject to the grace period in clause (d) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, such Credit Card Receivable is subject to a Credit Card Notification; and

 

(j)        such Credit Card Receivable is not evidenced by chattel paper or an instrument of any kind unless such chattel paper or instrument is in the possession of the Collateral Agent, and to the extent necessary or appropriate, endorsed to the Collateral Agent;

 

provided, however, the Collateral Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion and upon prior written notice to the Company, deem any Credit Card Receivable ineligible, or impose additional eligibility criteria, based on the results of the most recent field examination or Inventory appraisal conducted pursuant to Section 5.23.

 

In determining the amount of an Eligible Credit Card Receivable, the face amount thereof may, in the Collateral Agent’s Permitted Discretion and upon prior written notice to the Company, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all customary fees and expenses in connection with the credit card arrangements applicable thereto and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect thereof but not yet applied by the applicable Loan Party to reduce the amount of such Eligible Credit Card Receivable.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Credit Card Receivable acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date outside the ordinary course of business, or acquired or originated by any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date, shall be included in determining Eligible Credit Card Receivables until a field examination with respect thereto has been completed to the satisfaction of the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood and agreed that additional field examinations conducted at the Company’s election pursuant to this paragraph shall not count against the number of field examinations permitted pursuant to Section 5.23).

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“Eligible Inventory” means, at any time, the Inventory owned by any Loan Party (and in which such Loan Party has good and marketable title), but excluding any Inventory:

 

(a)        which is not subject to a first priority perfected (subject to a Lien described in clause (a) or (b) in the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreements securing the Obligations;

 

(b)       which is subject to any Lien whatsoever, other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, (ii) Permitted Encumbrances (other than those described in clauses (a) and (b) in the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”) that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Agreements, (iii) Liens permitted under Section 5.08 (b)(ii), (b)(ix) or (b)(x) and (iv) in the case of Inventory at a warehouse or other third party storage facility or in transit with a common carrier or other third party carrier, any Lien in respect of which an appropriate Reserve shall have been established by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

 

(c)        which is slow moving, out of season, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used or unfit for sale; provided that, this clause (c) shall not exclude (i) slow moving Inventory located at a clearance center that has been appropriately priced consistent with the Company’s customary practices and (ii) Inventory solely due to such Inventory consisting of out of season products or components thereof;

 

(d)       with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents has been breached or is not true or which does not conform to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority in the United States or Canada;

 

(e)        in which any Person other than a Loan Party shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title (including the rights of a purchaser that has made progress payments and the rights of a surety that has issued a bond to assure a Loan Party’s performance with respect to that Inventory) or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having or purporting to have an interest therein;

 

(f)        which is not finished goods or which constitutes work-in-process, raw materials, spare or replacement parts, subassemblies, packaging and shipping material, manufacturing supplies, samples, prototypes, displays or display items, bill-and-hold or ship-in-place goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

28

 

(g)       which is not located in the United States or Canada or is in transit with a common carrier or other third party carrier from vendors and suppliers; provided that Inventory in transit within the United States or Canada may be included as Eligible Inventory so long as:

 

(i)         if the applicable Loan Party’s rights with respect thereto are evidenced by a bill of lading or comparable document, such document either (A) is non-negotiable or (B) has been delivered to the Collateral Agent,

 

(ii)        the common carrier or other third party carrier is not an Affiliate of the Loan Parties or of the applicable vendor or supplier, and

 

(iii)       the customs broker is not an Affiliate of the Loan Parties or of the applicable vendor or supplier; provided that this clause (iii) shall not apply to Retail Brokerage Solutions, LLC;

 

(h)        which is located in any real property leased by a Loan Party unless (i) the lessor has executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent a Collateral Access Agreement (subject to the grace period in clause (e) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”) or (ii) a Reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such location has been established by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

 

(i)         which is located at any warehouse or other third party storage facility or is otherwise in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) and (i) is evidenced by a negotiable warehouse receipt or comparable document unless such document has been delivered to the Collateral Agent or (ii) is not evidenced by a document, unless (A) such warehouseman or other bailee has executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent a Collateral Access Agreement (subject to the grace period in clause (e) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”) and such other documentation as the Collateral Agent may require in its Permitted Discretion or (B) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

 

(j)         which is a discontinued product or component thereof;

 

(k)        which is the subject of a consignment by a Loan Party as consignor;

 

(l)         which is perishable;

 

(m)       which contains or bears any Intellectual Property rights licensed to a Loan Party unless the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion is satisfied that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;

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(n)       which is not reflected in a current perpetual inventory report of the applicable Loan Party (unless such Inventory is reflected in a report to the Collateral Agent as “in transit” Inventory); or

 

(o)       for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

 

provided, however, the Collateral Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion and upon prior written notice to the Company, deem any Inventory ineligible, or impose additional eligibility criteria, based on the results of the most recent field examination or Inventory appraisal conducted pursuant to Section 5.23.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the amount of Inventory shall be adjusted (A) as required to eliminate intercompany profit and (B) to true up cost by eliminating intercompany performance incentives and (ii) the aggregate amount of Inventory included in the Borrowing Base pursuant to the proviso to clause (c) shall not exceed $50,000,000.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Inventory acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date other than in the ordinary course of business, or acquired or created by any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date, shall be included in determining Eligible Inventory until an appraisal with respect thereto has been completed to the satisfaction of the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood and agreed that additional appraisals conducted at the Company’s election pursuant to this paragraph shall not count against the number of appraisals permitted pursuant to Section 5.23).

 

“Eligible Real Property” means, on any date, the real property owned in fee by a Loan Party (i) that is acceptable in the Permitted Discretion of the Collateral Agent for inclusion in the Borrowing Base, (ii) in respect of which a Real Property Appraisal has been delivered to the Collateral Agent prior to its inclusion in the Borrowing Base and during the 24-month period ending on such date, (iii) in respect of which the Collateral Agent is satisfied that all actions necessary or desirable in order to create a perfected first priority Lien on such real property in favor of the Collateral Agent have been taken, including the filing and recording of Mortgages, (iv) in respect of which an environmental assessment report has been completed and delivered to the Collateral Agent in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders and which does not indicate any pending, threatened or existing Environmental Liability, or noncompliance with any Environmental Law, (v) in respect of which the Company shall have delivered a fully-paid valid title insurance policy in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent naming the Collateral Agent as the insured for the benefit of the Lenders, issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, insuring the Lien of such Mortgage as a valid and enforceable first priority Lien on the Eligible Real Property described therein, with such customary endorsements reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent and (vi) if requested by the Collateral Agent: (A) a completed ALTA survey reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent has been delivered for which all necessary fees have been paid and which is dated no more than 30 days prior to the date on which the applicable Mortgage is recorded, certified to the Collateral Agent and the issuer of the title insurance policy in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent by a land surveyor duly registered and licensed in the state in which such Eligible Real Property is located and acceptable to the Agent; (B) in respect of which local counsel for the Company in states in which the Eligible Real Property is located have delivered a letter of opinion with respect to the enforceability and perfection of the Mortgages and any related fixture filings in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; (C) in respect of which the Company shall have used its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain estoppel certificates executed by all tenants of such Eligible Real Property and such other consents, agreements and confirmations of lessors and third parties have been delivered to the Collateral Agent as the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable; and (D) a completed “Life of Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency standard flood hazard determination obtained with respect to such Eligible Real Property, together with evidence that all other customary actions that the Collateral Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to create perfected first priority Liens on the property described in the Mortgages in favor of the Collateral Agent have been taken; provided, however, Eligible Real Property shall exclude (a) any real property located outside of the United States of America and (b) any Flood Hazard Property.

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“Enhanced Borrowing Base Reporting Period” means (a) any period during which a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (b) any period (1) commencing on any day when Specified Excess Availability has for three consecutive Business Days been less than or equal to the greater of (x) $100,000,000 and (y) 15% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (2) ending after Specified Excess Availability has been greater than the amount set forth in clause (1) above for 20 consecutive days during which period no Specified Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

“Environmental Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, orders-in-council, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources or the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material.

 

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

 

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person.

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“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“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.

 

“Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to a LIBO Rate.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.

 

“Excess Availability” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the Maximum Borrowing Amount, minus (b) the Aggregate Credit Exposure (which, solely for purposes of determining Average Daily Excess Availability, shall exclude Protective Advances), in each case outstanding at such time.

 

“Exchange Rate” means on any day, for purposes of determining the US Dollar Equivalent of any other currency, the rate at which such other currency may be exchanged into US Dollars at the time of determination on such day as set forth on the Reuters WRLD Page for such currency. In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters WRLD Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Company or, in the absence of such an agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the Spot Rate.

 

“Excluded Deposit Accounts” means (a) any deposit account the funds in which are used solely for the payment of salaries and wages, workers’ compensation and similar expenses (including payroll taxes) in the ordinary course of business, (b) any deposit account that is a zero-balance disbursement account, (c) any deposit account the funds in which consist solely of (i) funds held by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party in trust for any director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party or (ii) funds representing deferred compensation for the directors and employees of the Company and the Subsidiary Loan Parties, (d) any deposit account the funds in which consist solely of cash earnest money deposits or funds deposited under escrow or similar arrangements in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement for any transaction permitted hereunder and (e) other deposit accounts to the extent the aggregate daily balance in all such accounts does not at any time exceed $100,000.

 

“Excluded Securities Account” means any securities account the securities entitlements in which consist solely of (a) securities entitlements held by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party in trust for any director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party or (b) securities entitlements representing deferred compensation for the directors and employees of the Company and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

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“Excluded Subsidiary” means:

 

(a)       any Immaterial Subsidiary,

 

(b)       any Consolidated Subsidiary that is prohibited or restricted by law, rule or regulation or contractual obligation (in the case of any such contractual obligation, where such contractual obligation exists on the Effective Date or on the date such entity becomes a Consolidated Subsidiary, as long as such contractual obligation was not entered into in contemplation of such person becoming a Consolidated Subsidiary) from Guaranteeing the Obligations or that would require a governmental (including regulatory) or third party consent, approval, license or authorization to Guarantee the Obligations (including under any financial assistance, corporate benefit, thin capitalization, capital maintenance, liquidity maintenance or similar legal principles) for so long as the applicable prohibition or restriction is in effect and unless and until such consent has been received, it being understood that the Company and its subsidiaries shall have no obligation to obtain any such consent, approval, license or authorization,

 

(c)       any not-for-profit subsidiary,

 

(d)       any Captive Insurance Subsidiary or subsidiary that is a broker-dealer,

 

(e)       any special purpose entity (including a special purpose entity used for any permitted securitization or receivables facility or financing) and any Receivables Subsidiary,

 

(f)        (i) any Domestic Subsidiary that is a disregarded subsidiary for Tax purposes or (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect subsidiary of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Subsidiary described in the preceding clause (i),

 

(g)       any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Consolidated Subsidiary,

 

(h)       any Consolidated Subsidiary acquired pursuant to an acquisition or other Investment permitted by this Agreement that has Indebtedness at the time of such acquisition or Investment, and not incurred in contemplation thereof, and any Consolidated Subsidiary thereof that guarantees such Indebtedness, in each case to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness prohibit such Consolidated Subsidiary from becoming a Subsidiary Loan Party,

 

(i)        any Consolidated Subsidiary if the provision of a Guarantee of the Obligations could reasonably be expected to result in adverse tax or regulatory consequences to any Loan Party or any of its subsidiaries or parent companies that are not de minimis as determined by the Company in good faith, and

 

(j)       any other Consolidated Subsidiary with respect to which, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Company, the burden or cost of Guaranteeing the Obligations outweighs the benefits afforded thereby.

 

 

 

 33

 

“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) income, franchise or similar Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, imposed on (or measured by) such Recipient’s net income by the United States of America, (b) income, franchise or similar Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, imposed by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, or which are imposed by reason of any present or former connection between such Lender and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes, other than solely as a result of this Agreement or any Loan or transaction contemplated hereby, (c) in the case of a Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Company under Section ‎2.18(b)), any U.S. federal withholding Tax that is in effect and would apply to amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender under applicable law at the time such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, under applicable law at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Company with respect to any such withholding Tax pursuant to Section ‎2.16(a), (d) any Tax that is attributable to such Lender’s or any other recipient’s failure to comply with Section ‎2.16(f), (e) any U.S. federal Taxes imposed under FATCA, and (f) any Canadian withholding tax that is imposed as a result of a Recipient not dealing at arm’s length (within the meaning of the ITA) with the payer at the time of such payment.

 

“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); any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof; any intergovernmental agreements entered into thereunder and any law, regulation or official guidance adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreements; and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

“FCPA” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

 

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if such rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

 

“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Company.

 

“FIRREA” means the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended.

 

 

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“Fiscal Month” means any fiscal month as set forth in the calendar published by the National Retail Federation.

 

“Fiscal Year” means any fiscal year as set forth in the calendar published by the National Retail Federation setting forth the fiscal year for retailers on a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday on or nearest (whether following or preceding) January 31 of the following calendar year.

 

“Flood Hazard Property” means any real property improved by a Building (as defined in the Flood Insurance Laws) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the Flood Insurance Laws) that on the relevant date of determination is located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a special flood hazard area.

 

“Flood Insurance Laws” means, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

 

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person or, as applicable in the case of a Loan or Commitment to a Canadian Borrower, a Lender that is not resident in Canada for purposes of the ITA.

 

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

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

“Gift Card Reserve” means, at any time, the sum of (a) 50% of the aggregate remaining amount at such time of outstanding gift certificates and gift cards sold by the Loan Parties entitling the holder thereof to use all or a portion of the certificate or gift card to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of Inventory and (b) 50% of the aggregate amount at such time of outstanding customer deposits and merchandise credits entitling the holder thereof to use all or a portion of such deposit or credit to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of Inventory.

 

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, Canada, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, local, provincial or territorial, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

 

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

 

“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

 

“IBA” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.08.

 

“Immaterial Subsidiaries” means, at any time, Consolidated Subsidiaries that (a) are Domestic Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries and (b) at such time, in the aggregate for all such Subsidiaries, (i) directly own less than 10% of the amount of Qualifying Assets owned directly by all Consolidated Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries and (ii) directly own accounts receivable and inventory representing less than 5% of the book value of the accounts receivable and inventory directly owned by all Consolidated Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries.

 

“Incremental Facility Agreement” means an Incremental Facility Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Company, the Administrative Agent and one or more Incremental Lenders, establishing Incremental Revolving Commitments of any tranche and effecting such other amendments hereto and to the other Loan Documents as are contemplated by Section 2.08.

 

“Incremental Lender” means a Lender with an Incremental Revolving Commitment.

 

“Incremental Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to any Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender, established pursuant to an Incremental Facility Agreement and Section 2.08, to make Incremental Revolving Loans of any tranche, and, if provided in such Incremental Facility Agreement, to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Protective Advances of such tranche, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Lender’s Credit Exposure under such Incremental Facility Agreement.

 

“Incremental Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to a tranche of Incremental Revolving Commitments.

 

 

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“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property (other than inventory) or services (excluding accruals and trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (d) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (e) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (f) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and (g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances.

 

“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

“Insolvency Laws” means each of the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act (Canada), in each case as amended, and any other applicable state, provincial, territorial, foreign or federal bankruptcy laws, each as now and hereafter in effect, any successors to such statutes and any other applicable insolvency or other similar law of any jurisdiction, including any corporate law of any jurisdiction permitting a debtor to obtain a stay or a compromise of the claims of its creditors against it and including any rules and regulations pursuant thereto.

 

“Intellectual Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreements.

 

“Intercreditor Agreement” means (a) the Intercreditor Agreement dated the date hereof, among the Administrative Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Term Loan Agent (as defined therein), as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time or (b) any other customary intercreditor or subordination agreement or arrangement among the Loan Parties, the Collateral Agent and the trustee, agent or other representative for holders of any Indebtedness secured by Non-ABL Priority Collateral or second priority Liens contemplated by clause (b)(x) of Section 5.08, as applicable, which intercreditor agreement shall be consistent with the then existing market practice and reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders (it being understood that (i) any such intercreditor agreement shall be considered approved by a Lender if made available to such Lender by the Administrative Agent (through Intralinks or similar facility) and such Lender is informed that such intercreditor agreement shall be considered approved by it if there is no objection within five Business Days, and no such objection is made and (ii) such intercreditor agreement shall be deemed accepted if approved or deemed approved by the Required Lenders).

 

“Interest Election Request” means a request by a Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan or Canadian Prime Rate Loan (other than a Protective Advance), the last day of each March, June, September and December, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three-months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three-months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and (c) with respect to any Protective Advance, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

 

 

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“Interest Period” means, with respect to any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months thereafter or, if available from all participating Lenders, 12 months thereafter, in each case as the applicable Borrower may elect; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (iii) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.13(f) shall be available and (iv) any Interest Period that would otherwise end after the Maturity Date will end on the Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

“Interpolated Rate” means, (A) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period or clause (c) of the definition of the term “Alternate Base Rate”, a rate per annum (rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between (a) the applicable LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which such LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan and (b) the applicable LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which such LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is longer than the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan, in each case at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period and (B) with respect to any CDOR Rate Loan for any Interest Period, a rate per annum (rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1% (with 0.005% being rounded up)) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between (a) the applicable CDO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which such CDO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Interest Period for such CDOR Rate Loan and (b) the applicable CDO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which such CDO Screen Rate is available) that is longer than the Interest Period for such CDOR Rate Loan, in each case at or about approximately 10:00 a.m., Toronto time, on the applicable date of determination two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

 

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“Inventory” has the meaning specified in the UCC.

 

“Investment” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.17.

 

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.

 

“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).

 

“Issuing Bank” means, as applicable, (a) with respect to Letters of Credit to be participated in under the Revolving Commitments, (i) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, (ii) Goldman Sachs Bank USA, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, (iii) Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit (denominated in US Dollars only) hereunder, (iv) Citibank, N.A., in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, (v) HSBC Bank USA, N.A., in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, (vi) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, (vii) Barclays Bank PLC, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit (standby only) hereunder, (viii) any other Revolving Lender or Affiliate of a Revolving Lender designated by the Company (with such Revolving Lender’s consent) as an Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit in a written notice to the Administrative Agent and (ix) their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(i) and (b) with respect to Letters of Credit to be participated in under the Commitments of any other Class, (i) any Lender of such Class or Affiliate of a Lender of such Class named as such in the Incremental Facility Agreement pursuant to which such Commitments were established, (ii) any other Lender of such Class or Affiliate of a Lender of such Class designated by the Company (with such Lender’s consent) as an Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit in a written notice to the Administrative Agent and (iii) its respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(i). Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by or through Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

“ITA” means the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.18(b).

 

“LC Commitment” means, with respect to any Issuing Bank, the maximum permitted amount of LC Exposure that may be attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank. Each Issuing Bank’s LC Commitment shall be equal to (x) the amount set forth in clause (i) of the third sentence of Section 2.05(b) divided by (y) the number of Issuing Banks at such time, or such other amount as agreed by such Issuing Bank and the Company; provided that from and after the Effective Date, no Issuing Bank’s LC Commitment shall be increased without such Issuing Bank’s consent.

 

 

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“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by any Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

“LC Exposure” means, with respect to any Class as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit of such Class plus the aggregate of all LC Disbursements in respect of Letters of Credit of such Class that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the applicable Borrowers at such time. 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 1.06. 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. The LC Exposure with respect to any Class of any Lender of such Class at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage in respect of such Class of the total LC Exposure in respect of such Class at such time, subject to adjustment pursuant to any LC Exposure Reallocation. An LC Exposure Reallocation permitted hereunder shall be effective upon election by the Company as provided in Section 2.19, and shall be rescinded with respect to any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender at the time it ceases to be a Defaulting Lender or at the time its applicable Commitment is assigned pursuant to Section 2.18(b) or terminated pursuant to Section 2.18(c).

 

“LC Exposure Reallocation” means an adjustment to the LC Exposure of each Lender of any applicable Class that is a non-Defaulting Lender, to take account of a Lender or Lenders of such Class being or becoming a Defaulting Lender, that increases the LC Exposure of each Lender of such Class that is not a Defaulting Lender to equal its Applicable Percentage in respect of such Class (determined as though the Commitment of each Lender of such Class that is a Defaulting Lender were reduced to zero) of the total LC Exposure in respect of such Class, in order to support its ratable share of the LC Exposure of such Class of the relevant Defaulting Lender or Defaulting Lenders. In the event of an LC Exposure Reallocation (a) the LC Exposure of the relevant Lender that is a Defaulting Lender shall not be decreased, but (b) the LC Exposure of each Lender of the applicable Class that is not a Defaulting Lender shall be increased as provided above, and such Lender’s increased LC Exposure of such Class shall apply for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of determining its Credit Exposure and participation fees payable with respect to its LC Exposure. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, an LC Exposure Reallocation shall not be permitted if, after giving effect thereto, the Credit Exposure of any Lender of such Class shall exceed its Commitment of such Class.

 

“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto (i) pursuant to an accession agreement as contemplated in Section 2.08(d), (ii) pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption as contemplated in Section 8.04(b), other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or (iii) pursuant to an Incremental Facility Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Administrative Agent in its capacity as lender of Protective Advances.

 

 

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“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement and shall include, if applicable, any bankers’ acceptance resulting from any such letter of credit, so long as such banker’s acceptance matures within the period provided for in Section 2.05(c).

 

“Liabilities” means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.

 

“LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for US Dollars) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; in each case the “LIBO Screen Rate”) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement; provided further that if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period with respect to US Dollars then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset.

 

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement and the Collateral Documents.

 

“Loan Parties” means the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

 

“Loans” means the loans (including Protective Advances) made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, financial position or results of operations of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Borrower to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under this Agreement or the Collateral Agreements.

 

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

 

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“Material Subsidiary” means any (i) Designated Real Estate Subsidiary or (ii) Consolidated Subsidiary that (a) is a wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary or a wholly-owned Canadian Subsidiary and (b) is not an Excluded Subsidiary.

 

“Maturity Date” means [●], 2026.

 

“Maximum Borrowing Amount” means, at any time, the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Commitments at such time and (b) the Borrowing Base at such time.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

“Mortgage” means a mortgage, deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents or other security document granting a Lien on any Mortgaged Property in favor of the Collateral Agent to secure the Obligations. Each Mortgage shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Mortgaged Property” means each parcel of real property (together with any adjoining or other parcels of real property integral to the operation of any facility owned by any Loan Party that shall be subject to a Mortgage; provided that such additional parcels of real property shall not constitute Mortgaged Property if the applicable Loan Party is unable to deliver a Mortgage encumbering such additional parcels despite using commercially reasonable efforts to deliver them) located in the United States of America owned in fee by a Loan Party, and the improvements thereto.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means, with respect to Inventory of any Person, the orderly liquidation value thereof as identified in the most recent field examination or Inventory appraisal conducted pursuant to Section 5.23, as applicable, net of all costs of liquidation thereof.

 

“Non-ABL Priority Collateral” means, at any time, all the following assets that constitute Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired and wherever located: (a) all real property, related appurtenant rights and Fixtures and interests therein (including both fee and leasehold interests) (x) located outside the United States of America and (y) located in the United States of America if Eligible Real Property is not included in the Borrowing Base at such time; (b) all Equipment; (c) all Intellectual Property (other than any computer programs and any support and information relating thereto that constitute Inventory); (d) all Equity Interests and other Investment Property (other than Investment Property constituting ABL Priority Collateral under clause (d) or (g) of the definition of such term); (e) all Commercial Tort Claims; (f) all insurance policies relating to Non-ABL Priority Collateral, but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding business interruption insurance and credit insurance with respect to any Accounts; (g) except to the extent constituting ABL Priority Collateral under clause (g) of the definition of such term, all Documents, all General Intangibles, all Instruments and all Letter-of-Credit Rights; (h) all other Collateral not constituting ABL Priority Collateral; (i) all collateral and guarantees given by any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing, and all Supporting Obligations (including Letter-of-Credit Rights) with respect to any of the foregoing; (j) all books and Records to the extent relating to any of the foregoing; and (k) all products and Proceeds of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Non-ABL Priority Collateral” shall not include any assets referred to in clauses (a) through (e) of the definition of the term “ABL Priority Collateral”. Capitalized terms used in this definition but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Agreements.

 

 

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“Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that withholds its consent to any proposed amendment, modification or waiver that cannot become effective without the consent of such Lender under Section 8.02 or Section 8.02A, and that has been consented to by the Required Lenders (or (a) in circumstances where Section 8.02 does not require the consent of the Required Lenders as a result of clause (ii) of the second proviso in Section 8.02(b), a majority in interest of the Lenders of the affected Class or (b) in circumstances where Section 8.02A does not require the consent of the Required Lenders, the Supermajority Lenders).

 

“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” shall mean the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“OA Payment Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Open Account Agreement”.

 

“Obligations” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agreements.

 

“OFAC” means the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.

 

“Open Account Agreement” means any agreement between or among a Lender or any of its Affiliates and the Company or any Subsidiary, as identified to the Collateral Agent as an “Open Account Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement by the Company from time to time, pursuant to which the Company or such Subsidiary has committed to pay such Lender or its Affiliates (a) amounts on account of any account receivable purchased by such Lender or its Affiliates from certain vendors of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, (b) the amount of any overdrafts created by such Lender or its Affiliates to pay vendors other than those referred to in clause (a) above, and (c) certain processing fees thereunder (the obligations to pay the amounts referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c), collectively, the “OA Payment Obligations”).

 

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future recording, stamp, documentary, intangible filing, excise, property or similar taxes, charges or levies imposed by the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof arising from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or from the registration, receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

 

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“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

 

“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04(c)(iii).

 

“Patriot Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.15.

 

“Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03.

 

“Payment Conditions” means:

 

(a)                in respect of any Restricted Payment to be made in reliance on such conditions, on a pro forma basis, on each of the 30 days immediately preceding such Restricted Payment, and projected on a reasonable basis for each of the 30 days succeeding such Restricted Payment, either (i) both (x) the ratio of Consolidated EBITDAR to Consolidated Fixed Charges for the most recent Test Period is greater than 1.00 to 1.00 and (y) Specified Excess Availability is greater than the greater of (A) $120,000,000 and (B) 20% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount or (ii) Specified Excess Availability is greater than the greater of (A) $200,000,000 and (B) 30% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount, and, in each case, the absence of an Event of Default; and

 

(b)               in respect of any Investment to be made in reliance on such conditions, on a pro forma basis, on each of the 30 days immediately preceding such Investment, and projected on a reasonable basis for each of the 30 days succeeding such Investment, either (i) both (x) the ratio of Consolidated EBITDAR to Consolidated Fixed Charges for the most recent Test Period is greater than 1.00 to 1.00 and (y) Specified Excess Availability is greater than the greater of (A) $80,000,000 and (B) 17.5% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount or (ii) Specified Excess Availability is greater than the greater of (A) $160,000,000 and (B) 25% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount, and, in each case, the absence of an Event of Default.

 

“Payment Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03.

 

“Payment Intangibles” has the meaning specified in the UCC.

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

“Permitted Discretion” means a determination made by the Collateral Agent in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment in accordance with the Collateral Agent’s credit policies.

 

 

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“Permitted Encumbrances” means:

 

(a)                Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet due;

 

(b)               carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days;

 

(c)                pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 

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

 

(e)                judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (i) of Section 6.01;

 

(f)                 easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(g)                Liens in favor of sellers of goods arising under Article 2 of the UCC or similar provisions of applicable law in the ordinary course of business, covering only the goods sold and securing only the unpaid purchase price for such goods and related expenses;

 

(h)                Liens securing obligations in respect of trade letters of credit; provided that such Liens do not extend to any property other than the goods financed or paid for with such letters of credit, documents of title in respect thereof and proceeds thereof;

 

(i)                  Liens (i) arising by operation of law under Article 4 of the UCC in connection with collection of items provided for therein, and (ii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law or under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or arising pursuant to such banking institution’s general terms and conditions;

 

(j)                 leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not (i) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary, taken as a whole, or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;

 

 

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(k)               Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Company or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement;

 

(l)                  Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(m)              Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and the Subsidiary Loan Parties or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)                Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

 

(o)               Liens arising from precautionary UCC filings regarding “true” operating leases or the consignment of goods to a Loan Party; and

 

(p)               Liens on insurance proceeds incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the financing of insurance premiums;

 

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

 

“Permitted Holders” means Leslie H. Wexner, all descendants of any of his grandparents, any spouse or former spouse of any of the foregoing, any descendant of any such spouse or former spouse, the estate of any of the foregoing, any trust for the benefit, in whole or in part, of one or more of the foregoing and any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity Controlled by one or more of the foregoing.

 

“Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any other Loan Party permitted under Section 5.10(k) or (l).

 

“Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness Documents” means any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or governing any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.

 

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

 

 

46

 

“Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(2) of the ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

“PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario), including the regulations thereto, provided that, if validity, perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any Lien created hereunder on the Collateral is governed by the personal property security legislation or other applicable legislation with respect to personal property security in effect in a jurisdiction other than Ontario, “PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act or such other applicable legislation in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such validity, perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

 

“Pre-Closing Reorganization Transactions” means each of transactions that collectively constitute the Restructuring (as defined in the Separation Agreement).

 

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

 

“Protective Advance Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the principal amounts of all outstanding Protective Advances at such time. The Protective Advance Exposures of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Protective Advance Exposures at such time, adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.19 of the Protective Advance Exposures of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time.

 

“Protective Advances” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a).

 

“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 set forth in Section 8.21.

 

“Qualifying Assets” means any and all assets directly owned by the Consolidated Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries, other than (a) real property, including improvements thereto and fixtures, (b) aircraft and (c) investments in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The amount or value of any Qualifying Assets at any time shall be the book value thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

47

 

“Real Property Appraisal” means an appraisal report from an appraisal firm satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, complying with the requirements of FIRREA and dated no more than 60 days prior to the date of delivery to the Collateral Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

 

“Real Property Exclusion Notice” means a written notice to the Collateral Agent from the Company, signed by a Financial Officer of the Company and certifying (i) that the Company elects to exclude Eligible Real Property from the Borrowing Base and (ii) that either (x) the ratio of Consolidated EBITDAR to Consolidated Fixed Charges for the most recent Test Period is greater than 1.10 to 1.00 or (y) Specified Excess Availability is greater than $240,000,000.

 

“Receivables Facility” means any of one or more transactions pursuant to which the Company or any of the Consolidated Subsidiaries sells or conveys Receivables Facility Assets to a Receivables Subsidiary that borrows or issues debt on a secured basis against Receivables Facility Assets.

 

“Receivables Facility Assets” means (a) Accounts that are excluded from Eligible Accounts pursuant to clause (g)(i) or (l) of the definition thereof and, in each case, any related assets and rights (including any collateral securing such Accounts, any contract rights in respect of such Accounts, proceeds collected on such Accounts, lockbox accounts into which such proceeds are collected and related records) customarily transferred in connection with similar receivables financing or securitization transactions and/or (b) Equity Interests issued by any Receivables Subsidiary.

 

“Receivables Facility Guarantee” means (i) any guarantee of performance and related indemnification entered into by the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary in respect of the obligations of a seller or servicer of Receivables Facility Assets in a Receivables Facility or (ii) any other guarantee of performance entered into by the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary which the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Facility.

 

“Receivables Subsidiary” means a Consolidated Subsidiary (x) formed as a special purpose entity for the purpose of facilitating or entering into one or more Specified Receivables Facilities and promptly identified in writing to the Administrative Agent as a Receivables Subsidiary and (y) engaged only in activities reasonably related or incidental to Specified Receivables Facilities (it being understood and agreed that any entity formed solely for the purpose of holding any bank account into which collections or other proceeds of Receivables Facility Assets are paid shall satisfy the requirement in clause (y) above).

 

“Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.

 

“Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (a) if such Benchmark is the Adjusted LIBO Rate, 11:00 a.m., London time, on the day that is two London banking days preceding the date of such setting and (b) if such Benchmark is the CDOR Rate, 10:15 a.m., Toronto time, on the day of such setting.

 

“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04.

 

 

48

 

“Registration Statement” means the registration statement filed with the SEC on June 21, 2021, as amended from time to time prior to the date hereof.

 

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

 

“Relevant Governmental Body” means (i) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in US Dollars, the Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto and (ii) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in CAD, (a) the Bank of Canada or any central bank or other supervisor which is responsible for supervising either (1) such Benchmark Replacement or (2) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement or (b) any working group or committee officially endorsed or convened by (1) the Bank of Canada, (2) any central bank or other supervisor that is responsible for supervising either (A) such Benchmark Replacement or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement.

 

“Reports” means reports prepared by any Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the assets of any Loan Party from information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party, which Reports (except where prepared for internal purposes of the Agents) shall be distributed to the Lenders by the Agents.

 

“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Credit Exposure and total unused Commitments at such time.

 

“Required Real Property Documentation” means (x) the documentation described in clauses (ii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of the definition of “Eligible Real Property” and (y) a written notice to the Collateral Agent from the Company stating that the Company elects to include such Eligible Real Property in the Borrowing Base.

 

“Required Secured Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agreements.

 

“Reserves” means any and all reserves which the Collateral Agent deems it appropriate, in its Permitted Discretion, to maintain (including, without limitation, reserves for excise tax collection and sales tax collection, transportation reserves, reserves for accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations, volatility reserves, reserves for rent at locations leased by any Loan Party and for consignee’s, warehousemen’s and bailee’s charges, reserves for dilution of Accounts, reserves in respect of Inventory, reserves for customs charges and shipping charges related to any Inventory in transit, reserves for obligations related to any Hedging Agreement that is secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations, reserves for contingent liabilities of any Loan Party, Gift Card Reserves, Specified OA Payment Obligation Reserves, reserves for uninsured losses of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured, underinsured, un-indemnified or under-indemnified liabilities or potential liabilities with respect to any litigation and reserves for taxes, fees, assessments, and other governmental charges) with respect to the Collateral or any Loan Party. No Reserves may be taken or increased after the Effective Date based on circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies known to the Administrative Agent as of the Effective Date, and for which no Reserves were imposed on the Effective Date, unless such circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies shall have changed in any material adverse respect since the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, (a) in no event shall Reserves (or changes in Reserves) with respect to any component of the Borrowing Base duplicate Reserves or adjustments already accounted for in determining eligibility criteria (including collection and/or advance rates) and (b) the amount of any such Reserve (or change in Reserve) shall be a reasonable quantification of the incremental dilution of the Borrowing Base attributable to the relevant contributing factors or shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such Reserve or change.

  

 

49

 

“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any U.K. Financial Institution, a U.K. Resolution Authority.

 

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary; provided that a dividend, distribution or payment payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) in the Company or applicable Consolidated Subsidiary shall not constitute a Restricted Payment.

 

“Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Revolving Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Protective Advances hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 8.04. The initial amount of each Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Revolving Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial amount of the total Revolving Commitments is $750,000,000.

 

“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the sum at such time, without duplication, of (a) the US Dollar Equivalents of the principal amounts of such Revolving Lender’s outstanding Revolving Loans and (b) the US Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of such Revolving Lender’s LC Exposure and Protective Advance Exposures.

 

50

 

“Revolving Lender” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

 

“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i) or Section 2.01(a)(ii).

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

 

“Sanctioned Country” means any country that is the subject of comprehensive territorial Sanctions (as of the date of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

 

“Sanctioned Person” means at any time (a) any Person named at such time on (i) the SDN List, (ii) the Sanctioned Entities List maintained by the U.S. Department of State, (iii) the consolidated list of persons, groups and entities subject to European Union financial sanctions maintained by the European Union External Action Committee, (iv) the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK maintained by Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (v) the Compendium of United Nations Security Council Sanctions Lists and (vi) any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Government of Canada pursuant to, or as described in, any applicable Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws, (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, or (c) any Person 50% or more owned by any Person or Persons in (a)(i) of this definition.

 

“Sanctions” means any economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury or the Government of Canada.

 

“Secured Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agreements.

 

“Separation Agreement” means the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of [_], 2021 between BBW and the Company.

 

“Specified Date” means the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date.

 

“Specified Event of Default” means an Event of Default (a) arising under clause (a) of Section 6.01, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, (b) arising with respect to any Loan Party under clause (e) of Section 6.01, (c) resulting from the Company’s failure to comply with Section 5.01(a)(iii) or from any representation or warranty contained in any Borrowing Base Certificate proving to have been incorrect in any material respect in a manner adverse to the interests of the Lenders when made or deemed made or (d) resulting from the Company’s failure to comply with Section 5.06 or 5.22.

 

“Specified Excess Availability” means, at any time, the sum of (a) Excess Availability at such time, plus (b) Suppressed Availability at such time.

 

“Specified OA Payment Obligation Reserves” means, at any time, an amount (to the extent positive) equal to (x) the aggregate amount owing to the counterparty or lender (together with its Affiliates) under any Open Account Agreement with respect to OA Payment Obligations at such time minus (y) 5% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount at such time.

 

51 

 

“Specified Receivables Facility” means any Receivables Facility that meets the following conditions: (a) the Company shall have determined in good faith that such Receivables Facility (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair, reasonable and beneficial to the Company; (b) all sales or other conveyances of Receivables Facility Assets by the Company or applicable Consolidated Subsidiary to any Receivables Subsidiary are made for fair market value; (c) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be on market terms and may include Standard Receivables Undertakings; (d) the obligations under such Receivables Facility shall not be guaranteed by, or secured by assets of, the Company or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries, other than a Receivables Subsidiary (it being agreed that the foregoing shall not prohibit Standard Receivables Undertakings, or precautionary financing statements or similar filings, in respect of Receivables Facility Assets); and (e) the aggregate amount of such Receivables Facility, together with all other Specified Receivables Facilities, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $120,000,000 and (y) 60% of the aggregate Accounts excluded from Eligible Accounts pursuant to clauses (g)(i) and (l) of the definition thereof.

 

“Spot Rate” for a currency means the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about such time as the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall elect after determining that such rates shall be the basis for determining the Exchange Rate, on such date for the purchase of US Dollars for delivery two Business Days later; provided that the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided further that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank may use any reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

“Standard Receivables Undertakings” means any Receivables Facility Guarantee and/or any representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary which the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Facility, including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary.

 

“Statutory Reserve Percentage” means for any day the percentage (expressed as a decimal) that is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board, for determining the maximum reserve requirement for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentage shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. The Statutory Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

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“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Subsidiary Loan Party” means, at any time, any Material Subsidiary that is a party to a Collateral Agreement and has satisfied the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement at such time. A Consolidated Subsidiary that has satisfied the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall cease to be a Subsidiary Loan Party at such time as its Guarantee of the Obligations, and the security interests in its assets securing the Obligations, in each case under the applicable Collateral Agreement, are released, subject to reinstatement as a Subsidiary Loan Party if and when it subsequently satisfies the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.

 

“Supermajority Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing at least 66.7% of the sum of the Aggregate Credit Exposure and total unused Commitments at such time.

 

“Supported QFC” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.21.

 

“Suppressed Availability” means, at any time, an amount, if positive, by which the Borrowing Base at such time exceeds the Aggregate Commitments at such time; provided that Suppressed Availability at any time shall not exceed 2.5% of the Aggregate Commitments at such time.

 

“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

“Term Loan Credit Agreement” means that certain First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of [_], 2021, among the Company, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent.

 

“Term SOFR” means, for the applicable Corresponding Tenor as of the applicable Reference Time, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

“Term SOFR Notice” means a notification by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders and the Borrower of the occurrence of a Term SOFR Transition Event.

 

“Term SOFR Transition Event” means the determination by the Administrative Agent that (a) Term SOFR has been recommended for use by the Relevant Governmental Body, (b) the administration of Term SOFR is administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent and (c) a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, has previously occurred resulting in a Benchmark Replacement in accordance with Section 2.13 that is not Term SOFR.

 

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“Test Date” means the date of any Borrowing hereunder (other than a Borrowing made hereunder solely for the purpose of paying maturing commercial paper of the applicable Borrower) or the date of any issuance, amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit; provided that any such date shall not be a “Test Date” if, on such date, (a) if both rating agencies shall have a Credit Rating then in effect, the Credit Ratings are Baa3 and BBB- or better or (b) if only one rating agency shall have a Credit Rating then in effect, the Credit Rating from such rating agency is Baa3 or BBB- or better.

 

“Test Period” means, for any date of determination under this Agreement, the then most recently ended period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company.

 

“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.

 

“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to CDOR Rate, the LIBO Rate, the Alternate Base Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate.

 

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Secured Parties’ security interest in any item or portion of the Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for the purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

 

“UCP” means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600), as from time to time in effect.

 

“U.K. Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulatory Authority) or any Person falling within 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.

 

“U.K. Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any U.K. Financial Institution.

 

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

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“Unfunded Liabilities” means, with respect to any Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (a) the present value of all benefits under such Plan exceeds (b) the fair market value of all assets of such Plan allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent that such excess represents a potential liability of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC or any other Person under Title IV of ERISA.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(a) or designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in a written notice sent at any time after the date of this Agreement by the Company to the Administrative Agent which is engaged (a) primarily in the business of making or discounting loans, making advances, extending credit or providing financial accommodation to, or purchasing the obligations of, others; (b) primarily in the business of insuring property against loss and subject to regulation as an insurance company by any Governmental Authority; (c) exclusively in the business of owning or leasing, and operating, aircraft and/or trucks; (d) primarily in the ownership, management, leasing, development or operation of real estate, other than parcels of real estate with respect to which 51% or more of the rentable space is used by the Company or a Consolidated Subsidiary in the normal course of business; or (e) primarily as a carrier transporting goods in both intrastate and interstate commerce; provided that (i) the Company may by notice to the Administrative Agent change the designation of any Subsidiary described in subparagraphs (a) through (e) above, but may do so only once during the term of this Agreement, (ii) the designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary more than 30 days after the creation or acquisition of such Subsidiary where such Subsidiary was not specifically so designated within such 30 days shall be deemed to be the only permitted change in designation and (iii) immediately after the Company designates any Subsidiary whether now owned or hereafter acquired or created as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or changes the designation of a Subsidiary from an Unrestricted Subsidiary to a Consolidated Subsidiary, the Company and all Consolidated Subsidiaries would be in compliance with all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

“Upfront Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08.

 

“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 Regime” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.21.

 

“US Dollar Equivalent” means, on any date of determination, (a) with respect to any amount in US Dollars, such amount and (b) with respect to any amount in Canadian Dollars, the equivalent in US Dollars of such amount, determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.05 using the Exchange Rate with respect to such currency at the time in effect for such amount under the provisions of such Section.

 

“US Dollars”, “USD” or “$” means the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Utilization” means, on any day, an amount equal to (i) the Aggregate Credit Exposure on such day, divided by (ii) the Aggregate Commitments in effect on such day.

 

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“VS Transaction” means (i) the Separation of the Spin Business (each as defined in the Registration Statement) from BBW as described in the Registration Statement, (ii) the Distribution (as defined in the Separation Agreement), (iii) the payment of the Special Cash Payment (as defined in the Separation Agreement), (iv) the consummation of the other ancillary transactions described in the Separation Agreement and the Registration Statement and (v) the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.

 

“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

“Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

 

“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 U.K. 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 such 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.

 

SECTION 1.02.    Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing”).

 

SECTION 1.03.    Terms Generally. (a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

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(b)           All terms used in this Agreement which are defined in Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC and which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as set forth therein, provided that terms used herein which are defined in the UCC on the date hereof shall continue to have the same meaning notwithstanding any replacement or amendment of such statute except as the Administrative Agent may otherwise determine, and when used to define a category or categories of the Collateral which is subject to the PPSA, such terms shall include the equivalent category or categories of property set forth in the applicable PPSA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and where the context so requires, (i) any term defined in this Agreement by reference to the “Code”, the “UCC” or the “Uniform Commercial Code” shall also have any extended, alternative or analogous meaning given to such term in the applicable PPSA, in all cases for the extension, preservation or betterment of the security and rights of the Collateral, (ii) all references in this Agreement to Article 8 of the UCC shall be deemed to refer also to applicable Canadian securities transfer laws (including, without limitation, the Securities Transfer Act, 2006 (Ontario)) and (iii) all references in this Agreement to a financing statement, continuation statement, amendment or termination statement shall be deemed to refer also to the analogous documents used under applicable Canadian personal property security laws, including, without limitation, where applicable, financing change statements.

 

(c)           For purposes of any Collateral located in the Province of Quebec or charged by any deed of hypothec (or any other Loan Document) and for all other purposes pursuant to which the interpretation or construction of a Loan Document may be subject to the laws of the Province of Quebec or a court or tribunal exercising jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec, (i) “personal property” shall be deemed to include “movable property”, (ii) “real property” shall be deemed to include “immovable property”, (iii) “tangible property” shall be deemed to include “corporeal property”, (iv) “intangible property” shall be deemed to include “incorporeal property”, (v) “security interest” and “mortgage” shall be deemed to include a “hypothec”, (vi) all references to filing, registering or recording under the UCC or the PPSA or otherwise shall be deemed to include publication by registration under the Civil Code of Québec, (vii) all references to “perfection of” or “perfected” Liens shall be deemed to include a reference to the “opposability” of such Liens to third parties, (viii) any “right of offset”, “right of setoff” or similar expression shall be deemed to include a “right of compensation”, (ix) “goods” shall be deemed to include “corporeal movable property” other than chattel paper, documents of title, instruments, money and securities, (x) an “agent” shall be deemed to include a “mandatary”, (xi) “construction liens” shall be deemed to include “legal hypothecs in favor of persons having taken part in the construction or renovation of an immovable”, (xii) “joint and several” shall be deemed to include “solidary”, (xiii) “gross negligence or willful misconduct” shall be deemed to be “intentional or gross fault”, (xiv) “beneficial ownership” shall be deemed to include “ownership on behalf of another as mandatary”, (xv) “easement” shall be deemed to include “servitude”, (xvi) “priority” shall be deemed to include “prior claim” or “ranking”, as applicable, (xvii) “survey” shall be deemed to include “certificate of location and plan”, (xviii) “state” shall be deemed to include “province”, (xix) “fee simple title” and “fee interest” shall be deemed to include “absolute ownership”, (xx) “accounts” shall be deemed to include “claims”, (xxi) “leasehold interest” shall be deemed to include “rights resulting from a lease”, (xxii) “lease” shall be deemed to include a “lease” or a “contract of leasing (crédit-bail)”, as applicable, and (xxiii) “deposit account” shall be deemed to include a “financial account” (within the meaning of Article 2713.6 of the Civil Code of Québec).

 

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SECTION 1.04.    Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that (a) for purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement, accounting for leases shall be made in accordance with GAAP as in effect prior to January 1, 2019 without giving effect to any change in accounting for leases resulting from Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases, (b) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825, Financial Instruments, or any successor thereto, to value any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (c) if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

 

SECTION 1.05.    Exchange Rates. The Administrative Agent shall determine the US Dollar Equivalent of all Borrowings denominated in Canadian Dollars as of the date of any Borrowing Request, as of the date of the delivery of any Borrowing Base Certificate, as of the date of each Interest Election Request in respect thereof (or, if an Interest Election Request has not been made within three months since the last date of determination, the three month anniversary of the last date of determination) and as of any date determined by the Administrative Agent, in each case using the Exchange Rate for such currency in relation to US Dollars in effect on the date that is two Business Days prior to the applicable date, and each such amount shall, except as provided in the last sentence of this Section, be the US Dollar Equivalent of such Borrowing until the next required calculation thereof pursuant to this sentence. The Administrative Agent shall determine the US Dollar Equivalent of all Letters of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars as of the date any Letter of Credit is requested pursuant to Section 2.05(b), a request is made to amend any Letter of Credit to increase its face amount or to extend such Letter of Credit or such Letter of Credit is paid by the Issuing Bank, as of the date of the delivery of any Borrowing Base Certificate and as of any date determined by the Administrative Agent, in each case using the Exchange Rate for such currency in relation to US Dollars in effect on the date that is two Business Days prior to such date, as the case may be, and each such amount shall, except as provided in the last sentence of this Section, be the US Dollar Equivalent of such Letter of Credit until the next required calculation thereof pursuant to this sentence. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders of each calculation of the US Dollar Equivalent of each Borrowing. Borrowings of the applicable Class denominated in Canadian Dollars will reduce availability for Borrowings of such Class denominated in US Dollars based on the Exchange Rate with respect to Canadian Dollars at the time in effect for each such Borrowing. For purposes of (x) determining the Borrowing Base or (y) any dollar basket limitation in Sections 5.08(b)(ix), Sections 5.10(i), (j) and (k), Sections 5.13(f) and Section 5.17(a), the amount of any component of the Borrowing Base or any amount of Indebtedness, Investment, or Lien, applicable, in currencies other than US Dollars shall be translated into US Dollars at currency exchange rates in effect on the date of such determination, and, solely in the case of clause (y), such limitation or cap therein shall not be deemed to have been exceeded if such excess amount is solely as a result of currency fluctuations occurring after the time such Indebtedness, Investment or Lien is incurred or made.

 

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SECTION 1.06.    Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any letter of credit application or any other document, agreement or instrument entered into by the applicable Issuing Bank and any Borrower in respect of such Letter of Credit, 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.

 

SECTION 1.07.    Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

 

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SECTION 1.08.    Interest Rates; LIBOR Notification. The interest rate on a Loan denominated in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Regulators have signaled the need to use alternative benchmark reference rates for some of these interest rate benchmarks and, as a result, such interest rate benchmarks may cease to comply with applicable laws and regulations, may be permanently discontinued, and/or the basis on which they are calculated may change. The London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank market. On March 5, 2021, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) publicly announced that: (a) immediately after December 31, 2021, publication of the 1-week and 2-month US Dollar LIBOR settings will permanently cease; and immediately after June 30, 2023, the overnight, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month US Dollar LIBOR settings will cease to be provided or, subject to the FCA’s consideration of the case, be provided on a synthetic basis and no longer be representative of the underlying market and economic reality they are intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored. There is no assurance that dates announced by the FCA will not change or that the administrator of LIBOR and/or regulators will not take further action that could impact the availability, composition, or characteristics of LIBOR or the currencies and/or tenors for which LIBOR is published. Each party to this agreement should consult its own advisors to stay informed of any such developments. Public and private sector industry initiatives are currently underway to identify new or alternative reference rates to be used in place of LIBOR. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, ‎Section 2.13(b) and (c) provide a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Company, pursuant to ‎Section 2.13(e), of any change to the reference rate upon which the interest rate on Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loans is based. However, the Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof (including, without limitation, (i) any such alternative, successor or replacement rate implemented pursuant to ‎Section 2.13(b) or (c), whether upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, and (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes pursuant to ‎Section 2.13(d)), including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate, as applicable, or have the same volume or liquidity as did the London interbank offered rate or the Canadian Dollar offered rate, as applicable, prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate, any component thereof, or any successor rate thereto, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to any Loan Party, 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

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01.    Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each Revolving Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans denominated in US Dollars to the Company and any Additional Borrower borrowing in US Dollars, (ii) each Revolving Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars to any Additional Borrower borrowing in Canadian Dollars and (iii) Lenders of any other Class agree to make Loans of such Class to the applicable Borrower in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, in each case from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that (after giving effect to the making of such Loans and any other Loans being made or Letters of Credit being issued on the same date and any concurrent repayment of Loans and reimbursement of LC Disbursements) will not result in (A) such Lender’s Credit Exposure of the applicable Class exceeding such Lender’s Commitment of such Class, (B) the total Credit Exposures of the applicable Class exceeding the total Commitments of such Class or any other limitation set forth in the applicable Incremental Facility Agreement, (C) the Aggregate Credit Exposure exceeding the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (D) the total Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars exceeding the CAD Sublimit.

 

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(b)           Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Loans.

 

SECTION 2.02.    Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan (other than a Protective Advance) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class, Type and currency made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

(b)           Subject to Section 2.13, (i) each Borrowing denominated in US Dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the applicable Borrowers may request in accordance herewith and (ii) each Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be comprised entirely of Canadian Prime Rate Loans or CDOR Rate Loans as the applicable Borrowers may request in accordance herewith. Each Protective Advance shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan or issue any Letter of Credit by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan or issue such Letter of Credit; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the applicable Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)           At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 (or in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, an integral multiple of CAD1,000,000 and not less than CAD5,000,000). At the time that each ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 (or in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, an integral multiple of CAD1,000,000 and not less than CAD5,000,000); provided that (i) an ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to (A) the lesser of the entire unused balance of the Commitments of the applicable Class and the amount of Excess Availability, (B) an aggregate amount that is required to finance the repayment of a Protective Advance as contemplated by Section 2.04(a) or (C) an aggregate amount that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e) or to provide cash collateral as contemplated by Section 2.19 and (ii) each Protective Advance may be in such principal amount as shall be determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.04. Borrowings of more than one Class or Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 12 Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowings outstanding.

 

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SECTION 2.03.    Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, (b) in the case of a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing and (c) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)           the name of the applicable Borrower;

 

(ii)          whether such Borrowing is to be a Revolving Borrowing or a Borrowing of another Class;

 

(iii)         the currency in which such Borrowing is to be denominated (which shall be a currency in which the requesting Borrower is entitled to make Borrowings under this Agreement);

 

(iv)         the aggregate amount (expressed in the currency in which such Borrowing is to be denominated) of the requested Borrowing;

 

(v)          the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(vi)         whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR, Canadian Prime Rate, Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing;

 

(vii)        in the case of a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

 

(viii)       the location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06.

 

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If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be (i) in the case of a Loan denominated in US Dollars, an ABR Borrowing and (ii) in the case of a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars, a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.04.    Protective Advances. (a) Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Company and the Lenders, from time to time during the Availability Period, in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion (but with no obligation), to make Loans in US Dollars to the Company, on behalf of all Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral or any portion thereof, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations or (iii) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses described in Section 8.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (any such Loans are herein referred to as “Protective Advances”); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Protective Advances outstanding at any time shall not exceed $50,000,000; provided further that the making of any Protective Advance shall not cause the Aggregate Credit Exposure to exceed the Aggregate Commitments. Protective Advances may be made when a Default exists or the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 are not otherwise satisfied. The Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens created by the Collateral Documents and shall constitute Obligations. The Company shall be required to repay (or, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02, refinance with the proceeds of a Borrowing) each Protective Advance within 45 days after such Protective Advance is made. Without affecting Protective Advances already made, the Administrative Agent’s authorization to make future Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. At any time that there is sufficient Excess Availability and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, the Administrative Agent may request, on behalf of the Company, the Lenders to make ABR Loans to repay any Protective Advance. At any other time the Administrative Agent may require the Lenders to acquire participations in any Protective Advance as described in Section 2.04(b).

 

(b)           The Administrative Agent may by notice given not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on any Business Day require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Protective Advances outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of Protective Advances in which the Lenders will be required to participate and each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Protective Advances. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay, promptly upon receipt of notice as provided above (and in any event, if such notice is received by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day, no later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time on such Business Day and if received after 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day, no later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the immediately succeeding Business Day), to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Protective Advances. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Protective Advances pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including nonsatisfaction of any of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02, the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders pursuant to this paragraph). Any amounts received by the Administrative Agent from the Company (or other Person on behalf of the Company) in respect of a Protective Advance after receipt by the Administrative Agent of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph to the extent of their interests therein; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Administrative Agent if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to a Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Protective Advance pursuant to this paragraph shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Company of its obligation to repay such Protective Advance.

 

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SECTION 2.05.    Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, a Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit of any Class that provides for the issuance of Letters of Credit, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period, which Letter of Credit may be denominated in (x) in the case of the Company, US Dollars and (y) in the case of any Canadian Borrower, Canadian Dollars. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the applicable Borrower to, or entered into by the applicable Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) Letters of Credit may be issued to support obligations of Subsidiaries of the Borrowers as well as the Borrowers; (ii) Letters of Credit issued to support obligations of a Subsidiary may state that they are issued for such Subsidiary’s account, and the applicable Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of such Borrower, and that such Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries; and (iii) regardless of any such statement in any Letter of Credit, the applicable Borrower is the “account party” in respect of all Letters of Credit issued at its request and will be responsible for reimbursement of LC Disbursements as provided herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, it is understood and agreed that, except as separately agreed between such Issuing Bank and the applicable Borrower, no Issuing Bank shall have an obligation hereunder to issue any Letter of Credit.

 

 

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(b)           Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit of any Class (or the amendment or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit of any Class), the applicable Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the relevant Issuing Bank) to the relevant Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit of such Class, or identifying the Letter of Credit of such Class to be amended or extended, and specifying the name of the requesting Borrower, the date of issuance, amendment or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the Class and amount of such Letter of Credit, the currency in which such Letter of Credit shall be denominated (which shall be a currency in which the requesting Borrower is entitled to make Borrowings of such Class under this Agreement), the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the relevant Issuing Bank, the applicable Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment or extension of each Letter of Credit the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $100,000,000, (ii) the portion of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by an Issuing Bank will not exceed such Issuing Bank’s LC Commitment, (iii) no Lender’s Credit Exposure of the applicable Class shall exceed its Commitment of such Class, (iv) the total Credit Exposures of the applicable Class shall not exceed the total Commitments of such Class or any other limitation set forth in the applicable Incremental Facility Agreement, (v) the Aggregate Credit Exposure shall not exceed the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (vi) the total Credit Exposures denominated in Canadian Dollars shall not exceed the CAD Sublimit.

 

(c)           Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension thereof, one year after such extension); provided that a Letter of Credit may be subject to customary “evergreen” provisions pursuant to which the expiration date thereof shall be automatically extended for a period of up to one year (subject to clause (ii) of this sentence) unless notice to the contrary shall have been given by any Issuing Bank in respect thereof by a specified date, and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

(d)           Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit of any Class (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit of any Class increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the relevant Issuing Bank or the Lenders of such Class, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender of such Class, and each Lender of such Class hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage with respect to such Class of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, subject to any LC Exposure Reallocation. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender of any Class hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of such Class of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank in respect of a Letter of Credit of such Class and not reimbursed by the applicable Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the applicable Borrower for any reason, subject to any LC Exposure Reallocation. Each Lender of any applicable Class acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit of such Class is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment or extension of any such Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

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(e)           Reimbursement. Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any Class of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall notify the Company, the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. The applicable Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement in the currency in which such LC Disbursement was made not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the next Business Day after the date that the applicable Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement; provided that the applicable Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing of the applicable Class in an equivalent amount, and, to the extent so financed, the applicable Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing. If the applicable Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable Class of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the applicable Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof (subject to any LC Exposure Reallocation). Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender of the applicable Class shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage (subject to any LC Exposure Reallocation) of the payment then due from the applicable Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender and in the applicable currency (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders) and within the same timeframe as provided after a request for a Borrowing in Section 2.03, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay such Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders of such Class. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the applicable Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to such Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders of the applicable Class have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Loans as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the applicable Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

 

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(f)           Obligations Absolute. The applicable Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or any other term or provision in this Agreement, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by any Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the applicable Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the applicable Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential, special, indirect and punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the applicable Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the applicable Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof or such Issuing Bank’s failure to make an LC Disbursement under a Letter of Credit upon presentation to it of documents strictly complying with such Letter of Credit. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, such Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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(g)           Disbursement Procedures. Any Issuing Bank shall, within the period of time stipulated by the terms and conditions of the applicable Letter of Credit, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. After such examination, such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve such Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the applicable Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

 

(h)           Interim Interest. If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the applicable Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the later of (i) the date when such LC Disbursement is made and (ii) the date upon which such Borrower receives notice of such LC Disbursement pursuant to paragraph (g) above (such later date, the “Interest Commencement Date”), the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the Interest Commencement Date to but excluding the date that reimbursement of such LC Disbursement is due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, at the rate provided in Section 2.12 with respect to (x) in the case of LC Disbursements denominated in US Dollars, ABR Loans and (y) in the case of LC Disbursements denominated in Canadian Dollars, Canadian Prime Rate Loans, and, if not so reimbursed on the date due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then from and including such date so due to but excluding the date that such Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate provided in Section 2.12(g) with respect to such Loans. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i)            Replacement of an Issuing Bank. Any Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Company and the successor Issuing Bank. The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the Lenders of any such replacement of any Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the applicable Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees payable by the applicable Borrowers that have accrued for the account of any replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.11(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of any Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

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(j)           Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Company receives notice from the Administrative Agent or a majority in interest of the Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, each applicable Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders of each applicable Class, an amount in cash equal to the portion of the LC Exposure attributable to outstanding Letters of Credit of such Class issued for the account of such Borrower as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, which shall be deposited in the applicable currencies; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (e) of Section 6.01. The applicable Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.19(a). Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of such Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the applicable Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall (i) in the case of cash collateral deposited pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2.05(j), accumulate in such account and (ii) in the case of cash collateral deposited pursuant to Section 2.19(a), be remitted to the applicable Borrower promptly by the Administrative Agent unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Cash collateral deposited by any Borrower pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 2.05(j) (and interest and profits in respect thereof accumulated in such account pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence) shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse any Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements in respect of Letters of Credit of the applicable Class issued for the account of such Borrower for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of such Borrower for the LC Exposure relating to Letters of Credit of such Class issued for the account of such Borrower that are outstanding at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure and, in the case of cash collateral required by Section 2.19(a), the consent of the Issuing Banks with outstanding Letters of Credit), be applied to satisfy other obligations of such Borrower under this Agreement. Cash collateral deposited pursuant to Section 2.19(a) in respect of any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the applicable Class of any LC Disbursements of such Class for which it has not been reimbursed. If any Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default or pursuant to Section 2.19(a), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to such Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived or such amount is no longer required in order to comply with Section 2.19(a) (and no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), as applicable.

 

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(k)           Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable Issuing Bank when a Letter of Credit is issued (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit that is a standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each Letter of Credit that is a commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the applicable Issuing Bank shall not be responsible to any Borrower for, and the Issuing Bank’s rights and remedies against the Borrowers shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of such Issuing Bank with respect to its obligations under a Letter of Credit expressly required under any law, order, or practice that is expressly required to be applied to such Letter of Credit, including the law of a jurisdiction, or any order of a Governmental Authority of a jurisdiction, where the Issuing Bank or the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or, unless expressly provided otherwise by the terms of such Letter of Credit, the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice applicable to letters of credit of the same type as such Letter of Credit, whether or not any Letter of Credit expressly provides that it is governed by such law or practice.

 

SECTION 2.06.    Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds (i) in the case of CDOR Rate Loans and ABR Loans by 12:00 noon, New York City time, (ii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans by 12:00 noon, London time and (iii) in the case of Canadian Prime Rate loans, 3:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Protective Advances shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the applicable Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the applicable Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the applicable Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that (i) ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Loans made to finance (A) the repayment of a Protective Advance as provided in Section 2.04(a) shall be applied by the Administrative Agent for such purpose and (B) the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank and (ii) the proceeds of any Protective Advance shall be retained by the Administrative Agent and applied, on behalf of the Company, for the purpose for which such Protective Advance has been made.

 

(b)           Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing (or, in the case of a Borrowing that is being made on same-day notice, prior to the time at which such Borrowing is required to be funded) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the applicable Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of (A) (x) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in the case of Loans denominated in US Dollars and (y) the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be the cost of funding such amount, in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars and (B) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the applicable Borrower, the greater of the interest rate applicable to the Loans of the other Lenders included in the applicable Borrowing and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to equal its cost of funds for funding such amount. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

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SECTION 2.07.    Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the applicable Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The applicable Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

 

(b)           To make an election pursuant to this Section, the applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, no Borrower may (i) change the currency of any Borrowing or (ii) elect an Interest Period that does not comply with Section 2.03.

 

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(c)          Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.03:

 

(i)           the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)          the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)         whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing or a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing; and

 

(iv)         if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(d)          Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each participating Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e)          If the applicable Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to (x) in the case of a Loan denominated in US Dollars, an ABR Borrowing and (y) in the case of a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars, a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.08.    Termination, Reduction and Increase of Commitments; Incremental Revolving Commitments. (a)  Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

 

(b)          The Company may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 or, in each case, the US Dollar Equivalent thereof at any such time, (ii) the Company shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments or the Commitments of any other Class if after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans or Protective Advances in accordance with Section 2.10 and, if applicable, reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with Section 2.05(e), (A) the total Revolving Exposures or total Credit Exposures of any other Class, as applicable, would exceed the total Revolving Commitments or the total Commitments of such Class, as applicable, or (B) the Aggregate Credit Exposure would exceed the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (iii) the Company shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.10 and, if applicable, reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with Section 2.05(e), the Aggregate Credit Exposure would exceed the Aggregate Commitments.

 

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(c)           The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments of any Class under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Company pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments of any Class delivered by the Company may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class (other than a termination of the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.18(c)) shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

 

(d)           So long as no Event of Default is continuing or would result therefrom, the Company may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, executed by the Company and one or more financial institutions (any such financial institution referred to in this Section being called an “Increasing Lender”), which may include any Lender, as such Lender elects or declines in its sole discretion, cause Commitments of the Increasing Lenders of any Class to become effective (or, in the case of an Increasing Lender that is an existing Lender, cause its Commitment in respect of any Class to be increased, as the case may be) in an amount for each Increasing Lender set forth in such notice; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of all Commitments hereunder, after giving effect to new Commitments, increases in existing Commitments pursuant to this paragraph and all Incremental Revolving Commitments, shall not exceed $1,000,000,000, (ii) each Increasing Lender, if not already a Lender hereunder, shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and (iii) each Increasing Lender, if not already a Lender hereunder, shall become a party to this Agreement by completing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed accession agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Company. New Commitments and increases in Commitments pursuant to this Section shall become effective on the date specified in the applicable notices delivered pursuant to this Section. Following any extension of a new Commitment in respect of any Class or increase of a Lender’s Commitment in respect of any Class pursuant to this paragraph, any Loans of such Class outstanding prior to the effectiveness of such increase or extension shall continue outstanding until the ends of the respective Interest Periods applicable thereto, and shall then be repaid or refinanced with new Loans of such Class made pursuant to Section 2.01. Following any increase in the Commitments of any Class pursuant to this paragraph, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that, to the extent there are outstanding Loans of such Class, each Lender’s outstanding Loans of such Class will be in accordance with such Lender’s pro rata portion of the Commitments of such Class.

 

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(e)           In addition, so long as no Event of Default is continuing or would result therefrom, the Company may on one or more occasions, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, request the establishment of Incremental Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) Incremental Revolving Loans are to be denominated only in US Dollars and Canadian Dollars, (ii) the aggregate amount of all the Incremental Revolving Commitments then being requested shall not be less than $25,000,000 or the US Dollar Equivalent thereof at any such time and (iii) the aggregate amount of all Commitments hereunder, after giving effect to new Commitments pursuant to this paragraph and the immediately preceding paragraph (and any concurrent reduction in any Class of Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08(b)), shall not exceed $1,000,000,000. Each such notice shall specify (A) the date on which the Company proposes that the Incremental Revolving Commitments shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than 10 Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent, (B) the amount of the Incremental Revolving Commitments being requested and (C) the Borrower(s) or Additional Borrower(s), as applicable (it being agreed that (x) any Lender approached to provide any Incremental Revolving Commitment may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Incremental Revolving Commitment and (y) any Person that the Company proposes to become an Incremental Lender, if such Person is not then a Lender, must be an Eligible Assignee and must be approved by the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank in respect of the Class of such Incremental Revolving Commitments (such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld)).

 

(f)           The Incremental Revolving Commitments shall be effected pursuant to one or more Incremental Facility Agreements executed and delivered by the Company, each Incremental Lender providing such Incremental Revolving Commitments, each Issuing Bank designated therein to issue Letters of Credit under such Incremental Revolving Commitments and the Administrative Agent. Each Incremental Facility Agreement may, without the consent of any Revolving Lender, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to give effect to the provisions of this Section with respect to the Incremental Revolving Commitments. The Incremental Revolving Loans will have terms and conditions substantially identical to the Revolving Loans (other than with respect to pricing and maturity) and will otherwise be on terms and subject to conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(g)           Each Incremental Facility Agreement shall specify the terms of the Incremental Revolving Loans to be made thereunder; provided that without the prior written consent of Lenders holding a majority in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Loans, (i) the Incremental Revolving Loans shall mature no earlier than (and shall not require any mandatory commitment reductions prior to) the Maturity Date, (ii) the Incremental Revolving Loans shall constitute a separate tranche of Loans (which, at the Company’s option, may be part of a tranche of “first in, last out” term loans or revolving commitments subject to customary terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and (iii) if the interest rate spread applicable to any Incremental Revolving Loans denominated in US Dollars (which, for this purpose, shall be deemed to include all upfront or similar fees and any pricing “floor” applicable to the Incremental Revolving Loans, but excluding any underwriting, arrangement, structuring or similar fees that are not generally shared with the Lenders (collectively, “Upfront Payments”), in each case paid to the Incremental Lenders in respect of the Incremental Revolving Commitments) exceeds (x) in cases other than in respect of “first in, last out” facilities, the interest rate spread applicable to Loans of another Class denominated in US Dollars (taking into account any Upfront Payments paid in respect of Loans of such other Classes) by more than 0.50%, then the interest rate spread applicable to the Loans of such other Class denominated in US Dollars shall be increased so it equals the interest rate applicable to such Incremental Revolving Loans less 0.50% and (y) in the case of any “first in, last out” facility, the interest rate spread exceeds the interest rate spread applicable to Loans of another Class denominated in US Dollars (taking into account any Upfront Payments paid in respect of Loans of such other Classes) by more than 1.50%, then the interest rate spread applicable to the Loans of such other Class denominated in US Dollars shall be increased so it equals the interest rate applicable to such “first in, last out” facility less 1.50%.

 

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SECTION 2.09.    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Indebtedness. (a) The applicable Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date and (ii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid principal amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

 

(b)           Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the applicable Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(c)           The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the applicable Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)           The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the applicable Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e)           Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the applicable Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 8.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (and its registered assigns).

 

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(f)           On each Business Day while a Cash Dominion Period is in effect, the Administrative Agent shall apply any and all funds credited to the ABL Collection Account on such Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day (in the Permitted Discretion of the Administrative Agent), first, to prepay any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, second, to prepay the Borrowings and unreimbursed LC Disbursements and, third, to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure in the manner provided in Section 2.05(j) (to the extent such LC Exposure shall not have been theretofore cash collateralized in accordance with such Section). The Borrowers hereby direct the Administrative Agent to apply the funds credited to the ABL Collection Account as set forth above and authorize the Administrative Agent to determine the order of application of such funds as among the individual Protective Advances or Borrowings and unreimbursed LC Disbursements. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in such Borrowing. For the avoidance of doubt, funds used to prepay Borrowings or unreimbursed LC Disbursements may be reborrowed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

SECTION 2.10.    Prepayment of Loans. (a)  The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section. In the event and on such occasion that (i) the total Revolving Exposures exceeds the total Revolving Commitments, (ii) the total Credit Exposures of any other Class exceeds the total Commitments of such Class or (iii) the Aggregate Credit Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the sum of (1) the Borrowing Base then in effect and (2) the Protective Advance Exposures and (B) the Aggregate Commitments then in effect, the Company shall, on the third Business Day after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent has been delivered to the Company, first, prepay any Protective Advances that may be outstanding and, second, prepay such outstanding Borrowing or Borrowings of the applicable Class as the Company may elect in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess; provided that if the total Credit Exposures of any Class exceeds the total Commitments of such Class solely as a result of currency fluctuations, the Company shall not be required to prepay the excess until such time as the total Credit Exposures of such Class exceeds 105% of the total Commitments of such Class, in which case such excess shall be paid on the third Business Day after notice from the Administrative Agent is delivered to the Company.

 

(b)           [reserved].

 

(c)           The applicable Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar, CDOR Rate or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment and (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and the applicable currency of such Borrowing; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.08, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the participating Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Class and Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing (other than a prepayment of the Loans of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.18(c)) shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.

 

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SECTION 2.11.    Fees. (a)  The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee in US Dollars, which shall accrue on the daily unused amount of the Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates at a rate per annum equal to the applicable rate set forth in the table below based on Average Utilization during the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company, with each change in such rate effective on the first day of the first month immediately following the last day of such fiscal quarter; provided that prior to the end of the first full fiscal quarter of the Company after the Effective Date, the commitment fee shall accrue at 0.30% per annum.

 

Average Utilization	Commitment Fee
> 50.0%	0.25%
< 50.0%	0.30%

 

Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the Maturity Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing commitment fees, the Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Protective Advance Exposures of such Lender shall constitute unused Commitments for such purpose).

 

(b)           Each Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender of any Class a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit of such Class issued for the account of such Borrower, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the LC Exposure of such Class (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements of such Class) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment of such Class terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure of such Class, and (ii) to the relevant Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between the applicable Borrower and such Issuing Bank on the daily amount of the portion of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to outstanding Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank for the account of such Borrower during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable by any Borrower to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). In addition to the fees referred to above, each Issuing Bank (i) may collect customary drawing fees from beneficiaries of Letters of Credit issued by it and (ii) may require that Letters of Credit issued by it contain customary provisions for such drawing fees.

 

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(c)           The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account and for the account of the initial Lenders, fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)           All fees payable by the Borrowers hereunder shall be paid in US Dollars on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the relevant Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable by the Borrowers to it) for distribution to the parties entitled thereto. Fees paid by the Borrowers shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

SECTION 2.12.         Interest. (a)  The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing and each Protective Advance shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(b)           The Loans comprising each Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing shall bear interest at the Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(c)           The Loans comprising each CDOR Rate Borrowing shall bear interest at the CDOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

 

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(d)           The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(e)           [Reserved.]

 

(f)           [Reserved.]

 

(g)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the applicable Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

(h)           (i) For so long as any Lender maintains reserves against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (or any other category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is determined or any category of extensions of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non-United States office of any Lender to United States residents), and as a result the cost to such Lender (or its lending office for Eurodollar Loans) of making or maintaining its Eurodollar Loans is increased, then such Lender may require the applicable Borrower to pay, contemporaneously with each payment of interest on any Eurodollar Loan of such Lender, additional interest on such Eurodollar Loan for the Interest Period of such Eurodollar Loan at a rate per annum up to but not exceeding the excess of (A) (x) the applicable LIBO Rate divided by (y) one minus the Statutory Reserve Percentage over (B) the rate specified in the preceding clause (x).

 

(ii)           Any Lender wishing to require payment of additional interest (x) shall so notify the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent, in which case such additional interest on the Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall be payable to such Lender at the place indicated in such notice with respect to each Interest Period commencing at least three Business Days after the giving of such notice and (y) shall furnish to the applicable Borrower at least five Business Days prior to each date on which interest is payable on the Eurodollar Loans an officer’s certificate setting forth the amount to which such Lender is then entitled under this Section (which shall be consistent with such Lender’s good-faith estimate of the level at which the related reserves are maintained by it). Each such certificate shall be accompanied by such information as the applicable Borrower may reasonably request as to the computation set forth therein.

 

(i)            Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of a Revolving Loan or a Protective Advance, upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (g) of this Section and interest accrued on any Protective Advance shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR or Canadian Prime Rate Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

 

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(j)           All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that (i) interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate and (ii) interest on Borrowings denominated in Canadian Dollars shall each be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Canadian Prime Rate, CDOR Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(k)           For purposes of disclosure pursuant to the Interest Act (Canada), the annual rates of interest or fees to which the rates of interest or fees provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and stated herein or therein, as applicable, to be computed on the basis of 360 days or any other period of time less than a calendar year) are equivalent are the rates so determined multiplied by the actual number of days in the applicable calendar year and divided by 360 or such other period of time, respectively.

 

(l)            If any provision of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents would obligate any Canadian Loan Party to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to the Lenders in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by law or would result in a receipt by the Lenders of interest at a criminal rate (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)) then, notwithstanding such provisions, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by law or so result in a receipt by the Lenders of interest at a criminal rate, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, as follows: (1) firstly, by reducing the amount or rate of interest required to be paid to the Lenders under this Section, and (2) thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, premiums and other amounts required to be paid to the Lenders which would constitute “interest” for purposes of Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and after giving effect to all adjustments contemplated thereby, if the Lenders shall have received an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by that section of the Criminal Code (Canada), the Canadian Loan Parties shall be entitled, by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent, to obtain reimbursement from the Lenders in an amount equal to such excess and, pending such reimbursement, such amount shall be deemed to be an amount payable by the Lenders to the Borrower. Any amount or rate of interest referred to in this Section shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles as an effective annual rate of interest over the term that the applicable Loan remains outstanding on the assumption that any charges, fees or expenses that fall within the meaning of “interest” (as defined in the Criminal Code (Canada)) shall, if they relate to a specific period of time, be pro-rated over that period of time and otherwise be pro-rated over the period from the closing date to the Maturity Date and, in the event of a dispute, a certificate of a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries appointed by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive for the purposes of such determination.

 

 

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SECTION 2.13.     Alternate Rate of Interest. (a)  If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing:

 

(i)            the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate (including because the LIBO Screen Rate or the CDO Screen Rate, as applicable, is not available or published on a current basis) for such Interest Period; or

 

(ii)           the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Company and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter, but not later than 10:00 a.m. (London time, or in the case of a CDOR Rate Borrowing, New York City time) on the first day of such Interest Period, and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Company and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (A) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, an affected Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing shall be ineffective, (B) any affected Eurodollar Borrowing that is requested to be continued shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (C) any affected CDOR Rate Borrowing that is requested to be continued shall be converted to a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (D) if any Borrowing Request requests an affected Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Borrowing, then, unless the applicable Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent by 2:00 p.m. (London time, or in the case of a CDOR Rate Borrowing, New York City time) on the date of such Borrowing that it elects not to borrow on such date, such Borrowing shall (1) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in US Dollars, be deemed a request for an ABR Borrowing or (2) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, be deemed a request for a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” with respect to US Dollars for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” with respect to US Dollars or CAD for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

 

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(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document and subject to the proviso below in this paragraph, with respect to a Loan denominated in US Dollars, if a Term SOFR Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then the applicable Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder or under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that, this clause (c) shall not be effective unless the Administrative Agent has delivered to the Lenders and the Borrower a Term SOFR Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to deliver a Term SOFR Notice after the occurrence of a Term SOFR Transition Event and may do so in its sole discretion.

 

(d)           In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(e)           The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (f) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.13, 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.13.

 

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(f)           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), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate) and either (a) 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 Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (b) 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 or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (a) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (b) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

 

(g)           Upon the Company’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, any Borrower may revoke any request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of affected Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, such Borrower will be deemed to have converted (x) any request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of affected Eurodollar Loans into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans and (y) any request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of affected CDOR Rate Loans into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to Canadian Prime Rate Loans. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, (x) with respect to US Dollars, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR and (y) with respect to CAD, the component of the Canadian Prime Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Canadian Prime Rate. Furthermore, if any Eurodollar Loan or CDOR Rate Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate, as applicable, then until such time as the applicable Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.13, (i) in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), such Loan shall be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan and (ii) in the case of a CDOR Rate Loan, such Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), such Loan shall be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, a Canadian Prime Rate Loan.

 

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SECTION 2.14.    Increased Costs. (a)  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)            impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Statutory Reserve Percentage) or any Issuing Bank; or

 

(ii)           impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London or Canadian interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein (other than an imposition or change in Indemnified Taxes, Other Taxes or Excluded Taxes, or any Change in Law relating to capital or liquidity requirements or the rate of return on capital, with respect to which Section 2.16 and paragraph (b) of this Section, respectively, shall apply);

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making or maintaining, or reduce the amount receivable by any Lender with respect to, any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or Protective Advance, then the Company will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)           If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Protective Advances held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Company will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)           A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.

 

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(d)           Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Company shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Company of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

SECTION 2.15.     Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.10(c) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar or CDOR Rate other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by a Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18, then, in any such event, the applicable Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event which, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such Lender (or an existing or prospective participant in a related Loan) incurred, including any loss incurred in obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits from third parties, but excluding loss of margin for the period after any such payment. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the applicable Borrowers and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.

 

SECTION 2.16.     Taxes. (a) Each payment by any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by any law. If any Withholding Agent determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Taxes, then such Withholding Agent may so withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the amount payable by such Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that, net of such withholding (including such withholding applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the applicable Recipient receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding been made.

 

(b)           In addition, the Loan Parties shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

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(c)           Each Loan Party shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient within 15 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes paid by such Recipient on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided, that the Loan Parties shall not be obligated to make payment to such Recipient for penalties, interest or expenses attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Recipient. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the applicable Loan Party by a Recipient, or by the Administrative Agent on behalf of another Recipient, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)           Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Taxes (but, in the case of any Indemnified Taxes, only to the extent that the Loan Parties have not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) attributable to such Lender that are paid or payable by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Excluded Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth and explaining in reasonable detail the amount of such payment or liability delivered to a Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(e)           As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(f)           (A) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of withholding Tax under the law of the United States of America, or any treaty to which the United States of America is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), on or prior to the date of this Agreement (or, in the case of any Lender that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, on or about the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement) either (a) two properly executed originals of Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or any successor forms) prescribed by the IRS or other documents satisfactory to the Company and the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, certifying (i) that all payments to be made to such Foreign Lender under the Loan Documents are exempt from United States withholding Taxes because such payments are effectively connected with the conduct by such Lender of a trade or business within the United States and are included in such Lender’s gross income or (ii) that all payments to be made to such Foreign Lender under the Loan Documents are completely exempt from Taxes or are subject to such Taxes at a reduced rate by an applicable Tax treaty, (b)(i) a certificate executed by such Lender certifying that such Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and that such Lender qualifies for the portfolio interest exemption under Section 881(c) of the Code, and (ii) two properly executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or any successor form) or (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender that is not the beneficial owner of payments made under this Agreement (including a partnership or a participating Lender) (i) an IRS Form W-8IMY on behalf of itself and (ii) the relevant forms prescribed in this paragraph (f)(A) that would be required of each such beneficial owner or partner of such partnership if such beneficial owner or partner were a Lender; provided, however, that if the Lender is a partnership and one or more of its partners are claiming the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, such Lender may provide a certificate described in clause (b)(i) on behalf of such partners, in each case, certifying such Lender’s entitlement to an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax with respect to payments of interest to be made hereunder or under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. In the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, the IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, shall (x) with respect to payments of interest under the Loan Documents, establish an exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under the Loan Documents, establish an exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty. Each Lender that is not a Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) two properly executed originals IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form). Each Lender agrees (but only to the extent it is legally entitled to do so) to provide the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) with new forms prescribed by the IRS upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered form, after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent forms delivered by it to the Company and the Administrative Agent, or at any other time reasonably requested by the Company or promptly notify the Company or the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(B)           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 Withholding Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Withholding 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 Withholding Agent as may be necessary for the Withholding Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender's obligations under FATCA and, as necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.16(f)(B), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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(C)           Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of withholding Tax under the laws of a country other than the United States of America, or any treaty to which such country is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, (A) such properly completed and duly executed documentation prescribed by applicable laws as will permit the Company or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to establish such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes (other than United States Taxes), and (B) such other documentation and reasonably requested information as will permit the Company or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine, if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction for any applicable Taxes and any required information reporting requirements, in each case, in respect of any payments to be made to such Lender pursuant to any Loan Document. The completion, execution and submission of any documentation contemplated by this Section 2.16(f)(C) shall not be required if in the Lender’s judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender. Each Lender shall deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent two further original copies of any previously delivered form or certification (or any applicable successor form) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate and promptly after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Company or the Administrative Agent, or promptly notify the Company and the Administrative Agent that it is unable to do so. Each Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered form or certification under this Section 2.16(f)(C) to the Company or the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.16(f)(C), a Lender or Agent shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.16(f)(C) that it is not legally able to deliver.

 

(g)           If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay over such refund to the Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Loan Party under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender 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 Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Loan Party or any other Person.

 

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(h)           [Reserved.]

 

(i)            [Reserved.]

 

(j)           Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.16 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under this Agreement and any other Loan Document.

 

SECTION 2.17.    Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or otherwise) on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim, and each Borrower agrees to instruct its bank which will be transmitting such funds with respect to such payments not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date when due. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 8.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. Payments of principal and interest on any Loan shall be in the currency in which such Loan is denominated. Reimbursement of LC Disbursement and interest thereon shall be paid in the currency in which such LC Disbursement was made. All other payments hereunder shall be made in US Dollars.

 

(b)           If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due from an applicable Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due from such Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of such interest and fees then due to such parties by such Borrower, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due from such Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties by such Borrower.

 

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(c)           If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its (i) Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements in respect of Letters of Credit or Protective Advances or (ii) Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Protective Advances of any other Class resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its (i) Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Protective Advances or (ii) Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Protective Advances of any other Class and, in each case, accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender of the applicable Class, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the (i) Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements in respect of Letters of Credit and Protective Advances or (ii) Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Protective Advances of any other Class of other Lenders of the applicable Class to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders of the applicable Class ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective (i) Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements in respect of Letters of Credit and Protective Advances or (ii) Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Protective Advances of any other Class; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by a Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Protective Advances to any assignee or participant, other than to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrowers consent to the foregoing and agree, to the extent they may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrowers rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

 

(d)           Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the applicable Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Lenders or any Issuing Bank hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the applicable Lenders or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if such Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the applicable Lenders or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of (A) (x) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in the case of Loans denominated in US Dollars and (y) the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be the cost of funding such amount, in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars and (B) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

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(e)           If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(b) or 2.17(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

 

SECTION 2.18.    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a)  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14 or 2.21, or additional interest under Section 2.12(h) or if a 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 or 2.21, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12(h), 2.14, 2.16 or 2.21, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The applicable Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)           If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14 or 2.21, or additional interest under Section 2.12(h), or if a 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 or 2.21, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 8.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Banks), which consents shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Protective Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts, in each case payable to it by the applicable Borrower hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the applicable Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or 2.21, additional interest under Section 2.12(h) or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.21, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the applicable Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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(c)           If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, and at any time thereafter while such Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, the Company may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Commitment of such Lender and prepay all Loans of such Lender then outstanding, together with interest thereon to the date of such prepayment; provided that such termination and prepayment shall be permitted only if, after giving effect thereto (including the adjustment of Credit Exposures of the Lenders to give effect to the allocation of LC Exposure in accordance with the Applicable Percentages of the Lenders after giving effect thereto), no Lender’s Credit Exposure shall exceed its Commitment.

 

(d)           In connection with any proposed amendment, modification or waiver of or with respect to any provision of this Agreement (a “Proposed Change”) requiring the consent of all Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to each Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require each Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 8.04) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Protective Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts, in each case payable to it by the Company hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) the Company shall not be permitted to require any Non-Consenting Lender to make any such assignment unless all Non-Consenting Lenders are required to make such assignments and, as a result thereof, the Proposed Change will become effective.

 

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SECTION 2.19.    Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)           if any Protective Advance Exposures in respect of any Class exists at the time a Lender of such Class is a Defaulting Lender the Protective Advance Exposures of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders at such time in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that after giving effect to any such reallocation, (i) the Credit Exposure of each non-Defaulting Lender of such Class would not exceed its Commitments of such Class and (ii) the total Credit Exposure of all non-Defaulting Lenders of such Class would not exceed the total Commitments of such Lenders of such Class; provided that if such reallocation cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Company shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent prepay the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Protective Advance Exposures that has not been reallocated; provided, further, that the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Company shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Company shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time);

 

(b)           if any LC Exposure in respect of any Class exists at the time a Lender of such Class is a Defaulting Lender the Company shall within three Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent either (i) cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure of such Class in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(j) for so long as such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure of such Class is outstanding, (ii) elect, by notice to the Administrative Agent, an LC Exposure Reallocation with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure of such Class, provided that the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Company shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Company shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time) or (iii) comply with a combination of clauses (i) and (ii) above with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure of such Class;

 

(c)           no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit of any Class unless the Company provides cash collateral or elects an LC Exposure Reallocation (or a combination thereof) in accordance with clause (b) above in respect of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure of such Class in respect thereof;

 

(d)           no commitment fees or participation fees shall accrue for the account of or be payable to such Defaulting Lender; and

 

(e)           the Commitment and Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders, the Supermajority Lenders or any other requisite Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.02A); provided that any amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 8.02, require the consent of such Defaulting Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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It is understood that, if the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender is assigned pursuant to Section 2.18(b) or terminated pursuant to Section 2.18(c), the provisions of this Section 2.19 shall cease to apply in respect of such Defaulting Lender and its Commitment.

 

SECTION 2.20.    Additional Borrowers; Borrowing Subsidiary Terminations.

 

(a)           After the Effective Date, the Company may designate any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary or Canadian Subsidiary acceptable to the Lenders of any Class of Commitments and the Administrative Agent as an Additional Borrower in respect of such Class by delivery to the Administrative Agent of (i) an Additional Borrower Agreement executed by such Subsidiary and the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto (each, an “Additional Borrower Agreement”) and (ii) a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) of counsel of such Subsidiary or Subsidiaries (which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). Upon the written acceptance of the Additional Borrower Agreement by the Administrative Agent and all the Lenders of the applicable Class, in each applicable Lender’s sole discretion, such Subsidiary shall for all purposes of this Agreement be an Additional Borrower with respect to such Class and a party to this Agreement.

 

(b)           If the Company wishes to terminate a Borrowing Subsidiary, the Company may execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, at least ten Business Days prior to effectiveness, a Borrowing Subsidiary Termination substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto (each, a “Borrowing Subsidiary Termination”) with respect to any Borrowing Subsidiary, and such Subsidiary shall cease to be a Borrowing Subsidiary and a party to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Borrowing Subsidiary Termination will become effective as to any Borrowing Subsidiary at a time when any principal of or interest on any Loan to such Borrowing Subsidiary shall be outstanding hereunder. Promptly following receipt of any Additional Borrower Agreement or Borrowing Subsidiary Termination, the Administrative Agent shall send a copy thereof to each Lender.

 

SECTION 2.21.    Canadian Borrower Costs.

 

(a)           If the cost to any Lender of making or maintaining any Loan to any Additional Borrower that is a Canadian Borrower is increased, or the amount of any sum received or receivable by any Lender (or its lending office) from any such Canadian Borrower is reduced, by an amount deemed in good faith by such Lender to be material, by reason of the fact that such Additional Borrower is organized under the laws of, or principally conducts its business in, a jurisdiction or jurisdictions outside the United States of America, the Company shall indemnify such Lender for such increased cost or reduction within 30 days after demand by such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent). A certificate of such Lender claiming compensation under this subsection (a) and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder, together with calculations in reasonable detail supporting such amounts, shall be conclusive in the absence of clearly demonstrable error.

 

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(b)           Each Lender will promptly notify the Company and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge that will entitle such Lender to additional interest or payments pursuant to paragraph (a) above, but in any event within 45 days after such Lender obtains actual knowledge thereof; provided that (i) if any Lender fails to give such notice within 45 days after it obtains actual knowledge of such an event, such Lender shall, with respect to compensation payable pursuant to this Section in respect of any costs resulting from such event, only be entitled to payment under this Section for costs incurred from and after the date 45 days prior to the date that such Lender does give such notice and (ii) each Lender will designate a different applicable lending office, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender or to the Company or any Borrower.

 

(c)           The foregoing provisions of this Section shall not apply to Taxes imposed on or with respect to payments made by the Borrowers hereunder or Other Taxes, which Taxes shall be governed in each case solely by Section 2.16.

 

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01.    Corporate Existence and Power. Each Loan Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all corporate or other organizational power and authority required to carry on its business as now conducted.

 

SECTION 3.02.    Corporate and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention. The Transactions to be entered into by each Loan Party are within such Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational power, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official (other than the filing of reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission and filings necessary to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement) and do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of such Loan Party or of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon such Loan Party, in each case where the failure to take such action, make such filing or contravention or default would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.03.    Binding Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers and constitutes, and each Collateral Agreement (at such times as the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is required to be satisfied) has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each Material Subsidiary party thereto and constitutes, a valid and binding obligation of the Company (and such Material Subsidiary, if applicable), enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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SECTION 3.04.    Financial Information. (a) The consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of and for (i) Fiscal Year 2020, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP and set forth in the Registration Statement, a copy of which has been delivered to each of the Lenders, and (ii) the first fiscal quarter of Fiscal Year 2021, certified by a Financial Officer, in each case fairly present, in conformity with GAAP (except, in the case of the financial statements referred to in clause (ii) above, for normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes), the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year or portion of such Fiscal Year, as applicable.

 

(b)           From January 30, 2021 to the date hereof or any Test Date, as applicable, there has been no material adverse change in the business, financial position or results of operations of the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.

 

SECTION 3.05.    Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) Except for the Disclosed Matters, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending against, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened against or affecting, the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official in which there is, in the good faith judgment of the Company (which shall be conclusive), a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           Except with respect to any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably expected in the good faith judgment of the Company (which shall be conclusive) to have a Material Adverse Effect of the type referred to in clause (a) of the definition thereof, neither the Company nor any of the Consolidated Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

(c)           Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate in the good faith judgment of the Company (which shall be conclusive), has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

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SECTION 3.06.     Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Company has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by the Company, its Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (acting in their capacity as such) with the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 and applicable Sanctions, and the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), to the knowledge of the Company, is in compliance with all Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable Sanctions, and, to the extent applicable, the USA Patriot Act, in all material respects. None of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee or agent with respect to the facility of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary), is a Sanctioned Person. This Section applies, other than to the extent that such representation and warranty would result in a violation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96, as amended (or any implementing law or regulation in any member state of the European Union or the United Kingdom).

 

SECTION 3.07.     Subsidiaries. (a) Each of the Consolidated Subsidiaries is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and has all requisite power and authority required to carry on its business as now conducted except to the extent that the failure of any such Consolidated Subsidiary to be so organized, existing or in good standing or to have such power and authority is not reasonably expected by the Company to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)       Schedule 3.07 hereto completely and accurately sets forth the names and jurisdictions of organization of each Consolidated Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary or a Canadian Subsidiary as of the Effective Date, indicating for each such Subsidiary whether it is a Material Subsidiary as of the Effective Date.

 

SECTION 3.08.     Not an Investment Company. None of the Borrowers or the Subsidiary Loan Parties is required to register as an “investment company” under (and within the meaning of) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

SECTION 3.09.     ERISA. (a) The Company and its ERISA Affiliates (i) have fulfilled their material obligations, whether or not waived, under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code with respect to each Plan, (ii) are in compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and (iii) have not incurred any liability in excess of $100,000,000 to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA; provided, that this sentence shall not apply to (x) any ERISA Affiliate as described in Section 414(m) of the Code (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) or any Plan maintained by such an ERISA Affiliate or (y) any Multiemployer Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries have made all material payments to Multiemployer Plans which they have been required to make under the related collective bargaining agreement or applicable law. As of the Effective Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries do not contribute to or have an obligation to contribute to a Multiemployer Plan, nor have they contributed or had an obligation to contribute to a Multiemployer Plan in the preceding six years.

 

 

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(b)       Canadian Employee Benefit Plans. As of the Effective Date, none of the Canadian Pension Plans are Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plans. All Canadian Pension Plans are duly registered under the ITA and applicable Canadian Pension Benefits Legislation and no event has occurred which would reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such registered status where the loss of such registered status could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Canadian Pension Plans have each been administered, funded and invested in accordance with the terms of the particular plan, all applicable laws including, where applicable, the ITA and Canadian Pension Benefits Legislation, and the terms of all applicable collective bargaining agreements and employment contracts, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All material obligations of each of the Loan Parties (including fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations) required to be performed in connection with the Canadian Pension Plans and the funding agreements therefor have been performed on a timely basis, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding disputes concerning the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans except for such disputes which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All employee and employer payments, contributions (including “normal cost”, “special payments” and any other payments in respect of any funding deficiencies or shortfalls) or premiums required to be withheld, made, remitted or paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan and all other amounts that are due to the pension fund of any Canadian Pension Plan from any Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates have been withheld, made, remitted or paid on a timely basis in accordance with the terms of such plans, any applicable collective bargaining agreement or employment contract and all applicable laws, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no improper withdrawal or application of the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans as of the Effective Date.

 

SECTION 3.10.     Taxes. The Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries have filed all United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which, in the opinion of the Company, are required to be filed by them and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary, except for assessments which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in respect of taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Company, adequate.

 

SECTION 3.11.     Disclosure. The financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(i) and (ii), the registration statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(vii) (in each case in the form in which such registration statements were declared effective, as amended by any post-effective amendments thereto) and the reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(vii), do not, taken as a whole and in each case as of the date thereof, contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Company represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

 

 

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SECTION 3.12.     Credit Card Agreements. Schedule 3.12 (as updated from time to time as permitted by Section 5.24) sets forth a list of all Credit Card Agreements to which any Loan Party is a party. A true and complete copy of each Credit Card Agreement listed in Schedule 3.12 has been delivered to the Collateral Agent, together with all material amendments, waivers and other modifications thereto; provided that the Private Label Credit Card Program Agreement dated as of June 1, 2018 between Victoria’s Secret Stores, LLC, Lone Mountain Factoring, LLC, L Brands Direct Marketing, Inc., L Brands Direct Fulfillment, Inc., Far West Factoring, LLC, Puerto Rico Store Operations LLC and Comenity Bank shall be delivered only to a field appraiser or examiner in connection with a field examination or Inventory appraisal conducted pursuant to Section 5.23. All such Credit Card Agreements are in full force and effect, currently binding upon each Loan Party that is a party thereto and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, binding upon other parties thereto in accordance with their terms. The Loan Parties are in compliance in all material respects with each such Credit Card Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IV

Conditions

 

SECTION 4.01.     Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.

 

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from the Company and each Lender either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from the Company and each Subsidiary Loan Party either (i) a counterpart of the applicable Collateral Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page of the US Collateral Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of the applicable Collateral Agreement.

 

(c) The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been satisfied with respect to clauses (b) and (h) of the definition thereof.

 

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate, in the form of Exhibit II to each Collateral Agreement, dated the Effective Date and signed by an authorized officer of the Company and each Subsidiary Loan Party.

 

 

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(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received a written opinion dated the Effective Date of (i) Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York counsel for the Loan Parties, (ii) Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, Delaware counsel for the Loan Parties, and (iii) Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Canadian counsel for the Loan Parties, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, this Agreement, the Collateral Agreements and the other Loan Documents in effect on the date hereof as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Company hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.

 

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Loan Parties, the authorization by the Loan Parties of the transactions contemplated hereby and any other legal matters relating to the Loan Parties or the transactions contemplated hereby, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed and certified as accurate and complete by the President, a Vice President, a Director or a Financial Officer of the Company.

 

(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President, a Director or a Financial Officer of the Company, confirming the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3 of this Agreement.

 

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including (i) for the account of each Lender, an upfront fee in an amount equal to either (x) in the case of each Lender that is a Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner (as identified on the cover page of this Agreement), 0.30%, and (y) in case of each other Lender, 0.25%, in each case of the aggregate principal amount of the Commitment of such Lender as set forth on Schedule 2.01 on the Effective Date and (ii) to the extent invoiced at least one Business Day prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrowers under any Loan Document.

 

(j) (i) No later than three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information reasonably requested by it or any Lender at least 10 Business Days prior to the Effective Date to satisfy the requirements of bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, and (ii) to the extent a Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, no later than three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, any Lender that has requested at least 10 Business Days prior to the Effective Date a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrowers shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification.

 

 

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(k) An Intercreditor Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent and the Term Loan Agent (as defined therein) and shall be in full force and effect and acknowledged by the Loan Parties.

 

(l) (x) The Pre-Closing Reorganization Transactions shall have occurred or shall occur substantially simultaneously with the initial funding of the Initial Term Loans (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) and (y) the Form 10 shall have been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

SECTION 4.02.     Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of any Issuing Bank to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)       The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct (i) in the case of representations and warranties that are qualified by materiality, in all respects and (ii) otherwise, in all material respects, and at such times as the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is required to be satisfied, the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties as set forth in the Collateral Agreements shall be true and correct (i) in the case of representations and warranties that are qualified by materiality, in all respects and (ii) otherwise, in all material respects, in each case on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates to a specified date or dates, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified date or dates).

 

(b)       At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(c)       [reserved].

 

(d)       At the time of such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(iii) shall have been accurate in all material respects as of the date of such Borrowing Base Certificate.

 

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of this Section.

 

 

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ARTICLE V

Covenants

 

The Company agrees that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment hereunder or any amount payable hereunder remains unpaid:

 

SECTION 5.01.     Information. (a) The Company will deliver to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

 

(i)       as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for such Fiscal Year, containing financial statements reported on in a manner acceptable to the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing selected by the Company (without a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or statement and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit);

 

(ii)       as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for such quarter with the financial statements therein contained to be certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, generally accepted accounting principles (except footnotes) and consistency, by a Financial Officer;

 

(iii)       as soon as available but in any event within 15 Business Days after the end of each Fiscal Month, as of the last day of such Fiscal Month (or within three Business Days after the end of each week, as of the last day of such week, during any Enhanced Borrowing Base Reporting Period), a Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information in connection therewith, together with any additional reports and supplemental documentation with respect to the Borrowing Base as the Collateral Agent may request in its Permitted Discretion;

 

(iv)       simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer (1) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Company was in compliance with the requirements of Section 5.06 on the date of such financial statements, (2) stating whether, to the best knowledge of such Financial Officer, any Default exists on the date of such certificate and, if any Default then exists, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, (3) stating that all Material Subsidiaries have satisfied the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and (4) unless (x) if both rating agencies shall have a Credit Rating then in effect, the Credit Ratings are BBB- and Baa3 (in each case, with stable outlook) or better or (y) if only one rating agency shall have a Credit Rating then in effect, the Credit Rating from such rating agency is BBB- or Baa3 (in each case, with stable outlook) or better, stating the aggregate amount of Investments and Restricted Payments made in reliance on Section 5.17(c) and Section 5.18(c) during the preceding fiscal quarter and confirming that the applicable Payment Conditions were satisfied with respect to each such Investment or Restricted Payment;

 

 

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(v)       simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clause (i) above, a statement of the firm of independent public accountants which reported on such statements whether anything has come to their attention to cause them to believe that any Default existed on the date of such statements (insofar as such pertains to accounting matters);

 

(vi)       promptly upon the mailing thereof to the stockholders of the Company generally, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed;

 

(vii)       promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (other than the exhibits thereto and any registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent) and reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or their equivalents) which the Company shall have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

(viii)       promptly following a request therefor, any documentation or other information that a Lender reasonably 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 Beneficial Ownership Regulation;

 

(ix)       within four Business Days of any executive officer of the Company or any Financial Officer obtaining knowledge of any condition or event recognized by such officer to be a Default, a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(x)       (1) if and when any executive officer of the Company or any Financial Officer obtains knowledge that any ERISA Affiliate (x) has given or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which would reasonably be expected to constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the PBGC, (y) has received notice of complete or partial Withdrawal Liability, a copy of such notice or (z) has received notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, a copy of such notice or (2) the occurrence of any Canadian Pension Event that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

 

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(xi)       from time to time such additional information regarding the financial position or business of the Company and Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Lender, may reasonably request;

 

(xii)       as soon as available and in any event within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a financial forecast for the Company and the Consolidated Subsidiaries for the subsequent Fiscal Year, including a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and each fiscal quarter thereof and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year and each fiscal quarter thereof; and

 

(xiii)       promptly after the furnishing thereof and to the extent not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any clause of this Section 5.01, copies of any material requests or material notices received by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party (other than in the ordinary course of business) or material statements or material reports furnished by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party pursuant to the terms of any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness Documents.

 

(b)       Certificates delivered pursuant to this Section shall be signed manually or shall be copies of a manually signed certificate.

 

(c)       The Company may provide for electronic delivery of the financial statements, certificates, reports and registration statements described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) of paragraph (a) of this Section by posting such financial statements, certificates, reports and registration statements on Intralinks or any similar service approved by the Administrative Agent, or delivering such financial statements, certificates, reports and registration statements to the Administrative Agent for posting on Intralinks (or any such similar service). Furthermore, any items required to be furnished pursuant to Sections 5.01(a)(i), (ii), (vi) or (vii) shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which the Administrative Agent receives notice that the Company has filed such item with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available on the EDGAR website on the Internet at www.sec.gov or any successor government website that is freely and readily available to the Administrative Agent without charge; provided that the Company shall give notice of any such filing to the Administrative Agent (who shall then give notice of any such filing to the Lenders). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall deliver paper or electronic copies of any such financial statement to the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent requests the Company to furnish such paper or electronic copies until written notice to cease delivering such paper or electronic copies is given by the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 5.02.     Maintenance of Properties. The Company will, and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to, maintain and keep in good condition, repair and working order all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business and supply such properties with all necessary equipment and make all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be, and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Lenders. 

 

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SECTION 5.03.     Maintenance of Insurance. Subject to the grace period in clause (g) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, the Company will, and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to, insure and keep insured, with reputable insurance companies, so much of its properties and such of its liabilities for bodily injury or property damage, to such an extent and against such risks (including fire), as companies engaged in similar businesses customarily insure properties and liabilities of a similar character; or, in lieu thereof, the Company will maintain, or cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to maintain, a system or systems of self-insurance which will be in accord with the customary practices of companies engaged in similar businesses in maintaining such systems.

 

SECTION 5.04.     Preservation of Corporate Existence. Except pursuant to a transaction not prohibited by Section 5.12 or 5.13, each Loan Party shall preserve and maintain its corporate existence, rights, franchises and privileges in any State of the United States which it shall select as its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign corporation or foreign organization in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary, except such jurisdictions, if any, where the failure to preserve and maintain its corporate or other organizational existence, rights, franchises and privileges, or qualify or remain qualified will not have a Material Adverse Effect on the business or property of such Loan Party.

 

SECTION 5.05.     Inspection of Property, Books and Records. The Company will, and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to, make and keep books, records and accounts in which transactions are recorded as necessary to (a) permit preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP and (b) otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 13(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect from time to time. At any reasonable time during normal business hours and from time to time, the Company will permit the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders or any agents or representatives thereof at their expense (to the extent not in violation of applicable law) to examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit the properties of, the Company and any Consolidated Subsidiaries and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and any Consolidated Subsidiaries with any of their respective officers or directors. Any information obtained pursuant to this Section or Section 5.01(a) shall be subject to Section 8.12.

 

SECTION 5.06.     Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. During any period (each, a “Covenant Period”) (a)(i) commencing on any day when Specified Excess Availability is less than the greater of (x) $70,000,000 and (y) 10% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) ending after Specified Excess Availability has been greater than the amount set forth in clause (i) above for 30 consecutive calendar days or (b) during which a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company will not permit the ratio of Consolidated EBITDAR to Consolidated Fixed Charges for any Test Period (commencing with the Test Period ended most recently prior to the commencement of such Covenant Period for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01) to be less than 1.00 to 1.00.

 

 

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SECTION 5.07.     [Reserved.]

 

SECTION 5.08.     Limitation on Liens. (a) [Reserved.]

 

(b)       The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any Collateral now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(i)       Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(ii)       any Lien on any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 5.08; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the Effective Date and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

 

(iii)       Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (i) of Section 5.10, (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 120 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement (or are incurred to extend, renew or replace security interests and Indebtedness previously incurred in compliance with this clause), (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party;

 

(iv)       Liens granted on the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents;

 

(v)       precautionary or purported Liens evidenced by the filing of UCC financing statements or similar financing statements under applicable law relating solely to the sale of Receivables Facility Assets and related assets in connection with any Specified Receivables Facility;

 

 

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(vi)       Liens (including any precautionary UCC financing statements or similar financing statements under applicable law) on Receivables Facility Assets securing Specified Receivables Facilities;

 

(vii)       licenses or sublicenses of, covenants not to sue under, or other rights to use any Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business (including licenses or sublicenses by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party to any Foreign Subsidiary);

 

(viii)       Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 5.10(l);

 

(ix)       other Liens on Non-ABL Priority Collateral securing Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $600,000,000; and

 

(x)       second priority Liens on ABL Priority Collateral securing Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness; provided that such second priority Liens are subject to an Intercreditor Agreement providing that such Liens rank junior in priority to the Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral securing the Obligations.

 

SECTION 5.09.     Compliance with Laws. The Company will, and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to, comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and requirements of governmental authorities (including ERISA and the rules and regulations thereunder), except to the extent that (a) the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (b) the failure to so comply would not result in any Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.10.     Limitations on Indebtedness. The Company will not, and will not permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:

 

(a)       Indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary which is, or the direct or indirect parent of which is, acquired by the Company or any other Consolidated Subsidiary after March 22, 2006, which Indebtedness is in existence at the time such Consolidated Subsidiary (or parent) is so acquired; provided that such Indebtedness was not created at the request or with the consent of the Company or any Subsidiary, and such Indebtedness may not be extended other than pursuant to the terms thereof as in existence at the time such Consolidated Subsidiary (or parent) was acquired;

 

(b)       Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

 

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(c)       Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 5.10 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof;

 

(d)       Indebtedness of the Company to any Consolidated Subsidiary and of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the Company or any other Consolidated Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Indebtedness shall not have been transferred to any Person other than the Company or any other Consolidated Subsidiary, (ii) any such Indebtedness owing by any Loan Party to a non-Loan Party shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms customary for intercompany subordinated Indebtedness, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) any such Indebtedness owing by any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party shall be incurred in compliance with Section 5.17;

 

(e)       Guarantees incurred in compliance with Section 5.17;

 

(f)       the incurrence of Indebtedness under Hedging Agreements that are incurred for the bona fide purpose of hedging the interest rate, commodity, or foreign currency risks associated with the operations of the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes;

 

(g)       Indebtedness owed in respect of any overdrafts and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearing-house transfers of funds; provided that such Indebtedness shall be repaid in full within five Business Days of the incurrence thereof;

 

(h)       Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees and similar instruments issued for the account of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations under (i) workers’ compensation unemployment insurance and other social security laws and (ii) bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and obligations of a like nature (other than in respect of other obligations for borrowed money), which obligations in each case shall not be secured except by Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(i)       Indebtedness to finance the acquisition, construction or improvements of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $300,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

 

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(j)       other Indebtedness of any Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Loan Party) in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $400,000,000;

 

(k)       other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $600,000,000;

 

(l)       other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party; provided that (i) after giving pro forma effect thereto, the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDAR for the most recently completed Test Period is less than 4.00 to 1.00; provided, further that the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the date such Indebtedness is incurred and signed by a Financial Officer of the Company, confirming compliance with the requirements set forth in this clause (l) and setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of such ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDAR;

 

(m)       other unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary; and

 

(n)       Indebtedness of Receivables Subsidiaries arising under Specified Receivables Facilities.

 

SECTION 5.11.     Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) any transaction determined by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company’s board of directors to be fair to the Company and its Subsidiaries, (c) transactions between or among the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (d) any transaction with respect to which neither the fair market value of the related property or assets, nor the consideration therefor, exceeds $5,000,000, (e) any transaction contemplated by the Registration Statement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such transaction consummated after the Effective Date, (f) the VS Transactions, (g) any transactions with BBW or its subsidiaries, (h) any Investment permitted under Section 5.17 and (i) any Restricted Payment permitted under Section 5.18.

 

SECTION 5.12.     Consolidations, Mergers. The Company will not (a) consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or (b) liquidate or dissolve; provided that the Company may consolidate or merge with another Person if (i) the corporation surviving the merger is the Company or a corporation organized under the laws of a State of the United States into which the Company desires to consolidate or merge for the purpose of becoming incorporated in such State (in which case such corporation shall assume all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement by an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders (and the Required Lenders shall not unreasonably withhold their consent to the form of such agreement) and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders such legal opinions and other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to evidence the due authorization, validity and binding effect thereof) and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such consolidation or merger, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; provided, further, that this Section 5.12 shall not apply to any VS Transaction.

 

 

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SECTION 5.13.     Sales of Assets. The Company will not, and will not permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets, including any Equity Interest owned by it, except:

 

(a)       the consummation of the VS Transaction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any sales or distributions of all or a portion of the equity interests in, or assets of, the Spin Business (as defined in the Registration Statement));

 

(b)       sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of Inventory or used or surplus equipment or of cash and permitted Investments, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)       sales in the ordinary course of business of immaterial assets;

 

(d)       sales, transfers or other dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not as part of any accounts receivables financing transaction;

 

(e)       [reserved];

 

(f)       (A) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of assets pursuant to this clause (A) with an aggregate fair market value not to exceed (I) $25,000,000 in any single transaction or series of related transactions and (II) $100,000,000 in the aggregate in any 12-month period and (B) sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets if, after giving effect to any adjustment to the Borrowing Base arising from such sale, transfer or other disposition and for the previous 90 consecutive days, Specified Excess Availability is greater than the greater of (x) $200,000,000 and (y) 30% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount; provided that (I) all such sales, transfers and other dispositions shall be made for fair value and at least 75% cash consideration, (II) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of, or would result from, any such sale, transfer or other disposition, (III) the Company shall have given the Administrative Agent written notice advising of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition, together with such information as shall be required for the Administrative Agent to adjust the Borrowing Base to reflect such disposition, to the extent required by the definition of the term “Borrowing Base”, and (IV) after giving effect to any adjustment to the Borrowing Base arising from such sale, transfer or other disposition, the Aggregate Credit Exposure at the time shall not exceed the Borrowing Base as so adjusted;

 

 

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(g)       sales, transfers or other dispositions of Receivables Facility Assets or participations therein, directly or indirectly, to Receivables Subsidiaries in connection with any Specified Receivables Facility permitted pursuant to Section 5.10(n); provided that, any such disposition of Receivables Facility Assets by a Loan Party shall be made in exchange for fair market value consideration consisting only of cash;

 

(h)       licenses or sublicenses of, covenants not to sue under, or other rights to use any Intellectual Property or assignments thereof in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)       sales, transfers or other dispositions or the lapse or abandonment (including failure to maintain) in the ordinary course of business of any Intellectual Property determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary to be no longer useful, necessary, otherwise not material in the operation of the business of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary or no longer economical to maintain;

 

(j)       transfers by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party to any Foreign Subsidiary of any Intellectual Property that is usable primarily, or for use primarily, outside of the United States and Canada;

 

(k)       sales, transfers or other dispositions (i) from any Loan Party to any other Loan Party, (ii) from any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any other Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (iii) from any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party provided that such sale, transfer or other disposition (x) is made for fair market value (as determined by such Loan Party in good faith) or (y) the excess (if any) of the consideration in respect of such sale, transfer or other disposition over fair market value (as determined by such Loan Party in good faith) is treated as an Investment and is otherwise made in compliance with Section 5.17; and

 

(l)       sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions that constitute Investments permitted pursuant to Section 5.17 (other than Section 5.17(b)), Liens permitted pursuant to Section 5.08, and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 5.18; provided that (i) in connection with any such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of assets with a fair market value in excess of $10,000,000, the Company shall have given the Administrative Agent written notice advising of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition, together with such information as shall be required for the Administrative Agent to adjust the Borrowing Base to reflect such disposition, to the extent required by the definition of the term “Borrowing Base”, and (ii) after giving effect to any adjustment to the Borrowing Base arising from such sale, transfer or other disposition, the Aggregate Credit Exposure at the time shall not exceed the Borrowing Base as so adjusted.

 

 

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SECTION 5.14.     Use of Proceeds. The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Loans and issuance of Letters of Credit for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, repurchases of, and dividends on, its equity securities). None of the Company, any Subsidiary or director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary will directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person for the purpose of (a) financing any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official governmental capacity in material violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or (b) financing the activities of or any transactions with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent licensed or otherwise authorized under U.S. law. This Section applies, other than to the extent that such covenant would result in a violation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96, as amended (or any implementing law or regulation in any member state of the European Union or the United Kingdom).

 

SECTION 5.15.     Information Regarding Collateral; Deposit and Securities Accounts. (a) The Company will furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change in (i) the legal name of any Loan Party, as set forth in its organizational documents, (ii) the jurisdiction of organization or the form of organization of any Loan Party (including as a result of any merger, amalgamation or consolidation), (iii) the location of the chief executive office of any Loan Party or (iv) the organizational identification number, if any, or, with respect to any Loan Party organized under the laws of a jurisdiction that requires such information to be set forth on the face of a UCC financing statement, the Federal Taxpayer Identification Number of such Loan Party. The Company agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral.

 

(b)       The Company will furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of the acquisition by any Loan Party of any (i) Mortgaged Property or any material assets after the Effective Date of the type that constitute, or are intended to constitute, Collateral, other than any assets constituting Collateral under the Collateral Documents in which the Collateral Agent shall have a valid, legal and perfected security interest (with the priority contemplated by the applicable Collateral Document) upon the acquisition thereof and (ii) material Intellectual Property.

 

(c)       The Company will furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of the disposition of a Loan Party, or any disposition outside the ordinary course of business of, or any casualty or condemnation event affecting, assets reflected in the then-current Borrowing Base having a fair market value of $5,000,000 or more, and such notice shall include such information as shall be required for the Collateral Agent to adjust the Borrowing Base to reflect such disposition.

 

(d)       The Company will, in each case as promptly as practicable, notify the Collateral Agent of the existence of any deposit account or securities account maintained by a Loan Party in respect of which a Control Agreement is required to be in effect pursuant to the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” but is not yet in effect.

 

 

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SECTION 5.16.     Collateral and Guarantee Requirement. (a) If (i) any Material Subsidiary is formed or acquired after the Effective Date or (ii) any Consolidated Subsidiary shall become a Material Subsidiary after the Effective Date, in each case other than an Excluded Subsidiary, then the Company will promptly, but in no event later than 15 days after such formation or acquisition (in the case of clause (i)) or 15 days after any executive officer or Financial Officer of the Company obtains knowledge thereof (in the case of clause (ii), but in each case of clause (i) and (ii), as such period may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof and cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Material Subsidiary.

 

(b)       The Company will, and the Company will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements), that may be required under any applicable law, or that the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 5.17.     Investments. The Company will not, nor will the Company permit any Subsidiary Loan Party to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any consolidation, amalgamation or merger with any Person that was not a Loan Party prior to such consolidation, amalgamation or merger, it being understood that any consolidation, amalgamation or merger of a Subsidiary Loan Party with any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be treated as an investment in such Subsidiary if the survivor of such consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not a Subsidiary Loan Party) any Equity Interests in or evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any Indebtedness of, or make or permit to exist any other investment in, any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party (each of the foregoing being an “Investment”), except:

 

(a)       Investments by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

 

(b)       Investments in existence on the Effective Date;

 

(c)       any other Investment if, at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto, the Payment Conditions are satisfied (for the avoidance of doubt, an Investment made pursuant to this clause (c) shall be permitted notwithstanding that the conditions set forth in this clause (c) shall thereafter cease to be satisfied);

 

 

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(d)       Investments in any Receivables Subsidiary in the form of (i) deferred purchase consideration for Receivables Facility Assets sold pursuant to a Specified Receivables Facility or (ii) a subordinated loan representing deferred consideration owed in respect of Receivables Facility Assets sold by the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary participating as a seller in a Specified Receivables Facility in an amount required to meet any true sale and risk retention requirements applicable in respect of the sale of Receivables Facility Assets by the Company or such Consolidated Subsidiary;

 

(e)       contributions by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party of Equity Interests in any Foreign Subsidiary to any other Foreign Subsidiary;

 

(f)       licenses by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party to any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)       transfers or licenses by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party to any Foreign Subsidiary of any intellectual property that is usable primarily, or for use primarily, outside of the United States; and

 

(h)       accounts receivable held by a Loan Party arising out of the sale of inventory or provision of services, in each case in the ordinary course of business, to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party.

 

SECTION 5.18.     Restricted Payments. The Company will not, and will not permit any Consolidated Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

 

(a)        any wholly-owned Consolidated Subsidiary may distribute any cash, property or assets to the Company or any other Consolidated Subsidiary that is its direct or indirect parent;

 

(b)       any Consolidated Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to its Equity Interests;

 

(c)       the Company may make any Restricted Payment in cash if, at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto, the Payment Conditions are satisfied; and

 

(d)       the Closing Date Payment, the Closing Date Distribution and any distribution, as a dividend, cash payment or otherwise, of all or any portion of the equity interest of the Spin Business (as defined in the Registration Statement) or assets thereof.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, a Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 5.18(c) shall be permitted notwithstanding that the conditions set forth in Section 5.18(c) shall thereafter cease to be satisfied.

 

 

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SECTION 5.19.     Restrictive Agreements. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Consolidated Subsidiary that is a wholly-owned Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary or a Canadian Subsidiary, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary or a Canadian Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets to secure, or the ability of any Consolidated Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary or a Canadian Subsidiary to Guarantee, the Obligations (or the obligations under any credit facility that refinances or replaces this Agreement); provided that (a) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law, any Loan Document or any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness, (b) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the Effective Date contained in any of the instruments, indentures and other agreements identified on Schedule 5.19 or any extension, renewal, supplement, amendment or other modification of any thereof or any additional such instrument, indenture or other agreement so long as, in each case, any such prohibition, restriction or condition contained therein is not, taken as a whole, more restrictive in any material respect than the prohibitions, restrictions and conditions contained in the instruments, indentures and other agreements identified on Schedule 5.19 as in effect on the Effective Date, (c) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or any assets pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets to be sold, (d) the foregoing shall not apply to exclusive licenses or exclusivity covenants permitted under the Loan Documents with respect to Intellectual Property, (e) the foregoing provisions relating to Liens shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (f) the foregoing provisions relating to Liens shall not apply to customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof and (g) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed on Receivables Subsidiaries pursuant to any Specified Receivables Facility.

 

SECTION 5.20.     Credit Ratings. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain Credit Ratings from each of S&P and Moody’s at all times.

 

SECTION 5.21.     Prepayment Avoidance. The Company will, and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to, either repay or prepay Loans, or make investments in assets to be used in their businesses, in each case as necessary to avoid any mandatory redemption, repurchase or prepayment (i) referred to in the proviso to clause (c) of the definition of “Disqualified Equity Interest” or (ii) pursuant to the terms of any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness.

 

SECTION 5.22.     Control Agreements. Subject to the grace period in clause (c) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, the Loan Parties shall at all times (except as agreed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to its authority as set forth herein or in any other Loan Document) (a) cause the available amount in each deposit account (other than an Excluded Deposit Account) of the Loan Parties to be swept to the Concentration Account at the end of each Business Day (whether directly or through local concentration accounts that are in turn swept to the Concentration Account on such Business Day) and (b) cause to be deposited directly into the Concentration Account (i) all payments in respect of Credit Card Receivables, (ii) all proceeds of Accounts and (iii) all cash swept from all Accounts of the Loan Parties.

 

 

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SECTION 5.23.     Field Examinations and Appraisals.

 

(a)       On not more than one occasion during any 12-month period, at the request of the Collateral Agent, the Loan Parties will permit, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, the Collateral Agent (or its designee) to conduct a field examination of the Collateral included in the Borrowing Base and related reporting and control systems. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) an additional field exam may be conducted during any period in which Specified Excess Availability for three consecutive business days is less than or equal to the lesser of (x) $70,000,000 and (y) 10% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) if a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of field examinations and the number and frequency of field examinations shall be at the Permitted Discretion of the Collateral Agent. For purposes of this Section 5.23, it is understood and agreed that a single field examination may be conducted at multiple relevant sites and involve one or more Loan Parties and their assets. All such field examinations by the Collateral Agent (or its designee) shall be at the sole expense of the Loan Parties.

 

(b)       On one occasion during each 12-month period, the Loan Parties will provide the Collateral Agent with an appraisal of their Inventory (or update thereof) from an appraiser selected and engaged by the Collateral Agent, and prepared on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, such appraisal or update to include, without limitation, information required by applicable law and regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) an additional inventory appraisal may be conducted during any period in which Specified Excess Availability for three consecutive business days is less than or equal to the lesser of (x) $70,000,000 and (y) 10% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) if a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of appraisals (or updates thereof) and the number and frequency of appraisals (or updates thereof) shall be at the Permitted Discretion of the Collateral Agent. For purposes of this Section 5.23, it is understood and agreed that a single appraisal (or update thereof) may be conducted at multiple relevant sites and involve one or more Loan Parties and their assets. All such appraisals and updates thereof shall be at the sole expense of the Loan Parties.

 

SECTION 5.24.     Credit Card Agreements and Notifications. Subject to the grace period in clause (d) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, each Loan Party will (a) comply in all material respects with all its obligations under each Credit Card Agreement to which it is party and (b) maintain credit card arrangements solely with the credit card issuers and credit card processors identified in Schedule 3.12; provided, however, that the Company may amend Schedule 3.12 to remove any credit card issuer or credit card processor identified in such Schedule or to add additional credit card issuers and credit card processors that are satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion, and concurrently with the making of any such amendment the Company shall provide to the Collateral Agent evidence that a Credit Card Notification shall have been delivered to any credit card issuer or credit card processor added to such Schedule.

 

 

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SECTION 5.25.     Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan. The Company will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, contribute to, or assume, incur or have any liability under, any Canadian Defined Benefit Pension Plan without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE VI

Events of Default and Remedies

 

SECTION 6.01.     Events of Default. Any of the following shall be an “Event of Default”:

 

(a)       any Borrower shall fail to make any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when due or to pay any fees or other amounts payable by it hereunder when due, and such failure remains unremedied for three Business Days after the applicable Borrower’s actual receipt of notice of such failure from the Administrative Agent at the request of any Lender;

 

(b)       any statement of fact or representation made or deemed to be made by (i) any Borrower in this Agreement or by any Borrower or any of its officers in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) at such times as the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is required to be satisfied, any Loan Party in any Loan Document or by any Loan Party or any of its respective officers in any certificate delivered pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made, and, if the consequences of such representation or statement being incorrect shall be susceptible of remedy in all material respects, such consequences shall not be remedied in all material respects within 30 days after any executive officer of any Borrower or any Financial Officer first becomes aware of or is advised that such representation or statement was incorrect in a material respect;

 

(c)       (i) any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.04 (with respect to the existence of any Borrower), 5.08, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 5.21, 5.23 and 5.24 and, if the consequences of such failure shall be susceptible of remedy in all material respects, such consequences shall not be remedied in all material respects within 20 days after any executive officer of any Borrower or any Financial Officer first becomes aware or is advised of such failure or (ii) any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.06 or 5.22;

 

(d)       (i) any event or condition shall occur which enables the holder of any Material Indebtedness or any Person acting on such holder’s behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof or (ii) the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness;

 

 

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(e)       the Company or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) make an assignment or general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) apply for or consent (by admission of material allegations of a petition or otherwise) to the appointment of or the taking of possession by a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, administrator, custodian, trustee or liquidator of the Company or any Material Subsidiary or for all or any substantial part of the properties of the Company or any Material Subsidiary or authorize such application or consent, or proceedings seeking such appointment shall be commenced (including the filing of any notice of intention in respect thereof) without such authorization, consent or application against the Company or any Material Subsidiary and continue undismissed for 30 days (or if such dismissal of such unauthorized proceedings cannot reasonably be obtained within such 30-day period, the Company or any Material Subsidiary shall fail either to proceed with due diligence to seek to obtain dismissal within such 30-day period or to obtain dismissal within 60 days), (iii) authorize or file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, suffer an order for relief under any Insolvency Law, or apply for or consent (by admission of material allegations of a petition or otherwise) to the application of any Insolvency Law or other bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, insolvency, dissolution, liquidation or other similar law of any jurisdiction, or authorize such application or consent, or proceedings to such end shall be instituted (including the filing of any notice of intention in respect thereof) against the Company or any Material Subsidiary without such authorization, application or consent which are not vacated within 30-days from the date thereof (or if such vacation cannot reasonably be obtained within such 30-day period, the Company shall fail either to proceed with due diligence to seek to obtain vacation within such 30-day period or to obtain vacation within 60 days), (iv) permit or suffer all or any substantial part of its properties to be sequestered, attached, or subjected to a Lien (other than a Lien expressly permitted by the exceptions in Section 5.08) through any legal proceeding or distraint which is not vacated within 30-days from the date thereof (or if such vacation cannot reasonably be obtained within such 30-day period, the Company shall fail either to proceed with due diligence to seek to obtain vacation within such 30 day period or to obtain vacation within 60 days), (v) generally not pay its debts as such debts become due or admit in writing its inability to do so, or is otherwise insolvent, or (vi) conceal, remove, or permit to be concealed or removed, any material part of its property, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors or any of them;

 

(f)       (i) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall fail to pay when due an amount or amounts aggregating in excess of $100,000,000 which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Plans having aggregate Unfunded Liabilities in excess of $100,000,000 (collectively “Material Plans”) shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any Material Plan or a proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any Material Plan against the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to enforce Section 515 of ERISA or 4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such proceeding shall not have been dismissed within 30 days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any Material Plan must be terminated or (ii) the occurrence of any Canadian Pension Event that has a Material Adverse Effect;

 

 

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(g)       any Borrower shall fail to perform or observe in any material respect any other term, covenant or agreement contained in any Loan Document (including without limitation Section 5.01 of this Agreement) on its part to be performed or observed and any such failure remains unremedied for 30 days after the applicable Borrower shall have received written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent at the request of any Lender;

 

(h)       a Change in Control shall occur; or

 

(i)       one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000, exclusive of amounts covered by third party insurance, shall be rendered against the Company, any Consolidated Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment; provided that in calculating the amounts covered by third party insurance, amounts covered by third party insurance shall not include amounts for which the third party insurer has denied liability.

 

SECTION 6.02.     Remedies. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent shall (a) if requested by the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrowers terminate the Commitments and they shall thereupon terminate, and (b) if requested by Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, by notice to the Borrowers declare the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrowers hereunder) to be, and the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrowers hereunder) 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 Borrowers; provided that in the case of any of the bankruptcy Events of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) with respect to the Borrowers, without any notice to the Borrowers or any other act by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, the Commitments shall thereupon terminate and the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrowers hereunder) shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.

 

SECTION 6.03.     Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Borrowers under Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(g) promptly upon being requested to do so by any Lender and shall thereupon notify all the Lenders thereof.

 

 

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ARTICLE VII

The Agents

 

SECTION 7.01.     The Agents.

 

Each of the Lenders and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as its agent and authorizes such Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to such Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction, each of the Lenders hereby grants to the Collateral Agent any required powers of attorney to execute and enforce any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s behalf.

 

Each of the banks serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent under the Loan Documents.

 

The Agents shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Agents shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Agents shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the applicable Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 8.02 or Section 8.02A) or, in the case of the Collateral Documents, the Required Secured Parties, and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Agents shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the banks serving as Agents or any of their respective Affiliates in any capacity. No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 8.02 or Section 8.02A) or, in the case of the Collateral Documents, the Required Secured Parties, or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to such Agent by the Company or a Lender, and the Agents shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate (including any Borrowing Base Certificate), report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) qualification of (or lapse of any qualification of) any Account, Credit Card Receivable, Inventory or real property under the eligibility criteria set forth herein, other than eligibility criteria expressly referring to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to, or being determined by, the Collateral Agent, (iv) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (v) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the applicable Agent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Agents shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any loss, cost or expense suffered by the Borrowers, any Lender or any Issuing Bank as a result of, any such determination of the Credit Exposure, Excess Availability, the Borrowing Base or the component amounts of any thereof.

 

 

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Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate (including any Borrowing Base Certificate), consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. Each of the Agents also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Company), 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 and Issuing Bank hereby agrees that (a) it has requested a copy of each Report prepared by or on behalf of any Agent; (b) the Agents (i) make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of any Report or any of the information contained therein or any inaccuracy or omission contained in or relating to any Report and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report; (c) the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and any Person performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel, and that the Agents undertake no obligation to update, correct or supplement the Reports; (d) it will keep all Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use and not share any Report with any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (e) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend and hold the Agents, each other Person preparing a Report and the Related Parties of any of the foregoing harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses and other amounts (including reasonable attorney fees) incurred by any of them as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

 

Each of the Agents may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each of the Agents and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as an Agent.

 

 

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Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided in this paragraph, either Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Company. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders (or, in the case of the Collateral Agent, the Required Secured Parties) shall have the right, in consultation with the Company, to appoint a successor. In addition, if either Agent is a Defaulting Lender due to it having had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, the Required Lenders shall have the right, by notice in writing to the Company and such Agent, to remove such Agent in its capacity as such and, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld and except during the continuance of an Event of Default hereunder, when no consent shall be required), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders (or, in the case of the Collateral Agent, the Required Secured Parties) and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as an Agent by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Company to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After such Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 8.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring 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 it was acting as an Agent.

 

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon any Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. The Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Co-Documentation Agents (each as identified on the cover page of this Agreement) (each of the foregoing, in its capacity as such, a “Titled Person”), in their capacities as such, shall have no rights, powers, duties, liabilities, fiduciary relationships or obligations under any Loan Document or any of the other documents related hereto.

 

 

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Each of the Lenders hereby (a) agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Collateral Documents, including those terms thereof applicable to the Collateral Agent and the provisions thereof authorizing the Required Secured Parties to approve amendments or modifications thereto or waivers thereof, and to control remedies thereunder, and (b) irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent to (i) release any Liens on any Non-ABL Priority Collateral in accordance with an Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) release any Liens on any Collateral in accordance with the Collateral Documents, including any Liens on real property following the delivery of a Real Property Exclusion Notice.

 

Each of the Lenders hereby (a) authorizes and instructs the Collateral Agent to enter into an Intercreditor Agreement if Indebtedness is incurred that is secured by Liens contemplated by clause (b)(ix) or (b)(x) of Section 5.08 and (b) agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of such Intercreditor Agreement.

 

It is understood and agreed by the parties hereto, that as part of its duties and functions, the Collateral Agent shall serve as the hypothecary representative for itself and for all present and future Secured Parties, as contemplated by Article 2692 of the Civil Code of Québec (the “CCQ”). For greater certainty, and without limiting the powers of the Collateral Agent, each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent as hypothecary representative for all present and future Lenders, Issuing Banks and any other Secured Parties as contemplated under Article 2692 of the CCQ in order to hold the hypothecs granted under any Loan Document pursuant to the laws of the Province of Quebec to secure performance of all or part of the Obligations (as defined in each such Loan Document) and to exercise such powers and duties which are conferred upon the hypothecary representative thereunder. The appointment of the Collateral Agent as hypothecary representative shall be deemed to have been ratified and confirmed by each Person that accedes or has acceded to this Agreement as a Lender or Issuing Bank after the date hereof. The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge the appointment of the Collateral Agent as the hypothecary representative of the Secured Parties as contemplated under Article 2692 of the CCQ. In the event of the resignation of the Collateral Agent and appointment of a successor Collateral Agent, such successor Collateral Agent shall also act as hypothecary representative without further act or formality being required to appoint such successor Collateral Agent as the successor hypothecary representative for the purposes of any then existing deeds of hypothec. The execution by the Collateral Agent as the hypothecary representative of the relevant deeds of hypothec or other relevant documentation prior to the date hereof is hereby ratified and confirmed by each Lender and Issuing Bank. In its capacity of hypothecary representative, the Collateral Agent shall (a) have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise, except as may be otherwise specifically restricted hereunder, all rights and remedies given to the hypothecary representative pursuant to any hypothec, applicable law or otherwise, (b) benefit from and be subject to all provisions hereof with respect to the Collateral Agent, mutatis mutandis, including, without limitation, all such provisions with respect to the liability or responsibility to and indemnification by the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and (c) be entitled to delegate from time to time any of its powers or duties under any deed of hypothec or other Loan Document, on such terms and conditions as it may determine from time to time.

 

 

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SECTION 7.02.     Certain ERISA Matters.

 

Each of the Lenders hereby (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, 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, each Agent and each Titled Person and their respective Affiliates and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(a)       such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement,

 

(b)       the transaction exemption set forth in one 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 with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(c)       (i) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (ii) 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 Commitments and this Agreement, (iii) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (iv) 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 Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(d)       such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

In addition, unless either (1) clause (a) in the immediately preceding paragraph is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with clause (d) in the immediately preceding paragraph, such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, 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, each Agent and each Titled Person and their respective Affiliates and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not 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 Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

 

 

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SECTION 7.03.     Erroneous Payments. (a) Each Lender (which term shall for the purposes of this and the succeeding paragraphs of this Section 7.03 include the Issuing Banks) hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Section 7.03 shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

(b)       Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative 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 sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

 

 

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(c)       Each Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount to the maximum extent permitted by law and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided, that this clause (c) shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), any Obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of principal and interest hereunder relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of principal and interest hereunder that would have been payable had such erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (c) shall not apply to the extent any such Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from any Borrower or any other Loan Party for the purpose of making such Payment, satisfying Obligations or from the proceeds of Collateral.

 

(d)       Each party’s obligations under this Section 7.03 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 8.01.     Notices. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to the last paragraph of this Section), 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 telecopy, as follows:

 

(a)       if to the Borrowers, to the Company at Three Limited Parkway, P.O. Box 16000, Columbus, Ohio 43216, Attention of Treasurer (Telecopy No. 614-577-3180, email: Treasury@lb.com and TreasuryCashManagement@lb.com) with copy to General Counsel (Telecopy No. 614-415-7188, email: generalcounsel@lb.com);

 

(b)       [reserved;]

 

(c)       if to either Agent for any other purpose, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Loan and Agency Services Group, Attention of James Campbell, 500 Stanton Christiana Rd, NCCS, Floor 01, Newark, DE 19713 (Telecopy No. 302-634-4250, email: james.x.campbell@chase.com); and

 

(d)       if to an Issuing Bank, as applicable, to it at (i) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Attention of James Campbell, 500 Stanton Christiana Rd, NCCS, Floor 01, Newark, DE 19713 (Telecopy No. 302-634-4250, email: james.x.campbell@chase.com), (ii) Citibank, N.A., Attention of Piotr Marciszewski, 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013 (Email: piotr.marciszewski@citi.com; Telecopy No. 646-737-0678) with a copy to Citibank, N.A., Attention Bank Loans Syndications Department, 1615 Brett Road #3, New Castle, DE 19720 (Email: GLAgentOfficeOps@citi.com; Telecopy No. 646-274-5080), (iii) Bank of America, N.A., Attention of Alfonso Malave, Standby L/C Department, MC: PA6-580-02-30, One Fleet Way, Scranton, PA 18507-1999 (Telecopy No. 1-800-370-8743), (iv) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Attention of Lisa Mickelson, 90 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55402 (Telecopy No. 877-302-0076), (v) HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Attention of Head of SBDC Operations- GTRF, 2 Hanson Place, 14th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (Telecopy No. 1-866-327-0763, gtrfsdc@us.hsbc.com) or (vi) its address (or telecopy number) specified in writing to the Company and the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Section 8.01.

 

 

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Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in the immediately subsequent paragraph below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph.

 

Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. Either Agent or the Company 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. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment), provided that if such notice or other communication is not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, 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.

 

SECTION 8.02.     Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

 

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(b)       Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable by the Borrowers hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable by the Borrowers hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.17(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, or (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof to reduce the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be); provided further that (i) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and (ii) any waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Lenders of any Class (but not the Lenders of other Classes) may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Company and requisite percentage in interest of the affected Class of Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any provision of this Agreement may be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by the Borrowers, the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent (and, if their rights or obligations are affected thereby, any Issuing Bank) if (i) by the terms of such agreement the Commitment of each Lender not consenting to the amendment provided for therein shall terminate upon the effectiveness of such amendment and (ii) at the time such amendment becomes effective, each Lender not consenting thereto receives payment in full of the principal of and interest accrued on each Loan made by it and all other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.

 

 

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(c)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent and the Company acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Company shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action by or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.02A.     Certain ABL Amendments. (a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no agreement or agreements entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders shall (i) change any of the provisions of this Section, the definition of “Borrowing Base” or any of the component definitions thereof, or increase any advance rate used in computing the Borrowing Base, or add any new asset class to the Borrowing Base, in each case, in a manner that could result in increased borrowing availability, it being understood that changes in Reserves implemented by the Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion in accordance with the terms hereof shall not be subject to the consent of the Supermajority Lenders, (ii) release the Company or all or substantially all the value of the Guarantees provided by the Subsidiary Loan Parties (including, in each case, by limiting liability in respect thereof) under the Collateral Documents (except for any such release by the Collateral Agent in connection with any sale or other disposition of any Subsidiary Loan Party permitted hereunder), it being understood that an amendment or other modification of the types of obligations guaranteed under the Collateral Documents shall not be deemed to be a release or limitation of any Guarantee or (iii) release all or substantially all the Collateral from the Liens created under the Collateral Documents, or subordinate any such Liens (except as expressly provided in Article VII or Section 8.23 and except for any such release by the Collateral Agent in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Collateral upon the exercise of remedies under the Collateral Documents), it being understood that an amendment or other modification of the types of obligations secured by the Collateral Documents shall not be deemed to be a release of the Collateral from the Liens created thereunder, in each case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), without the written consent of the Supermajority Lenders.

 

(b)       Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no agreement or agreements entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders shall change the definition of “Supermajority Lenders”, without the written consent of each Lender.

 

SECTION 8.03.     Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Company shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents and their respective Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of a single counsel for the Agents, as applicable, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents in connection with field examinations and appraisals conducted in connection with the establishment of the credit facilities provided for herein or provided for in the Loan Documents and/or any internally allocated charges relating to any field examinations or appraisals conducted by either Agent and (iii) if an Event of Default occurs, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by either Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for either Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents.

 

 

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(b)       The Company shall indemnify each Agent, any Issuing Bank and each Lender, 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 Liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding, whether or not such Indemnitee shall be designated a party thereto, which may be incurred by any Indemnitee, relating to or arising out of any actual or proposed use of proceeds of Loans hereunder for the purpose of acquiring equity securities of any Person or any exercise of remedies under the Loan Documents; provided that no Indemnitee shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder (i) with respect to the acquisition of equity securities of a wholly-owned Subsidiary, or of a Person who prior to such acquisition did not conduct any business or (ii) for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct determined by a final non appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 8.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)       To the extent that the Company fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to either Agent or any Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, (i) each Lender, in the case of this Agreement, severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s ratable share (determined in accordance with such Lender’s share of the Aggregate Commitments or, if the Commitments have terminated, the Aggregate Credit Exposure, in each case as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount and (ii) each Secured Party, in the case of the Collateral Agreements, severally agrees to pay to the Collateral Agent such Secured Party’s ratable share (determined in accordance with such Secured Party’s share of the Obligations) 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 such Agent or Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.

 

(d)       To the extent permitted by applicable law, (i) no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against any Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Issuing Bank, any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a “Lender-Related Person”) for any Liabilities arising from the use by others of information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet); provided, that such waiver shall not apply to any claims against a Lender-Related Person attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Lender-Related Person and (ii) no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against any Lender-Related Person, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that (A) the waiver set forth in this clause (ii) shall not apply to special, indirect or consequential damages (but shall apply to punitive damages) attributable to the failure of a Lender to fund Loans, when required to do so hereunder, promptly after the receipt of notice of such failure and (B) nothing in this Section 8.03(d) shall relieve any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee, as provided in Section 9.03(b), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.

 

 

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(e)       All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 8.04.     Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) other than pursuant to a merger permitted under Section 5.12, no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by a Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)       (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

 

(A)       the Company; provided that no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; provided, further, that the Company shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

  

  

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(B)            the Administrative Agent; and

 

(C)            in the case of any assignment of all or a portion of the Commitments of any Class under which Letters of Credit may be issued hereunder, each Issuing Bank of such Class.

 

(ii)          Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)            except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of any Class 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 Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 unless each of the Company and the Administrative Agent otherwise consents; provided that no such consent of the Company shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(B)            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 as such rights and obligations relate to the Class of Loans or Commitments being assigned;

 

(C)            the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500;

 

(D)            the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and

 

(E)             no assignment shall be made to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

(iii)         Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto 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 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.21 and 8.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 8.04 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 paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

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(iv)         The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Company, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(v)          Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)          (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the first proviso to Section 8.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein) and 2.21 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 8.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

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(ii)          A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14, 2.16 or 2.21 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Company’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless the Company is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section 2.16(e) as though it were a Lender.

 

(iii)         Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, 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 to any Person (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) 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 Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(d)          Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central banking authority, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

SECTION 8.05.     Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.21 and 8.03 and Article VII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

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SECTION 8.06.     Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. (a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent and the initial Lenders constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b)         Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, 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, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, or the Electronic Commerce Act (Ontario) or other similar provincial legislation; provided that nothing herein shall require any Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Agents, the Lenders and the Loan Parties, electronic images of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents (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 (ii) 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.

 

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SECTION 8.07.     Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 8.08.     Right of Setoff. If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower against any and all the obligations then due of such Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

SECTION 8.09.     Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) This Agreement and any Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

 

(b)          Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court 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, in any suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, that all claims in respect of any such suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim may be heard and determined in such New York State or Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim 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 any Loan Document shall affect any right that either Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim relating to any Loan Document against any Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(c)          Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim arising out of or relating to any 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 law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim in any such court.

 

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(d)          Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 8.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 8.10.     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY 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 BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 8.11.     Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.12.     Confidentiality. Each of the Agents, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel, insurers, insurance brokers, service providers and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under any Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document or the enforcement of rights thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (or any of its agents or professional advisors), (g) on a confidential basis to the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein, (h) in the case of information with respect to this Agreement that is of the type routinely provided by arrangers to such providers, to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry, (i) with the consent of the Company or (j) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to either Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company or the Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Company or any Subsidiary relating to the Company, the Company’s business, a Subsidiary or a Subsidiary’s business, other than any such information that is available to either Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Company or the Subsidiaries. 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.

 

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SECTION 8.13.     Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

 

SECTION 8.14.     Collateral. Each of the Lenders represents to the Agents and each of the other Lenders that it in good faith is not relying upon any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation U of the Board) as collateral in the extension or maintenance of the credit provided for in this Agreement. In addition, no Borrower will use or permit any proceeds of the Loans to be used in any manner which would violate or cause any Lender to be in violation of Regulation U of the Board.

 

SECTION 8.15.     USA Patriot Act and Beneficial Ownership Regulation. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrowers 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/or the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

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SECTION 8.16.     Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation.

 

(a)          The Loan Parties acknowledge that, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) and other applicable anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, government sanction and “know your client” laws (collectively, including any guidelines or orders thereunder, “AML Legislation”), the Lenders may be required to obtain, verify and record information regarding the Loan Parties, their directors, authorized signing officers, direct or indirect shareholders or other Persons in control of the Loan Parties, and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Loan Parties shall promptly provide all such information in their possession, including supporting documentation and other evidence, as may be reasonably requested by any Lenders, or any prospective assignee or participant of a Lender, in order to comply with any applicable AML Legislation, whether now or hereafter in existence.

 

(b)          If the Administrative Agent has ascertained the identity of any Loan Party or any authorized signatories of any Loan Party for the purposes of applicable AML Legislation, then the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)           shall be deemed to have done so as an agent for each Lender, and this Agreement shall constitute a “written agreement” in such regard between the Administrative Agent and each other Lender within the meaning of the applicable AML Legislation; and

 

(ii)          shall provide to each Lender copies of all information obtained in such regard without any representation or warranty as to its accuracy or completeness.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding the preceding sentence and except as may otherwise be agreed in writing, each of the Lenders agrees that the Administrative Agent has no obligation to ascertain the identity of any Loan Party or any authorized signatories of any Loan Party on behalf of any Credit Party, or to confirm the completeness or accuracy of any information it obtains from any Loan Party or any such authorized signatory in doing so.

 

SECTION 8.17.     [Reserved.]

 

SECTION 8.18.     Judgment Currency. (a) If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in US Dollars into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction US Dollars could be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

 

(b)          The obligations of each party hereto in respect of any sum due to any other party hereto or any holder of the obligations owing hereunder (the “Applicable Creditor”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than US Dollars, be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase US Dollars with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of US Dollars so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Applicable Creditor in US Dollars, such party agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Applicable Creditor against such deficiency. The obligations of the parties contained in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

 

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SECTION 8.19.     Intercreditor Agreement. (a) Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties acknowledges that obligations of the Company and the other Loan Parties under the Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness, upon incurrence thereof, may be secured by Liens on assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Loan Parties that constitute Collateral (and by fee-owned real property of the Company and the Subsidiary Loan Parties, whether or not such fee-owned real property constitutes Collateral), and that the relative Lien priority and other creditor rights of the Secured Parties and the secured parties in respect of Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness will be set forth in an Intercreditor Agreement. Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver, in each case on behalf of such Secured Party and without any further consent, authorization or other action by such Secured Party, (i) from time to time upon the request of the Company, in connection with the establishment, incurrence, amendment, refinancing or replacement of any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness, any Intercreditor Agreement (it being understood and agreed that the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized and directed to determine the terms and conditions of each Intercreditor Agreement as contemplated by the definition of the term “Intercreditor Agreement”, and that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any loss, cost or expense suffered by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Secured Party, or by any Loan Party, as a result of, any such determination) and (ii) any documents relating thereto.

 

(b)          Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably (i) consents to the subordination of the Liens on the Non-ABL Priority Collateral securing the Obligations on the terms set forth in each Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) agrees that, upon the execution and delivery thereof, such Secured Party will be bound by the provisions of each Intercreditor Agreement as if it were a signatory thereto and will take no actions contrary to the provisions thereof, (iii) agrees that no Secured Party shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Collateral Agent as a result of any action taken by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section or in accordance with the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement and (iv) authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to carry out the provisions and intent of each such document.

 

(c)          Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably further authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver, in each case on behalf of such Secured Party and without any further consent, authorization or other action by such Secured Party, any amendments, supplements or other modifications of each Intercreditor Agreement that the Company may from time to time request (i) to give effect to any establishment, incurrence, amendment, extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness, (ii) to confirm for any party that each Intercreditor Agreement is effective and binding upon the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties or (iii) to effect any other amendment, supplement or modification so long as the resulting agreement has terms and conditions consistent with the then existing market practice (it being understood and agreed that the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized and directed to determine the terms and conditions of any such amendments, supplements or modifications to each Intercreditor Agreement, and that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any loss, cost or expense suffered by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other Secured Party, or by any Loan Party, as a result of, any such determination).

 

140

 

(d)          Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties hereby irrevocably further authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver, in each case on behalf of such Secured Party and without any further consent, authorization or other action by such Secured Party, any amendments, supplements or other modifications of any Collateral Document to add or remove any legend that may be required pursuant to any Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(e)          Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties acknowledges and agrees that JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., or one or more of its Affiliates may (but is not obligated to) act as Collateral Agent, collateral agent or a similar representative for the holders of any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness (and may itself be a holder of any Permitted Non-ABL Indebtedness) and, in any such capacity, may be a party to any Intercreditor Agreement. Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the other Secured Parties waives any conflict of interest in connection therewith and agrees not to assert against JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or any of its Affiliates any claims, causes of action, damages or liabilities of whatever kind or nature relating thereto.

 

(f)           The Collateral Agent shall have the benefit of the provisions of Article VII and Section 8.03 with respect to all actions taken by it pursuant to this Section or in accordance with the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement to the full extent thereof.

 

(g)          Each Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Section 8.19.

 

141

 

SECTION 8.20.     Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among the parties hereto, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document 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:

 

(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 party hereto 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 an Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, 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.

 

SECTION 8.21.     Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. (a) To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedging Agreements 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).

 

(b)          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.

 

142

 

SECTION 8.22.     MIRE Events. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that, if there are any Mortgaged Properties, any increase, extension or renewal of any of the Commitments or Loans (including the provision of Incremental Revolving Loans) or any other incremental or additional credit facilities hereunder, but excluding (a) any continuation or conversion of borrowings, (b) the making of any Revolving Loans or (c) the issuance, renewal or extension of Letters of Credit shall be subject to and conditioned upon: (i) the prior delivery of all flood hazard determination certifications, acknowledgements and evidence of flood insurance and other flood-related documentation with respect to such Mortgaged Properties as required by the Flood Insurance Laws and as otherwise reasonably required by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received written confirmation from the Lenders that flood insurance due diligence and flood insurance compliance have been completed by the Lenders (such written confirmation not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed).

 

SECTION 8.23.     Release. (a) Notwithstanding anything in Section 8.02(b) to the contrary, (i) any Subsidiary Loan Party shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder (and its Guarantee of the Obligations and any Liens on its property constituting Collateral shall be automatically released) (x) upon the consummation of any permitted transaction or series of related transactions or the occurrence of any other permitted event or circumstance if as a result thereof such Subsidiary Loan Party ceases to be a wholly-owned Material Subsidiary or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary (including by merger or dissolution) as a result of a single transaction or series of related transactions or other event or circumstance permitted hereunder, or (y) upon the occurrence of the Maturity Date and/or (ii) any Subsidiary Loan Party that qualifies as an “Excluded Subsidiary” shall be released from its obligations hereunder (and its Guarantee of the Obligations and any Liens on its property constituting Collateral shall be automatically released) by the Administrative Agent promptly following the request therefor by the Company; provided that, in each case of clauses (i)(x) and (ii), if any Material Subsidiary becomes an Excluded Subsidiary solely as a result of becoming a non-wholly-owned Consolidated Subsidiary, such release shall only be permitted if the transaction or event resulting in such Material Subsidiary becoming a non-wholly-owned Consolidated Subsidiary is with an unaffiliated third party (other than a bona fide joint venture) and was not entered into with the primary purpose of evading the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement (as determined by the Company in good faith).

 

143

 

(b)          Notwithstanding anything in Section 8.02(b) to the contrary, any Lien on any asset or property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document shall be automatically released without the need for further action by any Person (i) upon the occurrence of the Maturity Date, (ii) upon the sale or other transfer of such asset or property as part of or in connection with any disposition or Investment permitted under the Loan Documents to a Person that is not a Loan Party, (iii) upon such asset or property becoming an Excluded Property (as defined in the Collateral Agreements) or if such asset or property does not constitute (or ceases to constitute) Collateral, (iv) if the property subject to such Lien is owned by a Subsidiary Loan Party, upon the release of such Subsidiary Loan Party from its Guarantee of the Obligations otherwise in accordance with the Loan Documents, (v) as provided for under Article 7 or as provided for in any other Loan Document or (vi) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of Lenders as shall be necessary under the relevant circumstances as provided in Section 8.02A) in accordance with Section 8.02A. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that Receivables Facility Assets become subject to a Specified Receivables Facility, whether by transfer or conveyance or by placing a security interest, trust or other encumbrance required by a Specified Receivables Facility with respect to such Receivables Facility Assets, the Liens under the Loan Documents on such Receivables Facility Assets (including proceeds thereof and any deposit accounts holding exclusively such proceeds) shall be automatically released (or such Receivables Facility Assets, proceeds or deposit accounts re-assigned). Each Secured Party hereby consents to any release or re-assignment contemplated by this Section 8.23 and any steps any Agent may take or request to give effect to such release or re-assignment under the governing law of such Lien.

 

(c)          In connection with any such release described in this Section, the Administrative Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to the relevant Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence termination or release. Any execution and delivery of any document pursuant to the preceding sentence of this Section 8.23 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent (other than as to the Administrative Agent’s authority to execute and deliver such documents).

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

	VICTORIA’S SECRET & CO., as the Company
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

  

2

 

	JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement

 

3

 

	[●]
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement

 

 

---

Exhibit 10.17

 

RETENTION BONUS AGREEMENT

 

This Retention Bonus Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between L Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) and Amy Hauk (the “Associate”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties have determined that appropriate steps should be taken to ensure the Associate’s continued employment and to ensure that the Associate devotes her best professional efforts, time and skill to the performance of her job responsibilities;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.

The Company agrees that if the Associate remains employed and continues to use her best efforts to satisfactorily perform her job duties, the Company will pay the Associate a Retention Bonus in the Total Amount of Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,400,000.00), less applicable withholdings under the following schedule and conditions:

 

a.

One-third of the Total Amount payable, which is the sum of Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000.00), will be paid to the Associate on January 31, 2021, provided that the Associate is employed on the date of the payment;

 

b.

One-third of the Total Amount payable, which is the sum of Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000.00), will be paid to the Associate on July 31, 2021, provided that the Associate is employed on the date of the payment;

 

c.

One-third of the Total Amount payable, which is the sum of Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000.00), will be paid to the Associate on January 31, 2022, provided that the Associate is employed on the date of the payment.

 

2.

The Associate understands that receipt of the Total Amount of the Retention Bonus is contingent upon the Associate remaining employed with the Company as of each installment date and satisfactorily performing her duties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.

The Associate agrees to keep this Agreement confidential and not to reveal the existence of this Agreement, nor any of its terms, to any person, entity or organization.

 

		/s/ Stuart Burgdoerfer
		Stuart Burgdoerfer

 

VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY AGREED
AND ACCEPTED AS SPECIFIED ABOVE:
/s/ Amy Hauk
Amy Hauk
Date:	6/01/20

 

---

Exhibit 10.18 

 

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

THIS EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the last date of signature below (the “Effective Date”), by and between the Company and Amy Hauk (the “Executive”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, the Executive currently serves as a key employee of the Company and the Executive’s services and knowledge are valuable to the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, in consideration of the Executive’s continued employment, the Company has determined that it is in its best interests to provide the Executive with the severance protections in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the foregoing, and in view of the promises and other good and valuable consideration described in this Agreement (the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged) the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.              Effective Date and Term of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective on the Effective Date and will remain in effect unless and until (i) the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by either Party in accordance with Section 2, and (ii) all payments and/or benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement, if any, have been made or provided to the Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.              Termination of Employment. The Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) automatically thirty (30) days after the Executive provides a written Notice of Termination of his or her resignation for any reason other than for Good Reason; (ii) thirty (30) days following the Executive providing a Notice of Termination indicating the existence of a condition(s) constituting Good Reason other than to the extent that such condition is cured; (iii) immediately upon the Executive’s Disability or death; (iv) automatically thirty (30) days after the Executive receives written Notice of Termination from the Company of his or her Termination without Cause; or (v) the date set forth in the Notice of Termination from the Company of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company for Cause (collectively, the earlier of being the “Termination Date”). The Company may elect to pay the Executive in lieu of the thirty (30) days’ written notice, but will still deliver a Notice of Termination.

 

3.

Non-Qualifying Termination.

 

 (a)    Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the Company’s sole obligation shall be to pay the Executive the Accrued Amounts and the Executive shall not be entitled to severance benefits under this Agreement or any other agreement or severance plan, policy or program of the Company (or any of its affiliates).

 

 (b)    Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the Executive experiences a Termination for any reason while a Company-led internal investigation into facts that could reasonably give rise to the Executive’s Termination for Cause is pending: (i) the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Amounts) or any other agreement or severance plan, policy or program of the Company (or any of its affiliates); and (ii) the Executive shall not be entitled to vest in or receive any Variable Compensation, in either case, unless and until the Company concludes its investigation with a finding that grounds for a Termination for Cause did not in fact exist, and only to the extent provided for under the terms of the applicable agreement, plan, policy or program. 

 (c)    If the Executive experiences a Termination by reason of the Executive’s death or if the Executive gives the Company a written Notice of Termination other than for Good Reason, the Company’s sole obligation shall be to pay the Executive the Accrued Amounts.

 

 (d)    If the Executive’s experiences a Termination by reason of the Executive’s Disability, the Company’s sole obligation shall be to pay the Executive the Accrued Amounts and the Executive shall be entitled to receive disability benefits available under the Company’s (or any affiliate’s) long-term disability plan, to the extent applicable.

 

4.            Severance Upon a Qualifying Termination Not Within the Protection Period. If the Executive experiences a Qualifying Termination not within the Protection Period, then, subject to Section 6, the Company will provide the Executive with the following (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”):

 

 (a)     Accrued Amounts;

 

 (b)    The Company shall continue to pay the Executive’s Base Salary for a period of two (2) years following the Qualifying Termination, less applicable withholding, payable as follows: (i) on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date falling on or after sixty (60) days from the Executive’s Termination Date (the “First Payment Date”), the Company will pay the Executive, without interest, the number of missed payroll installments that would have been paid during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the First Payment Date had the installments been paid on the Company’s regularly scheduled payroll dates, and (ii) each of the remaining installments shall be paid on the Company’s regularly scheduled pay dates during the remainder of such two (2)-year period;

 

 (c)    For up to two (2) years following the Termination Date, and provided that the Executive pays the applicable contribution amount required to be paid by similarly-situated active employees for such coverage, the Company shall provide to the Executive and the Executive’s covered dependents, medical and dental benefits substantially similar in the aggregate to the those provided to similarly-situated active employees, provided that the Company’s contribution toward the cost of such coverage shall be treated as taxable income to the Executive and the Executive must continue to pay his or her portion of the cost of this coverage with after- tax dollars (the “Benefit Continuation”). The Company’s obligation to provide the Benefit Continuation shall cease upon the Executive becoming eligible for similar benefits as the result of employment with another employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is not eligible to continue to participate in the relevant plan(s) providing the Benefit Continuation or if providing the Benefit Continuation would violate the nondiscrimination rules under Section 105(h) of the Code, or the rules applicable to non-grandfathered health plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (“PPACA”), or result in the imposition of penalties under the Code and/or PPACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, the Parties agree to reform this section in a manner as necessary to comply with applicable law, while, to the extent permitted by applicable law, preserve its intended economic benefit;

 (d)    If, prior to a Retention Date (as defined in the Retention Agreement by and between one of the subsidiaries of L Brands, Inc. and the Executive dated August 1, 2020 (the “Retention Agreement”)), the Retention Payment (as defined in the Retention Agreement) scheduled to be paid for the Retention Date immediately following the Termination Date shall be paid, less applicable withholding, on the First Payment Date;

 

 (e)    The Company shall pay the Executive any incentive compensation under the IC Plan that the Executive would have received if the Executive had remained employed with the Company for a period of one (1) year after the Termination Date based on actual performance, less applicable withholding, subject to the terms of the IC Plan. The foregoing payments shall be paid at the same time as payments under the IC Plan are typically paid, but in no event earlier than three (3) months following the Executive’s Qualifying Termination and in no event later than March 15^th of the year following the year in which the applicable season is completed. For the purposes of clarity, under this subsection, the Executive shall not be entitled to payments under the IC Plan pursuant to this provision for partial performance periods that are not then-completed on the first anniversary of the Termination Date; and

 

  (f)     The treatment of any outstanding equity awards will be determined as follows:

 

    (i)      A pro-rata portion of the outstanding unvested equity awards that are held by the Executive as of the Termination Date and vest only based on the passage of time shall vest and be settled on the First Payment Date, which pro-rata vesting shall be determined by (A) multiplying (x) the number of shares subject to the award by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of complete months between the first day of the applicable time-based vesting period and the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of months in the time-based vesting period, less (B) the number of shares subject to the award that had already vested pursuant to the award’s terms prior to the Termination Date, if any;

 

    (ii)     A pro-rata portion of the outstanding unvested equity awards that are held by the Executive as of the Termination Date and vest based, at least in part, on the satisfaction of performance goals shall vest and be settled by the later of the First Payment Date and sixty (60) days following the end of the applicable performance period, which pro-rata vesting shall be determined by (A) multiplying the number of shares that the Executive would have earned for the entire performance period based on the level of performance determined in accordance with the applicable plan and award agreements by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of complete months between the first day of the applicable performance period and the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of months in the performance period;

 

    (iii)     To the extent that any outstanding unvested equity award that is held by the Executive as of the Termination Date would vest at a greater percentage under the terms of the applicable plan and award agreement than as provided for under Sections 4(f)(i)-(ii), the terms of such award agreement shall instead to determine the number of shares covered by such equity award that will vest under this Section 4(f), subject to Sections 4(f)(iv)-(v);

 

    (iv)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, no equity awards that are outstanding as of the Termination Date will be forfeited during the three (3)-month period commencing upon the Termination Date, provided, that, (x) to the extent a VS Change in Control occurs during such three (3)-month period, any such equity awards that are outstanding and unvested as of the VS Change in Control will instead be treated in accordance with Section 5; and (y) to the extent a VS Change in Control does not occur during such three (3)-month period, any portion of the equity awards outstanding as of Termination Date that do not vest pursuant to Sections 4(f)(i)-(iii) shall be forfeited; and

 

    (v)     To the extent that the payment or settlement of any equity awards in accordance with the foregoing would constitute an impermissible change in the time or form of payment under Section 409A of the Code, then such portion shall be payable at a time that would be permitted under Section 409A of the Code and that is as near as possible to the payment timing contemplated by the foregoing.

 

5.            Severance Upon a Qualifying Termination Within the Protection Period. If the Executive has a Qualifying Termination within the Protection Period, then, subject to Section 6, the Company will provide the Executive with the following (collectively, the “Change in Control Severance Benefits”):

 

   (a)    The payments and benefits described in Sections 4(a), (b), (c) and (d);

 

(b)    A payment equal to the sum of the incentive compensation payouts that the Executive actually received under the IC Plan for the four (4) completed seasons immediately preceding the Termination Date (the “Bonus Amount”). The Bonus Amount shall be paid, less applicable withholding, in a lump sum cash payment on the First Payment Date;

 

(c)    A payment equal to the product of (i) the IC Plan payment that the Executive would have earned for the season during which the Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs, based on actual performance, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the season (within the meaning of the IC Plan) in which the Termination Date occurs that elapsed through the Termination Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such season. The foregoing payment, less applicable withholding, shall be paid at the same time as payments under the IC Plan are typically paid, but in no event earlier than the First Payment Date and in no event later than March 15^th of the year following the year in which the applicable season is completed; and

 

(d)    All of the outstanding and unvested equity awards held by the Executive immediately before such Qualifying Termination will immediately become fully vested and payable on the First Payment Date, provided that, to the extent that paying any portion of such amount in accordance with the foregoing would constitute an impermissible change in the time or form of payment under Section 409A of the Code, then such portion shall be payable at a time that would be permitted under Section 409A of the Code and that is as near as possible to the payment timing contemplated by the foregoing. To the extent that an equity award vests based on the achievement of performance goals, performance goals will be deemed to be achieved at target levels if less than one-third of the applicable performance period has elapsed as of the date of the Change in Control, otherwise performance goals will be deemed achieved at maximum levels.

In the event that the Termination Date occurs during the portion of the Protection Period that precedes a VS Change in Control and the Executive has already commenced receiving payments and/or benefits under Section 4 prior to the VS Change in Control, then (i) the Executive will be entitled to the payments and benefits under this Section 5 in lieu of any additional payments or benefits under Section 4, but only to the extent an equivalent payment and/or benefit has not already been paid or provided pursuant to Section 4; and (ii) any payments that the Executive would have otherwise been entitled to under this Section 5 that have not otherwise been paid to the Executive as of the VS Change in Control will be paid to the Executive in a single lump sum payment as soon as administratively practicable, but no later than sixty (60) calendar days following the occurrence of the VS Change in Control.

 

6.            Release Requirement. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not make or provide the Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits (in each case, other than the Accrued Amounts), unless the Executive timely executes and delivers to the Company a release of claims in favor of the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”) and such Release becomes effective and irrevocable within sixty (60) days following the Executive’s Termination Date. If the foregoing requirements are not satisfied by the Executive, then no Severance Benefits nor Change in Control Severance Benefits (in each case, other than the Accrued Amounts) shall be due to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

 

7.            Effect on Other Plans, Agreements and Benefits.

 

(a)    Any severance benefits payable to the Executive under this Agreement will be in lieu of and not in addition to: (i) any severance benefits to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under any general severance policy or severance plan maintained by the Company (or any of its affiliates) or any agreement between the Executive and the Company (or any of its affiliates) that provides for severance benefits; (ii) unused PTO remaining upon the Termination Date; and (iii) salary continuation provided for under the Confidentiality, Noncompetition and Intellectual Property Agreement.

 

(b)    Any severance benefits payable to the Executive under this Agreement will not be counted as compensation for purposes of determining benefits under any other benefit policies or plans of the Company (or any of its affiliates), except to the extent expressly provided therein.

 

(c)    The Executive’s entitlement to any other benefits not expressly referenced herein shall be determined in accordance with the applicable employee benefit plans then in effect.

 

(d)    The Executive expressly agrees that any amounts the Executive may owe to the Company as of the Termination Date may be deducted from the amounts that the Company would otherwise owe to the Executive under this Agreement. 

(e)    Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, if the Executive incurs a Termination for Cause, then all Variable Compensation shall be immediately canceled for no consideration. If the Executive incurs a Termination for Cause, or the Company becomes aware (after the Executive’s Termination) of conduct on the part of the Executive that would have been grounds for a Termination for Cause, then, the Executive will be required to deliver to the Company, immediately upon request, the Variable Compensation (in shares and/or cash), granted on or after the Effective Date and paid or delivered to the Executive within the three (3) years prior to the Termination Date, including the profit the Executive realized upon the exercise of stock options.

 

8.

Section 280G of the Code.

 

(a)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Company or any other person, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement will be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by the Executive from the Company and/or such person(s) will be $1.00 less than three (3) times the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by the Executive will be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better “net after-tax position” to the Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).

 

(b)    The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, will be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order.

 

(c)    The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary will be made applying principles, assumptions and procedures consistent with Section 280G of the Code by an accounting firm or law firm of national reputation that is selected for this purpose by the Company (the “280G Firm”). In order to assess whether payments under this Agreement or otherwise qualify as reasonable compensation that is exempt from being a parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, the 280G Firm or the Company may retain the services of an independent valuation expert.

 

(d)    If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company (or its affiliates) used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds $1.00 less than three (3) times the Executive’s base amount, then the Executive must immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made. Nothing in this Section 8 will require the Company to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, the Executive’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

9.

Arbitration and Class and Representative Action Waiver.

 

(a)    The Parties agree that, subject to Section 9(b), any controversy or claim between the Company and the Executive arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its termination shall be settled and determined by a single arbitrator whose award shall be accepted as final and binding upon the parties. If Executive initiates arbitration, Executive will be responsible for paying a filing fee of $300 or the filing fee in federal court in Columbus, Ohio, whichever is lower. Each Party will be responsible for its/her own attorney’s fees. The Parties shall jointly select an arbitrator from JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) or the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) with at least ten (10) years of experience in employment disputes. The arbitration shall be conducted on a confidential basis by the AAA or JAMS and administered under their Employment Arbitration Rules, which are currently available at http://www.adr.org and http://www.jamsadr.com, respectively. The arbitrator shall have the authority to allow for appropriate discovery and exchange of information before a hearing, including, but not limited to, production of documents, information requests, depositions and subpoenas. Unless the arbitrator determines additional discovery is necessary to adequately arbitrate Executive’s claims, discovery shall be conducted in accordance with the then-current version of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Those rules can be found at https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp. The arbitration shall take place in Columbus, Ohio. Notwithstanding the AAA or JAMS rules, all parties to the arbitration shall have the right to file a dispositive motion and shall not be required to seek permission from the arbitrator to do so. Any decision or award as a result of any such arbitration proceeding shall be in writing and shall provide an explanation for all conclusions of law and fact and shall include the assessment of costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

 

(b)

This Arbitration provision does not include:

 

  (i)            Any claim arising under or related to the Confidentiality, Noncompetition and Intellectual Property Agreement;

 

(ii)

A claim for workers’ compensation benefits;

 

(iii)

A claim for unemployment compensation benefits;

 

  (iv)           A claim based upon the Company’s current (successor or future) employee benefits and/or welfare plans that contain an appeal procedure or other procedure for the resolution of disputes under this Agreement; and

 

  (v)             A claim of sexual harassment, including hostile work environment, “sexual assault” (defined as actual or threatened unwelcomed touching of a sexual nature), gender discrimination, and retaliation related to same.

 

 (c)    This Agreement also does not prevent Executive from filing a claim or charge with a federal, state or local administrative agency, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, or similar state or local agencies. 

(d)    This Agreement does not prohibit those limited circumstances under which either Party finds it necessary to seek emergency or temporary injunctive relief, such as a preliminary injunction or a temporary restraining order, from a court that may be necessary to protect any rights or property of either Party pending the establishment of the arbitral tribunal or its determination of the merits of the dispute.

 

(e)    CLASS ACTION WAIVER. To the extent permissible by law, there shall be no right or authority for any dispute to be arbitrated as a class action or collective action (“Class Action Waiver”). THIS MEANS THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPLICITLY PROVIDED HEREIN, ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT ARISE, OR HAVE ARISEN, OUT OF EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT OR THE TERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT SHALL PROCEED IN ARBITRATION SOLELY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR’S AUTHORITY TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE AND TO MAKE WRITTEN AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO EXECUTIVE’S INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS.

 

(f)    REPRESENTATIVE ACTION WAIVER. To the extent permissible by law, there shall be no right or authority for any dispute to be arbitrated as a representative action or as a private attorney general action, including but not limited to claims brought pursuant to the Private Attorney General Act of 2004, Cal. Lab. Code § 2698, et seq. (“Representative Action Waiver”). THIS MEANS THAT, TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH APPLICABLE LAW, EXECUTIVE MAY NOT SEEK RELIEF ON BEHALF OF OTHERS IN ARBITRATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SIMILARLY AGGRIEVED EMPLOYEES. THE ARBITRATOR’S AUTHORITY TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE AND TO MAKE WRITTEN AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO EXECUTIVE’S INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS.

 

(g)    The Parties agree that only a court of competent jurisdiction may interpret this Section 9 and resolve challenges to its validity and enforceability, including but not limited to the validity, enforceability and interpretation of the Class Action Waiver and Representative Action Waiver. The arbitrator shall have no jurisdiction or power to make such determinations. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of the duty to arbitrate found in this Section 9 and all arbitration proceedings under this Agreement.

 

(h)    Any conflict between the rules and procedures set forth in either the JAMS or AAA rules and those set forth in this Agreement shall be resolved in favor of those in this Agreement.

  

(i)      The burden of proof at an arbitration shall at all times be on the Party seeking relief.

 

(j)      In reaching a decision, the arbitrator shall apply the governing substantive law applicable to the claims, causes of action and defenses asserted by the Parties, as applicable in Ohio. The arbitrator shall have the power to award all remedies that could be awarded by a court or administrative agency in accordance with the governing and applicable substantive law, including, without limitation, Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act. 

(k)    The aggrieved Party must give written notice of any claim to the other Party as soon as possible after the aggrieved Party first knew or should have known of the facts giving rise to the claim. The written notice shall describe the nature of all claims asserted, the facts upon which those claims are based, and shall set forth the aggrieved Party’s intention to pursue arbitration. The notice shall be mailed to the other Party by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. A copy of the notice may be sent by electronic mail.

 

10.    Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged unless such waiver, modification, or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and the Company.

 

11.    At-Will Employment. This Agreement does not alter the status of each Executive as an at-will employee of the Company. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to give the Executive the right to remain employed by the Company or to interfere with the rights of the Company to terminate the employment of the Executive at any time, with or without Cause.

 

12.    Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, void or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed modified, amended and narrowed to the extent necessary to render such provision legal, valid and enforceable, and the other remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected but shall remain in full force and effect. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the Class Action Waiver and/or Representative Action Waiver in Section 9 is unenforceable for any reason, then the unenforceable waiver provision shall be severable from this Agreement, and any claims covered by any deemed unenforceable waiver provision may only be litigated in a court of competent jurisdiction, but the remainder of the Agreement shall be binding and enforceable.

 

13.    Headings and Subheadings. Headings and subheadings contained in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the heading or subheading of any section or paragraph.

 

14.    Unfunded Obligations. The amounts to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement are unfunded obligations of the Company. The Company is not required to segregate any monies or other assets from its general funds with respect to these obligations. The Executive shall not have any preference or security interest in any assets of the Company other than as a general unsecured creditor.

 

15.    Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement (including the Notice of Termination and a notice of a claim for which a Party seeks arbitration) shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or upon receipt if overnight delivery service or facsimile is used, addressed as follows:

 

         To the Executive:

 

 Amy Hauk

 7 New Albany Farms Rd.
 New Albany, OH 43054

 

To the Company: 

 

VS Service Company, LLC

Four Limited Parkway,

Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068

Attn: Chief Legal Officer

 

16.    Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the Executive’s consent: to (i) an affiliate of the Company, or (ii) in the event that the Company shall hereafter effect a reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, any other entity or person, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties, stock, or assets to any other entity or person, to the acquirer or resulting entity in such transaction. This Agreement will be binding upon any successor of the Company (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be obligated under this Agreement if no succession had taken place. Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall be assignable or transferable by the Executive, the Executive’s beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal personal representative.

 

17.    Waiver. Any Party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent any Party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.

 

18.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same original.

 

19.    Governing Law. Unless otherwise noted in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of Ohio without regard to conflicts of law principles.

 

20.    Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any amount payable hereunder any Federal, state and local taxes in order for the Company to satisfy any withholding tax obligation it may have under any applicable law or regulation.

 

21.    Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement is intended to either avoid the application of, or comply with, Section 409A of the Code. To that end, this Agreement shall at all times be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to adopt such amendments to this Agreement or take such other actions (including amendments and actions with retroactive effect) as it determines is necessary or appropriate for this Agreement to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Further:

 

(a)    Any reimbursement of any costs and expenses by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be made by the Company in no event later than the close of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the cost or expense is incurred by the Executive. The expenses incurred by the Executive in any calendar year that are eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall not affect the expenses incurred by the Executive in any other calendar year that are eligible for reimbursement hereunder and the Executive’s right to receive any reimbursement hereunder shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

(b)    Any payment following a separation from service that would be subject to Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code as a distribution following a separation from service of a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) shall be made on the first to occur of (i) ten (10) days after the expiration of the six (6)-month period following such separation from service, (ii) death, or (iii) such earlier date that complies with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c)    Each payment that the Executive may receive under this Agreement shall be treated as a “separate payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(d)    Payments under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the involuntary separation pay plan exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A- 1(b)(9)(iii), or otherwise. Any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement may be accelerated in time or schedule by the Company, in its sole discretion, to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code.

 

22.    Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in this Section 22.

 

(a)    “2020 Stock Plan” means the L Brands, Inc. 2020 Stock Option and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

(b)    “Accrued Amounts” means: (i) unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date; and (ii) unreimbursed business expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company during the term of his or her employment in accordance with the Company’s standard policies (including expense verification policies) regarding the reimbursement of business expenses, as the same may be modified from time to time.

 

(c)    “Base Salary” means the Executive’s annual base salary in effect as of the Termination Date (without giving effect to any reduction resulting in a Qualifying Termination for Good Reason).

 

(d)    “Cause” means, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, that the Executive (i) was grossly negligent in the performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company (other than a failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness); (ii) has pled “guilty” or “no contest” to, or has been convicted of, an act which is defined as a felony under federal or state law; (iii) engaged in misconduct in bad faith that could reasonably be expected to materially harm the Company’s business or its reputation; or (iv) commits or engages in Subject Conduct. No event of condition described in subsections (i), (iii) or (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence shall constitute Cause unless (x) the Company provides the Executive a Notice of Termination stating the grounds for such termination; (y) such grounds for termination (if susceptible to correction) are not corrected by the Executive within thirty (30) days of the Executive’s receipt of the Notice of Termination; and (z) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company (any its affiliates) immediately following expiration of such thirty-day (30) period. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive’s experiences a Termination other than by the Company for Cause, the Company shall have the sole discretion to later use after-acquired evidence to retroactively re-characterize the prior Termination as a Termination for Cause if such after-acquired evidences supports such an action.

  

(e)   “Change in Control” means a VS Change in Control and/or an LB Change in Control.

 

(f)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(g)    “Company” means VS Service Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company or its successors and permitted assigns.

 

(h)    “Disability” means a physical or mental infirmity that impairs the Executive’s ability to substantially perform the Executive’s duties for the Company for a period of at least six (6) months in any twelve (12)-month calendar period as determined in accordance with the Company’s (or any affiliate’s) long-term disability plan, to the extent applicable.

 

(i)     “IC Plan” means the incentive compensation plan of the Company (or any of its affiliates) in which the Executive participates as of the Termination Date.

 

(j)     “Good Reason” means (i) a material reduction in the Executive’s positions, duties, authority, responsibilities or reporting requirements; (ii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption in writing of its obligation to perform this Agreement by any successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company within fifteen (15) days after a merger, consolidation, sale, or similar transaction; (iii) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary or annual bonus opportunity under the IC Plan other than pursuant to an across-the-board reduction applicable to all similarly-situated employees; or (iv) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment from the Columbus, Ohio area. “Good Reason” shall not include acts taken by the Company by reason of the Executive’s physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Executive’s ability to substantially perform his or her duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, any assertion by the Executive of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (x) the Executive has provided a Notice of Termination to the Company indicating the existence of the condition(s) providing grounds for termination for Good Reason within sixty (60) days of the initial existence of such condition becoming known (or should have become known) to him or her; (y) the condition(s) specified in such notice must remain uncorrected by the Company for thirty (30) days following the Company’s receipt of such written notice; and (x) the Executive terminates employment immediately following the expiration of such thirty-day (30) period.

 

(k)    “LB Change in Control” means a “Change in Control” under the 2020 Stock Plan.

 

(l)     “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, if applicable, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for the Executive’s Termination under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Termination Date is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the Termination Date.

 

(m)    “Protection Period” means, (i) the period beginning three (3) months prior to a VS Change in Control and ending twenty-four (24) months following a VS Change in Control, and (ii) only to the extent that an LB Change in Control occurs prior to a VS Change in Control, the period beginning on the date of an LB Change in Control and ending twenty-four (24) months thereafter.

 

(n)    “Qualifying Termination” means the Executive’s Termination either: (i) by the Company without Cause; or (ii) by the Executive for Good Reason.

 

(o)    “Subject Conduct” means sexual harassment (including creation of a hostile work environment), gender discrimination and retaliation related to the foregoing or a violation of any policy of the Company (or any of its affiliates) relating to sexual harassment (including creation of a hostile work environment), gender discrimination and retaliation related to the foregoing.

 

(p)    “Termination” means the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company, for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, provided that such termination constitutes a “separation from service” as defined and applied under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(q)    “Variable Compensation” means any cash-based performance or incentive award paid by or any equity compensation awarded by the Company (or any of its affiliates), including, but not limited to, under the 2020 Stock Plan (and any successor thereto) and the IC Plan.

 

(r)     “VS Change in Control” means, (i) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any sale of stock, merger, consolidation or spin-off), the result of which is that L Brands no longer owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of VS&Co. then outstanding; (ii) any Person (other than an Excluded Person) becomes, together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (each as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”)) the “beneficial owner” (as defined under Rule 13d-3 of the Act) of securities representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding, unless such Person becomes the “beneficial owner” of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of such Voting Stock then outstanding solely as a result of an acquisition of such Voting Stock by VS&Co. which, by reducing the Voting Stock of VS&Co. outstanding, increases the proportionate Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person (together with all “affiliates” and “associates” of such Person) to fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding; provided that if a Person shall become the “beneficial owner” of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding by reason of such Voting Stock acquisition by VS&Co. and shall thereafter become the “beneficial owner” of any additional Voting Stock of VS&Co. which causes the proportionate voting power of Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person to increase to fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding, such Person shall, upon becoming the “beneficial owner” of such additional Voting Stock of VS&Co., be deemed to have become the “beneficial owner” of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding other than solely as a result of such Voting Stock acquisition by VS&Co.; (iii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of VS&Co.; or (iv) the consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of VS&Co. For the purposes of the foregoing definition, “Person,” “Excluded Person,” and “Voting Stock” shall have their respective meanings set forth in the 2020 Stock Plan as of the Effective Date, provided that any reference therein to the Company shall be deemed a reference to VS&Co.

 

(s)    VS&Co. means Victoria’s Secret & Company.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

  

AMY HAUK			DATE
/s/ Amy Hauk			6/28/2021
VS SERVICE COMPANY, LLC			DATE
By:	/s/ Martin Waters		6/28/2021

 

 

---

Exhibit 10.19

 

RETENTION AGREEMENT

 

This Retention Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between one of the subsidiaries of L Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) and Greg Unis (the “Associate”).

 

WHEREAS, the Associate is serving as the CEO of Victoria’s Secret Beauty and the parties wish to ensure the Associate’s continued employment;

 

WHEREAS, the Associate agrees to devote his best professional efforts, time and skill to the performance of his job responsibilities;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.

Severance Upon Termination. The Company agrees that if Associate’s employment is involuntarily terminated without Cause or the Associate resigns for Good Reason (both as defined in Exhibit A), Associate will continue to receive an amount equal to his base salary (in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices) for a period of one (1) year (“Severance Payment”) from the date on which his employment is terminated (the “Termination Date”). In addition, subject to the Associate executing and not revoking a general waiver and release of all claims that the Associate may have against the Company and its affiliates, which release shall be in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”) by the 10th day following the Termination Date and the expiration of any revocation period applicable to the Release (the day following the last day of this period, the “Release Effective Date”) within 60 days after the Termination Date, the Company will pay an amount equal to Associate’s base salary (in accordance with our regular payroll practices) for a period of one (1) year following the date on which the Severance Payment has ended. The payments provided for in this paragraph will be in lieu of, and not in addition to, the payments described in Section 5 of your Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Intellectual Property Agreement. The Severance Payment and additional year of severance described herein will not be reduced if you obtain other employment so long as such employment does not violate your obligations under the attached Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Intellectual Property Agreement.

 

2.

Retention Bonus. The Company agrees that if the Associate remains employed and continues to use the Associate’s best efforts to satisfactorily perform the Associate’s job duties, the Company will pay the Associate a Retention Bonus in the Total Amount of Two Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,100,000.00), less applicable withholdings (the “Retention Bonus”) subject to the terms provided herein.

 

 

3.

Retention Bonus Payment Schedule.

 

(a)

Subject to Section 3(b) below, the Company will pay to the Associate as of the date designated below (the “Retention Date”) the amount designated below (the “Retention Payment”) under the following schedule and conditions:

 

(i)        One-third of the Total Amount payable, which is the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00), will be paid to the Associate on January 31, 2021, provided that the Associate is employed on the date of the payment;

 

(ii)       One-third of the Total Amount payable, which is the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00), will be paid to the Associate on July 31, 2021, provided that the Associate is employed on the date of the payment;

 

(iii)      One-third of the Total Amount payable, which is the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00), will be paid to the Associate on January 31, 2022, provided that the Associate is employed on the date of the payment.

 

Each Retention Payment will be paid on the first regular payroll date following the Retention Date and will be processed through the payroll system as a non-pensionable supplement. The Company will withhold such taxes as may be required pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

The Associate understands that, subject to Section 3(b), receipt of the Retention Bonus is contingent upon the Associate remaining employed with the Company as of each Retention Date. This Agreement is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, a contract of employment for any specific period of time.

 

(b)

Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the general requirement that the Associate must remain in the employment of the Company until each applicable Retention Date in order to be eligible to receive the Retention Payment:

 

(i)

If, prior to the Retention Date, the Associate’s employment is involuntarily terminated without Cause (as defined in Exhibit A), the Associate will receive the Retention Payment scheduled to be paid for the Retention Date immediately following the Termination Date, subject to the Associate executing and not revoking the Release, within 60 days after the Termination Date. If the Associate fails to execute the Release as prescribed above or the Associate revokes the Release during any applicable revocation period, the Associate will not be eligible to receive payment of such portion of the Retention Payment, and the any remaining Retention Payments will be forfeited in full.

 

 

(ii)

If, prior to any Retention Date, there is a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A) and following the Change in Control the Associate’s employment is involuntarily terminated without Cause or the Associate resigns for Good Reason (as defined in Exhibit A), the Company will pay to the Associate the Retention Payment scheduled to be paid for the Retention Date immediately following the Termination Date, subject to the Associate executing and not revoking a Release, within 60 days after the Termination Date. If the Associate fails to execute the Release as prescribed above or the Associate revokes the Release during any applicable revocation period, the Associate will not be eligible to receive payment of such portion of the Retention Payment, and the any remaining Retention Payments will be forfeited in full.

  

4.

Confidentiality. The Associate agrees to keep this Agreement confidential and not to reveal the existence of this Agreement, nor any of its terms, to any person, entity or organization.

 

5.

Miscellaneous. The following additional terms apply:

 

(a)

This Agreement will be binding upon any successor of the Company or its businesses (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be obligated under this Agreement if no succession had taken place. The Associate may not assign any rights hereunder without the written consent of the other party hereto; provided, however, the Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the Associate’s consent to (i) an affiliate of the Company or (ii) in the event that the Company shall hereafter affect a reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, any other entity or person or transfer all or substantially all of its properties, stock, or assets to any other entity or person, to the acquirer or resulting entity in such transaction.

 

(b)

All payments hereunder are intended to qualify for the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Section 409A”) and, accordingly, the Retention Payment will in all events be made to the Associate not later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such amounts are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Section 409A. Further, this Agreement shall be interpreted such that it is in compliance with Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, payment made under this Agreement will be designated as a “separate payment” within the meaning of Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time of the Associate’s separation from service, the Associate is a “specified employee,” as hereinafter defined, any and all amounts payable under Section l(b) of this Agreement in connection with such separation from service that constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, and that would (but for this sentence) be payable within six months following such separation from service, will instead be paid on the date that follows the date of such separation from service by six months. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “separation from service” will be determined in a manner consistent with subsection (a)(2)(A)(i) of Section 409A and the term “specified employee” means an individual determined by the Company to be a specified employee as defined in subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) of Section 409A.

 

 

(c)

This Agreement (including exhibits) constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Associate concerning the subject matter hereof and may only be modified by a written agreement executed by the Company and the Associate.

 

(d)

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same original.

 

	(e)	This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of laws.

 

		/s/ Stuart Burgdoerfer
		Stuart Burgdoerfer
VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY AGREED
AND ACCEPTED AS SPECIFIED ABOVE:
/s/ Greg Unis
Greg Unis
Date: September 15, 2020

 

 

EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS

 

“Cause” means that the Associate (1) was grossly negligent in the performance of the Associate’s duties with the Company (other than a failure resulting from the Associate’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness); (2) has plead “guilty” or “no contest” to or has been convicted of an act which is defined as a felony under federal or state law; or (3) engaged in misconduct in bad faith which could reasonably be expected to materially harm the Company’s business or its reputation. The Associate shall be given written notice by the Company of a termination for Cause, which shall state in detail the particular act or acts or failures to act that constitute the grounds on which the termination for Cause is based. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Associate’s employment shall not be deemed to have been terminated without Cause, and the Associate will not be entitled to the benefits of this Retention Agreement, unless the Associate has been terminated from employment with the business to which the Associate rendered services and the Associate has not otherwise been offered continued employment with the Company or any of its affiliated entities or, in the case of a sale of the business to which the Associate rendered services, with the acquirer of the business or any affiliated entities of the acquirer.

 

“Change in Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon, the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

1)

Any individual composition, partnership, limited liability company, associations, trust or other entity or organization (together, a “Person”) (other than (i) the Company; (ii) any of the Company’s subsidiaries; (iii) any Holding Company; (iv) any employee benefit plan of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or a Holding Company; or (v) any Person organized, appointed or established by the Company, any of its subsidiaries or a Holding Company for or pursuant to the terms of any plan described in clause (iv) (an “Excluded Person”)) becomes, together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (each as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Act) the “beneficial owner” (as defined under Rule 13d-3 of the Act) of securities representing 33% or more of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Voting Stock”) of the Company then outstanding, unless such Person becomes the “beneficial owner” of 33% or more of the combined voting power of such Voting Stock then outstanding solely as a result of an acquisition of such Voting Stock by the Company which, by reducing the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding, increases the proportionate Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person (together with all “affiliates” and “associates” of such Person) to 33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding; provided that if a Person shall become the “beneficial owner” of 33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding by reason of such Voting Stock acquisition by the Company and shall thereafter become the “beneficial owner” of any additional Voting Stock of the Company which causes the proportionate voting power of Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person to increase to 33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding, such Person shall, upon becoming the “beneficial owner” of such additional Voting Stock of the Company, be deemed to have become the “beneficial owner” of 33% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding other than solely as a result of such Voting Stock acquisition by the Company;

 

 

2)

During any period of 24 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (and any new Director, whose election by such Board or nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was so approved), cease for any reason to constitute a · majority of Directors then constituting such Board;

 

3)

A reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company is consummated, in each case, unless, immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (i) more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the “beneficial owners” of the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (ii) no Person (but excluding for this purpose any Excluded Person and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly, 33% or more of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 33% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation were members of the Board of Directors of the Company at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or consolidation;

 

4)

The consummation of (i) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to any corporation with respect to which, immediately following such sale or other disposition, (A) more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the “beneficial owners” of the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such sale or other disposition of assets, (B) no Person (but excluding for this purpose any Excluded Person and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, 33% or more of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 33% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such corporation were members of the Board of Directors of the Company at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Company; or

 

 

5)

(i) The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of any subsidiary of the Company by which the Associate was employed (the “Subsidiary”), (ii) the sale or series of sales by the Company to any Person or group of Persons (other than an Excluded Person) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Subsidiary, or (iii) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation involving the Subsidiary unless, immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, the Company continues to directly or indirectly control more than 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Subsidiary (together with subsections (i) and (ii), a “Subsidiary Change in Control”); provided that, (x) the Associate must have been employed by the Subsidiary immediately prior to Subsidiary Change in Control and (y) immediately following the Subsidiary Change in Control, the Associate is not, directly or indirectly, an employee of the Company or another subsidiary of the Company and has not been offered continued employment with the Company or another subsidiary of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a “Change in Control” be deemed to have occurred (i) as a result of the formation of a Holding Company or (ii) with respect to the Associate, if the Associate is part of a “group,” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Act as in effect on the Plan’s effective date, which consummates the Change in Control transaction. In addition, for purposes of the definition of “Change in Control” a Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities shall not be deemed to be the “beneficial owner” of, or to “beneficially own,” any securities acquired through such Person ‘s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of forty (40) days after the date of such acquisition.

 

“Good Reason” shall mean, without the Associate’s consent, (i) a material diminution in the Associate’s duties or responsibilities representing a demonstrable and significant demotion for the Associate or a change in reporting relationship such that Associate no longer directly reports to the Chief Executive Officer of Victoria’s Secret; (ii) a material reduction in the Associate’s base salary or annual bonus opportunity ( other than pursuant to an across-the-board reduction applicable to all similarly situated employees) or (iii) the relocation of the Associate’s principal place of employment more than fifty (50) miles from its current location.

 

Any Good Reason resignation will be effective by providing the Company ten (10) days’ written notice setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that constitutes Good Reason, which to be effective, must be provided to the Company within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of the event and such termination will not be effective unless the Company has not cured the event giving rise to Good Reason within such ten (10) day notice period.

 

 

“Holding Company” means an entity that becomes a holding company for the Company or its businesses as a part of any reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, provided that the outstanding shares of common stock of such entity and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is, immediately after such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the “beneficial owners,” respectively, of the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, of such outstanding Voting Stock of the Company.

 

---

Exhibit 10.20 

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

THIS EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the last date of signature below (the “Effective Date”), by and between the Company and Greg Unis (the “Executive”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, the Executive currently serves as a key employee of the Company and the Executive’s services and knowledge are valuable to the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, in consideration of the Executive’s continued employment, the Company has determined that it is in its best interests to provide the Executive with the severance protections in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the foregoing, and in view of the promises and other good and valuable consideration described in this Agreement (the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged) the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.              Effective Date and Term of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective on the Effective Date and will remain in effect unless and until (i) the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by either Party in accordance with Section 2, and (ii) all payments and/or benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement, if any, have been made or provided to the Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.              Termination of Employment. The Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) automatically thirty (30) days after the Executive provides a written Notice of Termination of his or her resignation for any reason other than for Good Reason; (ii) thirty (30) days following the Executive providing a Notice of Termination indicating the existence of a condition(s) constituting Good Reason other than to the extent that such condition is cured; (iii) immediately upon the Executive’s Disability or death; (iv) automatically thirty (30) days after the Executive receives written Notice of Termination from the Company of his or her Termination without Cause; or (v) the date set forth in the Notice of Termination from the Company of the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company for Cause (collectively, the earlier of being the “Termination Date”). The Company may elect to pay the Executive in lieu of the thirty (30) days’ written notice, but will still deliver a Notice of Termination.

 

3.

Non-Qualifying Termination.

 

 (a)    Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the Company’s sole obligation shall be to pay the Executive the Accrued Amounts and the Executive shall not be entitled to severance benefits under this Agreement or any other agreement or severance plan, policy or program of the Company (or any of its affiliates).

 

 (b)    Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the Executive experiences a Termination for any reason while a Company-led internal investigation into facts that could reasonably give rise to the Executive’s Termination for Cause is pending: (i) the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance benefits under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Amounts) or any other agreement or severance plan, policy or program of the Company (or any of its affiliates); and (ii) the Executive shall not be entitled to vest in or receive any Variable Compensation, in either case, unless and until the Company concludes its investigation with a finding that grounds for a Termination for Cause did not in fact exist, and only to the extent provided for under the terms of the applicable agreement, plan, policy or program. 

 (c)    If the Executive experiences a Termination by reason of the Executive’s death or if the Executive gives the Company a written Notice of Termination other than for Good Reason, the Company’s sole obligation shall be to pay the Executive the Accrued Amounts.

 

 (d)    If the Executive’s experiences a Termination by reason of the Executive’s Disability, the Company’s sole obligation shall be to pay the Executive the Accrued Amounts and the Executive shall be entitled to receive disability benefits available under the Company’s (or any affiliate’s) long-term disability plan, to the extent applicable.

 

4.            Severance Upon a Qualifying Termination Not Within the Protection Period. If the Executive experiences a Qualifying Termination not within the Protection Period, then, subject to Section 6, the Company will provide the Executive with the following (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”):

 

 (a)     Accrued Amounts;

 

 (b)    The Company shall continue to pay the Executive’s Base Salary for a period of two (2) years following the Qualifying Termination, less applicable withholding, payable as follows: (i) on the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay date falling on or after sixty (60) days from the Executive’s Termination Date (the “First Payment Date”), the Company will pay the Executive, without interest, the number of missed payroll installments that would have been paid during the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the First Payment Date had the installments been paid on the Company’s regularly scheduled payroll dates, and (ii) each of the remaining installments shall be paid on the Company’s regularly scheduled pay dates during the remainder of such two (2)-year period;

 

 (c)    For up to two (2) years following the Termination Date, and provided that the Executive pays the applicable contribution amount required to be paid by similarly-situated active employees for such coverage, the Company shall provide to the Executive and the Executive’s covered dependents, medical and dental benefits substantially similar in the aggregate to the those provided to similarly-situated active employees, provided that the Company’s contribution toward the cost of such coverage shall be treated as taxable income to the Executive and the Executive must continue to pay his or her portion of the cost of this coverage with after- tax dollars (the “Benefit Continuation”). The Company’s obligation to provide the Benefit Continuation shall cease upon the Executive becoming eligible for similar benefits as the result of employment with another employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is not eligible to continue to participate in the relevant plan(s) providing the Benefit Continuation or if providing the Benefit Continuation would violate the nondiscrimination rules under Section 105(h) of the Code, or the rules applicable to non-grandfathered health plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (“PPACA”), or result in the imposition of penalties under the Code and/or PPACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, the Parties agree to reform this section in a manner as necessary to comply with applicable law, while, to the extent permitted by applicable law, preserve its intended economic benefit;

 (d)    If, prior to a Retention Date (as defined in the Retention Agreement by and between one of the subsidiaries of L Brands, Inc. and the Executive dated September 15, 2020 (the “Retention Agreement”)), the Retention Payment (as defined in the Retention Agreement) scheduled to be paid for the Retention Date immediately following the Termination Date shall be paid, less applicable withholding, on the First Payment Date;

 

 (e)    The Company shall pay the Executive any incentive compensation under the IC Plan that the Executive would have received if the Executive had remained employed with the Company for a period of one (1) year after the Termination Date based on actual performance, less applicable withholding, subject to the terms of the IC Plan. The foregoing payments shall be paid at the same time as payments under the IC Plan are typically paid, but in no event earlier than three (3) months following the Executive’s Qualifying Termination and in no event later than March 15^th of the year following the year in which the applicable season is completed. For the purposes of clarity, under this subsection, the Executive shall not be entitled to payments under the IC Plan pursuant to this provision for partial performance periods that are not then-completed on the first anniversary of the Termination Date; and

 

  (f)     The treatment of any outstanding equity awards will be determined as follows:

 

    (i)      A pro-rata portion of the outstanding unvested equity awards that are held by the Executive as of the Termination Date and vest only based on the passage of time shall vest and be settled on the First Payment Date, which pro-rata vesting shall be determined by (A) multiplying (x) the number of shares subject to the award by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of complete months between the first day of the applicable time-based vesting period and the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of months in the time-based vesting period, less (B) the number of shares subject to the award that had already vested pursuant to the award’s terms prior to the Termination Date, if any;

 

    (ii)     A pro-rata portion of the outstanding unvested equity awards that are held by the Executive as of the Termination Date and vest based, at least in part, on the satisfaction of performance goals shall vest and be settled by the later of the First Payment Date and sixty (60) days following the end of the applicable performance period, which pro-rata vesting shall be determined by (A) multiplying the number of shares that the Executive would have earned for the entire performance period based on the level of performance determined in accordance with the applicable plan and award agreements by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of complete months between the first day of the applicable performance period and the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of months in the performance period;

 

    (iii)     To the extent that any outstanding unvested equity award that is held by the Executive as of the Termination Date would vest at a greater percentage under the terms of the applicable plan and award agreement than as provided for under Sections 4(f)(i)-(ii), the terms of such award agreement shall instead to determine the number of shares covered by such equity award that will vest under this Section 4(f), subject to Sections 4(f)(iv)-(v);

 

    (iv)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, no equity awards that are outstanding as of the Termination Date will be forfeited during the three (3)-month period commencing upon the Termination Date, provided, that, (x) to the extent a VS Change in Control occurs during such three (3)-month period, any such equity awards that are outstanding and unvested as of the VS Change in Control will instead be treated in accordance with Section 5; and (y) to the extent a VS Change in Control does not occur during such three (3)-month period, any portion of the equity awards outstanding as of Termination Date that do not vest pursuant to Sections 4(f)(i)-(iii) shall be forfeited; and

 

    (v)     To the extent that the payment or settlement of any equity awards in accordance with the foregoing would constitute an impermissible change in the time or form of payment under Section 409A of the Code, then such portion shall be payable at a time that would be permitted under Section 409A of the Code and that is as near as possible to the payment timing contemplated by the foregoing.

 

5.            Severance Upon a Qualifying Termination Within the Protection Period. If the Executive has a Qualifying Termination within the Protection Period, then, subject to Section 6, the Company will provide the Executive with the following (collectively, the “Change in Control Severance Benefits”):

 

   (a)    The payments and benefits described in Sections 4(a), (b), (c), and (d);

 

(b)    A payment equal to the sum of the incentive compensation payouts that the Executive actually received under the IC Plan for the four (4) completed seasons immediately preceding the Termination Date (the “Bonus Amount”). The Bonus Amount shall be paid, less applicable withholding, in a lump sum cash payment on the First Payment Date;

 

(c)    A payment equal to the product of (i) the IC Plan payment that the Executive would have earned for the season during which the Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs, based on actual performance, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the season (within the meaning of the IC Plan) in which the Termination Date occurs that elapsed through the Termination Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such season. The foregoing payment, less applicable withholding, shall be paid at the same time as payments under the IC Plan are typically paid, but in no event earlier than the First Payment Date and in no event later than March 15^th of the year following the year in which the applicable season is completed; and

 

(d)    All of the outstanding and unvested equity awards held by the Executive immediately before such Qualifying Termination will immediately become fully vested and payable on the First Payment Date, provided that, to the extent that paying any portion of such amount in accordance with the foregoing would constitute an impermissible change in the time or form of payment under Section 409A of the Code, then such portion shall be payable at a time that would be permitted under Section 409A of the Code and that is as near as possible to the payment timing contemplated by the foregoing. To the extent that an equity award vests based on the achievement of performance goals, performance goals will be deemed to be achieved at target levels if less than one-third of the applicable performance period has elapsed as of the date of the Change in Control, otherwise performance goals will be deemed achieved at maximum levels.

In the event that the Termination Date occurs during the portion of the Protection Period that precedes a VS Change in Control and the Executive has already commenced receiving payments and/or benefits under Section 4 prior to the VS Change in Control, then (i) the Executive will be entitled to the payments and benefits under this Section 5 in lieu of any additional payments or benefits under Section 4, but only to the extent an equivalent payment and/or benefit has not already been paid or provided pursuant to Section 4; and (ii) any payments that the Executive would have otherwise been entitled to under this Section 5 that have not otherwise been paid to the Executive as of the VS Change in Control will be paid to the Executive in a single lump sum payment as soon as administratively practicable, but no later than sixty (60) calendar days following the occurrence of the VS Change in Control.

 

6.            Release Requirement. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not make or provide the Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits (in each case, other than the Accrued Amounts), unless the Executive timely executes and delivers to the Company a release of claims in favor of the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”) and such Release becomes effective and irrevocable within sixty (60) days following the Executive’s Termination Date. If the foregoing requirements are not satisfied by the Executive, then no Severance Benefits nor Change in Control Severance Benefits (in each case, other than the Accrued Amounts) shall be due to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

 

7.            Effect on Other Plans, Agreements and Benefits.

 

(a)    Any severance benefits payable to the Executive under this Agreement will be in lieu of and not in addition to: (i) any severance benefits to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled under any general severance policy or severance plan maintained by the Company (or any of its affiliates) or any agreement between the Executive and the Company (or any of its affiliates) that provides for severance benefits; (ii) unused PTO remaining upon the Termination Date; and (iii) salary continuation provided for under the Confidentiality, Noncompetition and Intellectual Property Agreement.

 

(b)    Any severance benefits payable to the Executive under this Agreement will not be counted as compensation for purposes of determining benefits under any other benefit policies or plans of the Company (or any of its affiliates), except to the extent expressly provided therein.

 

(c)    The Executive’s entitlement to any other benefits not expressly referenced herein shall be determined in accordance with the applicable employee benefit plans then in effect.

 

(d)    The Executive expressly agrees that any amounts the Executive may owe to the Company as of the Termination Date may be deducted from the amounts that the Company would otherwise owe to the Executive under this Agreement. 

(e)    Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary, if the Executive incurs a Termination for Cause, then all Variable Compensation shall be immediately canceled for no consideration. If the Executive incurs a Termination for Cause, or the Company becomes aware (after the Executive’s Termination) of conduct on the part of the Executive that would have been grounds for a Termination for Cause, then, the Executive will be required to deliver to the Company, immediately upon request, the Variable Compensation (in shares and/or cash), granted on or after the Effective Date and paid or delivered to the Executive within the three (3) years prior to the Termination Date, including the profit the Executive realized upon the exercise of stock options.

 

8.

Section 280G of the Code.

 

(a)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Company or any other person, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement will be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by the Executive from the Company and/or such person(s) will be $1.00 less than three (3) times the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by the Executive will be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better “net after-tax position” to the Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).

 

(b)    The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, will be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order.

 

(c)    The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary will be made applying principles, assumptions and procedures consistent with Section 280G of the Code by an accounting firm or law firm of national reputation that is selected for this purpose by the Company (the “280G Firm”). In order to assess whether payments under this Agreement or otherwise qualify as reasonable compensation that is exempt from being a parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, the 280G Firm or the Company may retain the services of an independent valuation expert.

 

(d)    If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from the Company (or its affiliates) used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds $1.00 less than three (3) times the Executive’s base amount, then the Executive must immediately repay such excess to the Company upon notification that an overpayment has been made. Nothing in this Section 8 will require the Company to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, the Executive’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

9.

Arbitration and Class and Representative Action Waiver.

 

(a)    The Parties agree that, subject to Section 9(b), any controversy or claim between the Company and the Executive arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its termination shall be settled and determined by a single arbitrator whose award shall be accepted as final and binding upon the parties. If Executive initiates arbitration, Executive will be responsible for paying a filing fee of $300 or the filing fee in federal court in Columbus, Ohio, whichever is lower. Each Party will be responsible for its/her own attorney’s fees. The Parties shall jointly select an arbitrator from JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) or the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) with at least ten (10) years of experience in employment disputes. The arbitration shall be conducted on a confidential basis by the AAA or JAMS and administered under their Employment Arbitration Rules, which are currently available at http://www.adr.org and http://www.jamsadr.com, respectively. The arbitrator shall have the authority to allow for appropriate discovery and exchange of information before a hearing, including, but not limited to, production of documents, information requests, depositions and subpoenas. Unless the arbitrator determines additional discovery is necessary to adequately arbitrate Executive’s claims, discovery shall be conducted in accordance with the then-current version of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Those rules can be found at https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp. The arbitration shall take place in Columbus, Ohio. Notwithstanding the AAA or JAMS rules, all parties to the arbitration shall have the right to file a dispositive motion and shall not be required to seek permission from the arbitrator to do so. Any decision or award as a result of any such arbitration proceeding shall be in writing and shall provide an explanation for all conclusions of law and fact and shall include the assessment of costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

 

(b)

This Arbitration provision does not include:

 

  (i)            Any claim arising under or related to the Confidentiality, Noncompetition and Intellectual Property Agreement;

 

(ii)

A claim for workers’ compensation benefits;

 

(iii)

A claim for unemployment compensation benefits;

 

  (iv)           A claim based upon the Company’s current (successor or future) employee benefits and/or welfare plans that contain an appeal procedure or other procedure for the resolution of disputes under this Agreement; and

 

  (v)             A claim of sexual harassment, including hostile work environment, “sexual assault” (defined as actual or threatened unwelcomed touching of a sexual nature), gender discrimination, and retaliation related to same.

 

 (c)    This Agreement also does not prevent Executive from filing a claim or charge with a federal, state or local administrative agency, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, or similar state or local agencies. 

(d)    This Agreement does not prohibit those limited circumstances under which either Party finds it necessary to seek emergency or temporary injunctive relief, such as a preliminary injunction or a temporary restraining order, from a court that may be necessary to protect any rights or property of either Party pending the establishment of the arbitral tribunal or its determination of the merits of the dispute.

 

(e)    CLASS ACTION WAIVER. To the extent permissible by law, there shall be no right or authority for any dispute to be arbitrated as a class action or collective action (“Class Action Waiver”). THIS MEANS THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPLICITLY PROVIDED HEREIN, ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT ARISE, OR HAVE ARISEN, OUT OF EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT OR THE TERMINATION OF EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT SHALL PROCEED IN ARBITRATION SOLELY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR’S AUTHORITY TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE AND TO MAKE WRITTEN AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO EXECUTIVE’S INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS.

 

(f)    REPRESENTATIVE ACTION WAIVER. To the extent permissible by law, there shall be no right or authority for any dispute to be arbitrated as a representative action or as a private attorney general action, including but not limited to claims brought pursuant to the Private Attorney General Act of 2004, Cal. Lab. Code § 2698, et seq. (“Representative Action Waiver”). THIS MEANS THAT, TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH APPLICABLE LAW, EXECUTIVE MAY NOT SEEK RELIEF ON BEHALF OF OTHERS IN ARBITRATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SIMILARLY AGGRIEVED EMPLOYEES. THE ARBITRATOR’S AUTHORITY TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE AND TO MAKE WRITTEN AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO EXECUTIVE’S INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS.

 

(g)    The Parties agree that only a court of competent jurisdiction may interpret this Section 9 and resolve challenges to its validity and enforceability, including but not limited to the validity, enforceability and interpretation of the Class Action Waiver and Representative Action Waiver. The arbitrator shall have no jurisdiction or power to make such determinations. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of the duty to arbitrate found in this Section 9 and all arbitration proceedings under this Agreement.

 

(h)    Any conflict between the rules and procedures set forth in either the JAMS or AAA rules and those set forth in this Agreement shall be resolved in favor of those in this Agreement.

  

(i)      The burden of proof at an arbitration shall at all times be on the Party seeking relief.

 

(j)      In reaching a decision, the arbitrator shall apply the governing substantive law applicable to the claims, causes of action and defenses asserted by the Parties, as applicable in Ohio. The arbitrator shall have the power to award all remedies that could be awarded by a court or administrative agency in accordance with the governing and applicable substantive law, including, without limitation, Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act. 

(k)    The aggrieved Party must give written notice of any claim to the other Party as soon as possible after the aggrieved Party first knew or should have known of the facts giving rise to the claim. The written notice shall describe the nature of all claims asserted, the facts upon which those claims are based, and shall set forth the aggrieved Party’s intention to pursue arbitration. The notice shall be mailed to the other Party by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. A copy of the notice may be sent by electronic mail.

 

10.    Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived, or discharged unless such waiver, modification, or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and the Company.

 

11.    At-Will Employment. This Agreement does not alter the status of each Executive as an at-will employee of the Company. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to give the Executive the right to remain employed by the Company or to interfere with the rights of the Company to terminate the employment of the Executive at any time, with or without Cause.

 

12.    Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, void or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed modified, amended and narrowed to the extent necessary to render such provision legal, valid and enforceable, and the other remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected but shall remain in full force and effect. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the Class Action Waiver and/or Representative Action Waiver in Section 9 is unenforceable for any reason, then the unenforceable waiver provision shall be severable from this Agreement, and any claims covered by any deemed unenforceable waiver provision may only be litigated in a court of competent jurisdiction, but the remainder of the Agreement shall be binding and enforceable.

 

13.    Headings and Subheadings. Headings and subheadings contained in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the heading or subheading of any section or paragraph.

 

14.    Unfunded Obligations. The amounts to be paid to the Executive under this Agreement are unfunded obligations of the Company. The Company is not required to segregate any monies or other assets from its general funds with respect to these obligations. The Executive shall not have any preference or security interest in any assets of the Company other than as a general unsecured creditor.

 

15.    Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement (including the Notice of Termination and a notice of a claim for which a Party seeks arbitration) shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or upon receipt if overnight delivery service or facsimile is used, addressed as follows:

 

         To the Executive:

 

 Greg Unis

 149 Amity Street
 Brooklyn, NY 11201

 

To the Company: 

 

VS Service Company, LLC

Four Limited Parkway,

Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068

Attn: Chief Legal Officer

 

16.    Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the Executive’s consent: to (i) an affiliate of the Company, or (ii) in the event that the Company shall hereafter effect a reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, any other entity or person, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties, stock, or assets to any other entity or person, to the acquirer or resulting entity in such transaction. This Agreement will be binding upon any successor of the Company (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be obligated under this Agreement if no succession had taken place. Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall be assignable or transferable by the Executive, the Executive’s beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal personal representative.

 

17.    Waiver. Any Party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent any Party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.

 

18.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same original.

 

19.    Governing Law. Unless otherwise noted in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of Ohio without regard to conflicts of law principles.

 

20.    Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any amount payable hereunder any Federal, state and local taxes in order for the Company to satisfy any withholding tax obligation it may have under any applicable law or regulation.

 

21.    Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement is intended to either avoid the application of, or comply with, Section 409A of the Code. To that end, this Agreement shall at all times be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to adopt such amendments to this Agreement or take such other actions (including amendments and actions with retroactive effect) as it determines is necessary or appropriate for this Agreement to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Further:

 

(a)    Any reimbursement of any costs and expenses by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be made by the Company in no event later than the close of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the cost or expense is incurred by the Executive. The expenses incurred by the Executive in any calendar year that are eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall not affect the expenses incurred by the Executive in any other calendar year that are eligible for reimbursement hereunder and the Executive’s right to receive any reimbursement hereunder shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

(b)    Any payment following a separation from service that would be subject to Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code as a distribution following a separation from service of a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) shall be made on the first to occur of (i) ten (10) days after the expiration of the six (6)-month period following such separation from service, (ii) death, or (iii) such earlier date that complies with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c)    Each payment that the Executive may receive under this Agreement shall be treated as a “separate payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(d)    Payments under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the involuntary separation pay plan exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A- 1(b)(9)(iii), or otherwise. Any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement may be accelerated in time or schedule by the Company, in its sole discretion, to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code.

 

22.    Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in this Section 22.

 

(a)    “2020 Stock Plan” means the L Brands, Inc. 2020 Stock Option and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

(b)    “Accrued Amounts” means: (i) unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date; and (ii) unreimbursed business expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company during the term of his or her employment in accordance with the Company’s standard policies (including expense verification policies) regarding the reimbursement of business expenses, as the same may be modified from time to time.

 

(c)    “Base Salary” means the Executive’s annual base salary in effect as of the Termination Date (without giving effect to any reduction resulting in a Qualifying Termination for Good Reason).

 

(d)    “Cause” means, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, that the Executive (i) was grossly negligent in the performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company (other than a failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness); (ii) has pled “guilty” or “no contest” to, or has been convicted of, an act which is defined as a felony under federal or state law; (iii) engaged in misconduct in bad faith that could reasonably be expected to materially harm the Company’s business or its reputation; or (iv) commits or engages in Subject Conduct. No event of condition described in subsections (i), (iii) or (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence shall constitute Cause unless (x) the Company provides the Executive a Notice of Termination stating the grounds for such termination; (y) such grounds for termination (if susceptible to correction) are not corrected by the Executive within thirty (30) days of the Executive’s receipt of the Notice of Termination; and (z) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with the Company (any its affiliates) immediately following expiration of such thirty-day (30) period. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive’s experiences a Termination other than by the Company for Cause, the Company shall have the sole discretion to later use after-acquired evidence to retroactively re-characterize the prior Termination as a Termination for Cause if such after-acquired evidences supports such an action.

  

(e)   “Change in Control” means a VS Change in Control and/or an LB Change in Control.

 

(f)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(g)    “Company” means VS Service Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company or its successors and permitted assigns.

 

(h)    “Disability” means a physical or mental infirmity that impairs the Executive’s ability to substantially perform the Executive’s duties for the Company for a period of at least six (6) months in any twelve (12)-month calendar period as determined in accordance with the Company’s (or any affiliate’s) long-term disability plan, to the extent applicable.

 

(i)     “IC Plan” means the incentive compensation plan of the Company (or any of its affiliates) in which the Executive participates as of the Termination Date.

 

(j)     “Good Reason” means (i) a material reduction in the Executive’s positions, duties, authority, responsibilities or reporting requirements; (ii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption in writing of its obligation to perform this Agreement by any successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company within fifteen (15) days after a merger, consolidation, sale, or similar transaction; (iii) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary or annual bonus opportunity under the IC Plan other than pursuant to an across-the-board reduction applicable to all similarly-situated employees; or (iv) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment from the New York, New York area. “Good Reason” shall not include acts taken by the Company by reason of the Executive’s physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Executive’s ability to substantially perform his or her duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, any assertion by the Executive of a termination for Good Reason shall not be effective unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (x) the Executive has provided a Notice of Termination to the Company indicating the existence of the condition(s) providing grounds for termination for Good Reason within sixty (60) days of the initial existence of such condition becoming known (or should have become known) to him or her; (y) the condition(s) specified in such notice must remain uncorrected by the Company for thirty (30) days following the Company’s receipt of such written notice; and (x) the Executive terminates employment immediately following the expiration of such thirty-day (30) period.

 

(k)    “LB Change in Control” means a “Change in Control” under the 2020 Stock Plan.

 

(l)     “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, if applicable, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for the Executive’s Termination under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Termination Date is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the Termination Date.

 

(m)    “Protection Period” means, (i) the period beginning three (3) months prior to a VS Change in Control and ending twenty-four (24) months following a VS Change in Control, and (ii) only to the extent that an LB Change in Control occurs prior to a VS Change in Control, the period beginning on the date of an LB Change in Control and ending twenty-four (24) months thereafter.

 

(n)    “Qualifying Termination” means the Executive’s Termination either: (i) by the Company without Cause; or (ii) by the Executive for Good Reason.

 

(o)    “Subject Conduct” means sexual harassment (including creation of a hostile work environment), gender discrimination and retaliation related to the foregoing or a violation of any policy of the Company (or any of its affiliates) relating to sexual harassment (including creation of a hostile work environment), gender discrimination and retaliation related to the foregoing.

 

(p)    “Termination” means the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company, for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, provided that such termination constitutes a “separation from service” as defined and applied under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(q)    “Variable Compensation” means any cash-based performance or incentive award paid by or any equity compensation awarded by the Company (or any of its affiliates), including, but not limited to, under the 2020 Stock Plan (and any successor thereto) and the IC Plan.

 

(r)     “VS Change in Control” means, (i) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any sale of stock, merger, consolidation or spin-off), the result of which is that L Brands no longer owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of VS&Co. then outstanding; (ii) any Person (other than an Excluded Person) becomes, together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (each as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”)) the “beneficial owner” (as defined under Rule 13d-3 of the Act) of securities representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding, unless such Person becomes the “beneficial owner” of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of such Voting Stock then outstanding solely as a result of an acquisition of such Voting Stock by VS&Co. which, by reducing the Voting Stock of VS&Co. outstanding, increases the proportionate Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person (together with all “affiliates” and “associates” of such Person) to fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding; provided that if a Person shall become the “beneficial owner” of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding by reason of such Voting Stock acquisition by VS&Co. and shall thereafter become the “beneficial owner” of any additional Voting Stock of VS&Co. which causes the proportionate voting power of Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person to increase to fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of VS&Co. then outstanding, such Person shall, upon becoming the “beneficial owner” of such additional Voting Stock of VS&Co., be deemed to have become the “beneficial owner” of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding other than solely as a result of such Voting Stock acquisition by VS&Co.; (iii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of VS&Co.; or (iv) the consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of VS&Co. For the purposes of the foregoing definition, “Person,” “Excluded Person,” and “Voting Stock” shall have their respective meanings set forth in the 2020 Stock Plan as of the Effective Date, provided that any reference therein to the Company shall be deemed a reference to VS&Co.

 

(s)    VS&Co. means Victoria’s Secret & Company.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer and the Executive has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

  

GREG UNIS			DATE
/s/ Greg Unis			6/28/2021
VS SERVICE COMPANY, LLC			DATE
By:	/s/ Martin Waters		6/28/2021