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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 ___________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
___________________________ 
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended August 4, 2018
OR
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From                      to                     
Commission File Number: 001-34918
 
___________________________ 
https://cdn.kscope.io/e3c725c7613fb7b6f72ca29e5cd98f49-vralogo2a01.jpg
VERA BRADLEY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 ___________________________ 
 
Indiana
 
27-2935063
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
12420 Stonebridge Road,
Roanoke, Indiana
 
46783
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(877) 708-8372
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 ___________________________ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
 
¨
  
Accelerated filer
 
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x
The registrant had 35,356,586 shares of its common stock outstanding as of September 5, 2018.
 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.


2
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact included in this report are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements refer to our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, strategies, future performance, and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” and “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. For example, all statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, revenues, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates, and financial results, our plans and objectives for future operations, growth, initiatives, or strategies, or the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including:
•
possible inability to successfully implement our long-term strategic plan, including our Vision 20/20 initiatives;
•
possible continued declines in our comparable sales;
•
possible inability to maintain and enhance our brand;
•
possible failure of our multi-channel distribution model;
•
possible adverse changes in general economic conditions and their impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending;
•
possible inability to predict and respond in a timely manner to changes in consumer demand;
•
possible inability to successfully open new stores and/or operate current stores as planned;
•
possible loss of key management or design associates or inability to attract and retain the talent required for our business;
•
possible ramifications from the payment card incident disclosed in October 2016;
•
possible data security or privacy breaches or disruptions in our computer systems or website; and
•
possible new or increased tariffs on our products that could lead to increased product costs and lower profit margins.
We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating plans and forecasts, which are based upon detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.
For a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements, please refer to “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018.
We caution you that the risks and uncertainties identified by us may not be all of the factors that are important to you. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.


3
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
February 3,
2018
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
81,075

 
$
68,751

Short-term investments
 
52,744

 
54,150

Accounts receivable, net
 
25,613

 
15,566

Inventories
 
86,280

 
87,838

Income taxes receivable
 
2,693

 
4,391

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
11,302

 
11,327

Total current assets
 
259,707

 
242,023

Property, plant, and equipment, net
 
82,924

 
86,463

Long-term investments
 
10,991

 
15,515

Deferred income taxes
 
4,868

 
5,385

Other assets
 
862

 
1,283

Total assets
 
$
359,352

 
$
350,669

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
14,373

 
$
13,503

Accrued employment costs
 
11,531

 
13,616

Other accrued liabilities
 
15,470

 
12,343

Income taxes payable
 
1,062

 
812

Total current liabilities
 
42,436

 
40,274

Long-term liabilities
 
24,767

 
25,112

Total liabilities
 
67,203

 
65,386

Commitments and contingencies
 

 

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock; 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding
 
—

 
—

Common stock, without par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 41,280 and 41,102 shares issued and 35,385 and 35,459 shares outstanding, respectively
 
—

 
—

Additional paid-in-capital
 
93,278

 
91,192

Retained earnings
 
279,149

 
270,783

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(109
)
 
(114
)
Treasury stock
 
(80,169
)
 
(76,578
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
292,149

 
285,283

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
359,352

 
$
350,669

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4
Table of Contents

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Net revenues
 
$
113,625

 
$
112,418

 
$
200,216

 
$
208,553

Cost of sales
 
47,885

 
49,125

 
85,860

 
92,560

Gross profit
 
65,740

 
63,293

 
114,356

 
115,993

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
53,770

 
59,747

 
104,475

 
117,518

Other income
 
46

 
163

 
223

 
430

Operating income (loss)
 
12,016

 
3,709

 
10,104

 
(1,095
)
Interest income, net
 
(259
)
 
(96
)
 
(502
)
 
(135
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
12,275

 
3,805

 
10,606

 
(960
)
Income tax expense
 
2,993

 
1,612

 
2,694

 
896

Net income (loss)
 
$
9,282

 
$
2,193

 
$
7,912

 
$
(1,856
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
 
35,540

 
36,122

 
35,536

 
36,178

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
 
35,735

 
36,158

 
35,733

 
36,178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per share
 
$
0.26

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.22

 
$
(0.05
)
Diluted net income (loss) per share
 
$
0.26

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.22

 
$
(0.05
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Net income (loss)
 
$
9,282

 
$
2,193

 
$
7,912

 
$
(1,856
)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale debt investments
 
57

 
21

 
12

 
34

Cumulative translation adjustment
 
(3
)
 
(11
)
 
(7
)
 
(17
)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
$
9,336

 
$
2,203

 
$
7,917

 
$
(1,839
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

6
Table of Contents

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
7,912

 
$
(1,856
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment
 
8,344

 
9,934

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
132

 
121

Stock-based compensation
 
2,613

 
2,103

Deferred income taxes
 
359

 
1,904

Cash gain on investments
 
32

 
154

Other non-cash charges, net
 
285

 
14

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
(9,519
)
 
3,562

Inventories
 
1,307

 
(1,825
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
446

 
(156
)
Accounts payable
 
1,453

 
(14,670
)
Income taxes
 
1,948

 
(2,041
)
Accrued and other liabilities
 
1,298

 
(1,362
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
16,610

 
(4,118
)
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
 
(5,857
)
 
(6,057
)
Purchases of investments
 
(39,073
)
 
(39,298
)
Proceeds from maturities and sales of investments
 
44,700

 
33,350

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(230
)
 
(12,005
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
Tax withholdings for equity compensation
 
(527
)
 
(595
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(3,522
)
 
(3,278
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(4,049
)
 
(3,873
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(7
)
 
(17
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
12,324

 
(20,013
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
68,751

 
86,375

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
81,075

 
$
66,362

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for income taxes, net
 
$
360

 
$
769

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity
 
 
 
 
Non-cash operating, investing, and financing activities
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock
 
 
 
 
Expenditures incurred but not yet paid as of August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017
 
$
69

 
$
45

Expenditures incurred but not yet paid as of February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017
 
$
—

 
$
—

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
 
 
 
 
Expenditures incurred but not yet paid as of August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017
 
$
133

 
$
1,450

Expenditures incurred but not yet paid as of February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017
 
$
1,183

 
$
2,204

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

7
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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


1.
Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation
The terms “Company” and “Vera Bradley” refer to Vera Bradley, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where the context requires otherwise or where otherwise indicated.
Vera Bradley is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand’s innovative designs, iconic patterns, and brilliant colors continue to inspire and connect women.
Vera Bradley offers a unique, multi-channel sales model, as well as a focus on service and a high level of customer engagement. The Company sells its products through two reportable segments: Direct and Indirect. The Direct business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products through the Company’s full-line and factory outlet stores in the United States; verabradley.com; the Company’s online outlet site; direct-to-consumer eBay sales; and the Company’s annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As of August 4, 2018, the Company operated 104 full-line stores and 57 factory outlet stores. The Indirect business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products to approximately 2,400 specialty retail locations, substantially all of which are located in the United States, as well as department stores, national accounts, third-party e-commerce sites, third-party inventory liquidators, and royalties recognized through licensing agreements.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018, filed with the SEC.
The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company has eliminated intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.
Fiscal Periods
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. References to the fiscal quarters ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, refer to the thirteen-week periods ended on those dates.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable
Included in net revenues are Vera Bradley product sales to Direct and Indirect customers, including amounts billed to customers for shipping fees, as well as royalties from the Company’s licensing arrangements. Costs related to shipping of product are classified in cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as an activity to fulfill the promise to transfer the product rather than as an additional promised service. Net revenues exclude sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities from the transaction price.
Revenue from the sale of the Company’s products is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in the amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized using the five-step model identified in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606. These steps are: (i) identify the contract with the customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation; and (v) recognize revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied.

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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


The Company collects payment at the point of sale for full-line and factory outlet store transactions and upon shipment for e-commerce transactions. The Company generally collects payment in arrears in accordance with established payment terms for each customer within the Indirect segment.
Historical experience provides the Company the ability to reasonably estimate the amount of product sales that customers will return. Product returns are often resalable through multiple channels. Additionally, the Company reserves for customer allowances for certain Indirect retailers based upon various contract terms and other potential product credits granted to Indirect retailers.
The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and customer-specific identification and believes that collections of receivables, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, are reasonably assured. The allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $0.9 million as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018.
The Company sells gift cards with no expiration dates to customers and does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. Gift cards issued by the Company are recorded as a liability until they are redeemed, at which point revenue is recognized. In addition, the Company recognizes revenue on estimated unredeemed gift cards based upon the historical patterns of gift card redemption. During the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, the Company recorded an immaterial amount of revenue related to gift card breakage. Gift card breakage is included in net revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, as well as Direct segment net revenues for the current-year period. The Company did not recognize gift card breakage revenue within net revenues in the comparable prior-year period as ASC Topic 606 was adopted using the modified retrospective transition approach with an immaterial adjustment to fiscal 2019 beginning retained earnings. Refer to Note 2 herein for additional information regarding the Company’s net revenues and its policies.
Operating Leases and Tenant-Improvement Allowances
The Company has leases that contain rent holidays and predetermined, fixed escalations of minimum rentals. For each of these leases, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis commencing on the date of initial possession of the leased property. The Company records the difference between the recognized rent expense and the amount payable under the lease as a deferred rent liability. As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, deferred rent liability was $13.1 million and $12.9 million, respectively, and is included within long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company receives tenant-improvement allowances from some of the landlords of its leased properties. These allowances generally are in the form of cash received by the Company from its landlords as part of the negotiated lease terms. The Company records each tenant-improvement allowance as a deferred credit and amortizes the allowance on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent expense over the term of the lease, commencing on the possession date. As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, the deferred lease credit liability was $14.2 million and $14.6 million, respectively. Of these amounts, $2.6 million and $2.4 million is included within other accrued liabilities as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, respectively; $11.6 million and $12.2 million is included within long-term liabilities as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This guidance requires companies to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires enhanced disclosures about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard allows for either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective transition method. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 to defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, which for the Company was February 4, 2018 (the beginning of the Company’s fiscal 2019).

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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective method with a$0.5 million cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings. As a result of this adoption method, the prior-year period presented in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements was not recast.
The Company no longer adjusts revenue for shipments not yet received at each reporting period as it recognizes revenue as control is passed to the customer. It was determined that control is passed to the customer upon shipment, consistent with when legal title is passed. This accelerates the recognition of revenue at each reporting period compared to the Company’s historical practice.
Revenue for unredeemed gift cards is estimated and recognized based on the historical patterns of gift card redemption. Historically, the Company recognized revenue for gift card breakage when the likelihood of the customer exercising their remaining rights became remote. The new revenue standard results in accelerated recognition of gift card breakage revenue at each reporting period compared to the Company’s historical practice.
Revenue associated with contractually guaranteed minimum royalties in sales-based royalty arrangements is recognized straight-line over the remaining license period once determined that the minimum sales level will not be achieved. Historically, the Company recognized any excess of the guaranteed minimum royalty over the actual royalties earned at the end of the license period.
Certain liabilities for estimated product returns have been re-classified to other accrued liabilities from a contra-asset within accounts receivable, net, as of the adoption date.
Refer to Note 2 herein for additional information regarding the adoption of ASC 606.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by leases and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 for targeted improvements, including the option of allowing entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date (February 3, 2019 for the Company) and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company plans to adopt the standard using this adoption method. The Company has operating leases at all of its retail stores; therefore, the adoption of this standard will result in a material increase of assets and liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact on its consolidated results of operations and cash flows.

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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

2.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company adopted ASC Topic 606 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective adoption method. Accordingly, disclosures herein required by the standard were excluded for the prior-year period.

The following tables illustrate the financial statement line items that were impacted as a result of the adoption of ASC 606 as of and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018. These adjustments are a result of adjusting for shipments not yet received by customers, gift card breakage revenue, and the re-classification of certain liabilities for estimated product returns, which are further described in Note 1 herein (schedules in thousands).
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Balances Under Prior U.S. GAAP
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
25,613

 
$
(3,837
)
 
$
21,776

Inventories
 
86,280

 
1,343

 
87,623

Income taxes receivable
 
2,693

 
469

 
3,162

Total current assets
 
259,707

 
(2,025
)
 
257,682

Deferred income taxes
 
4,868

 
133

 
5,001

Total assets
 
359,352

 
(1,892
)
 
357,460

Other accrued liabilities
 
15,470

 
(59
)
 
15,411

Total current liabilities
 
42,436

 
(59
)
 
42,377

Total liabilities
 
67,203

 
(59
)
 
67,144

Retained earnings
 
279,149

 
(1,833
)
 
277,316

Total shareholders’ equity
 
292,149

 
(1,833
)
 
290,316

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
359,352

 
(1,892
)
 
357,460

 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Amounts Under Prior U.S. GAAP
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
113,625

 
$
(1,294
)
 
$
112,331

Cost of sales
 
47,885

 
(521
)
 
47,364

Gross profit (loss)
 
65,740

 
(773
)
 
64,967

Operating income (loss)
 
12,016

 
(773
)
 
11,243

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
12,275

 
(773
)
 
11,502

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
2,993

 
(183
)
 
2,810

Net income (loss)
 
9,282

 
(590
)
 
8,692


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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

 
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Amounts Under Prior U.S. GAAP
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
200,216

 
$
(2,914
)
 
$
197,302

Cost of sales
 
85,860

 
(1,092
)
 
84,768

Gross profit (loss)
 
114,356

 
(1,822
)
 
112,534

Operating income (loss)
 
10,104

 
(1,822
)
 
8,282

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
10,606

 
(1,822
)
 
8,784

Income tax expense (benefit)
 
2,694

 
(443
)
 
2,251

Net income (loss)
 
7,912

 
(1,379
)
 
6,533

 
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
 
As Reported
 
Adjustments
 
Amounts Under Prior U.S. GAAP
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
7,912

 
$
(1,379
)
 
$
6,533

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
 
359

 
25

 
384

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
(9,519
)
 
3,177

 
(6,342
)
Inventories
 
1,307

 
(1,092
)
 
215

Income taxes
 
1,948

 
(469
)
 
1,479

Accrued and other liabilities
 
1,298

 
(262
)
 
1,036

    
    




















12
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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Disaggregation of Revenue
The following presents our net revenues disaggregated by product category for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 (in thousands):    
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
 
Direct Segment
 
Indirect Segment
 
Total
Product categories
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bags
 
$
39,194

 
$
12,315

 
$
51,509

Travel
 
23,123

 
4,360

 
27,483

Accessories
 
20,261

 
4,415

 
24,676

Home
 
6,144

 
378

 
6,522

Other
 
2,299

(1) 
1,136

(2) 
3,435

Total net revenues
 
$
91,021

(3) 
$
22,604

(4) 
$
113,625

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Primarily includes net revenues from stationery, apparel/footwear, freight, and gift card breakage.
(2) Primarily includes net revenues from licensing agreements, freight, apparel/footwear, and merchandising.
(3) Net revenues were related to product sales recognized at a point in time.
(4) $21.8 million of net revenues related to product sales recognized at a point in time and $0.8 million of net revenues related to sales-based royalties recognized over time.
 
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4, 2018
 
 
Direct Segment
 
Indirect Segment
 
Total
Product categories
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bags
 
$
64,794

 
$
22,543

 
$
87,337

Travel
 
41,182

 
9,050

 
50,232

Accessories
 
35,940

 
8,583

 
44,523

Home
 
10,314

 
836

 
11,150

Other
 
4,323

(1) 
2,651

(2) 
6,974

Total net revenues
 
$
156,553

(3) 
$
43,663

(4) 
$
200,216

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Primarily includes net revenues from stationery, apparel/footwear, freight, and gift card breakage.
(2) Primarily includes net revenues from licensing agreements, freight, apparel/footwear, and merchandising.
(3) Net revenues were related to product sales recognized at a point in time.
(4) $41.9 million of net revenues related to product sales recognized at a point in time and $1.8 million of net revenues related to sales-based royalties recognized over time.
Contract Balances
Contract liabilities as of August 4, 2018, consisted of $1.2 million of unearned revenue related to unredeemed gift cards and an immaterial amount of unearned revenue for pre-payments of royalties in certain of the Company’s licensing arrangements. These contract liabilities are recognized within other accrued liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company did not have contract assets as of August 4, 2018.
The balance for accounts receivable from contracts with customers, net of allowances, as of August 4, 2018 was $21.7 million, which is recognized within accounts receivable, net, on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The provision for doubtful accounts was $0.1 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018.
    
    

13
Table of Contents


Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Performance Obligations
The performance obligations for the Direct and Indirect segments include the promise to transfer distinct goods (or a bundle of distinct goods). The Indirect segment also includes the right to access the Company’s intellectual property (“IP”).
Remaining Performance Obligations
The Company does not have remaining performance obligations in excess of one year or contracts that it does not have the right to invoice as of August 4, 2018.
Significant Judgments
Product Sales
In the Company’s retail stores (recognized within the Direct segment), control is transferred and net revenue is recognized at the point of sale. Product shipments for the Company’s e-commerce channel (recognized within the Direct segment) and shipments to its Indirect retailers (recognized within the Indirect segment) are generally shipped Free on Board (“FOB”) shipping point typically from its distribution center in Roanoke, Indiana, and net revenue is recognized upon shipment consistent with when control is transferred to the customer. Upon shipment, the customer has the right to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the product.
Licensing Royalties
The Company grants rights to access its IP and accounts for any resulting sales-based royalty revenue over time, as the subsequent sales occur. The Company has contractually guaranteed minimum royalties in certain of its sales-based royalty arrangements which are recognized straight-line over the remaining license period once determined that the minimum sales level will not be achieved. Licensing royalties are recognized within Indirect segment net revenues.
Transaction Price and Amounts Allocated to Performance Obligations.
The transaction price is the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in a sales transaction. The transaction price is net of discounts, estimated variable consideration (if any), and any customer allowances offered or estimated, including those offered to certain Indirect retailers based on various contract terms. The transaction price also is net of allowances for product returns, which the Company is able to reasonably estimate based upon historical experience. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in the contract based upon the standalone selling price.
Contract Costs
Sales commissions are paid to certain employees based upon specific sales achieved during a time period. As the Company’s contracts related to these sales commissions do not exceed one year, these incentive payments are expensed as incurred.
Other Practical Expedients
Remaining Performance Obligations
The Company does not disclose the remaining performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less or for contracts which it has the right to invoice.
Significant Financing Components
The Company does not adjust for the time value of money as the majority of its contracts have an original expected duration of one year or less; contracts that are greater than one year are related to net revenues that are constrained until the subsequent sales occur. The net revenues associated with these contracts are immaterial, and the Company does not adjust for the time value of money.


14
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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

3.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares represent outstanding restricted stock units. The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
 
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
9,282

 
$
2,193

 
$
7,912

 
$
(1,856
)
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of common shares (basic)
 
35,540

 
36,122

 
35,536

 
36,178

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
 
195

 
36

 
197

 
—

Weighted-average number of common shares (diluted)
 
35,735

 
36,158

 
35,733

 
36,178

Net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.26

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.22

 
$
(0.05
)
Diluted
 
$
0.26

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.22

 
$
(0.05
)
For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, and the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, there were an immaterial number of additional shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units that were excluded from the diluted share calculations because they were anti-dilutive.
For the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017, all potential common shares were excluded from the diluted share calculation because they were anti-dilutive due to the net loss in the period.
 
4.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified using the following hierarchy, which is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date:
•
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•
Level 2 – Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly;
•
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions.
The classification of fair value measurements within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement.
The carrying amounts reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, and accounts payable as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, approximated their fair values.







15
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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


The following table details the fair value measurements of the Company's investments as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
 
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
 
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
Cash equivalents(1)
$
107

 
$
1,889

 
$
12,270

 
$
4,058

 
$
—

 
$
—

Short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Certificate of deposit
—

 
—

 
25,044

 
25,032

 
—

 
—

    Non-U.S. corporate debt securities
—

 
—

 
8,075

 
6,451

 
—

 
—

    U.S. corporate debt securities
—

 
—

 
7,386

 
8,727

 
—

 
—

    Municipal securities
—

 
—

 
6,127

 
12,942

 
—

 
—

    U.S. treasury securities
3,102

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

    Commercial paper
—

 
—

 
3,010

 
998

 
—

 
—

Long-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Non-U.S. corporate debt securities
—

 
—

 
4,335

 
2,775

 
—

 
—

    Municipal securities
—

 
—

 
3,991

 
5,098

 
—

 
—

    U.S. corporate debt securities
—

 
—

 
2,665

 
4,543

 
—

 
—

    U.S. treasury securities
—

 
3,099

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Cash equivalents include commercial paper, municipal securities, and a money market fund that have a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. Due to their short maturity, the Company believes the carrying value approximates fair value.
The Company has certain assets that are measured on a non-recurring basis under circumstances and events described in Note 12 herein. The categorization of the framework to price these assets are within Level 3 due to the subjective nature of unobservable inputs.

5.
Debt
On July 15, 2015, Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. (“VBD”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among VBD, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent; and KeyBank National Association, as documentation agent (the “Prior Credit Agreement”). The Prior Credit Agreement provided for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed $125.0 million, the proceeds of which could be used for general corporate purposes of VBD and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to Vera Bradley International, LLC and Vera Bradley Sales, LLC (collectively, the “Named Subsidiaries”). On October 20, 2017, VBD entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Prior Credit Agreement to modify certain financial and restrictive covenants.
Amounts outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement bore interest, at VBD's option, at a per annum rate equal to either (A) the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) plus the Applicable Margin, where the ABR was the highest of (i) the prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) Adjusted LIBOR for a one-month interest period plus 1%, and the Applicable Margin is a percentage ranging from 0.00% to 0.70% depending upon the Company's leverage ratio or (B) Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin, where Adjusted LIBOR meant LIBOR, as adjusted for statutory reserve requirements for eurocurrency liabilities, and Applicable Margin is a percentage ranging from 1.00% to 1.70% depending upon the Company's leverage ratio. Any loans made, or letters of credit issued, pursuant to the Prior Credit Agreement was to mature on July 15, 2020.
VBD's obligations under the Prior Credit Agreement were guaranteed by the Company and the Named Subsidiaries. The obligations of VBD under the Prior Credit Agreement were secured by first priority security interests in all of the

16
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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

respective assets of VBD, the Company, and the Named Subsidiaries and a pledge of the equity interests of VBD and the Named Subsidiaries.
The Prior Credit Agreement, as amended, contained various restrictive covenants, including restrictions on the Company's ability to dispose of assets, make acquisitions or investments, incur debt or liens, make distributions to stockholders or repurchase outstanding stock, enter into related party transactions and make capital expenditures, other than upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Prior Credit Agreement. The Company was also required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants, including maintaining a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum ratio of EBITDAR to the sum of interest expense plus rentals (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement), and a limit on capital expenditures. Upon an event of default, which included certain customary events such as, among other things, a failure to make required payments when due, a failure to comply with covenants, certain bankruptcy and insolvency events, a material adverse change (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement), defaults under other material indebtedness, and a change in control, the lenders could accelerate amounts outstanding, terminate the agreement and foreclose on all collateral.
As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, the Company had no borrowings outstanding and availability of $125.0 million under its Prior Credit Agreement.
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, VBD entered into an asset based revolving credit agreement. Concurrently with entering into the new credit agreement, the Prior Credit Agreement detailed above was terminated. Refer to Note 14 herein for additional information regarding the new credit agreement.

6.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for interim periods is based on an estimate of the annual effective tax rate adjusted to reflect the impact of discrete items. Management judgment is required in projecting ordinary income to estimate the Company’s annual effective tax rate.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act includes, among other things, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, bonus depreciation that allows for full expensing of qualified property, the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide system to a territorial system with a new provision designed to tax global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings.
On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. Consistent with this guidance, any resulting changes to the provisional estimates and amounts not yet estimated will be recognized as an adjustment to tax expense in the reporting period that the amounts are determined.
The provisional amounts recognized as a result of the Tax Act may differ due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions that the Company has made, additional regulatory guidance issued, and any additional actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Act. The accounting for the Tax Act is expected to be complete when the fiscal 2018 federal income tax return is filed in fiscal 2019. The Company has not recognized any provisional income tax adjustments as a result of the Tax Act in the current-year period.
The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, was 24.4%, compared to 42.4% for the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2017. The year-over-year effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to a decreased annual effective tax rate as a result of the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate.
The effective tax rate for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, was 25.4%, compared to (93.3)% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017. The year-over-year effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to the relative impact of discrete items in the current-year period compared to the prior-year period, primarily as a result of tax shortfalls from stock-based compensation, and a decreased annual effective tax rate as a result of the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate.
 
7.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense, for its awards of restricted stock units, in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date of the respective award.

17
Table of Contents


Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company reserved 6,076,001 shares of common stock for issuance or transfer under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan, which allows for grants of restricted stock units, as well as other equity awards.
Awards of Restricted Stock Units
During the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, the Company granted 66,069 time-based and performance-based restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $0.9 million to certain employees under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan. The Company did not grant time-based or performance-based restricted stock units in the same period of the prior year.
During the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, the Company granted 475,214 time-based and performance-based restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $5.2 million to certain employees and non-employee directors under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan compared to a total of 506,572 time-based and performance-based restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $4.7 million granted in the same period of the prior year. The Company determined the fair value of the awards based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
The majority of the time-based restricted stock units vest and settle in shares of the Company’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis, in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Restricted stock units issued to non-employee directors vest after a one-year period from the grant date. The Company recognizes the expense relating to these units, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Performance-based restricted stock units vest upon the completion of a three-year period of time (cliff vesting), subject to the employee’s continuing employment throughout and the Company’s achievement of annual earnings per share targets, or other Company performance targets, during the three-year performance period. The Company recognizes the expense relating to these units, net of estimated forfeitures, based on the probable outcome of achievement of the financial targets, on a straight-line basis over three years.
The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock unit activity for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 (units in thousands):
 
 
 
Time-based
Restricted Stock Units
 
Performance-based
Restricted Stock Units
 
 
Number of
Units
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
(per unit)
 
Number of
Units
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
(per unit)
Nonvested units outstanding at February 3, 2018
 
401

 
$
12.38

 
363

 
$
13.83

Granted
 
284

 
11.09

 
191

 
10.94

Vested
 
(209
)
 
12.23

 
(20
)
 
16.06

Forfeited
 
(10
)
 
11.04

 
(77
)
 
15.32

Nonvested units outstanding at August 4, 2018
 
466

 
$
11.69

 
457

 
$
12.28

As of August 4, 2018, there was $6.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years, subject to meeting performance conditions.
 

8.
Commitments and Contingencies
Payment Card Incident
Description of Event
On September 15, 2016, the Company received information from law enforcement regarding a potential data security issue related to its retail store network. Findings from the investigation showed unauthorized access to the Company's

18
Table of Contents


Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

payment processing system and the installation of a program that looked for payment card data. The program was specifically designed to find track data in the magnetic stripe of a payment card that may contain the card number, cardholder name, expiration date, and internal verification code as the data was being routed through the affected payment system. There is no indication that other customer information was at risk. Payment cards used at Vera Bradley store locations between July 25, 2016 and September 23, 2016 may have been affected. Not all cards used in stores during this time frame were affected. Cards used on verabradley.com were not affected.
The Company timely resolved this incident and continues to work with a computer security firm to further strengthen the security of its systems to help prevent events of this nature from happening in the future. The Company promptly notified the payment card networks so that the banks that issue payment cards could initiate heightened monitoring on the affected cards. Claims have been received from payment card networks for this incident and are all expected to be covered by the Company's insurance, as described below. The Company also received inquiries from the states of New Jersey and Indiana regarding the incident. The Company continues to be in discussions with Indiana regarding the incident.
Expenses Incurred and Amounts Accrued
During the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, the Company recorded an immaterial amount of expense relating to remediation activities as a result of the Payment Card Incident. There were no incremental expenses associated with the claims received in fiscal 2019 or fiscal 2018 as they were, or are expected to be, reimbursed under the Company's insurance coverage.
Future Costs
The Company does not believe that the amounts to be paid with respect to any remaining matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and operating results taken as a whole.
Insurance Coverage
The Company maintains $15.0 million of cyber security insurance coverage above a $0.1 million deductible.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is also subject to various claims and contingencies arising in the normal course of business, including those relating to product liability, legal claims, employee benefits, environmental issues, and other matters. Management believes that at this time it is not probable that any of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, the outcomes of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company are subject to uncertainty, and future developments could cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of a particular reporting period.


9.
Common Stock
On December 8, 2015, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase program (the “2015 Share Repurchase Program”) authorizing up to $50.0 million of repurchases of shares of the Company's common stock. The initial term of the 2015 Share Repurchase Program expired on December 31, 2017. On November 30, 2017, the Company’s board of directors authorized the Company to extend the 2015 Share Repurchase Program during an open window period until December 31, 2018.
The Company purchased 252,201 shares at an average price of $14.24 per share, excluding commissions, for an aggregate amount of $3.6 million during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, under the 2015 Share Repurchase Program. As of August 4, 2018, there was $9.8 million remaining available to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock under the 2015 Share Repurchase Program.
As of August 4, 2018, the Company held as treasury shares 5,894,686 shares of its common stock at an average price of $13.60 per share, excluding commissions, for an aggregate carrying amount of $80.2 million. The Company’s treasury shares may be issued under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan or for other corporate purposes.

19
Table of Contents


Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


10.
Vision 20/20 Restructuring and Other Charges
Vision 20/20 Initiatives and Charges
During fiscal 2018, the Company launched its Vision 20/20 strategic plan, which involves a more aggressive approach to turn around its business over the period ending in fiscal 2021. The plan is primarily focused on product and pricing initiatives, as well as selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expense reduction initiatives. The product and pricing initiatives include restoring the Company's full-price business by significantly reducing the amount of clearance merchandise offered on verabradley.com and in its full-line stores, streamlining current product offerings by eliminating unproductive or incongruent categories and SKUs from its assortment, and introducing tighter guardrails around new product categories, patterns, and pricing.
The SG&A expense reductions include right-sizing the Company’s corporate infrastructure to better align with the size of the business, lowering marketing spending by focusing on efficiencies, and taking a more aggressive stance on closing underperforming full-line stores. These SG&A expense reductions began in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, largely aimed at right-sizing the corporate infrastructure. The majority of the product and pricing initiatives are being completed in the current fiscal year. There have been $16.7 million of pre-tax Vision 20/20-related charges ($10.6 million after the associated tax benefit) since inception, all of which were recognized during fiscal 2018. There were no Vision 20/20-related charges during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018.
There were $2.3 million ($1.5 million after the associated tax benefit) of Vision 20/20-related charges during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017, for strategic consulting expenses recognized within corporate unallocated expenses.
There were $1.6 million of cash payments made during fiscal 2019 for severance charges and no liabilities remaining for Vision 20/20-related charges as of August 4, 2018.    
Other Charges
Thirteen Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
Other charges recognized in SG&A expenses during the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2017 totaled $1.5 million ($0.9 million after the associated tax benefit). These pre-tax charges consisted of $1.2 million in severance charges (recognized within corporate unallocated expenses) and $0.3 million for a net lease termination charge (recognized within the Direct segment).
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
Other charges recognized in SG&A expenses during the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 totaled $2.8 million ($1.7 million after the associated tax benefit). These pre-tax charges consisted of $2.5 million in severance charges (recognized within corporate unallocated expenses) and $0.3 million for a net lease termination charge (recognized within the Direct segment).
These charges were recognized before the implementation of Vision 20/20.

11.
Investments
Cash Equivalents
Investments classified as cash equivalents relate to highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, these investments in the Company's portfolio consisted of commercial paper, municipal securities, and a money market fund.
Short-Term Investments
As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, short-term investments consisted of a certificate of deposit, U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt securities, municipal securities, and commercial paper with a maturity within one year of the balance sheet date. The balance as of August 4, 2018, also included U.S. treasury securities. These debt securities are classified as available-for-sale; therefore, unrealized gains and losses are recorded within other comprehensive income. Interest income earned is recorded within interest income, net, in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

20
Table of Contents


Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company held $52.7 million and $54.2 million in short-term investments as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, respectively. The following table summarizes the Company's short-term investments (in thousands):
 
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
Certificate of deposit
$
25,044

 
$
25,032

Non-U.S. corporate debt securities
8,075

 
6,451

U.S. corporate debt securities
7,386

 
8,727

Municipal securities
6,127

 
12,942

U.S. treasury securities
3,102

 
—

Commercial paper
3,010

 
998

Total short-term investments
$
52,744

 
$
54,150

Long-Term Investments
As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, long-term investments consisted of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt securities and municipal securities with a maturity greater than one year from the balance sheet date. The balance as of February 3, 2018 also included U.S. treasury securities. These debt securities are classified as available-for-sale; therefore, unrealized gains and losses are recorded within other comprehensive income. Interest income earned is recorded within interest income, net, in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company held $11.0 million and $15.5 million in long-term investments as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, respectively. The following table summarizes the Company's long-term investments (in thousands):
 
August 4, 2018
 
February 3, 2018
Non-U.S. corporate debt securities
$
4,335

 
$
2,775

Municipal securities
3,991

 
5,098

U.S. corporate debt securities
2,665

 
4,543

U.S. treasury securities
—

 
3,099

Total long-term investments
$
10,991

 
$
15,515

There were no material gross unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale debt securities as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018.

12.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The reviews are conducted at the lowest identifiable level of cash flows. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the property, plant, and equipment are less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value, typically determined by an estimated discounted cash flow analysis of the asset. There were no impairment charges recorded during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017.

13.
Segment Reporting
The Company has two operating segments, which are also its reportable segments: Direct and Indirect. These operating segments are components of the Company for which separate financial information is available and for which operating results are evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing the performance of the segments.
The Direct segment includes the Company’s full-line and factory outlet stores; the Company’s website, verabradley.com; the Company’s online outlet site; direct-to-consumer eBay sales; and the annual outlet sale. Revenues generated from this segment are driven through the sale of Company-branded products from Vera Bradley to end consumers.

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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Indirect segment represents revenues generated through the distribution of Company-branded products to specialty retailers representing approximately 2,400 locations, substantially all of which are located in the United States; key accounts, which include department stores, national accounts, third-party e-commerce sites, and third-party inventory liquidators; and royalties recognized through licensing agreements.
Corporate costs represent the Company’s administrative expenses, which include, but are not limited to: human resources, legal, finance, information technology, design, product development, merchandising, corporate-level marketing and advertising, and various other corporate-level-activity-related expenses. All intercompany-related activities are eliminated in consolidation and are excluded from the segment reporting.
Company management evaluates segment operating results based on several indicators. The primary or key performance indicators for each segment are net revenues and operating income. Net revenues and operating income information for the Company’s reportable segments during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
91,021

 
$
89,342

 
$
156,553

 
$
158,179

Indirect
 
22,604

 
23,076

 
43,663

 
50,374

Total
 
$
113,625

 
$
112,418

 
$
200,216

 
$
208,553

Segment operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
22,318

 
$
17,312

 
$
29,608

 
$
24,124

Indirect
 
8,827

 
7,832

 
17,111

 
17,278

Total
 
$
31,145

 
$
25,144

 
$
46,719

 
$
41,402

Reconciliation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
 
$
31,145

 
$
25,144

 
$
46,719

 
$
41,402

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unallocated corporate expenses
 
(19,129
)
 
(21,435
)
 
(36,615
)
 
(42,497
)
Operating income (loss)
 
$
12,016

 
$
3,709

 
$
10,104

 
$
(1,095
)


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Vera Bradley, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

14.
Subsequent Event
On September 7, 2018, VBD, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an asset based revolving Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) among VBD, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. The New Credit Agreement provides for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed the lesser of $75.0 million or the amount of borrowing availability determined in accordance with a borrowing base of certain assets. The proceeds of the credit facilities will be used to finance general corporate purposes of VBD and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to Vera Bradley International, LLC and Vera Bradley Sales, LLC (collectively, the “Named Subsidiaries”). The New Credit Agreement also contains an option for VBD to arrange with lenders to increase the aggregate principal amount by up to $25.0 million.
Amounts outstanding under the New Credit Agreement bear interest at a per annum rate equal to either (i) for CBFR borrowings (including swingline loans), the CB Floating Rate, where the CB Floating Rate is the prime rate which shall never be less than the adjusted one month LIBOR rate on such day, plus the Applicable Rate, where the Applicable Rate is a percentage spread ranging from -1.00% to -1.50% or (ii) for each eurodollar borrowing, the Adjusted LIBO Rate, where the Adjusted LIBO Rate is the LIBO rate for such interest period multiplied by the statutory reserve rate, for the interest period in effect for such borrowing, plus the Applicable Rate, where the Applicable Rate is a percentage ranging from 1.00% to 1.30%. The applicable CB Floating Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate, or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the administrative agent. The New Credit Agreement also requires VBD to pay a commitment fee for the unused portion of the revolving facility of up to 0.20% per annum.
VBD’s obligations under the New Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and the Named Subsidiaries. The obligations of VBD under the New Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the respective assets of VBD, the Company, and the Named Subsidiaries and are further secured by the equity interests in VBD and the Named Subsidiaries.
The New Credit Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants, including restrictions on the Company's ability to incur debt or liens; engage in mergers or consolidations; make certain investments, acquisitions, loans, and advances; sell assets; enter into certain swap agreements; pay dividends or make distributions or make other restricted payments; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and amend, modify, or waive any of its rights related to subordinated indebtedness and certain charter and other organizational, governing, and material agreements. The Company may avoid certain of such restrictions by meeting payment conditions defined in the New Credit Agreement.
The New Credit Agreement also requires the Loan Parties to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 during periods when borrowing availability is less than the greater of (A) $7.5 million, and (B) 10% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate revolving commitment, and (ii) the borrowing base. The fixed charge coverage ratio, availability, aggregate revolving commitment, and the borrowing base are further defined in the New Credit Agreement.
The New Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among other things: (i) the failure to pay any principal, interest, or other fees under the New Credit Agreement; (ii) the making of any materially incorrect representation or warranty; (iii) the failure to observe or perform any covenant, condition, or agreement in the New Credit Agreement or related agreements; (iv) a cross default with respect to other material indebtedness; (v) bankruptcy and insolvency events; (vi) unsatisfied material final judgments; (vii) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) events that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect; and (viii) a change in control (as defined in the New Credit Agreement).
Any commitments made under the New Credit Agreement mature on September 7, 2023. There were no material fees or expenses associated with the New Credit Agreement.
On September 7, 2018, concurrently with entering into the New Credit Agreement, the Prior Credit Agreement dated as of July 15, 2015, among VBD, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent; and KeyBank National Association, as documentation agent was terminated. The Prior Credit Agreement provided for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed $125.0 million.


23
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ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the condensed consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flows of the Company as of and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018, and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. The results of operations for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.
Executive Summary
Below is a summary of our strategic progress and financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2019:
Strategic Progress
•
We reduced the clearance activity in our full-line stores and on verabradley.com (excluding our online outlet site) by approximately 70% compared to the prior-year period and hosted three flash sale events on our online outlet site during the quarter.
•
We increased comparable full-price selling in our full-line stores and on verabradey.com (excluding our online outlet site) by over 30%.
•
We continued to focus on increasing brand awareness through our “digital first” strategy by focusing our marketing on high-quality placements and targeted digital efforts, with an emphasis on full-price offerings.
•
We continued to test our “customer journeys” program during the quarter, where our best customers receive special recognition throughout the year.
•
During the second quarter, we strengthened our store base by opening two factory outlet stores in Hershey, Pennsylvania and Tinton Falls, New Jersey and closing one underperforming full-line store.
•
We increased our cash and investment balance by over $40 million to $144.8 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2018.
Financial Summary (all comparisons are to the second quarter of fiscal 2018)
•
Net revenues increased 1.1% to $113.6 million.
•
Direct segment sales increased 1.9% to $91.0 million. Comparable sales decreased 4.9%.
•
Indirect segment sales decreased 2.0% to $22.6 million.
•
Gross profit was $65.7 million, or 57.9% of net revenue.
•
Operating income was $12.0 million and net income was $9.3 million, or $0.26 per diluted share.
•
Capital expenditures for the thirteen weeks totaled $2.2 million.
•
Cash and cash equivalents and investments were $144.8 million at August 4, 2018.
How We Assess the Performance of Our Business
In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures.
Net Revenues
Net revenues reflect sales of our merchandise and revenue from distribution and shipping and handling fees, less returns and discounts. Revenues for the Direct segment reflect sales through our full-line and factory outlet stores; verabradley.com; our online outlet site; direct-to-consumer eBay sales; and our annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Revenues for the Indirect segment reflect sales to specialty retail partners; department stores; national accounts; third-party e-commerce sites; third-party inventory liquidators; and royalties recognized through licensing agreements.

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Comparable Sales
Comparable sales are calculated based upon our stores that have been open for at least 12 full fiscal months and net revenues from our e-commerce operations. Comparable store sales are calculated based solely upon our stores that have been open for at least 12 full fiscal months. Remodeled stores are included in both comparable sales and comparable store sales unless the store was closed for more than one week of the current or comparable prior period, in which case the non-comparable temporary closure periods are not included, or the remodel resulted in a significant change in square footage. Fiscal 2019 comparable sales do not adjust for the shift in weeks during the current-year period associated with the 53rd week in fiscal 2018. Some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable or “same store” sales differently than we do. As a result, data in this report regarding our comparable sales and comparable store sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by other companies. Non-comparable sales include sales from stores not included in comparable sales or comparable store sales.
Measuring the change in year-over-year comparable sales allows us to evaluate how our store base and e-commerce operations are performing. Various factors affect our comparable sales, including:
•
Overall economic trends;
•
Consumer preferences and fashion trends;
•
Competition;
•
The timing of our releases of new patterns and collections;
•
Changes in our product mix;
•
Pricing and level of promotions;
•
Amount of store, mall, and e-commerce traffic;
•
The level of customer service that we provide in stores and to our on-line customers;
•
Our ability to source and distribute products efficiently;
•
The number of stores we open and close in any period; and
•
The timing and success of promotional and marketing efforts.
Gross Profit
Gross profit is equal to our net revenues less our cost of sales. Cost of sales includes the direct cost of purchased merchandise, distribution center costs, operations overhead, duty, and all inbound freight costs incurred. The components of our reported cost of sales may not be comparable to those of other retail and wholesale companies.
Gross profit can be impacted by changes in volume; fluctuations in sales price; operational efficiencies, such as leveraging of fixed costs; promotional activities, including free shipping; commodity prices, such as for cotton; and labor costs.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A expenses include selling; advertising, marketing, and product development; and administrative expenses. Selling expenses include Direct business expenses, such as store expenses, employee compensation, and store occupancy and supply costs, as well as Indirect business expenses consisting primarily of employee compensation and other expenses associated with sales to Indirect retailers. Advertising, marketing, and product development expenses include employee compensation, media costs, creative production expenses, marketing agency fees, new product design costs, public relations expenses, and market research expenses. A portion of our advertising expenses may be reimbursed by Indirect retailers, and such amount is classified as other income. Administrative expenses include employee compensation for corporate functions, corporate headquarters occupancy costs, consulting and software expenses, and charitable donations.
Other Income
We support many of our Indirect retailers’ marketing efforts by distributing certain catalogs and promotional mailers to current and prospective customers. Our Indirect retailers reimburse us for a portion of the cost to produce these materials. Reimbursement received is recorded as other income. The related cost to design, produce, and distribute the catalogs and mailers is recorded as SG&A expense. Other income also includes proceeds from the sales of tickets to our annual outlet sale.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income (loss) is equal to gross profit less SG&A expenses plus other income. Operating income (loss) excludes interest income, interest expense, and income taxes.

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Table of Contents

Net Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) is equal to operating income (loss) plus net interest income less income taxes.
Results of Operations
The following tables summarize key components of our condensed consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our net revenues ($ in thousands):
 
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
113,625

 
$
112,418

 
$
200,216

 
$
208,553

Cost of sales
 
47,885

 
49,125

 
85,860

 
92,560

Gross profit
 
65,740

 
63,293

 
114,356

 
115,993

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
53,770

 
59,747

 
104,475

 
117,518

Other income
 
46

 
163

 
223

 
430

Operating income (loss)
 
12,016

 
3,709

 
10,104

 
(1,095
)
Interest income, net
 
(259
)
 
(96
)
 
(502
)
 
(135
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
12,275

 
3,805

 
10,606

 
(960
)
Income tax expense
 
2,993

 
1,612

 
2,694

 
896

Net income (loss)
 
$
9,282

 
$
2,193

 
$
7,912

 
$
(1,856
)
Percentage of Net Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Cost of sales
 
42.1
 %
 
43.7
 %
 
42.9
 %
 
44.4
 %
Gross profit
 
57.9
 %
 
56.3
 %
 
57.1
 %
 
55.6
 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
47.3
 %
 
53.1
 %
 
52.2
 %
 
56.3
 %
Other income
 
—
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
0.1
 %
 
0.2
 %
Operating income (loss)
 
10.6
 %
 
3.3
 %
 
5.0
 %
 
(0.5
)%
Interest income, net
 
(0.2
)%
 
(0.1
)%
 
(0.3
)%
 
(0.1
)%
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
10.8
 %
 
3.4
 %
 
5.3
 %
 
(0.5
)%
Income tax expense
 
2.6
 %
 
1.4
 %
 
1.3
 %
 
0.4
 %
Net income (loss)
 
8.2
 %
 
2.0
 %
 
4.0
 %
 
(0.9
)%
The following tables present net revenues and operating income by operating segment, both in dollars and as a percentage of associated net revenues, and store data for the periods indicated ($ in thousands, except as otherwise indicated):
 
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Net Revenues by Segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
91,021

 
$
89,342

 
$
156,553

 
$
158,179

Indirect
 
22,604

 
23,076

 
43,663

 
50,374

Total
 
$
113,625

 
$
112,418

 
$
200,216

 
$
208,553

Percentage of Net Revenues by Segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
80.1
%
 
79.5
%
 
78.2
%
 
75.8
%
Indirect
 
19.9
%
 
20.5
%
 
21.8
%
 
24.2
%
Total
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

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Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Operating Income (Loss) by Segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
22,318

 
$
17,312

 
$
29,608

 
$
24,124

Indirect
 
8,827

 
7,832

 
17,111

 
17,278

Less: Corporate unallocated
 
(19,129
)
 
(21,435
)
 
(36,615
)
 
(42,497
)
Total
 
$
12,016

 
$
3,709

 
$
10,104

 
$
(1,095
)
Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Revenues by Segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
24.5
 %
 
19.4
 %
 
18.9
 %
 
15.3
 %
Indirect
 
39.1
 %
 
33.9
 %
 
39.2
 %
 
34.3
 %
Store Data (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total stores opened during period
 
2

 
—

 
6

 
3

Total stores closed during period
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
(1
)
Total stores open at end of period
 
161

 
161

 
161

 
161

Comparable sales (including e-commerce) decrease (2)
 
(4.9
)%
 
(4.3
)%
 
(6.4
)%
 
(7.8
)%
Total gross square footage at end of period (all stores)
 
387,962

 
376,594

 
387,962

 
376,594

Average net revenues per gross square foot (3)
 
$
185

 
$
172

 
$
306

 
$
293

 
(1)
Includes our full-line and factory outlet stores.
(2)
Comparable sales are calculated based upon our stores that have been open for at least 12 full fiscal months and net revenues from our e-commerce operations. Increase or decrease is reported as a percentage of the comparable sales for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Remodeled stores are included in comparable sales unless the store was closed for a more than one week of the current or comparable prior period, in which case the non-comparable temporary closure periods are not included, or the remodel resulted in a significant change in square footage. Fiscal 2019 comparable sales do not adjust for the shift in weeks during the current-year period associated with the 53rd week in fiscal 2018.
(3)
Dollars not in thousands. Average net revenues per gross square foot are calculated by dividing total net revenues for our stores that have been open at least 12 full fiscal months as of the end of the period by total gross square footage for those stores. Remodeled stores are included in average net revenues per gross square foot unless the store was closed for a portion of the period.

Payment Card Incident
Description of Event
On September 15, 2016, we received information from law enforcement regarding a potential data security issue related to our retail store network. Findings from the investigation showed unauthorized access to our payment processing system and the installation of a program that looked for payment card data. The program was specifically designed to find track data in the magnetic stripe of a payment card that may contain the card number, cardholder name, expiration date, and internal verification code as the data was being routed through the affected payment system. There is no indication that other customer information was at risk. Payment cards used at Vera Bradley store locations between July 25, 2016 and September 23, 2016 may have been affected. Not all cards used in stores during this time frame were affected. Cards used on verabradley.com were not affected.
We have timely resolved this incident and continue to work with a computer security firm to further strengthen the security of our system to help prevent events of this nature from happening in the future. We promptly notified the payment card networks so that the banks that issue payment cards could initiate heightened monitoring on the affected cards. Claims have been received from payment card networks for this incident and are expected to be covered by our insurance, as described below. We also received inquiries from the states of New Jersey and Indiana regarding the incident. We continue to be in discussions with Indiana regarding the incident.
Expenses Incurred and Amounts Accrued
During the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, we recorded an immaterial amount of expense relating to remediation activities as a result of the Payment Card Incident. There were no incremental expenses associated with the claims received in fiscal 2019 or fiscal 2018 as they were, or are expected to be, reimbursed under our insurance coverage.

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Table of Contents

Future Costs
We do not believe that the amounts to be paid with respect to any remaining matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results taken as a whole.
Insurance Coverage
We maintain $15.0 million of cyber security insurance coverage above a $0.1 million deductible.
Vision 20/20 Initiatives
During fiscal 2018, we launched our Vision 20/20 strategic plan, which involves a more aggressive approach to turn around our business over the period ending in fiscal 2021. This plan is primarily focused on product and pricing initiatives, as well as SG&A expense reduction initiatives.
The product and pricing initiatives include restoring our full-price business by significantly reducing the amount of clearance merchandise offered on verabradley.com and in our full-line stores; streamlining current product offerings by eliminating unproductive or incongruent categories and SKUs from our assortment; and introducing tighter guardrails around new categories, patterns, and pricing. We expect fiscal 2019 revenues will be negatively impacted by these initiatives by $35.0 million to $45.0 million from fiscal 2018 levels.
The SG&A expense reduction initiatives include right sizing our corporate infrastructure to better align with the size of the business, lowering our marketing spending by focusing on efficiencies while keeping our most loyal customer engaged, and taking a more aggressive stance on reducing store operating costs and closing underperforming full-line stores. We expect to reduce annual SG&A expenses by up to $30.0 million (off of our fiscal 2017 base level and excluding severance, store impairment, and Vision 20/20 charges from all periods). We expect that $21.0 million to $25.0 million of the annualized SG&A expense reductions will be made by the end of fiscal 2019. We are forecasting to close up to 45 full-line stores by the end of fiscal 2021, primarily as leases expire. We have closed 10 full-line stores since fiscal 2018.
The implementation of the plan began in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, with the majority of the product and pricing initiatives being completed in the current fiscal year. The SG&A expense reductions began in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, largely aimed at right sizing our corporate infrastructure. There have been $16.7 million of pre-tax Vision 20/20-related charges ($10.6 million after the associated tax benefit) since inception, all of which were recognized during fiscal 2018. There were no Vision 20/20-related charges during the thirteen or twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018.
There were $2.3 million ($1.5 million after the associated tax benefit) of Vision 20/20-related charges during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017, for strategic consulting expenses recognized within corporate unallocated expenses.
Other Charges Affecting Comparability of the Thirteen and Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 4, 2018, and July 29, 2017
Thirteen Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
Other charges recognized in SG&A expenses during the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2017, totaled $1.5 million (0.9 million after the associated tax benefit). These pre-tax charges consisted of $1.2 million in severance charges (recognized within corporate unallocated expenses) and $0.3 million for a net lease termination charge (recognized within the Direct segment).
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
Other charges recognized in SG&A expenses during the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 totaled $2.8 million ($1.7 million after the associated tax benefit). These pre-tax charges consisted of $2.5 million in severance charges (recognized within corporate unallocated expenses) and $0.3 million for a net lease termination charge (recognized within the Direct segment).
These charges were recognized before the implementation of Vision 20/20.
Tax Act
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act includes, among other things, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property, the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide system to a territorial system with a new provision designed to tax global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings. Any resulting changes to the provisional estimates and amounts not yet estimated will be recognized as an adjustment to tax expense in the reporting period that the amounts are determined. Refer to Note 6 to the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein for additional information regarding the Tax Act.

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Table of Contents

Revenue from Contracts with Customers
We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective adoption method. The adoption of this standard impacted fiscal 2019 beginning retained earnings by $0.5 million. As a result of the adoption of ASC Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method, the financial statements from the prior-year periods are not reported under ASC Topic 606 which affects the comparability of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The primary impacts from the adoption of the standard are that we are no longer reversing sales associated with shipments not yet received by customers, gift card breakage revenue recognition is accelerated, a change in the method of recognizing minimum guaranteed royalties in certain licensing agreements, and the re-classification of certain liabilities for estimated product returns to other accrued liabilities from a contra-asset within accounts receivable, net, in the current-year period. Refer to Note 2 to the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein for additional information, as well as what the reported financial results would have been under prior accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).
Thirteen Weeks Ended August 4, 2018, Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
Net Revenues
For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, net revenues increased $1.2 million, or 1.1%, to $113.6 million, from $112.4 million in the comparable prior-year period. The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period by $1.3 million.
Direct. For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, net revenues in the Direct segment increased $1.7 million, or 1.9%, to $91.0 million, from $89.3 million in the comparable prior-year period. The current-year Direct segment net revenues reflect a shift in certain promotional events from the third quarter in the prior-year to the second quarter in the current-year. This shift resulted in approximately $6.0 million in net revenues in the current-year period. Our non-comparable stores, which included six additional factory outlet stores opened in the current fiscal year, contributed $5.9 million of revenue, which was partially offset by a comparable sales decrease (including the promotional event shift) of $4.3 million, or 4.9%. The decrease in comparable sales includes a 23.1% decrease in e-commerce sales and a 1.7% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable sales (particularly for verabradley.com) were negatively impacted by the planned reduction in clearance activity.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited Direct segment net revenues in the current-year period by $0.5 million primarily due to the timing of shipments to customers.
Indirect. For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, net revenues in the Indirect segment decreased $0.5 million, or 2.0%, to $22.6 million, from $23.1 million in the comparable prior-year period. This change was primarily due to a decline in orders from certain of the Company's key accounts.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited Indirect segment net revenues in the current-year period by $0.8 million primarily due to the timing of shipments to customers as a result of changes in the frequency of product launches compared to the prior-year period.
Gross Profit
For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, gross profit increased $2.4 million, or 3.9%, to $65.7 million, from $63.3 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit increased to 57.9% for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, from 56.3% in the comparable prior-year period. The increase as a percentage of net revenues was primarily due to reduced clearance activity and increased full-price selling on verabradley.com and in our full-line stores, freight and shipping savings, channel mix changes, and a reduction in product costs. The prior-year period included certain reserves taken against slow-moving inventory that did not recur in the current year.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period gross profit by $0.8 million primarily due to the factors described above.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, SG&A expenses decreased $5.9 million, or 10.0%, to $53.8 million, from $59.7 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, SG&A expenses decreased to 47.3% for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, from 53.1% in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in SG&A expenses for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 was primarily due to expenses incurred in the prior-year period that did not recur in the current-year period, including $2.3 million in strategic consulting charges and $1.2 million in severance expenses. In addition, there were approximately $2.0 million in expense reductions due in part to expense management strategies associated with Vision 20/20, including a $0.7 million decrease in depreciation expense and a $0.5 million decrease in employee-related expenses. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased primarily due to the aforementioned expense savings.

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Other Income
For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, other income decreased $0.1 million, or 71.8%, to $0.1 million, from $0.2 million in the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a decrease in participation in the co-op mailer program.
Operating Income
For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, operating income increased $8.3 million, or 224.0%, to $12.0 million in the current-year period, from $3.7 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, operating income was 10.6% and 3.3% for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. Operating income increased due to the factors described above.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period operating income by $0.8 million due to the factors described above.
Direct. For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, operating income in the Direct segment increased $5.0 million, or 28.9%, to $22.3 million from $17.3 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of Direct segment net revenues, operating income in the Direct segment was 24.5% and 19.4% for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. The increase in operating income as a percentage of Direct segment net revenues was primarily due to a reduction of $1.5 million in employee-related expenses, a reduction of $0.4 million in depreciation expense primarily as a result of prior-year store impairment charges, and other expense savings of approximately $1.0 million, due in part to expense management strategies associated with Vision 20/20. In addition, there was an increase in gross margin as a percentage of net revenues, as described above.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period Direct segment operating income by $0.3 million due to the factors described above.
Indirect. For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, operating income in the Indirect segment increased $1.0 million, or 12.7%, to $8.8 million from $7.8 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of Indirect segment net revenues, operating income in the Indirect segment was 39.1% and 33.9% for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. The increase in operating income as a percentage of Indirect segment net revenues was primarily due to an increase in gross margin as a percentage of net revenues and a reduction in employee-related expenses, as described above.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period Indirect segment operating income by $0.5 million due to the factors described above.
Corporate Unallocated. For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, unallocated expenses decreased $2.3 million, or 10.8%, to $19.1 million from $21.4 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in unallocated expenses was primarily due to expenses from the prior-year period that did not recur in the current-year period, including $2.3 million in strategic consulting charges and $1.2 million in severance charges, partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in incentive compensation expense primarily as a result of Company performance.
Income Tax Expense
The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, was 24.4%, compared to 42.4% for the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2017. The year-over year effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to a decreased annual effective tax rate as a result of the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% from 35%.
Net Income
For the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018, net income increased $7.1 million, or 323.3%, to $9.3 million from $2.2 million in the comparable prior-year period. The prior-year period included strategic consulting charges of $2.3 million, severance charges of $1.2 million, and a net lease termination charge of $0.3 million ($2.4 million collectively after the associated tax benefit) that did not recur in the current-year period.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period net income by $0.6 million due to the factors described above.
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 4, 2018, Compared to Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
Net Revenues
For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, net revenues decreased $8.4 million, or 4.0%, to $200.2 million, from $208.6 million in the comparable prior-year period. The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period by $2.9 million.

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Direct. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, net revenues in the Direct segment decreased $1.6 million, or 1.0%, to $156.6 million, from $158.2 million in the comparable prior-year period. The current-year Direct segment net revenues reflect a shift in certain promotional events from the third quarter in the prior-year to the second quarter in the current-year. This shift resulted in approximately $6.0 million in net revenues in the current-year period. Our non-comparable stores contributed $7.7 million of revenue, which included six additional factory outlet stores opened in the current fiscal year, which was more than offset by a comparable sales decrease (including the promotional event shift) of $9.4 million, or 6.4%. The decrease in comparable sales includes a 22.2% decrease in e-commerce sales and a 0.5% decrease in comparable store sales. Comparable sales (particularly for verabradley.com) were negatively impacted by the planned reduction in clearance activity.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited Direct segment net revenues in the current-year period by $0.3 million primarily due to the timing of shipments to customers.
Indirect. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, net revenues in the Indirect segment decreased $6.7 million, or 13.3%, to $43.7 million, from $50.4 million in the comparable prior-year period. This change was primarily due to a decline in orders from the Company's specialty retail accounts and certain key accounts.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited Indirect segment net revenues in the current-year period by $2.6 million primarily due to the timing of shipments to customers as a result of changes in the frequency of product launches compared to the prior-year period.
Gross Profit
For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, gross profit decreased $1.6 million, or 1.4%, to $114.4 million, from $116.0 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit increased to 57.1% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, from 55.6% in the comparable prior-year period. The increase as a percentage of net revenues was primarily due to reduced clearance activity and increased full-price selling on verabradley.com and in our full-line stores, freight and shipping savings, channel mix changes, and a reduction in product costs. The prior-year second quarter included certain reserves taken against slow-moving inventory that did not recur in the current year.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period gross profit by $1.8 million primarily due to the factors described above.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, SG&A expenses decreased $13.0 million, or 11.1%, to $104.5 million, from $117.5 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, SG&A expenses decreased to 52.2% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, from 56.3% in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in SG&A expenses for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 was primarily due to approximately $7.9 million in expense reductions due in part to expense management strategies associated with Vision 20/20, including a $3.2 million decrease in employee-related expenses, a $1.3 million decrease in depreciation expenses, and a $1.2 million decrease in advertising expenses. In addition, expenses incurred in the prior-year period that did not recur in the current-year period provided savings of approximately $4.8 million, of which $2.5 million related to severance expenses and $2.3 million related to strategic consulting charges. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased primarily due to the aforementioned expense savings, partially offset by SG&A expense deleverage associated with lower sales.
Other Income
For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, other income decreased $0.2 million, or 48.1%, to $0.2 million, from $0.4 million in the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to a decrease in participation in the co-op mailer program.
Operating Income (Loss)
For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, operating income (loss) increased $11.2 million, or 1,022.7%, to $10.1 million in the current-year period, from $(1.1) million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, operating income (loss) was 5.0% and (0.5)% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. Operating income (loss) increased due to the factors described above.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period operating income by $1.8 million due to the factors described above.
Direct. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, operating income in the Direct segment increased $5.5 million, or 22.7%, to $29.6 million from $24.1 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of Direct segment net

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revenues, operating income in the Direct segment was 18.9% and 15.3% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. The increase in operating income as a percentage of Direct segment net revenues was due in part to expense management strategies associated with Vision 20/20, including a $2.5 million reduction in employee-related expenses and $2.7 million in other expense savings, which contained a reduction of $0.9 million in depreciation expense primarily as a result of prior-year store impairment charges. In addition, there was an increase in gross margin as a percentage of net revenues. These benefits were partially offset by deleverage of SG&A expenses as a result of lower sales.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period Direct segment operating income by $0.3 million due to the factors described above.
Indirect. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, operating income in the Indirect segment decreased $0.2 million, or 1.0%, to $17.1 million from $17.3 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of Indirect segment net revenues, operating income in the Indirect segment was 39.2% and 34.3% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. The increase in operating income as a percentage of Indirect segment net revenues was primarily due to an increase in gross margin as a percentage of net revenues and a reduction in employee-related expenses, as described above, partially offset by deleverage of SG&A expenses as a result of lower sales.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period Indirect segment operating income by $1.5 million due to the factors described above.
Corporate Unallocated. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, unallocated expenses decreased $5.9 million, or 13.8%, to $36.6 million from $42.5 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in unallocated expenses was primarily due to expenses from the prior-year period that did not recur in the current-year period, including $2.5 million in severance charges and $2.3 million in strategic consulting charges. In addition, there were approximately $2.5 million in expense savings due in part to expense management strategies associated with Vision 20/20, including a $1.1 million reduction in advertising expenses. These savings were partially offset by an increase in incentive compensation expense of approximately $1.1 million primarily as a result of Company performance.
Income Tax Expense
The effective tax rate for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, was 25.4%, compared to (93.3)% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017. The year-over year effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to the relative impact of discrete items in the current-year period compared to the prior-year period, primarily as a result of tax shortfalls from stock-based compensation, and a decreased annual effective tax rate as a result of the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% from 35%.
Net Income (Loss)
For the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, net income (loss) increased $9.8 million, or 526.3%, to $7.9 million from $(1.9) million in the comparable prior-year period. The prior-year period included severance charges of $2.5 million, strategic consulting charges of $2.3 million, and a net lease termination charge of $0.3 million ($3.3 million collectively after the associated tax benefit) that did not recur in the current-year period.
The adoption of ASC 606 benefited the current-year period net income by $1.4 million due to the factors described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand and cash equivalents, investments, and cash flow from operations. We also had access to additional liquidity, if needed, through borrowings under our $125.0 million second amended and restated credit agreement (the “Prior Credit Agreement”) through September 6, 2018. There were no borrowings under this agreement during the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, and there was no debt outstanding as of August 4, 2018. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on September 7, 2018, the Company entered into a $75.0 million asset based revolving credit agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) and at the same time terminated its Prior Credit Agreement. For additional information regarding the New Credit Agreement, refer to Note 14 to the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein. Historically, our primary cash needs have been for merchandise inventories; payroll; store rent; capital expenditures associated with operational equipment, buildings, information technology, and opening new stores; and share repurchases. The most significant components of our working capital are cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, merchandise inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities.

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We believe that cash on hand and cash equivalents, investments, cash flows from operating activities, and the availability of borrowings under our New Credit Agreement or other financing arrangements will be sufficient to meet working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures, share repurchases, and debt payments for the foreseeable future.
Investments
Cash Equivalents. Investments classified as cash equivalents relate to highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase. As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, these investments in our portfolio consisted of commercial paper, municipal securities, and a money market fund.
Short-Term Investments. As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, short-term investments consisted of a certificate of deposit, U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt securities, municipal securities, and commercial paper with a maturity within one year of the balance sheet date. The balance as of August 4, 2018 also included U.S. treasury securities.
Long-Term Investments. As of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018, long-term investments consisted of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt securities and municipal securities with a maturity greater than one year from the balance sheet date. The balance as of February 3, 2018 also included U.S. treasury securities.
Refer to Note 11 “Investments” within Item 1 “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional detail regarding investments.
Cash Flow Analysis
A summary of operating, investing, and financing activities is shown in the following table (in thousands):
 
 
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 
 
August 4,
2018
 
July 29,
2017
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
16,610

 
$
(4,118
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(230
)
 
(12,005
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(4,049
)
 
(3,873
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities consists primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, deferred taxes, and stock-based compensation; the effect of changes in assets and liabilities; and tenant-improvement allowances received from landlords under our store leases.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, was $16.6 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $(4.1) million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily a result of an increase in net income of $9.8 million, as well as the change in accounts payable, income taxes, and inventories, partially offset by the change in accounts receivable.
The accounts payable change resulted in a source of cash of $1.5 million in the current-year period as compared to a use of cash of $14.7 million in the comparable prior-year period. In addition, the change in inventories resulted in a source of cash of $1.3 million as compared to a use of cash of $1.8 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in cash used for accounts payable and inventories was primarily due to a reduction in inventory purchases, as well as timing of inventory purchases. The change in income taxes resulted in a source of cash of $1.9 million as compared to a use of cash of $2.0 million in the comparable prior-year period, which was primarily due to the increase in income before income taxes in the current-year period and the timing of income tax payments. These increases in operating cash were partially offset by the change in accounts receivable which resulted in a use of cash of $9.5 million as compared to a source of cash of $3.6 million in the comparable prior-year period, primarily as a result of the timing of product launches and a lower amount of tenant-improvement allowances received from landlords under our store leases.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Investing activities consist primarily of short-term and long-term investments and capital expenditures related to new store openings, buildings, operational equipment, and information technology investments.
Net cash used in investing activities was $0.2 million and $12.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily a result of net investment activity in the current-year period compared to the comparable prior-year period.

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Capital expenditures for fiscal 2019 are expected to be approximately $10.0 million.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $4.0 million and $3.9 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily due an increase in cash purchases of our common stock under the 2015 Share Repurchase Plan.
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the New Credit Agreement
On July 15, 2015, Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. (“VBD”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among VBD, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent; and KeyBank National Association, as documentation agent (the “Prior Credit Agreement”). The Prior Credit Agreement provided for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed $125.0 million, the proceeds of which could be used for general corporate purposes of VBD and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to Vera Bradley International, LLC and Vera Bradley Sales, LLC (collectively, the “Named Subsidiaries”).
Amounts outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement bore interest, at VBD's option, at a per annum rate equal to either (A) the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) plus the Applicable Margin, where the ABR was the highest of (i) the prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) Adjusted LIBOR for a one-month interest period plus 1%, and the Applicable Margin is a percentage ranging from 0.00% to 0.70% depending upon the Company's leverage ratio or (B) Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin, where Adjusted LIBOR meant LIBOR, as adjusted for statutory reserve requirements for eurocurrency liabilities, and Applicable Margin is a percentage ranging from 1.00% to 1.70% depending upon the Company's leverage ratio. Any loans made, or letters of credit issued, pursuant to the Prior Credit Agreement was to mature on July 15, 2020. As of August 4, 2018, the Company had no borrowings outstanding and availability of $125.0 million under the agreement.
VBD's obligations under the Prior Credit Agreement were guaranteed by the Company and the Named Subsidiaries. The obligations of VBD under the Prior Credit Agreement were secured by first priority security interests in all of the respective assets of VBD, the Company, and the Named Subsidiaries and a pledge of the equity interests of VBD and the Named Subsidiaries.
The Prior Credit Agreement, as amended, contained various restrictive covenants, including restrictions on the Company's ability to dispose of assets, make acquisitions or investments, incur debt or liens, make distributions to stockholders or repurchase outstanding stock, enter into related party transactions and make capital expenditures, other than upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Prior Credit Agreement. The Company was also required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants, including maintaining a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum ratio of EBITDAR to the sum of interest expense plus rentals (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement), and a limit on capital expenditures. Upon an event of default, which included certain customary events such as, among other things, a failure to make required payments when due, a failure to comply with covenants, certain bankruptcy and insolvency events, a material adverse change (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement), defaults under other material indebtedness, and a change in control, the lenders could accelerate amounts outstanding, terminate the agreement and foreclose on all collateral. On October 20, 2017, VBD entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Amendment”) to the Prior Credit Agreement. The Amendment modified the ratio requirements of certain financial covenants in the Prior Credit Agreement including the maximum leverage ratio and the minimum ratio of EBITDAR to the sum of interest expense plus rentals (as defined in the Prior Credit Agreement). The Amendment also modified certain restrictive covenants including the acquisition of investments and the limit of investments in foreign subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of August 4, 2018.
On September 7, 2018, VBD, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an asset based revolving Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) among VBD, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. The New Credit Agreement provides for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed the lesser of $75.0 million or the amount of borrowing availability determined in accordance with a borrowing base of certain assets. The proceeds of the credit facilities will be used to finance general corporate purposes of VBD and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to Vera Bradley International, LLC and Vera Bradley Sales, LLC (collectively, the “Named Subsidiaries”). The New Credit Agreement also contains an option for VBD to arrange with lenders to increase the aggregate principal amount by up to $25.0 million.
Amounts outstanding under the New Credit Agreement bear interest at a per annum rate equal to either (i) for CBFR borrowings (including swingline loans), the CB Floating Rate, where the CB Floating Rate is the prime rate which shall never be less than the adjusted one month LIBOR rate on such day, plus the Applicable Rate, where the Applicable Rate is a percentage spread ranging from -1.00% to -1.50% or (ii) for each eurodollar borrowing, the Adjusted LIBO Rate, where the Adjusted LIBO Rate is the LIBO rate for such interest period multiplied by the statutory reserve rate, for the interest period in

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effect for such borrowing, plus the Applicable Rate, where the Applicable Rate is a percentage ranging from 1.00% to 1.30%. The applicable CB Floating Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate, or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the administrative agent. The New Credit Agreement also requires VBD to pay a commitment fee for the unused portion of the revolving facility of up to 0.20% per annum.
VBD’s obligations under the New Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and the Named Subsidiaries. The obligations of VBD under the New Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the respective assets of VBD, the Company, and the Named Subsidiaries and are further secured by the equity interests in VBD and the Named Subsidiaries.
The New Credit Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants, including restrictions on the Company's ability to incur debt or liens; engage in mergers or consolidations; make certain investments, acquisitions, loans, and advances; sell assets; enter into certain swap agreements; pay dividends or make distributions or make other restricted payments; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and amend, modify, or waive any of its rights related to subordinated indebtedness and certain charter and other organizational, governing, and material agreements. The Company may avoid certain of such restrictions by meeting payment conditions defined in the New Credit Agreement.
The New Credit Agreement also requires the Loan Parties to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 during periods when borrowing availability is less than the greater of (A) $7.5 million, and (B) 10% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate revolving commitment, and (ii) the borrowing base. The fixed charge coverage ratio, availability, aggregate revolving commitment, and the borrowing base are further defined in the New Credit Agreement.
The New Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among other things: (i) the failure to pay any principal, interest, or other fees under the New Credit Agreement; (ii) the making of any materially incorrect representation or warranty; (iii) the failure to observe or perform any covenant, condition, or agreement in the New Credit Agreement or related agreements; (iv) a cross default with respect to other material indebtedness; (v) bankruptcy and insolvency events; (vi) unsatisfied material final judgments; (vii) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) events that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect; and (viii) a change in control (as defined in the New Credit Agreement).
Any commitments made under the New Credit Agreement mature on September 7, 2023.
On September 7, 2018, concurrently with entering into the New Credit Agreement, the Prior Credit Agreement dated as of July 15, 2015, among VBD, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent; and KeyBank National Association, as documentation agent was terminated. The Prior Credit Agreement provided for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed $125.0 million.
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance-sheet financing or unconsolidated special-purpose entities.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018. In addition to these policies, refer to Note 1 “Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation” and Note 2 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” within Item 1 “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of the Company's revenue accounting policy under the recently adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606.
Certain accounting policies and estimates of the Company are considered critical, as these policies and estimates are the most important to the depiction of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and require significant, difficult, or complex judgments, often about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Such policies are summarized in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018. With the exception of revenue recognition, there were no significant changes to any of the critical accounting policies and estimates described in the Annual Report as of August 4, 2018.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 “Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation” within Item 1 “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As of August 4, 2018, there was no material change in the market risks described in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Disclosure Committee and management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of August 4, 2018.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
There has been no material change to our risk factors as previously set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On December 8, 2015, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase program (the “2015 Share Repurchase Program”) authorizing up to $50.0 million of repurchases of shares of the Company's common stock. The initial term of the 2015 Share Repurchase Program expired on December 31, 2017. On November 30, 2017, the Company’s board of directors authorized the Company to extend the 2015 Share Repurchase Program during an open window period until December 31, 2018.
The Company purchased 252,201 shares at an average price of $14.24 per share, excluding commissions, for an aggregate amount of $3.6 million during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2018, under the 2015 Share Repurchase Program.
Details regarding the activity under the program during the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2018 are as follows:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Program
May 6, 2018 - June 2, 2018
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
$
13,422,471

June 3, 2018 - July 7, 2018
202,500

 
14.43

 
202,500

 
10,501,306

July 8, 2018 - August 4, 2018
49,701

 
13.50

 
49,701

 
9,830,549

 
252,201

 
$
14.24

 
252,201

 
 




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ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
The following is intended to satisfy the Company’s Form 8-K disclosure requirements under Items 1.01, 1.02, and 2.03 by making timely disclosure under Item 5(a) of this Form 10-Q.
On September 7, 2018, Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. (“VBD”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vera Bradley, Inc. (the “Company”), entered into an asset based revolving Credit Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) among VBD, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. The New Credit Agreement provides for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed the lesser of $75.0 million or the amount of borrowing availability determined in accordance with a borrowing base of certain assets. The proceeds of the credit facilities will be used to finance general corporate purposes of VBD and its subsidiaries, including but not limited to Vera Bradley International, LLC and Vera Bradley Sales, LLC (collectively, the “Named Subsidiaries”). The New Credit Agreement also contains an option for VBD to arrange with lenders to increase the aggregate principal amount by up to $25.0 million.
Amounts outstanding under the New Credit Agreement bear interest at a per annum rate equal to either (i) for CBFR borrowings (including swingline loans), the CB Floating Rate, where the CB Floating Rate is the prime rate which shall never be less than the adjusted one month LIBOR rate on such day, plus the Applicable Rate, where the Applicable Rate is a percentage spread ranging from -1.00% to -1.50% or (ii) for each eurodollar borrowing, the Adjusted LIBO Rate, where the Adjusted LIBO Rate is the LIBO rate for such interest period multiplied by the statutory reserve rate, for the interest period in effect for such borrowing, plus the Applicable Rate, where the Applicable Rate is a percentage ranging from 1.00% to 1.30%. The applicable CB Floating Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate, or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the administrative agent. The New Credit Agreement also requires VBD to pay a commitment fee for the unused portion of the revolving facility of up to 0.20% per annum.
VBD’s obligations under the New Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and the Named Subsidiaries. The obligations of VBD under the New Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the respective assets of VBD, the Company, and the Named Subsidiaries and are further secured by the equity interests in VBD and the Named Subsidiaries.
The New Credit Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants, including restrictions on the Company's ability to incur debt or liens; engage in mergers or consolidations; make certain investments, acquisitions, loans, and advances; sell assets; enter into certain swap agreements; pay dividends or make distributions or make other restricted payments; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and amend, modify, or waive any of its rights related to subordinated indebtedness and certain charter and other organizational, governing, and material agreements. The Company may avoid certain of such restrictions by meeting payment conditions defined in the New Credit Agreement.
The New Credit Agreement also requires the Loan Parties to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 during periods when borrowing availability is less than the greater of (A) $7.5 million, and (B) 10% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate revolving commitment, and (ii) the borrowing base. The fixed charge coverage ratio, availability, aggregate revolving commitment, and the borrowing base are further defined in the New Credit Agreement.
The New Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among other things: (i) the failure to pay any principal, interest, or other fees under the New Credit Agreement; (ii) the making of any materially incorrect representation or warranty; (iii) the failure to observe or perform any covenant, condition, or agreement in the New Credit Agreement or related agreements; (iv) a cross default with respect to other material indebtedness; (v) bankruptcy and insolvency events; (vi) unsatisfied material final judgments; (vii) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) events that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect; and (viii) a change in control (as defined in the New Credit Agreement).
Any commitments made under the New Credit Agreement mature on September 7, 2023.
On September 7, 2018, concurrently with entering into the New Credit Agreement, the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Prior Credit Agreement”) dated as of July 15, 2015, among VBD, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent; and KeyBank National Association, as documentation agent was terminated. The Prior Credit Agreement provided for certain credit facilities to VBD in an aggregate principal amount not to initially exceed $125.0 million.
The foregoing description of the New Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the New Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

38
Table of Contents

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS
a. Exhibits
 
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101
 
The following materials from Vera Bradley, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 4, 2018 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Thirteen and Twenty-Six Weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Thirteen and Twenty-Six Weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 4, 2018 and February 3, 2018; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Twenty-Six Weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. **
 
 
 
 
*
Furnished, not filed.
 
 
 
 
**
Pursuant to Rule 406T of SEC Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files included as Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these Sections.


39
Table of Contents

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Vera Bradley, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: September 12, 2018
 
/s/ John Enwright
 
 
John Enwright
 
 
Chief Financial Officer


40
Exhibit


Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version



https://cdn.kscope.io/e3c725c7613fb7b6f72ca29e5cd98f49-jpmorganfinalcreditag_image1.gif


CREDIT AGREEMENT


dated as of


September 7, 2018


among


VERA BRADLEY DESIGNS, INC.,


The Lenders Party Hereto,


and


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

___________________________

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger




ASSET BASED LENDING






TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
ARTICLE I - Definitions
5
SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms
5
SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings.
35
SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally.
36
SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP
36
SECTION 1.05. Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions
37
SECTION 1.06. Status of Obligations
37
ARTICLE II - The Credits
37
SECTION 2.01. Commitments
37
SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings
37
SECTION 2.03. Requests for Revolving Borrowings
38
SECTION 2.04. Protective Advances.
39
SECTION 2.05. Swingline Loans and Overadvances.
39
SECTION 2.06. Letters of Credit
40
SECTION 2.07. Funding of Borrowings.
45
SECTION 2.08. Interest Elections.
46
SECTION 2.09. Termination of Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments
47
SECTION 2.10. Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt.
48
SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans
49
SECTION 2.12. Fees.
50
SECTION 2.13. Interest
51
SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest; Illegality.
52
SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs.
53
SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments.
54
SECTION 2.17. Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up.
55
SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs
58
SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
60
SECTION 2.20. Defaulting Lenders.
61
SECTION 2.21. Returned Payments
63
SECTION 2.22. Banking Services and Swap Agreements
63
ARTICLE III - Representations and Warranties
63
SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers
63
SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability
63
SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.
64
SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change
64
SECTION 3.05. Properties
64
SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters.
64
SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default.
65
SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status.
65
SECTION 3.09. Taxes.
65
SECTION 3.10. ERISA
65
SECTION 3.11. Disclosure.
65




SECTION 3.12. Material Agreements
66
SECTION 3.13. Solvency.
66
SECTION 3.14. Insurance.
66
SECTION 3.15. Capitalization and Subsidiaries.
66
SECTION 3.16. Security Interest in Collateral
66
SECTION 3.17. Employment Matters
67
SECTION 3.18. Margin Regulations
67
SECTION 3.19. Use of Proceeds
67
SECTION 3.20. No Burdensome Restrictions
67
SECTION 3.21. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions
67
SECTION 3.24. EEA Financial Institutions
67
ARTICLE IV - Conditions
68
SECTION 4.01. Effective Date
68
SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event.
71
ARTICLE V - Affirmative Covenants
72
SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information
72
SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events.
76
SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business
77
SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations.
77
SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties
77
SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights
77
SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations.
78
SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds.
78
SECTION 5.09. Accuracy of Information.
78
SECTION 5.10. Insurance.
78
SECTION 5.11. Casualty and Condemnation
79
SECTION 5.12. Appraisals
79
SECTION 5.13. Depository Banks
79
SECTION 5.14. Additional Collateral; Further Assurances
79
ARTICLE VI - Negative Covenants
80
SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness.
80
SECTION 6.02. Liens.
81
SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes.
82
SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions
83
SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales
84
SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions
84
SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements
85
SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.
85
SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates.
85
SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements.
86
SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Material Documents
86
SECTION 6.13. Financial Covenants
86
ARTICLE VII - Events of Default
86
ARTICLE VIII - The Administrative Agent
89
SECTION 8.01. Authorization and Action
89
SECTION 8.04. Reliance
93




SECTION 8.05. Successor Administrative Agent
93
SECTION 8.07. Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Bank
94
SECTION 8.08. Collateral Matters
95
SECTION 8.09. Certain ERISA Matters
97
SECTION 8.10. Flood Laws
99
ARTICLE IX - Miscellaneous
99
SECTION 9.01. Notices
99
SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments.
100
SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
102
SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns
104
SECTION 9.05. Survival
107
SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.
108
SECTION 9.07. Severability
108
SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff.
108
SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
109
SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
109
SECTION 9.11. Headings.
110
SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality.
110
SECTION 9.13. Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law
111
SECTION 9.14. USA PATRIOT Act.
111
SECTION 9.15. Disclosure
111
SECTION 9.16. Appointment for Perfection
111
SECTION 9.17. Interest Rate Limitation
111
SECTION 9.18. Marketing Consent
111
SECTION 9.19. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions
112
SECTION 9.20. No Fiduciary Duty, etc
112
ARTICLE X - Loan Guaranty
113
SECTION 10.01. Guaranty.
113
SECTION 10.02. Guaranty of Payment
113
SECTION 10.03. No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty
113
SECTION 10.04. Defenses Waived.
114
SECTION 10.05. Rights of Subrogation
114
SECTION 10.06. Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration.
114
SECTION 10.07. Information
115
SECTION 10.08. Termination
115
SECTION 10.09. Taxes.
115
SECTION 10.10. Maximum Liability
115
SECTION 10.11. Contribution
115
SECTION 10.12. Liability Cumulative
116
SECTION 10.13. Keepwell
116
ARTICLE XI - The Borrower Representative
117
SECTION 11.01. Appointment; Nature of Relationship
117
SECTION 11.02. Powers
117
SECTION 11.03. Employment of Agents
117
SECTION 11.04. Notices
117
SECTION 11.05. Successor Borrower Representative
117




SECTION 11.06. Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate
117
SECTION 11.07. Reporting
117


SCHEDULES:
Commitment Schedule
Schedule 3.05 -- Properties
Schedule 3.06 -- Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.12 -- Material Agreements
Schedule 3.14 -- Insurance
Schedule 3.15 - Capitalization and Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.22 - Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 6.01 -- Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 -- Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04(a) -- Permitted Investments
Schedule 6.04(b) -- Existing Investments
Schedule 6.10 -- Existing Restrictions







EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A -- Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B -- Form of Opinion of Loan Parties’ Counsel
Exhibit C -- Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit D -- Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E -- Joinder Agreement
Exhibit F-1 -- U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-2 -- U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-3 -- U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-4 -- U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

    





CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of September 7, 2018 (as it may be amended or modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) among VERA BRADLEY DESIGNS, INC., and any other Borrower party hereto from time to time, as Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party hereto, the Lenders party hereto, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative 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:

“Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement, provided that Accounts shall not include Credit Card Accounts.

“Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account or Credit Card Account.

“Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Effective Date, by which any Loan Party (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person.

“Additional Reporting Period” means the period beginning on the date that Availability is less than the greater of (i) $10,000,000, and (ii) 12.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment, and ending on the date that Availability has been greater than the foregoing threshold for 60 consecutive days.

“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

“Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate” means, for any day, an interest rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) 2.50% plus (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month interest period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day; provided further, that, if the LIBO Screen Rate at such time shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“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 specified Person.

“Aggregate Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Revolving Commitments of all




of the Lenders, as increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment is $75,000,000.

“Aggregate Revolving Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010, as amended and all other laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption in any jurisdiction in which any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is located or is doing business, and any Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means the applicable laws or regulations in any jurisdiction in which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is located or is doing business that relates to money laundering, any predicate crime to money laundering, or any financial record keeping and reporting requirements related thereto.

“Applicable Parties” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(c).

“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure, Overadvances, or Swingline Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender's Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving Commitment provided that, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at the time of such termination or expiration, (b) [Reserved] and (c) with respect to Protective Advances or with respect to the Aggregate Revolving Exposure, a percentage based upon its share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and the unused Commitments; provided that, in accordance with Section 2.20, so long as any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculations under clauses (a) and (c) above.
    
“Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Revolver CBFR Spread”, “Revolver Eurodollar Spread”, or “Commitment Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Average Quarterly Availability during the most recently ended calendar quarter; provided that the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rates per annum set forth below in Category 1 during the period from the Effective Date to, and including, the last day of the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2018:





Average Quarterly Availability
Revolver
Eurodollar
 Spread
Revolver
CBFR Spread
Commitment Fee Rate
Category 1
 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment
1.00%
-1.50%
0.10%
Category 2
≤ 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment but
 25% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment
1.15%
-1.25%
0.15%
Category 3
≤ 25% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment
1.30%
-1.00%
0.20%

For purposes of the foregoing, each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in Average Quarterly Availability shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the first day of each calendar quarter and ending on the last day of such calendar quarter, it being understood and agreed that, for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate on the first day of any calendar quarter, the Average Quarterly Availability during the most recently ended calendar quarter shall be used. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Average Quarterly Availability shall be deemed to be in Category 3 (A) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (B) at the option of the Administrative Agent or at the request of the Required Lenders if the Borrowers fail to deliver any Borrowing Base Certificate or related information required to be delivered by them pursuant to Section 5.01, during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until five days after each such Borrowing Base Certificate and related information is so delivered.
        
“Approved Electronic Platform” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(a).

“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.

“Arranger” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as sole bookrunner and sole lead
arranger hereunder.

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Availability” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base minus (b) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings).

“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 Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment minus the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings).





“Average Quarterly Availability” means, for any calendar quarter, an amount equal to the average daily Availability during such calendar quarter, as determined by the Administrative Agent’s system of records; provided, that in order to determine Availability on any day for purposes of this definition, Borrower’s Borrowing Base for such day shall be determined by reference to the most recent each Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01 as of such day.

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” means, 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 for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
 
“Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services, and interstate depository network services).

“Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

“Banking Services Reserves” means all Reserves which the Administrative Agent from time to time establishes in its Permitted Discretion for Banking Services then provided or outstanding.

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and
hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

“Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, when such Person becomes the subject of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, 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 or has had any order for relief in such proceeding entered in respect thereof, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, unless such ownership interest results in or provides such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the U.S. or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permits such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality), to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations 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”.

“Borrower” or “Borrowers” means, individually or collectively, the Company, the Company’s Domestic




Subsidiaries, and any other Borrower party hereto from time to time.

“Borrower Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.01.

“Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) [Reserved], (c) a Swingline Loan, (d) a Protective Advance, and (e) an Overadvance.

“Borrowing Base” means, at any time, the sum of (a) 85% of the Borrowers’ Eligible Accounts (other than Specified Eligible Accounts) at such time, plus (b) 90% of the Borrowers’ Specified Eligible Accounts at such time, plus (c) the product of the Designated Seasonal Percentage at such time, multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the Borrowers’ Eligible Inventory, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis, minus (c) Reserves. The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, reduce the advance rates set forth above, adjust Reserves or reduce one or more of the other elements used in computing the Borrowing Base.

“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative, in substantially the form of Exhibit C or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower Representative for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

“Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.10.

“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, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in London.

“Capital Expenditures” means, without duplication, any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, excluding (a) expenditures of insurance proceeds to rebuild or replace any asset after a casualty loss and (b) leasehold improvement expenditures for which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is reimbursed promptly by the lessor.

“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 or financing leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“CB Floating Rate” means the Prime Rate; provided that the CB Floating Rate shall never be less than the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day). Any change in the CB Floating Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate, respectively.

“CBFR”, when used in reference to: (a) a rate of interest, refers to the CB Floating Rate, and (b) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the CB Floating Rate.





“Change in Control” means (a) Holdings shall cease to own, free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances, at least 100% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of the Company on a fully diluted basis; (b) occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were not (i) directors of the Company on the date of this Agreement, nominated, appointed or approved for consideration by shareholders for election by the board of directors of the Company (ii) approved by the board of directors of the Company as director candidates prior to their election, nor (iii) appointed by directors so nominated, appointed or approved; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group other than Holdings; (d) the Company shall cease to own, free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances), at least 100% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of the other Borrowers on a fully diluted basis; (e) 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 SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than Barbara Baekgaard, Patricia Miller, Jill Nichols, Michael Ray and Kim Colby and their respective heirs and descendants and any trust established for the benefit of such, of Equity Interests representing more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings; (f) occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Holdings by Persons who were not (i) directors of Holdings on the date of this Agreement, nominated, appointed or approved for consideration by shareholders for election by the board of directors of Holdings, (ii) approved by the board of directors of Holdings as director candidates prior to their election, nor (iii) appointed by directors so nominated, appointed or approved; or (g) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of Holdings by any Person or group other than Barbara Baekgaard, Patricia Miller, Jill Nichols, Michael Ray and Kim Colby and their respective heirs and descendants and any trust established for the benefit of such.

            “Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) of any of the following: (a) the adoption of or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company, if any) with any request, guideline, requirement 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, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements 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 or foreign 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, issued or implemented.

“Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans Protective Advances, or Overadvances.
    
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Collateral” means any and all property owned, leased or operated by a Person covered by the Collateral Documents and any and all other property of any Loan Party, now existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be, become or be intended to be, subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lenders and other Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations.

“Collateral Access Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement and any other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, all other security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney,




consents, assignments, contracts, fee letters, notices, leases, financing statements and all other written matter whether theretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party and delivered to the Administrative Agent.

“Collection Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the sum of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, together with the commitment of such Lender to acquire participations in Protective Advances hereunder. The initial amount of each Lender's Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation or record (as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(70) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code) as provided in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(C), pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.

“Commitment Schedule” means the Schedule attached hereto identified as such.

“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.03(c).
“Company” means Vera Bradley Designs, Inc., an Indiana corporation.

“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

“Control Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Credit Card Accounts” means any “payment intangibles,” as defined in the UCC, receivables or other rights to payment of a monetary obligation due to any Loan Party from a credit card issuer or a credit card processor in connection with purchases of Inventory of such Loan Party in the ordinary course of business on (a) credit cards issued by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, each of their respective Affiliates, and any other credit card issuers that are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (b) private label credit cards of any Loan Party that are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and issued under non-recourse arrangements that are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent or (c) debit cards issued by issuers or providers that are acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case, which have been earned by performance by such Loan Party but not yet paid to such Loan Party by such credit card issuer or credit card processor.

“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), on the other hand relating to any Credit Card Account included or intended to be included in the Borrowing Base.

“Credit Card Notifications” means each Credit Card Notification, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative 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 Party” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.
    
“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.

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or




Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) has not been satisfied; (b) has notified any Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement, to the effect that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of (i) a Bankruptcy Event or (ii) a Bail-In Action.
    
“Designated Seasonal Percentage” means, for October of each year through January of the succeeding year, 92.5%, and at all other times 90%.

“Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits, proceedings and environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.

“Document” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the U.S.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the U.S.

“EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) Interest Expense for such period, (ii) income tax expense for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense for such period, (iv) any non-cash charges for such period (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in Net Income in a prior period and any non-cash charge that relates to the write-down or write-off of Inventory or Accounts, but including any non-cash non-recurring write-down or write-off of leasehold improvements in connection with retail store closings), and (v) cash restructuring charges for such period, provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (v) for any period shall not constitute more than 15% of EBITDA (without giving effect to this clause (v)) for such period, minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in Net Income, (i) any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges described in clause (a)(v) taken in a prior period and (ii) any extraordinary gains and any non-cash items of income for such period, all calculated for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public




administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
 
“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

“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.
“Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, web portal access for such Borrower and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
“Eligible Accounts” means, at any time, the Accounts of a Borrower which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion are eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit. Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Accounts shall not include any Account of a Borrower:

(a)    which is not subject to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c)    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;

(d)    which is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than 50% of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible hereunder;

(e)    which is owing by an Account Debtor to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to all Borrowers exceeds 25% of the aggregate amount of Eligible Accounts of all Borrowers;

(f)    with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement 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 satisfactory to the Administrative Agent which has been sent to the Account Debtor, (iii) represents a progress billing, (iv) is contingent upon such Borrower’s completion of any further performance, (v) 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 (vi) 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 such Borrower or if such Account was invoiced more than once;

(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 has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of its assets, (ii) had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any




request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws, (iv) admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business;

(k)    which is owed by any Account Debtor which has sold all or substantially all of its assets;

(l)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the U.S. (including any territory thereof) or Canada or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of the U.S., any state of the U.S., or the District of Columbia, Canada, or any province of Canada unless, in any such case, such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent;

(m)    which is owed in any currency other than U.S. dollars;

(n)    which is owed by (i) any government (or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof) of any country other than the U.S. unless such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent, or (ii) any government of the U.S., or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless 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.), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction;

(o)    which is owed by any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any employee, officer, director, agent or stockholder 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, but only to the extent of such indebtedness, or is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor, in each case to the extent thereof;

(q)    which is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute but only to the extent of any such counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute;

(r)    which is evidenced by any promissory note, chattel paper or instrument;

(s)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which is a Sanctioned Person;

(t)    with respect to which such Borrower 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 such Borrower 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 without limitation 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 such Borrower has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than such Borrower as payee or remittance party;

(w)    which was created on cash on delivery terms; or





(x)    which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion may not be paid by reason of the Account Debtor’s inability to pay or which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines in its Permitted Discretion is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever.

In determining the amount of an Eligible Account of a Borrower, the face amount of an Account may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) 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 such Borrower 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 such Borrower to reduce the amount of such Account.

“Eligible Credit Card Accounts” means, at any time, the Credit Card Accounts of the Borrowers which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion are eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans, and the issuance of Letters of Credit. Without limiting Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, to qualify as an Eligible Credit Card Account, such Credit Card Account shall indicate no Person other than the applicable Borrower as payee or remittance party. In determining the amount to be so included, the face amount of a Credit Card Account shall be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount or reflected in a Reserve, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual fees and charges due to the credit card issuer or credit card processor by any Borrower or Subsidiary, discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that a Borrower may be obligated to rebate to a customer, a credit card issuer or credit card processor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding), and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Credit Card Account but not yet applied by the Borrowers to reduce the amount of such Credit Card Account. Additionally, without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Credit Card Accounts shall not include any Credit Card Account:

(a) which is not earned or does not represent the bona fide amount due to a Borrower from a credit card processor or a credit card issuer that originated in the ordinary course of business of the applicable Borrower;

(b) which is not owned by a Borrower or to which a Borrower does not have good title;

(c) in which the payee of such Credit Card Account is a Person other than a Borrower;

(d) which does not constitute an “Account” (as defined in the UCC) or a “payment intangible” (as defined in the UCC);
    
(e) which has been outstanding for more than five (5) Business Days from the date of sale;
    
(f) with respect to which the applicable credit card issuer, credit card processor or debit card issuer or provider has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, interim receiver, custodian, trustee, monitor, administrator, sequestrator or liquidator of its assets, (ii) has had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, interim receiver, custodian, trustee, monitor, administrator, sequestrator or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it (but only so long as any such involuntary filing has not been stayed or vacated), any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any bankruptcy or other insolvency law, (iv) has admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent or (vi) ceased operation of its business;
    
(g) which is not a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the applicable credit card issuer or credit card processor with respect thereto;
    




(h) which is not subject to a duly perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent;
    
(i) which is subject to any Lien, other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, and (ii) any Permitted Encumbrances contemplated by the applicable processor agreements and for which appropriate Reserves (as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion) have been established;
    
(j) with respect to which (i) the applicable Borrower has failed to comply in all material respects with its obligations under the Credit Card Agreements related thereto, or (ii) (A) any covenant has been breached in any material respect or (B) any representation or warranty is not true in all material respects, in each case to the extent contained in this Agreement, the applicable Security Agreement or in the Credit Card Agreements relating to such Credit Card Account; provided that each such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects to the extent already qualified by a materiality standard;
    
(k) which is subject to risk of set-off, recoupment, non-collection or not being processed due to unpaid and/or accrued credit card processor fee balances, to the extent of the lesser of the balance of the applicable Credit Card Account or the unpaid credit card processor fees;
    
(l) which is evidenced by “chattel paper” or an “instrument” of any kind unless such “chattel paper” or “instrument” is in the possession of the Administrative Agent, and to the extent necessary or appropriate, endorsed to the Administrative Agent;
    
(m) which the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion determines may not be paid by reason of the applicable credit card processor’s, credit card issuer’s or debit card issuer’s or provider’s inability to pay;
        
(n) which represents a deposit or partial payment in connection with the purchase of Inventory of such Borrower;
    
(o) which is not subject to a Credit Card Notification; or
        
(p) which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion may not be paid for any reason or which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines in its Permitted Discretion is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever.

In determining the amount of an Eligible Credit Card Account of a Borrower, the face amount of a Credit Card Account may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) 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 such Borrower 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 Credit Card Account but not yet applied by such Borrower to reduce the amount of such Credit Card Account.

“Eligible Inventory” means, at any time, the Inventory of a Borrower which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion is eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit. Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Inventory of a Borrower shall not include any Inventory:

(a)    which is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;





(c)    which is, in the Administrative Agent’s opinion in its Permitted Discretion after consultation with the Borrowers, slow moving, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used, unfit for sale, not salable at prices approximating at least the cost of such Inventory in the ordinary course of business or unacceptable due to age, type, category and/or quantity;

(d)    with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement has been breached or is not true and which does not conform to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority;

(e)    in which any Person other than such Borrower shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title 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;

(g)    which is not located in the U.S. or is in transit with a common carrier from vendors and suppliers;

(h)    which is located in any location leased by such Borrower unless either of the following is satisfied: (i) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a Reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(i)    which is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) unless either of the following is satisfied: (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require or (ii) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(j)    which is being processed offsite at a third party location or outside processor, or is in-transit to or from such third party location or outside processor;

(k)    which is a discontinued product or component thereof;

(l)    which is the subject of a consignment by such Borrower as consignor;

(m)    which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to such Borrower unless the Administrative Agent 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;

(n)    which is not reflected in a current perpetual inventory report of such Borrower;

(o)    for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

(p)    which has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person; or

(q)    which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines in its Permitted Discretion is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever.





“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to (i) the environment, (ii) preservation or reclamation of natural resources, (iii) the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or (iv) health and safety matters.

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower or Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any 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, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.

“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 a Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or Section 4001(14) of ERISA 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.

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30‑day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, in critical status or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

“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, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to




such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

“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) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes; (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender's assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient's failure to comply with Section 2.17(f); and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

“Extenuating Circumstance” means any period during which the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (i) that due to unforeseen and/or nonrecurring circumstances, it is impractical and/or not feasible to submit or receive a Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request by email or fax or through Electronic System, and (ii) to accept a Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request telephonically.

“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 and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate, provided that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

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

“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of a Borrower.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, at any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA minus Unfinanced Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, all calculated for the period of twelve consecutive fiscal months ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal month, ended on the last day of the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such date).

“Fixed Charges” means, for any period, without duplication, cash Interest Expense, plus scheduled principal payments on Indebtedness actually made, plus expenses for taxes paid in cash, plus Restricted Payments paid in cash, plus Capital Lease Obligation payments, plus cash contributions to any Plan, all calculated for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Flood Laws” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.10.





“Foreign Lender” means (a) if a Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if a Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Funding Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(h).

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the U.S., any other nation or 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.

“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.

“Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.

“Guarantors” means all Loan Guarantors and all non-Loan Parties who have delivered an Obligation Guaranty, and the term “Guarantor” means each or any one of them individually.

“Hazardous Materials” means: (a) any substance, material, or waste that is included within the definitions of "hazardous substances," "hazardous materials," "hazardous waste," "toxic substances," "toxic materials," "toxic waste," or words of similar import in any Environmental Law; (b) those substances listed as hazardous substances by the United States Department of Transportation (or any successor agency) (49 C.F.R. 172.101 and amendments thereto) or by the Environmental Protection Agency (or any successor agency) (40 C.F.R. Part 302 and amendments thereto); and (c) any substance, material, or waste that is petroleum, petroleum-related, or a petroleum by-product, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, flammable, explosive, radioactive, freon gas, radon, or a pesticide, herbicide, or any other agricultural chemical.    

“Holdings” means Vera Bradley, Inc., an Indiana corporation.

“Impacted Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person,




(i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances, (k) obligations under any earn-out (which for all purposes of this Agreement shall be valued at the maximum potential amount payable with respect to such earn-out), (l) any other Off Balance Sheet Liability, and (m) obligations, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all Swap Agreements, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

“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 Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the foregoing clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.

“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

“Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

“Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12.

“Initial Period” means the period from the Effective Date through the date that the first Borrowing is made.

“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower Representative to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08.

“Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP.
    
“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any CBFR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the first day of each calendar month and the Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part (and, in the case of a Eurodollar 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 the Maturity Date, and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Swingline Loan is required to be repaid and the Maturity Date.

“Interest Period” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower Representative 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 and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes 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, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the LIBO Screen Rate) 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 LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time; provided, that if any Interpolated rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person (but excluding any transaction constituting an Acquisition) whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, or (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment but giving effect to any returns or distributions received by such Person with respect thereto.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Issuing Bank” means, individually and collectively, each of JPMCB, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder and any other Revolving Lender from time to time designated by the Borrower Representative as an Issuing Bank, with the consent of such Revolving Lender and the Administrative Agent, and their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such Issuing Bank shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.06 with respect to such Letters of Credit). At any time there is more than one Issuing Bank, all singular references to the Issuing Bank shall mean any Issuing Bank, either Issuing Bank, each Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank that has issued the applicable Letter of Credit, or both (or all) Issuing Banks, as the context may require.

“Issuing Bank Sublimit” means, as of the Effective Date, (i) $10,000,000, in the case of JPMCB and (ii) such amount as shall be designated to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative in writing by an Issuing Bank; provided that any Issuing Bank shall be permitted at any time to increase or reduce its Issuing Bank Sublimit upon providing five (5) days’ prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative.

“Joinder Agreement” means a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit E.

“JPMCB” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association, in its individual capacity, and its successors.

“LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).

“LC Disbursement” means any payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“LC Exposure”     means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrowers. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time.

“Lenders” means the Persons listed on the Commitment Schedule and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.09 or an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise, other than any such Person that ceases to be a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank.





“Letters of Credit” means the letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement, and the term “Letter of Credit” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.

“Letter of Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.06(b).
    
“LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that, if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate, subject to Section 2.14 in the event that the Administrative Agent shall conclude that it shall not be possible to determine such Interpolated Rate (which conclusion shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error). Notwithstanding the above, to the extent that “LIBO Rate” or “Adjusted LIBO Rate” is used in connection with an CBFR Borrowing, such rate shall be determined as modified by the definition of Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate.
“LIBO Screen Rate” means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for Dollars) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on such day and time 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); provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit Agreement, the Collateral Documents, the Loan Guaranty, any Obligation Guaranty, and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates identified in Section 4.01 executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lender and including all other pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notices, letter of credit agreements, letter of credit applications and any agreements between the Borrower Representative and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance by the Issuing Bank of Letters of Credit, and all other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.

“Loan Guarantor” means each Loan Party.

“Loan Guaranty” means Article X of this Agreement and each separate Guarantee, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, delivered by each Loan Guarantor that is a Foreign Subsidiary (which Guarantee shall be governed by the laws of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is located), as it may be amended or modified and in effect from time to time.

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers, Holdings, the Borrowers’ Subsidiaries and any other Person who becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement and their respective successors and assigns, and the term “Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require.





“Loans” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including Swingline Loans, Overadvances, and Protective Advances.

“Long-Term Incentive Program” means the equity incentive program of the Loan Parties which grants employees of the Loan Parties the right to acquire Equity Interests in Holdings and with respect to which no Loan Party has any obligation to repurchase such Equity Interests or any other monetary obligations with respect to such program.

“Margin Stock” means margin stock within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X, as applicable.

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its Obligations, (c) the Collateral, or the Administrative Agent’s Liens (on behalf of itself and other Secured Parties) on the Collateral or the priority of such Liens, or (d) the rights of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents.

“Material Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any agreement or contract to which such Person is a party or is bound, to the extent the termination or a material breach of such agreement or contract could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Loan Party would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

“Maturity Date” means September 7, 2023 or any earlier date on which the Commitments are reduced to zero or otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.

“Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

“Moody's” means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

“Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by Holdings or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any contractual obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.

“Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means, with respect to Inventory of any Person, the orderly liquidation value thereof as determined in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent by an appraiser acceptable to the Administrative Agent, net of all costs of liquidation thereof.

“Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such event including (i) any cash received in respect of any non-cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or




otherwise, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such event, (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), the amount of all payments required to be made as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event and (iii) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) and the amount of any reserves established to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case during the year that such event occurred or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative).
    
“Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(d).

“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” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. 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 as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.

“Obligation Guaranty” means any Guarantee of all or any portion of the Secured Obligations executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by a guarantor who is not a Loan Party.

“Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest, fees and other amounts accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, fees or other amounts are allowed or allowable in whole or in part in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Off-Balance Sheet Liability” of a Person means (a) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (b) any indebtedness, liability or obligation under any so-called “synthetic lease” transaction entered into by such Person, or (c) any indebtedness, liability or obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (other than operating leases).
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than a connection arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or any Loan Document).

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar




Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).

“Overadvance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

“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 its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.

“Paid in Full” or “Payment in Full” means, (i) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans and LC Disbursements, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (ii) the termination, expiration, or cancellation and return of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Administrative Agent of a cash deposit, or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent a backup standby letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to 105% of the LC Exposure as of the date of such payment), (iii) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees, including the applicable Prepayment Fee, if any, (iv) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (v) the termination of all Commitments, and (vi) the termination of the Swap Agreement Obligations and the Banking Services Obligations.

“Payment Condition” shall be deemed to be satisfied in connection with a Restricted Payment, Investment, or Permitted Acquisition if:

(A)
no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, Investment, or Permitted Acquisition;

(B)
immediately after giving effect to and at all times during the 60-day period immediately prior to such Restricted Payment, Investment, or Permitted Acquisition, the Borrowers shall have Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, Investment, or Permitted Acquisition of not less 17.5% of the Revolving Commitment; and

(C)
the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying as to the items described in (A) and (B) above and attaching calculations for item (B).

“Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

“Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).
    
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

“Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by any Loan Party in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:

(a)    such Acquisition is not a hostile or contested acquisition;




(b)    if the Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, and Inventory acquired in connection with such Acquisition are proposed to be included in the determination of the Borrowing Base, the Administrative Agent shall have conducted an audit and field examination of such Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, and Inventory, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(c)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person, such Acquisition is structured so that the acquired Person shall become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Borrower and a Loan Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
(d)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of assets, such Acquisition is structured so that a Borrower or another Loan Party shall acquire such assets;
(e)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of Equity Interests, such Acquisition will not result in any violation of Regulation U;
(f)    if such Acquisition involves a merger or a consolidation involving a Borrower or any other Loan Party, such Borrower or such Loan Party, as applicable, shall be the surviving entity;
(g)    no Loan Party shall, as a result of or in connection with any such Acquisition, assume or incur any direct or contingent liabilities (whether relating to environmental, tax, litigation, or other matters) that could have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h)    in connection with such Acquisition, all Liens on property of such Person or assets shall be terminated unless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in their sole discretion consent otherwise;
(i)    the Payment Condition shall be satisfied;
(j)    all actions required to be taken with respect to any newly acquired or formed Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Borrower or a Loan Party, as applicable, required under Section 5.14 shall have been taken; and
(k)    the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent the final executed documentation relating to such Acquisition within 30 days following the consummation thereof.
“Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment.

“Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a)    Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b)    carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, repairmen'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 thirty (30) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(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 (k) of Article VII; and

(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 any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness, except with respect to clause (e) above.

“Permitted Investments” means Investments permitted pursuant to the Investment Policy attached hereto as Schedule 6.04(a), as such policy may be amended from time to time so long as such amended policy is not substantially different from the policy attached hereto, provided that any such amendment made after the Initial Period shall require the approval of the Administrative Agent, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

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

“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (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 any Borrower 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.

“Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.
    
“Prepayment Event” means:

(a)    any sale, transfer or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property or asset of any Loan Party, other than dispositions described in Section 6.05(a) and sales, transfers and dispositions of Permitted Investments; or

(b)    any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Loan Party; or

(c)    the issuance by the Company of any Equity Interests, or the receipt by Holdings or the Company of any capital contribution, other than any issuance by the Company of common Equity Interests to, or receipt of any such capital contribution from, Holdings; or

(d)    the incurrence by any Loan Party of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01.

“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 Federal Reserve 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 Federal Reserve 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.

“Projections” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(f).

“Protective Advance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.

“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.

“Public-Sider” means a Lender whose representatives may trade in securities of Holdings or its Controlling




Person or any of its Subsidiaries while in possession of the financial statements provided by the Company under the terms of this Agreement.

“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Loan Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“Recipient” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

“Refinance Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(f).

“Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, partners, members, trustees, employees, agents, administrators, managers, representatives and advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.

“Release” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing or dumping of any Hazardous Materials into the environment.

“Report” means reports prepared by the Administrative Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the assets of the Loan Parties from information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers, after the Administrative Agent has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement, which Reports may be distributed to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent.

“Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.20, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposure and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and unused Commitments at such time; provided that, as long as there are two or more Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders, Required Lenders shall require at least two Lenders. For purposes of this definition, all Lenders that are Affiliates of one another shall be considered one Lender.
    
“Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law (including common law), treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
“Reserves” means any and all reserves which the Administrative Agent deems necessary, in its Permitted




Discretion, to maintain (including, without limitation, reserves for accrued and unpaid interest on the Secured Obligations, Banking Services Reserves, 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 and Credit Card Accounts, reserves for Inventory shrinkage, reserves for customs charges and shipping charges related to any Inventory in transit, reserves for Swap Agreement Obligations, reserves for contingent liabilities of any Loan Party, 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.

“Responsible Officer” means the president, Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower.

“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 Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests. For the avoidance of doubt, “Restricted Payment” shall not include any grants by a Loan Party of Equity Interests to employees of any of the Loan Parties pursuant to a Long-Term Incentive Program.

“Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit, Overadvances, and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (a) Section 2.09 and (b) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender's Revolving Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable.

“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, its LC Exposure and its Swingline Exposure at such time, plus (b) an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Protective Advances outstanding at such time, plus (c) an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Overadvances outstanding at such time.

“Revolving Lender” means, as of any date of determination, 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).

“S&P” means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06.

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses, (a) or (b), or (d) any Person otherwise the subject of any Sanctions.
“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council,




the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.

“Secured Obligations” means all Obligations, together with all (i) Banking Services Obligations and (ii) Swap Agreement Obligations owing to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates; provided, however, that the definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.

“Secured Parties” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the Lenders, (c) the Issuing Bank, (d) each provider of Banking Services, to the extent the Banking Services Obligations in respect thereof constitute Secured Obligations, (e) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (f) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (g) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

“Security Agreement” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements thereto), dated as of the date hereof, among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, and any other pledge or security agreement entered into, after the date of this Agreement by any other Loan Party (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document) or any other Person for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Settlement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

“Settlement Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

“Specified Eligible Accounts” means (i) Eligible Accounts owing by an Account Debtor whose securities are rated BBB- or better by S&P and Baa3 or better by Moody’s, and (ii) Eligible Credit Card Accounts.

“Statements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(f).

“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentage (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) established by the Federal Reserve Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Board. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D of the Board or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Person means any Indebtedness of such Person the payment of which is subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent pursuant to a written agreement satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

“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 and/or one or




more subsidiaries of the parent. For the avoidance of doubt the Borrower is a “subsidiary” of Holdings.

“Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company or of a Loan Party, as applicable.

“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, spot, future, credit default or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

“Swap Agreement Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

“Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.

“Swingline Lender” means JPMCB, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder. Any consent required of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to be required of the Swingline Lender and any consent given by JPMCB in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall be deemed given by JPMCB in its capacity as Swingline Lender.

“Swingline Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

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

“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrowers of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, 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 the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CBFR.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of Illinois or in any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

“Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, Capital Expenditures made during such period which are not financed from the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the Revolving Loans; it being understood and agreed that, to the extent any Capital Expenditures are financed with Revolving Loans, such Capital Expenditures shall be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures).

“Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (i) an obligation to reimburse a bank




for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (ii) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (iii) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.

“U.S.” means the United States of America.

“U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).
“USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.
“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.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, 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.

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. 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 “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply) and all judgments, orders and decrees of all Governmental Authorities. 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, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignments set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) 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, (e) 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, (f) any reference in any definition to the phrase “at any time” or “for any period” shall refer to the same time or period for all calculations or determinations within such definition, and (g) 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.

SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. (a) 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, if after the date hereof there occurs any change in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of any provision hereof and the Borrower Representative notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such change in GAAP or in the application thereof (or




if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative 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. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, 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 (i) without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of any Loan Party at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.  

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.04(a) or in the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations,” in the event of an accounting change requiring all leases to be capitalized, only those leases (assuming for purposes hereof that such leases were in existence on the date hereof) that would constitute capital leases in conformity with GAAP on the date hereof shall be considered capital leases, and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made or delivered, as applicable, in accordance therewith.

SECTION 1.05. Interest Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “LIBO Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate therefor.

SECTION 1.06. Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions. To the extent any Borrower or any Subsidiary makes any acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 6.05 during the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrowers most recently ended, the Availability shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to the acquisition or the disposition of assets, are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC, and as certified by a Financial Officer of such Borrower), as if such acquisition or such disposition (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred in the first day of such four-quarter period.

SECTION 1.07.    Status of Obligations. In the event that any Borrower or any other Loan Party shall at any time issue or have outstanding any Subordinated Indebtedness, such Borrower shall take or cause such other Loan Party to take all such actions as shall be necessary to cause the Secured Obligations to constitute senior indebtedness (however denominated) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness and to enable the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness. Without limiting the foregoing, the Secured Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.

ARTICLE II

The Credits

SECTION 2.01. Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans in dollars to the Borrowers from time to time during the Availability




Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender's Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender's Revolving Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base, subject to the Administrative Agent’s authority, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances and Overadvances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.04. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

SECTION 2.02.     Loans and Borrowings. (a)  Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type 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. Any Protective Advance, any Overadvance, and any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.04 and 2.05.

(b)    Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of CBFR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower Representative may request in accordance herewith, provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as CBFR Borrowings but may be converted into Eurodollar Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.08. Each Swingline Loan shall be an CBFR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c)    At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $2,500,000. CBFR Borrowings may be in any amount. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 6 Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower Representative shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request either in writing (delivered by hand or fax) by delivering a Borrowing Request signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative or through Electronic System if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent (or if an Extenuating Circumstance shall exist, by telephone) not later than (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an CBFR Borrowing, noon, Chicago time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an CBFR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date of such proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and each such telephonic Borrowing Request, if permitted, shall be confirmed immediately upon the cessation of the Extenuating Circumstance by hand delivery, facsimile or a communication through Electronic System to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative. Each such written (or if permitted, telephonic) Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    the name of the applicable Borrower(s);

(ii)    the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising such Borrowing;

(iii)    the date of such Revolving Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;





(iv)    whether such Revolving Borrowing is to be an CBFR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

(v)    in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested Revolving Borrowing shall be an CBFR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower(s) 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 Borrowers and the Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Loans to the Borrowers, on behalf of all Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary (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) after an Event of Default, 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 as described in Section 9.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (any of such Loans are herein referred to as “Protective Advances”); provided that, the aggregate amount of Protective Advances outstanding at any time shall not at any time exceed 10% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment; provided further that, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure after giving effect to the Protective Advances being made shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment. Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have not been satisfied. The Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. All Protective Advances shall be CBFR Borrowings. The making of a Protective Advance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent to make any Protective Advance on any other occasion. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make 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 Availability and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, the Administrative Agent may request the Revolving Lenders to make a Revolving Loan to repay a Protective Advance. At any other time the Administrative Agent may require the Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.04(b).

(b)    Upon the making of a Protective Advance by the Administrative Agent (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default), each Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Protective Advance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage. From and after the date, if any, on which any Lender is required to fund its participation in any Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender's Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

SECTION 2.05. Swingline Loans and Overadvances.

(a) The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Revolving Lenders agree that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, promptly after the Borrower Representative requests an CBFR Borrowing, the Swingline Lender may in its sole discretion (but with absolutely no obligation) elect to have the terms of this Section 2.05(a) apply to such Borrowing Request by advancing, on behalf of the Revolving Lenders and in the amount requested, same day funds to the Borrowers, on the date of the applicable Borrowing to the Funding Account(s) (each such Loan made solely by the Swingline Lender pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) is referred to in this Agreement as a “Swingline Loan”), with settlement among them as to the Swingline Loans to take




place on a periodic basis as set forth in Section 2.05(c). Each Swingline Loan shall be subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to other CBFR Loans funded by the Revolving Lenders, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the Swingline Lender solely for its own account. The aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed $10,000,000. The Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan if the requested Swingline Loan exceeds Availability (before or after giving effect to such Swingline Loan). All Swingline Loans shall be CBFR Borrowings.

(b)    Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, at the request of the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent may in its sole discretion (but with absolutely no obligation), on behalf of the Revolving Lenders, (x) make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers in amounts that exceed Availability (any such excess Revolving Loans are herein referred to collectively as “Overadvances”) or (y) deem the amount of Revolving Loans outstanding to the Borrowers that are in excess of Availability to be Overadvances; provided that, no Overadvance shall result in a Default due to Borrowers’ failure to comply with Section 2.01 for so long as such Overadvance remains outstanding in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, but solely with respect to the amount of such Overadvance. In addition, Overadvances may be made even if the condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02(c) has not been satisfied. All Overadvances shall constitute CBFR Borrowings. The making of an Overadvance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent to make any Overadvance on any other occasion. The authority of the Administrative Agent to make Overadvances is limited to an aggregate amount not to exceed 10% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment at any time, no Overadvance may remain outstanding for more than thirty days and no Overadvance shall cause any Revolving Lender's Revolving Exposure to exceed its Revolving Commitment; provided that, the Required Lenders may at any time revoke the Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Overadvances. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof.

(c)    Upon the making of a Swingline Loan or an Overadvance (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default and regardless of whether a Settlement has been requested with respect to such Swingline Loan or Overadvance), each Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Swingline Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Swingline Loan or Overadvance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage of the Revolving Commitment. The Swingline Lender may, at any time, require the Revolving Lenders to fund their participations. From and after the date, if any, on which any Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any Swingline Loan or Overadvance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender's Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Swingline Loan or Overadvance.

(d)    The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Swingline Lender, shall request settlement (a “Settlement”) with the Revolving Lenders on at least a weekly basis or on any date that the Administrative Agent elects, by notifying the Revolving Lenders of such requested Settlement by facsimile, telephone, or e-mail no later than 12:00 noon Chicago time on the date of such requested Settlement (the “Settlement Date”). Each Revolving Lender (other than the Swingline Lender, in the case of the Swingline Loans) shall transfer the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the applicable Loan with respect to which Settlement is requested to the Administrative Agent, to such account of the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may designate, not later than 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on such Settlement Date. Settlements may occur during the existence of a Default and whether or not the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have then been satisfied. Such amounts transferred to the Administrative Agent shall be applied against the amounts of the Swingline Lender’s Swingline Loans and, together with Swingline Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan, shall constitute Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lenders, respectively. If any such amount is not transferred to the Administrative Agent by any Revolving Lender on such Settlement Date, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, as specified in Section 2.07.

SECTION 2.06. Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower Representative may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of another Borrower denominated in dollars as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during




the Availability Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Letter of Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit (i) the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (A) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions or (B) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement, (ii) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law relating to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, or (iii) if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements 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 or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed not to be in effect on the Effective Date for purposes of clause (ii) above, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

(b)    Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower Representative shall deliver by hand or facsimile (or transmit through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of, but in any event no less than three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal 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 amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. In addition, as a condition to any such Letter of Credit issuance, the applicable Borrower shall have entered into a continuing agreement (or other letter of credit agreement) for the issuance of letters of credit and/or shall submit a letter of credit application in each case, as required by the Issuing Bank and using such bank's standard form (each, a “Letter of Credit Agreement”). A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrowers shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed $10,000,000, (ii) [Reserved], (iii) [Reserved], (iv) no Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure shall exceed its Revolving Commitment and (v) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Borrowing Base. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue or modify any Letter of Credit if, immediately after giving effect thereto, the outstanding LC Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person and its Affiliates would exceed such Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit. Without limiting the foregoing and without affecting the limitations contained herein, it is understood and agreed that the Borrower Representative may from time to time request that an Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit in effect at the time of such request, and each Issuing Bank agrees to consider any such request in good faith. Any Letter of Credit so issued by an Issuing Bank in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit then in effect shall nonetheless constitute a Letter of Credit for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, and shall not affect the Issuing Bank Sublimit of any other Issuing Bank, subject to the limitations on the aggregate LC Exposure set forth in clause (i) of this Section 2.06(b).

(c)    Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination or non-renewal by




notice from the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) 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 renewal or extension thereof, including, without limitation, any automatic renewal provision, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

(d)    Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender's Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender's Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any 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.

(e)    Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on (a) (i) the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives notice of such LC Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower Representative receives such notice, if such notice is received after 9:00 a.m. Chicago time on the day of receipt; provided that the Borrowers may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with an CBFR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting CBFR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Lender's Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrowers, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of CBFR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f)    Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers’ joint and several 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, any Letter of Credit Agreement or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (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) any payment by the 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 Borrowers’ obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders, the Issuing Bank or 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 the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by any Borrower that are caused by the 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. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the 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, the 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.

(g)    Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower by telephone (confirmed by fax or through Electronic Systems) of such demand for payment and whether the 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 the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h)    Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date required pursuant to Section 2.06(e) above, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to CBFR Revolving Loans and such interest shall be payable on the date when such reimbursement is due; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i)    Replacement of the Issuing Bank. (i) The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the 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 an 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 then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(ii) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and the Lenders, in which case, such Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.06(i) above.

(j)    Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the




maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 105% of the amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon; 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 any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. Such Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral in accordance with this paragraph as and to the extent required by Sections 2.10(b), 2.11(b) or 2.20. Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the LC Collateral Account and the Borrowers hereby grant the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account and all money or other assets on deposit therein or credited thereto. 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 Borrowers’ risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the LC Collateral Account. Moneys in the LC Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements 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 the Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrowers within three (3) Business Days after all such Events of Default have been cured or waived as confirmed in writing by the Administrative Agent.

(k)    Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancelations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) reasonably prior to the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the stated amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which any Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the amount of such LC Disbursement, and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

(l)    LC Exposure Determination. For all purposes of this Agreement, the amount of a Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof 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 the time of determination.

(m)     Letters of Credit Issued for Account of Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder supports any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, or states that a Subsidiary is the “account party,” “applicant,” “customer,” “instructing party,” or the like of or for such Letter of Credit, and without derogating from any rights of the Issuing Bank (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrowers (i) shall reimburse, indemnify and compensate the Issuing Bank hereunder for such Letter of Credit (including to reimburse any and all drawings thereunder) as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of a Borrower and (ii) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of such Letters of Credit for its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrowers, and that each Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.





SECTION 2.07. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder on the proposed date thereof solely by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage; provided that, Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower Representative by promptly crediting the funds so received in the aforesaid account of the Administrative Agent to the Funding Account; provided that CBFR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of (i) an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank and (ii) a Protective Advance or an Overadvance shall be retained by the Administrative Agent.

(b)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing 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 Borrowers each 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 the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to CBFR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan included in such Borrowing, provided, that any interest received from a Borrower by the Administrative Agent during the period beginning when Administrative Agent funded the Borrowing until such Lender pays such amount shall be solely for the account of the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 2.08. Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower Representative may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower Representative 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 Swingline Borrowings, Overadvances, or Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

(b)    To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election either in writing (delivered by hand or fax) by delivering an Interest Election Request signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative or through Electronic System if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent (or if an Extenuating Circumstance shall exist, by telephone) by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrowers were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and each such telephonic Interest Election Request, if permitted, shall be confirmed immediately upon the cessation of the Extenuating Circumstance by hand delivery, Electronic System or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative.

(c)    Each written (or if permitted, telephonic) Interest Election Request (including requests submitted through Electronic System) shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    the name of the applicable Borrower and 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 CBFR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

(iv)    if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar 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 Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrowers 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 Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender's portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e)    If the Borrower Representative fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar 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 an CBFR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower Representative, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an CBFR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

SECTION 2.09. Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

(b)    The Borrowers may at any time terminate the Revolving Commitments upon the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.

(c)    The Borrowers may from time to time reduce the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $2,500,000 and (ii) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Borrowing Base.

(d)    The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination, 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 Borrower Representative pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower Representative may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower Representative (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

(e)    The Borrowers shall have the right to increase the Revolving Commitments by obtaining additional Revolving Commitments, either from one or more of the Lenders or another lending institution provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000, (ii) the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, may make a maximum of 3 such requests, (iii) after giving effect thereto, the sum of the total of the




additional Commitments does not exceed $25,000,000, (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank have approved the identity of any such new Lender, such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld, (v) any such new Lender assumes all of the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder, and (vi) the procedure described in Section 2.09(f) have been satisfied. Nothing contained in this Section 2.09 shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder at any time.

(f)    Any amendment hereto for such an increase or addition shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall only require the written signatures of the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers and each Lender being added or increasing its Commitment, subject only to the approval of all Lenders if any such increase or addition would cause the Revolving Commitments to exceed $100,000,000. As a condition precedent to such an increase or addition, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of each Loan Party signed by an authorized officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (B) in the case of the Borrowers, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase or addition, (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents are true and correct, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, and (2) no Default exists and (ii) legal opinions and documents consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent.

(g)    On the effective date of any such increase or addition, (i) any Lender increasing (or, in the case of any newly added Lender, extending) its Revolving Commitment shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase or addition and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of all the Lenders to equal its revised Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and the Administrative Agent shall make such other adjustments among the Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans then outstanding and amounts of principal, interest, commitment fees and other amounts paid or payable with respect thereto as shall be necessary, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, in order to effect such reallocation and (ii)  the Borrowers shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase (or addition) in the Revolving Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the Borrower Representative, in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03). The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, in respect of each Eurodollar Loan, shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods. Within a reasonable time after the effective date of any increase or addition, the Administrative Agent shall, and is hereby authorized and directed to, revise the Commitment Schedule to reflect such increase or addition and shall distribute such revised Commitment Schedule to each of the Lenders and the Borrower Representative, whereupon such revised Commitment Schedule shall replace the old Commitment Schedule and become part of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.10. Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan (including Swingline Loans) on the Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid principal amount of each Overadvance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the 30th day after such Overadvance is made.

(b)    At all times that full cash dominion is in effect pursuant to Section 7.3 of the Security Agreement, on each Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall apply all funds credited to the Collection Account on such Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day (at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, whether or not immediately available) first to prepay any Protective Advances and Overadvances that may be outstanding, pro rata, and second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any funds credited to the Collection Account constitute Net Proceeds, the application of such Net Proceeds shall be subject to Section 2.11(c).





(c)    Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers 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.

(d)    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 Borrowers 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.

(e)    The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) 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 Borrowers to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(f)    Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, 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 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form.

SECTION 2.11. 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 (f) of this Section and, if applicable, payment of any break funding expenses under Section 2.16.

(b)    Except Overadvances permitted under Section 2.05, in the event and on such occasion that the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (B) the Borrowing Base, the Borrowers shall prepay the Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and/or Swingline Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(c)    In the event and on each occasion that Borrower has Availability of less than 17.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment or any Event of Default exists and any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of any Loan Party in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Borrowers shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received by any Loan Party, prepay the Obligations and cash collateralize the LC Exposure as set forth in Section 2.11(d) below in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Proceeds, provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, if the Borrower Representative shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that the Loan Parties intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof specified in such certificate), within 90 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to acquire (or replace or rebuild) real property, equipment or other tangible assets (excluding inventory) to be used in the business of the Loan Parties, and certifying that no Default has occurred and is continuing, then either (i) so long as full cash dominion is not in effect, no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate or (ii) if full cash dominion is in effect, then, if the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate are to be applied to acquire, replace or rebuild such assets by (A) the Borrowers, such Net Proceeds shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans (without a permanent reduction of the Revolving Commitment) and upon such application, the Administrative Agent shall establish a Reserve against the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the amount of such proceeds so applied and (B) any Loan Party that is not a Borrower, such Net Proceeds shall be deposited in a cash collateral account, and in the case of either (A) or (B), thereafter, such funds shall be made available to the applicable Loan Party as follows:

(1)    the Borrower Representative shall request a Revolving Borrowing (specifying that the request is to use Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section) or the applicable Loan Party shall request a release from the cash collateral account be made in the amount needed;





(2)    so long as the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 have been met, the Revolving Lenders shall make such Revolving Borrowing or the Administrative Agent shall release funds from the cash collateral account; and

(3)    the Reserve established with respect to such insurance proceeds shall be reduced by the amount of such Revolving Borrowing;

provided that to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have not been so applied by the end of such 90‑day period, a prepayment shall be required at such time in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied.

(d)    All such amounts pursuant to Section 2.11(c) and (d) shall be applied, first to prepay any Protective Advances and Overadvances that may be outstanding, pro rata, second [Reserved] and third to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) without a corresponding reduction in the Revolving Commitments and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all prepayments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.11(c) with respect to the Net Proceeds of any insurance or condemnation proceeds, arising from casualties or losses to cash or Inventory shall be applied, first to prepay any Protective Advances and Overadvances that may be outstanding, pro rata, and second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) without a corresponding reduction in the Revolving Commitments and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure. If the precise amount of insurance or condemnation proceeds allocable to Inventory as compared to Equipment, Fixtures and real property is not otherwise determined, the allocation and application of those proceeds shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion.

(e)    The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by fax) or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, of any prepayment hereunder not later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, (A) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (B) in the case of prepayment of a CBFR Revolving Borrowing, one (1) Business Day before 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; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Revolving Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Revolving Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.

SECTION 2.12. Fees. (a)  The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each calendar month and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, 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).

(b)    The Borrowers agree to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender's LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender's Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between the Borrowers




and the Issuing Bank on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank's standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of each calendar month shall be payable on the first day of each calendar month 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 Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand. All participation fees 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).

(c)    The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

(d)    All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

SECTION 2.13. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising CBFR Borrowings (including Swingline Loans) shall bear interest at the CBFR plus the Applicable Rate.

(b)    The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c)    Each Protective Advance and Overadvance shall bear interest at the CBFR plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans plus 2%.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may, at their option, by notice to the Borrower Representative (which notice may be revoked at the option of the Required Lenders notwithstanding any provision of Section 9.02 requiring the consent of “each Lender affected thereby” for reductions in interest rates), declare that (i) all Loans shall bear interest at 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loans as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount outstanding hereunder, such amount shall accrue at 2% plus the rate applicable to such fee or other obligation as provided hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrowers 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 CBFR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(e)    Accrued interest on each Loan (for CBFR Loans, accrued through the last day of the prior calendar month) shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a CBFR Revolving 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 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.

(f)    All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the CB Floating Rate shall 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 CB Floating Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest; Illegality.

(a)
If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

(i)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable (including, without limitation, by means of an Interpolated Rate or because the LIBO Screen Rate 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 LIBO Rate, as applicable, 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 Borrower Representative and the Lenders through Electronic System as provided in Section 9.01 as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative 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, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and any such Eurodollar Borrowing shall be repaid or converted into a CBFR Borrowing on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, and (B) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as a CBFR Borrowing.

(b)    If any Lender determines that any Requirement of Law has made it unlawful, or if any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, fund or continue any Eurodollar Borrowing, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower Representative through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make, maintain, fund or continue Eurodollar Loans or to convert CBFR Borrowings to Eurodollar Borrowings will be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers will upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), either convert or prepay all Eurodollar Borrowings of such Lender to CBFR Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such conversion or prepayment, the Borrowers will also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted or prepaid.

(c)    If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have not arisen but either (w) the supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Screen Rate has made a public statement that the administrator of the LIBO Screen Rate is insolvent (and there is no successor administrator that will continue publication of the LIBO Screen Rate), (x) the administrator of the LIBO Screen Rate has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBO Screen Rate will permanently or indefinitely cease to be published by it (and there is no successor administrator that will continue publication of the LIBO Screen Rate), (y) the supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Screen Rate has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBO Screen Rate will permanently or indefinitely cease to be published or (z) the supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBO Screen Rate may no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the LIBO Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the




United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable (but for the avoidance of doubt, such related changes shall not include a reduction of the Applicable Rate). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date notice of such alternate rate of interest is provided to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that such Required Lenders object to such amendment. Until an alternate rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with this clause (c) (but, in the case of the circumstances described in clause (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 2.14(c), only to the extent the LIBO Screen Rate for such Interest Period is not available or published at such time on a current basis), (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and any such Eurodollar Borrowing shall be repaid or converted into a CBFR Borrowing on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, and (y) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as a CBFR Borrowing; provided that, if such alternate rate of interest shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or the Issuing Bank;

(ii)    impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

(iii)     subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrowers will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's capital or on the capital of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of, or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's policies and the policies of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c)    A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary




to compensate such Lender or the 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 Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 20 days after receipt thereof.

(d)    Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender's or the Issuing Bank's right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower Representative of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's or the 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 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(c) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Eurodollar Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. 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 Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

SECTION 2.17. Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up. (a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.
(c) Evidence of Payment. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party 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.
(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient 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. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Loan Party by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).
(f) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender's reasonable 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.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:





(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of a Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 or Exhibit C-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender's obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the




payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph (g) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(h) Survival. Each party's obligations under this Section 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 any Loan Document (including the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations).
(i) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Setoffs. (a) The Borrowers shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff, recoupment or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 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. Unless otherwise provided for herein, 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. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.

(b)    Any proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent (i) not constituting either (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Borrowers), (B) a mandatory prepayment (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.11) or (C) amounts to be applied from the Collection Account when full cash dominion is in effect (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10(b)) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so elects or the Required Lenders so direct, shall be applied ratably first, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), third, to pay interest due in respect of the Protective Advances and Overadvances, fourth, to pay the principal of the Protective Advances and Overadvances, fifth, to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances and Overadvances) ratably, sixth, to prepay principal on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances and Overadvances) and unreimbursed LC Disbursements and to pay any amounts owing in respect of Swap Agreement Obligations up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, for which Reserves have been established, ratably, seventh, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the aggregate LC Exposure,




to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, eighth, to payment of any amounts owing in respect of Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22 and to the extent not paid pursuant to clause sixth above, and ninth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Borrowers. Notwithstanding the foregoing amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Borrower Representative, or unless a Default is in existence, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Eurodollar Loan of a Class, except (a) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto or (b) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding CBFR Loans of the same Class and, in any such event, the Borrowers shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reverse and reapply any and all such proceeds and payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations.

(c)    At the election of the Administrative Agent, all payments of principal, interest, LC Disbursements, fees, premiums, reimbursable expenses (including, without limitation, all reimbursement for fees, costs and expenses pursuant to Section 9.03), and other sums payable under the Loan Documents, may be paid from the proceeds of Borrowings made hereunder whether made following a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.03 or a deemed request as provided in this Section or may be deducted from any deposit account of any Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent. The Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorize (i) the Administrative Agent to make a Borrowing for the purpose of paying each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents and agrees that all such amounts charged shall constitute Loans (including Swingline Loans and Overadvances, but such a Borrowing may only constitute a Protective Advance if it is to reimburse costs, fees and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and that all such Borrowings shall be deemed to have been requested pursuant to Section 2.03, 2.04 or 2.05, as applicable, and (ii) the Administrative Agent to charge any deposit account of any Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent for each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents.

(d)    If, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; 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 the Borrowers 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 Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(e)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower Representative prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the 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 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 the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(f)    The Administrative Agent may from time to time provide the Borrowers with account statements or invoices with respect to any of the Secured Obligations (the “Statements”). The Administrative Agent is under no duty or obligation to provide Statements, which, if provided, will be solely for the Borrowers’ convenience. Statements may contain estimates of the amounts owed during the relevant billing period, whether of principal, interest, fees or other Secured Obligations. If the Borrowers pay the full amount indicated on a Statement on or before the due date indicated on such Statement, the Borrowers shall not be in default of payment with respect to the billing period indicated on such Statement; provided, that acceptance by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, of any payment that is less than the total amount actually due at that time (including but not limited to any past due amounts) shall not constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’ right to receive payment in full at another time.

SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a)    If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, 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 2.15 or 2.17, 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 Borrowers hereby agree 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 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their 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 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and in circumstances where its consent would be required under Section 9.04, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender), which consent 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 Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a 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 Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to an be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.
    
SECTION 2.20. Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any 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)    fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

(b)    any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 2.18(b) or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to cash collateralize the Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with this Section; fourth, as the Borrower Representative may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) cash collateralize the Issuing Bank’s future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with this Section; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender's breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to clause (d) below. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto;

(c)    such Defaulting Lender shall not have the right to vote on any issue on which voting is required (other than to the extent expressly provided in Section 9.02(b)) and the Commitment and Revolving Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02) or under any other Loan Document; provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (c) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;

(d)     if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i)    all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that such reallocation does not, as to any non-Defaulting Lender, cause such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Exposure to exceed its Revolving Commitment;





(ii)    if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iii)    if the Borrowers cash collateralize any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(iv)    if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and

(v)    if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

(e)    so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, renew, extend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that such Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.20(d), and LC Exposure related to any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(d)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to the Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrowers or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on the date of such readjustment such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

SECTION 2.21. Returned Payments. If after receipt of any payment which is applied to the payment of all or any part of the Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), the Administrative Agent or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment or proceeds to any Person because such payment or application of proceeds is invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, or a diversion of trust funds, or for any other reason (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion), then the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued and this Agreement shall continue in full force as if




such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall be and remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in reliance upon such payment or application of proceeds. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.22. Banking Services and Swap Agreements. Each Lender or Affiliate thereof providing Banking Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of a Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Banking Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof to such Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Lender or Affiliate thereof shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations. The most recent information provided to the Administrative Agent shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and/or Swap Agreement Obligations pursuant to Section 2.18(b).


ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties.

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.
 
SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party's corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational actions and, if required, actions by equity holders. Each Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or the assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or the requirement to create, any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and related statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018, reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended May 5, 2018, certified by its Financial Officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and




for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year‑end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

(b)    No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, since May 5, 2018.

SECTION 3.05. Properties. (a) As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule 3.05 sets forth the address of each parcel of real property that is owned or leased by any Loan Party. Each of such leases and subleases is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect, and, to the Loan Parties’ knowledge, no default by any party to any such lease or sublease exists. Each of the Loan Parties and each of its Subsidiaries has good and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 6.02.

(b)    Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use, all material trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property necessary to its business as currently conducted, a materially correct and complete list of which, as of the date of this Agreement, is set forth on Schedule 3.05, and the use thereof by each Loan Party and each Subsidiary does not infringe in any material respect upon the rights of any other Person, and each Loan Party’s and each Subsidiary’s rights thereto are not subject to any licensing agreement or similar arrangement, except as disclosed on Schedule 3.05.

SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against or affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely deter-mined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

(b)    Except for the Disclosed Matters (i) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability and (ii) and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party or any Subsidiary (A) 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, (B) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (C) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (D) 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, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default. Except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is in compliance with (i) all Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property and (ii) all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

SECTION 3.09. Taxes. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No tax liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes.





SECTION 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of such Plan., and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.

SECTION 3.11. Disclosure. (a) The Loan Parties have disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date.

(b) As of the Effective Date, to the best knowledge of any Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Effective Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.

SECTION 3.12. Material Agreements. All Material Agreements to which any Loan Party is a party or is bound as of the date of this Agreement are listed on Schedule 3.12. No Loan Party is in default in any material respect in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in (i) any Material Agreement to which it is a party or (ii) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing material Indebtedness.

SECTION 3.13. Solvency. (a) Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.

(b)    No Loan Party intends to, nor will permit any Subsidiary to, and no Loan Party believes that it or any Subsidiary will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.14. Insurance. Schedule 3.14 sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, all premiums in respect of such insurance have been paid. Each Borrower maintains, and has caused each Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all their real and personal property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as are adequate and customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.





SECTION 3.15. Capitalization and Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.15 sets forth (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to the Company of each and all of the Company’s Subsidiaries, (b) a true and complete listing of each class of each Borrower’s authorized Equity Interests, all of which issued Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.15, and (c) the type of entity of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. Other than the Long-Term Incentive Program, there are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of any Loan Party to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of any Loan Party. No Loan Party has any obligation to repurchase Equity Interests under the Long-Term Incentive Program, nor any monetary obligations under the Long-Term Incentive Program.

SECTION 3.16. Security Interest in Collateral. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents create legal and valid Liens on all of the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and such Liens constitute perfected and continuing Liens on the Collateral, securing the Secured Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Loan Party and all third parties, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except in the case of (a) Permitted Encumbrances, to the extent any such Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law or agreement and (b) Liens perfected only by possession (including possession of any certificate of title) to the extent the Administrative Agent has not obtained or does not maintain possession of such Collateral.

SECTION 3.17. Employment Matters. As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters, in any material respect. All payments due from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.18. Margin Regulations. No Loan Party is engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit hereunder will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of any Loan Party only or of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) will be Margin Stock.

SECTION 3.19. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans have been used and will be used, whether directly or indirectly as set forth in Section 5.08.

SECTION 3.20. No Burdensome Restrictions. No Loan Party is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.10.

SECTION 3.21. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Each Loan Party has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and, to the knowledge of such Loan Party, its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of any such Loan Party or Subsidiary, any agent of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds, Transaction or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.





SECTION 3.22. Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no existing or proposed agreements, arrangements, understandings or transactions between any Loan Party and any of the officers, members, managers, directors, stockholders, parents, holders of other Equity Interests, employees or Affiliates (other than Subsidiaries) of any Loan Party or any members of their respective immediate families, other than the Long-Term Incentive Program, and transactions which are entered into in the ordinary course of business on fair and reasonable terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Loan Party as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an officer, member, manager, director, stockholder, parent, holder of other Equity Interests, employee or Affiliate, and none of the foregoing Persons are directly or indirectly indebted to or have any direct or indirect ownership, partnership, or voting interest in any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any Person with which any Loan Party has a business relationship or which competes with any Loan Party.

SECTION 3.23.    EEA Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

SECTION 3.24. Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions. No Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations), and neither the
execution, delivery or performance of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including the
making of any Loan and the issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder, will give rise to a non-exempt
prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

SECTION 3.25. Credit Cards. All Credit Card Agreements relating to Eligible Credit Card Accounts 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.

SECTION 3.26. Common Enterprise. The successful operation and condition of each of the Loan Parties is dependent on the continued successful performance of the functions of the group of the Loan Parties as a whole and the successful operation of each of the Loan Parties is dependent on the successful performance and operation of each other Loan Party. Each Loan Party expects to derive benefit (and its board of directors or other governing body has determined that it may reasonably be expected to derive benefit), directly and indirectly, from (i) successful operations of each of the other Loan Parties and (ii) the credit extended by the Lenders to the Borrowers hereunder, both in their separate capacities and as members of the group of companies. Each Loan Party has determined that execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and any other Loan Documents to be executed by such Loan Party is within its purpose, in furtherance of its direct and/or indirect business interests, will be of direct and/or indirect benefit to such Loan Party, and is in its best interest.


ARTICLE IV

Conditions.

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a)    Credit Agreement and Other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) 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, (ii) either (A) a counterpart of each other Loan Document signed on behalf of each party thereto or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page thereof) that each such party has signed a counterpart of such Loan Document and (iii) such other certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this




Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including any promissory notes requested by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10 payable to the order of each such requesting Lender and a written opinion of the Loan Parties' counsel, addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in substantially the form of Exhibit B (together with any other real estate related opinions separately described herein), all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(b)    Financial Statements and Projections. The Lenders shall have received (i) audited consolidated financial statements of Holdings for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 fiscal years, (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Holdings for each fiscal quarter ended after the date of the latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph as to which such financial statements are available, and such financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of Holdings, as reflected in the audited, consolidated financial statements described in clause (i) of this paragraph and (iii) satisfactory projections through 2019.

(c)    Closing Certificates; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of its Board of Directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, its Financial Officers, and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by‑laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) a good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for each Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.

(d)    No Default Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, signed by a Financial Officer of each Borrower, dated as of the Effective Date (i) stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) stating that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct as of such date, and (iii) certifying as to any other factual matters as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

(e)    Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, including pursuant to any fee letter, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Effective Date. All such amounts will be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Effective Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent on or before the Effective Date.

(f)    Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction where the Loan Parties are organized and where the assets of the Loan Parties are located, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 or discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to a pay-off letter or other documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(g)    Pay-Off Letter. The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory pay-off letters for all existing Indebtedness to be repaid from the proceeds of the initial Borrowing, confirming that all Liens upon any of the property of the Loan Parties constituting Collateral will be terminated concurrently with such payment and all letters of credit issued or guaranteed as part of such Indebtedness shall have been cash collateralized or supported by a Letter of Credit.





(h)    Funding Account. The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice setting forth the deposit account(s) of the Borrowers (the “Funding Account”) to which the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.

(i)    Solvency. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate signed by a Financial Officer dated the Effective Date.

(j)    Borrowing Base Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate which calculates the Borrowing Base as of the end of the month immediately preceding the Effective Date.

(k)    Closing Availability. After giving effect to all Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date, the issuance of any Letters of Credit on the Effective Date and the payment of all fees and expenses due hereunder, and with all of the Loan Parties’ indebtedness, liabilities, and obligations current, the Availability shall not be less than $20,000,000.

(l)    Pledged Equity Interests; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates representing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.

(m)    Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.

(n) Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance coverage in form, scope, and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and otherwise in compliance with the terms of Section 5.10 hereof and Section 4.12 of the Security Agreement.

(o) Tax Withholding. The Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed and signed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable, for each Loan Party.

(p) Corporate Structure. The corporate structure, capital structure and other material debt instruments, material accounts and governing documents of the Borrowers and their Affiliates shall be acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(q) Field Examination. The Administrative Agent or its designee shall have conducted a field examination of the Borrowers’ Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, Inventory and related working capital matters and of the Borrowers’ related data processing and other systems, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(r) Legal Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have completed all legal due diligence, the results of which shall be satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(s) Appraisal(s). The Administrative Agent shall have received an appraisal of the Borrowers’ Inventory from one or more firms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which appraisals shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.





(t) USA PATRIOT Act, Etc. (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrowers requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrowers at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date, and (ii) to the extent any Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Borrowers at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to each Borrower shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification (provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the condition set forth in this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be satisfied).

(u) Credit Card Notifications. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of duly executed Credit Card Notifications with respect to all Eligible Credit Card Accounts.

(v) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or their respective counsel may have reasonably requested.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on September 12, 2018 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though made on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date, and that any representation or warranty which is subject to any materiality qualifier shall be required to be true and correct in all respects).

(b)  At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) no Protective Advance shall be outstanding.

(c) After giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, Availability shall not be less than zero.

(d) No event shall have occurred and no condition shall exist which has or could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) For the first Borrowing only, the Administrative Agent shall have received an updated Borrowing Base Certificate within 30 days prior to such Borrowing being made.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal 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), (c) and (d) of this Section.

Notwithstanding the failure to satisfy the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section, unless otherwise directed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, continue




to make Loans and an Issuing Bank may, but shall have no obligation to, issue, amend, renew or extend, or cause to be issued, amended, renewed or extended, any Letter of Credit for the ratable account and risk of Lenders from time to time if the Administrative Agent believes that making such Loans or issuing, amending, renewing or extending, or causing the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of, any such Letter of Credit is in the best interests of the Lenders.


ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants.
Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a)    within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants acceptable to the Required Lenders (without a “going concern” or like qualification, commentary or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(b)    within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Holdings, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
    
(c)     during any Additional Reporting Period, within 20 days after the end of each fiscal month of Holdings, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal month and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(d)    concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a), (b) or (c) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative in substantially the form of Exhibit D (i) certifying, in the case of the financial statements delivered under clause (b) or (c), as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, (ii) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.12, and (iv) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;





(e)    [Reserved];

(f)    as soon as available but in any event no later than 30 days after the beginning of each fiscal year of Holdings, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement) of Holdings for each quarter of that fiscal year (the “Projections”) in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(g)    a Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information in connection therewith, together with any additional reports and in such reasonable detail with respect to the Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, (i) during the Initial Period, as soon as available but in any event within 20 days of the end of each fiscal quarter, as of the period then ended, (ii) during any Additional Reporting Period, as soon as available but in any event within 3 Business Days of the end of each calendar week, as of the period then ended, (iii) during all other times, as soon as available but in any event within 20 days of the end of each calendar month, as of the period then ended, and (iv) at such other times as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and as required by Section 4.02, as of the period then ended;

(h)    (i) during the Initial Period, as soon as available but in any event within 20 days of the end of each fiscal quarter, as of the period then ended, (ii) during all other times, as soon as available but in any event within 20 days of the end of each calendar month, as of the period then ended, and (iii) at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the period then ended, the following information, all delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent:

(i)    a detailed aging of the Borrowers’ Accounts and Credit Card Accounts, including all invoices aged by invoice date and due date (with an explanation of the terms offered), prepared in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together with a summary specifying the name, address, and balance due for each Account Debtor;

(ii)    a schedule detailing the Borrowers’ Inventory, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (1) by location (showing Inventory in transit, any Inventory located with a third party under any consignment, bailee arrangement, or warehouse agreement, and showing any changes in locations on an updated Exhibit A to the Security Agreement), by class (raw material, work-in-process and finished goods), by product type, and by volume on hand, which Inventory shall be valued at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market and adjusted for Reserves as the Administrative Agent has previously indicated to the Borrower Representative are deemed by the Administrative Agent to be appropriate, and (2) including a report of any variances or other results of Inventory counts performed by the Borrowers since the last Inventory schedule (including information regarding sales or other reductions, additions, returns, credits issued by Borrowers and complaints and claims made against the Borrowers);

(iii)    a worksheet of calculations prepared by the Borrowers to determine Eligible Accounts, Eligible Credit Card Accounts, and Eligible Inventory, such worksheets detailing the Accounts and Inventory excluded from Eligible Accounts, Eligible Credit Card Accounts, and Eligible Inventory and the reason for such exclusion;

(iv)    a reconciliation of the Borrowers’ Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, and Inventory between (A) the amounts shown in the Borrowers’ general ledger and financial statements and the reports delivered pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above and (B) the amounts and dates shown in the reports delivered pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above and the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to clause (g) above as of such date; and

(v)    a reconciliation of the loan balance per the Borrowers’ general ledger to the loan balance under this Agreement;





(i)    as soon as available but in any event within 20 days of the end of each calendar month (or fiscal quarter during the Initial Period) and at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the month then ended, a schedule and aging of the Borrowers’ accounts payable, delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(j)    upon the request of the Administrative Agent, an updated customer list for each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which list shall state the customer’s name, mailing address and phone number, delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(k)    promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request:

(i)    copies of invoices issued by the Borrowers in connection with any Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, credit memos, shipping and delivery documents, and other information related thereto;

(ii)    copies of purchase orders, invoices, and shipping and delivery documents in connection with any Inventory or equipment purchased by any Loan Party; and

(iii)    a schedule detailing the balance of all intercompany accounts of the Loan Parties;

(l)    during any Additional Reporting Period, as soon as available but in any event within 3 Business Days of the end of each calendar week and at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the period then ended, the Borrowers’ sales journal, cash receipts journal (identifying trade and non-trade cash receipts) and debit memo/credit memo journal;

(m)    [Reserved];

(n) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, a detailed listing of all advances of proceeds of Loans requested by the Borrower Representative for each Borrower and a detailed listing of all intercompany loans made by the Borrowers;

(o) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Govern-mental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by any Borrower to its share-holders generally, as the case may be;

(p)    promptly after any request therefor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k)(1) of ERISA that any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, the applicable Borrower or the applicable ERISA Affiliate shall promptly make a request for such documents and notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof;

(q)    promptly following any request therefor, (x) such other information regarding the operations, material changes in ownership of Equity Interests, business affairs and financial condition of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request, and (y) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation;

(r) promptly after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by the SEC or such other agency




regarding financial or other operational results of any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof; and

(s)    promptly following any request therefor, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee
of the board of directors) of any Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (o) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which such materials are publicly available as posted on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR); or (ii) on which such documents are posted on a Loan Party’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether made available by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by fax or through Electronic Systems) of the posting of any such documents to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) and, if requested by the Administrative Agent provide to the Administrative Agent through Electronic Systems electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by any Borrower, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents and maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Company represents and warrants that each of it, and its Controlling and Controlled entities, in each case, if any (collectively with the Borrowers, the “Relevant Entities”), either (i) has no SEC registered or unregistered, publicly traded securities outstanding, or (ii) files its financial statements with the SEC and/or makes its financial statements available to potential holders of its securities, and, accordingly, the Company hereby (i) authorizes the Administrative Agent to make the financial statements to be provided under Section 5.01(a), (b) and (c) above (collectively or individually, as the context requires, the “Financial Statements”), along with the Loan Documents, available to Public-Siders and (ii) agree that at the time such Financial Statements are provided hereunder, they shall already have been made available to holders of any such securities. The Company will not request that any other material be posted to Public-Siders without expressly representing and warranting to the Administrative Agent in writing that such materials do not constitute material non-public information within the meaning of the federal securities laws or that the Relevant Entities have no outstanding SEC registered or unregistered, publicly traded securities. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Company request that the Administrative Agent make available to Public-Siders budgets or any certificates, reports or calculations with respect to the Loan Parties’ compliance with the covenants contained herein or with respect to the Borrowing Base.

SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Borrowers and Holdings will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt (but in any event within any time period that may be specified below) written notice of the following:

(a)    the occurrence of any Default;

(b)    receipt of any notice of any investigation by a Governmental Authority or any litigation or proceeding commenced or threatened against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that (i) seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) is asserted or instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets and seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000, (iv) alleges criminal misconduct by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to result in penalties or damages in excess of $5,000,000, (v) alleges the violation of, or seeks to impose remedies under, any Environmental Law or related Requirement of Law, or seeks to impose Environmental Liability, in each case in excess of $5,000,000, (vi) asserts liability on the part of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000 in respect of any tax, fee,




assessment, or other governmental charge, or (vii) involves any product recall that could reasonably be expected to result in losses, costs, or damages in excess of $5,000,000;

(c)    any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances) or claim made or asserted against any of the Collateral;

(d)    any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral in the amount of $5,000,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance;

(e)    within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof, any and all default notices received under or with respect to any leased location or public warehouse where Collateral with a value in excess of $5,000,000 is located;

(f)    the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000;

(g)    all material amendments to any Material Agreement, together with a copy of each such amendment;

(h)    within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence thereof, any Loan Party entering into a Swap Agreement or an amendment thereto, together with copies of all agreements evidencing such Swap Agreement or amendment;

(i)     any material change in accounting or financial reporting practices by Holdings, any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(j)    (i) of the occurrence of any default or event of default by any Person under any Credit Card Agreement relating to Credit Cards Accounts contained in the Borrowing Base, (ii) the establishment of, or receipt by any Loan Party of a notice of any proposed establishment of, a reserve or reserve account (or similar concept), whether in the form of an actual deposit account, book entry or otherwise, in connection with any Credit Card Agreement for the purposes of securing all or any portion of any Loan Party’s existing or potential obligations to the applicable credit card issuer or processor under such Credit Card Agreement, (iii) that any credit card issuer, credit card processor or debit card issuer or provider with respect to Credit Card Accounts ceases to meet the requirements of clause (f) of the definition of “Eligible Credit Card Accounts” and (iv) any Loan Party has entered into a material amendment, waiver or other modification of a Credit Card Agreement applicable to any Credit Card Account included in the Borrowing Base;

(k)    any other development that results, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(l)    any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to such Lender that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower Representative setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, intellectual property rights, licenses and permits material to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03, and (b) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same general fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted.

SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay or




discharge all Material Indebtedness and all other material liabilities and obligations, including Taxes, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) such Loan Party or Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) such liabilities would not result in aggregate liabilities in excess of $5,000,000 and none of the Collateral would become subject to forfeiture or loss as a result of the contest; provided, however, that each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, remit withholding taxes and other payroll taxes to appropriate Governmental Authorities as and when claimed to be due, notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions.

SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any consultants, accountants, lawyers, agents and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent), upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to conduct at such Loan Party’s premises field examinations of such Loan Party’s assets, liabilities, books and records, including examining and making extracts from its books and records, environmental assessment reports and Phase I or Phase II studies, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested. After the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Loan Party shall provide the Administrative Agent and each Lender with access to its suppliers. Each Loan Party acknowledges that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain Reports pertaining to each Loan Party’s assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. The Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs of expenses of one (1) field examination during any 12-month period and one (1) additional field examination (for the total of two such field examinations during any 12-month period) conducted at any time after Availability falls below 12.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment; provided, that the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of all field examinations conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (i) comply with each Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under Material Agreements to which it is a party, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds.

(a)    The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit will be used only for working capital, refinancing certain indebtedness, financing Permitted Acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes. No part of the proceeds of any Loan and no Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, (i) for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, including Regulations T, U and X or (ii) to make any Acquisition other than Permitted Acquisitions. Letters of Credit will be issued only to support the Loan Parties.

(b)    No Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, directly or indirectly, and each Borrower shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (c) in any manner




that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto or any Anti-Corruption Laws.

SECTION 5.09. Accuracy of Information. The Loan Parties will ensure that any information, including financial statements or other documents, furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the furnishing of such information shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in this Section; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties will only ensure that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

SECTION 5.10.     Insurance. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers having a financial strength rating of at least A- by A.M. Best Company (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks (including, without limitation: loss or damage by fire and loss in transit; theft, burglary, pilferage, larceny, embezzlement, and other criminal activities; business interruption; and general liability) and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents. The Borrowers will furnish to the Lenders, upon request of the Administrative Agent, but no less frequently than annually, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

SECTION 5.11. Casualty and Condemnation. The Borrowers will (a) furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any material portion of the Collateral or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) ensure that the Net Proceeds of any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents.

SECTION 5.12. Appraisals. At any time that the Administrative Agent requests, each Loan Party will provide the Administrative Agent with appraisals or updates thereof of its Inventory from an appraiser selected and engaged by the Administrative Agent, and prepared on a basis satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such appraisals and updates to include, without limitation, information required by any applicable Requirement of Law. The Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs of expenses of one Inventory appraisal during any 12-month period and one (1) additional Inventory appraisal (for the total of two such Inventory appraisals during any 12-month period) conducted at any time after Availability falls below 12.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment. Additionally, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of Inventory appraisals if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of any such appraisals conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 5.13. Depository Banks. Within 60 days of the Effective Date, or such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent, and except as otherwise agreed in writing with respect to certain accounts that are not material in the aggregate, each Borrower and each Subsidiary will maintain the Administrative Agent as its principal depository bank, including for the maintenance of operating, administrative, cash management, collection activity and other deposit accounts for the conduct of its business.

SECTION 5.14. Additional Collateral; Further Assurances. (a) Subject to applicable Requirement of Law, each Loan Party will cause each Subsidiary formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement to become a Loan Party by executing a Joinder Agreement. Upon execution and delivery thereof, each such Person (i) shall automatically become a Loan Guarantor hereunder and thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties and obligations in such capacity under the Loan Documents and (ii) will grant Liens to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in any property of such Loan Party which constitutes Collateral.

(b)    Each Loan Party will cause (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries and (ii) 65% (or such greater percentage that, due to a change in applicable law after the date hereof, (1) could not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of such Foreign Subsidiary as




determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Foreign Subsidiary's U.S. parent and (2) could not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by such Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents or other security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

(c)    Without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable), which may be required by any Requirement of Law or which the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and all at the expense of the Loan Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after an Event of Default has occurred, each Loan Party will, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, cause each Foreign Subsidiary to become a Loan Party and a Loan Guarantor and to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent on its assets and have the balance of its Equity Interests pledged to the Administrative Agent.
    
(d)    If any assets are acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date that are of the type of Collateral described in the Security Agreement (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Agreement that become subject to the Lien under the Security Agreement upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower Representative will (i) notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and (ii) take, and cause each applicable Loan Party to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (c) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(e)    Within 60 days of the Effective Date, or such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Administrative Agent each Control Agreement required to be provided pursuant to Section 4.14 of the Security Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants.

Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a)    the Secured Obligations;

(b)    Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (f) hereof;

(c)    Indebtedness of any Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
    




(d)    Guarantees by any Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is permitted by this Section 6.01, (ii) Guarantees by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (iii) Guarantees permitted under this clause (d) shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations;

(e) Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets (whether or not constituting purchase money Indebtedness), 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 any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (f) below; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) below, shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(f) Indebtedness which represents extensions, renewals, refinancing or replacements (such Indebtedness being so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced being referred to herein as the “Refinance Indebtedness”) of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b) and (e) and (i) and (j) hereof (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “Original Indebtedness”); provided that (i) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the principal amount or interest rate of the Original Indebtedness, (ii) any Liens securing such Refinance Indebtedness are not extended to any additional property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (iii) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is not originally obligated with respect to repayment of such Original Indebtedness is required to become obligated with respect to such Refinance Indebtedness, (iv) such Refinance Indebtedness does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of such Original Indebtedness, (v) the terms of such Refinance Indebtedness are not less favorable to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Original Indebtedness and (vi) if such Original Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of such Refinance Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as those that were applicable to such Original Indebtedness;
 
(g)    Indebtedness owed to any Person providing workers' compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    Indebtedness of any Loan Party in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;
    
(i)    Subordinated Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

(j)    other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $30,000,000 at any time outstanding.

SECTION 6.02. Liens. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including Accounts and Credit Card Accounts) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a)    Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document;

(b)    Permitted Encumbrances;

(c)    any Lien on any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of such Borrower or Subsidiary or any other Borrower or Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those




obligations which it secures on the date hereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(d)    Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by any Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 6.01, (ii) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Borrower or Subsidiary or any other Borrower or Subsidiary;

(e)    any Lien existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, and Inventory) prior to the acquisition thereof by any Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, and Inventory) of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Loan Party; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Loan Party and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Loan Party, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(f) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4‑208 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;

(g) Liens arising out of Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06; and

(h) Liens granted by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of any Borrower or another Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Liens permitted pursuant to this Section 6.02 may at any time attach to any Loan Party’s (1) Accounts or Credit Card Accounts, other than those permitted under clause (a) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a) above and (2) Inventory, other than those permitted under clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a) above.
    
SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes. (a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve or, in the case of a limited liability company, to divide, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Subsidiary of any Borrower may merge into a Borrower in a transaction in which such Borrower is the surviving entity, (ii) any Loan Party (other than a Borrower) may merge into any other Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Loan Party and (iii) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower which owns such Subsidiary determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of such Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.

(b)    No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related thereto.

(c)     No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.

(d)     No Loan Party will change the accounting basis upon which its financial statements are prepared.

(e)     No Loan Party will change the tax filing elections it has made under the Code.





(f)    Holdings will not engage in any business or activity other than the ownership of all the outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrowers and activities incidental thereto. Holdings will not own or acquire any assets (other than Equity Interests of the Borrowers and the cash proceeds of any Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08) or incur any liabilities (other than liabilities under the Loan Documents and liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with its maintenance of its existence).

SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, form any subsidiary after the Effective Date, or purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a Loan Party and a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any evidences of Indebtedness or Equity Interests or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any Investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise), except:

(a)    Permitted Investments, subject to Control Agreements as required by the Security Agreement or otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

(b)    Investments in existence on the date hereof and described in Schedule 6.04(b);
    
(c)    loans or advances made by a Loan Party to its employees on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes up to a maximum of $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(d)    notes payable, or stock or other securities issued by Account Debtors to a Loan Party pursuant to negotiated agreements with respect to settlement of such Account Debtor's Accounts and Credit Card Accounts in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices;

(e)    Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(f)    Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of a Borrower or consolidates or merges with a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (including in connection with a permitted acquisition) so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger;

(g)    Investments received in connection with the disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.05;

(h)    Investments constituting deposits described in clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrances”; and

(i)     other Investments and Permitted Acquisitions, subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Condition, provided that the aggregate amount of all such Investments and Permitted Acquisitions in respect of Persons that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed $5,000,000; provided further that with respect to Investments by Holdings in the Borrowers and by the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries in Equity Interests in their respective Subsidiaries, such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement (subject to the limitations applicable to Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary referred to in Section 5.14) and with respect to Investments in the form of loans or advances made by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to a Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, such loans and advances made by a Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement.

SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will any Borrower permit any Subsidiary




to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than to another Borrower or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04), except:

(a)    sales, transfers and dispositions of (i) Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) used, obsolete, worn out or surplus equipment or property in the ordinary course of business;

(b)    sales, transfers and dispositions of assets to any Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that any such sales, transfers or dispositions involving a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be made in compliance with Section 6.09;

(c)    sales, transfers and dispositions of Accounts and Credit Card Accounts in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof;

(d)    sales, transfers and dispositions of Permitted Investments and other Investments permitted by Section 6.04;

(e)    Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(f)    dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary; and

(g)    sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests in a Subsidiary unless all Equity Interests in such Subsidiary are sold) that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section, provided that the aggregate fair market value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this paragraph (g) shall not exceed $5,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Company;

provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby (other than those permitted by paragraphs (b) and (f) above) shall be made for fair value and for at least 75% cash consideration.

SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred (a “Sale and Leaseback Transaction”), except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by any Borrower or any Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 90 days after such Borrower or such Subsidiary acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset.
    
SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of any Borrower or any Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness. (a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (i) each of Holdings and the Borrowers may declare and pay dividends with respect to its common stock payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, and, with respect to its preferred stock, payable solely in additional shares of such preferred stock or in shares of its common stock, (ii) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, and (iii) the Borrowers may make other Restricted Payments subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Condition.





(b)    No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (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 Indebtedness, except:

(i)    payment of Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

(ii)    payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as and when due in respect of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 (other than payments in respect of the Subordinated Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof) and payments in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness permitted by the subordination provisions thereof;

(iii)    refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01; and

(iv)    payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by the terms of Section 6.05.

SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary 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) transactions that (i) are in the ordinary course of business and (ii) are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Loan Party or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among any Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any investment permitted by Sections 6.04(c) or 6.04(d), (d) any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c), (e) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (f) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 6.04, (g) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of any Borrower or any Subsidiary who are not employees of such Borrower or Subsidiary, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (h) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by a Borrower’s board of directors, and (i) other transactions with Affiliates subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Condition.

SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any 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 (a) the ability of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to any Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by any Requirement of Law or by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing 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 and (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof.

SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Material Documents. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any agreement relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) its charter, articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational or governing documents, or (c) any Material Agreement, to the extent any such




amendment, modification or waiver would be adverse to the Lenders.

SECTION 6.12. Financial Covenants.

(a)    Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  The Borrowers will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as of the end of any fiscal month of Holdings, commencing with the fiscal month for which the Administrative Agent has received financial statements ending immediately preceding the date on which (i) there is an Event of Default, or (ii) the Borrowers’ Availability is less than the greater of (1) $7,500,000, and (2) 10% of the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment, and (y) the Borrowing Base, to be less than 1.0 to 1.0.   Once such covenant is in effect, compliance with the covenant will be discontinued on the day immediately succeeding the last day of the fiscal month which includes the 60th consecutive day on which the Borrowers’ Availability remains in excess of 10% of the Revolving Commitment, provided that (A) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of such day and (B) such covenant may not be discontinued pursuant to this sentence more than 5 times during the term of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default.

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

(a)    the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b)    the Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days;

(c)    any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in, or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been materially incorrect when made or deemed made;

(d)    any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to a Loan Party’s existence) or 5.08 or in Article VI;

(e)    any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those which constitute a default under another Section of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of (i) 5 days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of Section 5.01, 5.02 (other than Section 5.02(a)), 5.03 through 5.07, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.13 of this Agreement or (ii) 15 days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of any other Section of this Agreement;

(f)    any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable;

(g)    any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness




to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by Section 6.05;

(h)    an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of a Loan Party or Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i)    any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Loan Party or Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admit-ting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the fore-going;

(j)    any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability, or publicly declare its intention not to, or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k)    (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of thirty (30) 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 any Loan Party or Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment; or (ii) any Loan Party or Subsidiary shall fail within thirty (30) days to discharge one or more non-monetary judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgments or orders, in any such case, are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued;

(l)    an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(m)    a Change in Control shall occur;

(n)    the occurrence of any “default”, as defined in any Loan Document (other than this Agreement) or the breach of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document (other than this Agreement), which default or breach continues beyond any period of grace therein provided;

(o)    the Loan Guaranty or any Obligation Guaranty shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of the Loan Guaranty or any Obligation Guaranty, or any Guarantor shall fail to comply with any of the terms or provisions of the Loan Guaranty or any Obligation Guaranty to which it is a party, or any Guarantor shall deny that it has any further liability under the Loan Guaranty or any Obligation Guaranty to which it is a party, or shall give notice to such effect, including, but not limited to notice of termination delivered pursuant to Section 10.08 or any notice of termination delivered pursuant to the terms of any Obligation Guaranty;

(p)    except as permitted by the terms of any Collateral Document, (i) any Collateral Document shall for any reason fail to create a valid security interest in any Collateral purported to be covered thereby, or (ii) any Lien securing any Secured Obligation shall cease to be a perfected, first priority Lien;





(q)    any Collateral Document shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Collateral Document;

(r)    any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Loan Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction that evidences its assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms); or

(s)    any Loan Party is criminally indicted or convicted under any law that may reasonably be expected to lead to a forfeiture of any property of such Loan Party having a fair market value in excess of $10,000,000;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower Representative, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate the Commitments, whereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then out-standing to be due and payable in whole (or in part, but ratably as among the Classes of Loans and the Loans of each Class at the time outstanding, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers, and (iii) require cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j) hereof; and in the case of any event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding and the cash collateral for the LC Exposure, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, increase the rate of interest applicable to the Loans and other Obligations as set forth in this Agreement and exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC.


ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent.

SECTION 8.01. Authorization and Action.

(a) Each Lender, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender and the Issuing Bank authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than within the United States, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute and enforce any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s behalf. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents.

(b)     As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action,




but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender and the Issuing Bank; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the Issuing Bank with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(c)    In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the
Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank (except in limited
circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register), and its duties are
entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
    
(i)    the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party or holder of any other obligation other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(ii)    nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account;
(d)     The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise its rights and powers
hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.

(e)     None of any Syndication Agent, any Co-Documentation Agent or any Arranger shall have




obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but all such persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.

(f) In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on any Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(iii)    to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Disbursements and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.17 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(iv)    to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the other Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 9.03). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrowers’ right to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article, no Borrower nor any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions. 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 Secured Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Article.

SECTION 8.02. Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Indemnification, Etc.

(a) Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the
Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.    

(b) The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a “notice of default”) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower




Representative, a Lender or the Issuing Bank, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) 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 Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral.

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.04, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 9.04(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrowers), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or Issuing Bank and shall not be responsible to any Lender or Issuing Bank for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).

SECTION 8.03. Posting of Communications.

(a) The Borrowers agree that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any
Communications available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank by posting the Communications on IntraLinks™, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic system chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Electronic Platform”).

(b) Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent
from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and each Borrower hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

(c) THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM




VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ARRANGER, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM.

“Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.

(d) Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.

(e) Each of the Lenders, Issuing Bank and each Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.

(f) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

SECTION 8.04. Reliance. The Administrative Agent Individually. With respect to its Commitment, Loans and Letters of Credit, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be. The terms “Issuing Bank”, “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender, Issuing Bank or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with, any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank.

SECTION 8.05. Successor Administrative Agent.

(a)    The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower Representative, whether or not a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank. In either case, such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower Representative (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative




Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Administrative Agent its rights as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrowers, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Collateral Document and Loan Document, and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender and Issuing Bank. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent's resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article, Section 2.17(d) and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub‑agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (a) above.
SECTION 8.06. Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Bank.

(a) Each Lender represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrowers and their Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date or the effective date of any such Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall have become a Lender hereunder.

(c) Each Lender hereby agrees that (i) it has requested a copy of each Report prepared by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent; (ii) the Administrative Agent (A) makes 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 a Report and (B) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report; (iii) the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that 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 Administrative Agent undertakes no obligation to update, correct or supplement the Reports; (iv) it will keep all Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use, not share the Report with any Loan Party or any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (v) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, (A) it will hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any extension of credit that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a Loan or Loans; and (B) it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any such other Person as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

SECTION 8.07. Collateral Matters.

(a) Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.08 or with respect to a Secured Party’s right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof. In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the UCC. In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Banking Services the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations and no Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations, will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Secured Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each Secured Party that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Banking Services or Swap Agreement, as applicable, shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Secured Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.

(c) The Secured Parties irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.02(b). The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Secured Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

SECTION 8.08. Credit Bidding. The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or




with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 9.02 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata with their original interest in such Obligations and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.

SECTION 8.09. Certain ERISA Matters.

(a)
Each Lender (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, the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, 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:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

(ii) 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 Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, and the conditions for exemptive relief thereunder are and will continue to be satisfied in connection therewith,

(iii)     (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv)    such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b)     In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), 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, the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, 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:

(i) none of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (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 to hereto or thereto),

(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21, as amended from time to time) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR §2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent or the Arranger or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement.





(c)     The Administrative Agent and the Arranger hereby inform the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
    
SECTION 8.10. Flood Laws. JPMCB has adopted internal policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders under the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and related legislation (the “Flood Laws”). JPMCB, as administrative agent or collateral agent on a syndicated facility, will post on the applicable electronic platform (or otherwise distribute to each Lender in the syndicate) documents that it receives in connection with the Flood Laws. However, JPMCB reminds each Lender and Participant in the facility that, pursuant to the Flood Laws, each federally regulated Lender (whether acting as a Lender or Participant in the facility) is responsible for assuring its own compliance with the flood insurance requirements.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous.

SECTION 9.01. Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone or Electronic Systems (and subject in each case to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile, as follows:

(i)
if to any Loan Party, to the Borrower Representative at:

Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.
12420 Stonebridge Road
Roanoke, IN 46783
Attention: John Enwright, Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile No: (260) 484-2278
Email: jenwright@verabradley.com

and

Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.
12420 Stonebridge Road
Roanoke, IN 46783
Attention: Mark Dely, Chief Legal Officer
Facsimile No: (260) 484-2278 
Email: mdely@verabradley.com

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, JPMCB in its capacity as an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:
10 S. Dearborn
22nd Floor Mail code: IL1-1458
Chicago, IL 60603-2300
Attention: Stephanie Lis




Facsimile No: 312-732-1262

(iii) if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address or facsimile number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

All such notices and other communications (i) sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received, (ii) sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent, provided that if not given during 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 of the recipient, or (iii) delivered through Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below shall be effective as provided in such paragraph.

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, or 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. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative (on behalf of the Loan Parties) may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, 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 proscribes, all such notices and other communications (i) sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if 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) posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient.

(c) Any party hereto may change its address, facsimile number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a)  No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document 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, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party 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 the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b)    Except as provided in the first sentence of Section 2.09(f) (with respect to any commitment increase) and subject to Section 2.14(c) and Section 9.02(e) below, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or (y) in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, 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 (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender), (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC




Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby (provided that any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or any defined term used therein) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii)), (iii) postpone any scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest, fees or other Obligations payable 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 (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.09(d), Section 2.18(b) or (d) in a manner that would alter the ratable reduction of Commitments or the manner in which payments are shared, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (v) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base or add new categories of eligible assets, without the written consent of each Revolving Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (vii) release any Guarantor from its obligation under its Loan Guaranty or Obligation Guaranty (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents) or release any Guarantor from its obligation under the Loan Documents (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents), without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or (viii) except as provided in clause (c) of this Section or in any Collateral Document, release or subordinate (other than subordinating to Liens permitted under Section 6.02) the Liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any amendment to Section 2.20 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.07 or any letter of credit application and any bilateral agreement between the Borrower Representative and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, respectively. The Administrative Agent may also amend the Commitment Schedule to reflect assignments entered into pursuant to Section 9.04. Any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Lenders of one or more Classes (but not the Lenders of any other Class), may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite number or percentage in interest of each affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time.

(c)    The Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to release any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral (i) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, and the cash collateralization of all Unliquidated Obligations in a manner satisfactory to each affected Lender, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if the Loan Party disposing of such property certifies to the Administrative Agent that the sale or disposition is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), and to the extent that the property being sold or disposed of constitutes 100% of the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent is authorized to release any Loan Guaranty or Obligation Guaranty provided by such Subsidiary, (iii) constituting property leased to a Loan Party under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (iv) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article VII. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent will not release any Liens on Collateral without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders; provided that, the Administrative Agent may in its discretion, release its Liens on Collateral valued in the aggregate not in excess of $5,000,000 during any calendar year without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders (it being agreed that the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on one or more certificates of the Borrowers as to the value of any Collateral to be so released,




without further inquiry). Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

(d)    If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but has not been obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Borrowers may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrowers shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrowers hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to an be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower Representative only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a)  The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, pay all (i) reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through any Electronic System or Approved Electronic Platform) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of the Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of‑pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit. Expenses being reimbursed by the Loan Parties under this Section include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with:

(i)    appraisals and insurance reviews, subject to the limitations in Section 5.12;





(ii)    field examinations and the preparation of Reports based on the fees charged by a third party retained by the Administrative Agent or the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by the Administrative Agent with respect to each field examination, subject to the limitations in Section 5.06;

(iii)    background checks regarding senior management and/or key investors, as deemed necessary or appropriate in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent;

(iv)    Taxes, fees and other charges for (A) lien and title searches and (B) recording the filing financing statements and continuations, and other actions to perfect, protect, and continue the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

(v)    sums paid or incurred to take any action required of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents that such Loan Party fails to pay or take; and

(vi)    forwarding loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the accounts and lock boxes, and costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral.

All of the foregoing fees, costs and expenses may be charged to the Borrowers as Revolving Loans or to another deposit account, all as described in Section 2.18(c).

(b)    The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the 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 losses, claims, damages, penalties, incremental taxes, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, (iv) the failure of a Loan Party to deliver to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence with respect to a payment made by a Loan Party for Taxes pursuant to Section 2.17, or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c)    Each Lender severally agrees to pay any amount required to be paid by any Loan Party under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 9.03 to the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “Agent Indemnitee”) (to the extent not reimbursed by a Loan Party and without limiting the obligation of any Loan Party to do so), ratably according to their respective Applicable Percentage in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Applicable Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated




hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent Indemnitee under or in connection with any of the foregoing; 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 Indemnitee in its capacity as such; provided, further, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.

(d)    To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet) or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this paragraph (d) shall relieve any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee against special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.

(e)    All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.04. 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 the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) 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 any 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 the 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 Administrative Agent, the 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 Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

(A)    the Borrower Representative, provided that the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment of all or a portion of the Revolving Loans and Commitments unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof and provided further that no consent of the Borrower Representative 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;

(B)    the Administrative Agent; and

(C)    the Issuing Bank.

(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 Approved Fund 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 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 $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower Representative 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;  

(C)    the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

(D)    the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Company, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

“Ineligible Institution” means a (a) natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Parent, (c) company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof; provided that, with respect to clause (c), such company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $25,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; or (d) a Loan Party or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate of a Loan Party.

(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 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 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.

(iv)    The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, 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, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall




treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v)    Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, 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; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or 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, the 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 this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) and (g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender and the information and documentation required under Section 2.17(g) will be delivered to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.

Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers’ request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any




notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the 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 without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, 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 9.05. 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 this Agreement or any other 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, the 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 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII 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 other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

SECTION 9.06. 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 (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) increases or reductions of the Issuing Bank Sublimit of the Issuing Bank 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 and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby 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; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent.

SECTION 9.07. Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document 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 thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each of their respective 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, the Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the Secured Obligations held by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of such Lender or the Issuing Bank different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The applicable Lender, the Issuing Bank or such Affiliate shall notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent of such setoff or application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff or application under this Section. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) The Loan Documents (other than those containing a contrary express choice of law provision) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Illinois, but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks.

(b)     Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, notwithstanding the governing law provisions of any applicable Loan Document, any claims brought against the Administrative Agent by any Lender relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Collateral or the consummation or administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Illinois.

(c)     Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or Illinois state court sitting in Chicago, Illinois, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Documents, the transactions relating hereto or thereto, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may (and any such claims, cross-claims or third party claims brought against the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties may only) be heard and determined in such Illinois State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its proper-ties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
 
(d)    Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or here-after have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (c) 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 action or proceeding in any such court.

(e)    Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10. 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 LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS




AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER AGENT (INCLUDING ANY 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 AGREE-MENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11. 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 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to comply with all Requirements of Law pertaining to the confidentiality of Borrower’s Information, and 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 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 Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) or otherwise in connection with any regulatory examination of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s regulatory compliance policy, (c) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Loan Parties and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower Representative (h) to holders of Equity Interests in any Borrower, (i) to any Person providing a Guarantee of all or any portion of the Secured Obligations, 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 the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers.

For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers and other than information pertaining to this Agreement provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrowers after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION (AS DEFINED IN THIS SECTION 9.12) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWERS, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.





ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWERS, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS

SECTION 9.13. Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law. The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board) for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to the Borrowers in violation of any Requirement of Law.

SECTION 9.14. USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

SECTION 9.15. Disclosure. Each Loan Party, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with any of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates.
         
SECTION 9.16. Appointment for Perfection. Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.

SECTION 9.17. 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 NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

SECTION 9.18. Marketing Consent. The Borrowers hereby authorize JPMCB and its affiliates (collectively, the “JPMCB Parties”), at their respective sole expense, but without any prior approval by any Borrower, to include the Borrowers’ names and logos in advertising slicks posted on their internet sites, in pitchbooks or sent in mailings to prospective customers and to give such other publicity to this Agreement as each may from time to time determine in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, JPMCB Parties shall not publish the Borrowers’ names in a newspaper or magazine without obtaining the Borrowers’ prior written approval. The foregoing authorization shall




remain in effect unless and until the Borrower Representative notifies JPMCB in writing that such authorization is revoked.

SECTION 9.19. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA 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 an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA 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 any EEA Resolution Authority.
SECTION 9.20. No Fiduciary Duty, etc. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to each Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents and the transaction contemplated therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, any Borrower or any other person. Each Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising any Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. Each Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to any Borrower with respect thereto. Each Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its Affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, any Borrower and other companies with which any Borrower may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion. In addition, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which a Borrower may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from any Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with such Borrower in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. Each Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions




contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to any Borrower, confidential information obtained from other companies.

ARTICLE X

Loan Guaranty.


SECTION 10.01. Guaranty. Each Loan Guarantor (other than those that have delivered a separate Guaranty) hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Secured Parties, the prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Secured Obligations and all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, all court costs and attorneys' and paralegals' fees (including allocated costs of in-house counsel and paralegals) and expenses paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in endeavoring to collect all or any part of the Secured Obligations from, or in prosecuting any action against, any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Secured Obligations (such costs and expenses, together with the Secured Obligations, collectively the “Guaranteed Obligations”; provided, however, that the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor). Each Loan Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal. All terms of this Loan Guaranty apply to and may be enforced by or on behalf of any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of any Lender that extended any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 10.02. Guaranty of Payment. This Loan Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Loan Guarantor waives any right to require the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to sue any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor, any other guarantor of, or any other Person obligated for, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (each, an “Obligated Party”), or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 10.03. No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty. (a) Except as otherwise provided for herein, the obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower or any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Obligated Party or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated Party; or (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Loan Guarantor may have at any time against any Obligated Party, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transactions.

(b)    The obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.

(c)    Further, the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for the obligations of any Borrower for all or any part of the




Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act, omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Loan Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Loan Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations).

SECTION 10.04. Defenses Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower or any Loan Guarantor or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other Obligated Party, other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party or any other Person. Each Loan Guarantor confirms that it is not a surety under any state law and shall not raise any such law as a defense to its obligations hereunder. The Administrative Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been Paid in Full. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Loan Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.

SECTION 10.05. Rights of Subrogation. No Loan Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification, that it has against any Obligated Party or any collateral, until the Loan Parties and the Loan Guarantors have fully performed all their obligations to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders.

SECTION 10.06. Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration. If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Secured Party in its discretion), each Loan Guarantor's obligations under this Loan Guaranty with respect to that payment shall be reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made and whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders are in possession of this Loan Guaranty. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Loan Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 10.07. Information. Each Loan Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrowers’ financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Loan Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Loan Guaranty, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall have any duty to advise any Loan Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.

SECTION 10.08. Termination. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank may continue to make loans or extend credit to the Borrowers based on this Loan Guaranty until five (5) days after it receives written notice of termination from any Loan Guarantor. Notwithstanding receipt of any such notice, each Loan Guarantor will continue to be liable to the Lenders for any Guaranteed Obligations created, assumed or committed to prior to the fifth day after receipt of the notice, and all subsequent renewals, extensions, modifications and amendments with respect to, or




substitutions for, all or any part of such Guaranteed Obligations. Nothing in this Section 10.08 shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of, or eliminate, limit, reduce or otherwise impair any rights or remedies the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have in respect of, any Default or Event of Default that shall exist under Article VII hereof as a result of any such notice of termination.

SECTION 10.09. Taxes. Each payment of the Guaranteed Obligations will be made by each Loan Guarantor without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by law. If any Loan Guarantor determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Taxes, then such Loan Guarantor 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 Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that, net of such withholding (including such withholding applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding been made.

SECTION 10.10. Maximum Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Loan Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Loan Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, Uniform Voidable Transactions Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Loan Guarantor may have under this Loan Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

SECTION 10.11. Contribution.

(a)    To the extent that any Loan Guarantor shall make a payment under this Loan Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Loan Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Loan Guarantor if each Loan Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Loan Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Loan Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guarantor Payment and the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, such Loan Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Loan Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.
(b)    As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Loan Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Loan Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Loan Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Loan Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Loan Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.
(c)    This Section 10.11 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Loan Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 10.11 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Loan Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Loan Guaranty.
(d)    The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Loan Guarantor or Loan Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.




(e)    The rights of the indemnifying Loan Guarantors against other Loan Guarantors under this Section 10.11 shall be exercisable upon the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 10.12. Liability Cumulative. The liability of each Loan Party as a Loan Guarantor under this Article X is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Loan Parties, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.

SECTION 10.13. Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Guarantee in respect of a Swap Obligation (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 10.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 10.13 or otherwise under this Loan Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). Except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 10.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of all Swap Obligations. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 10.13 constitute, and this Section 10.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

ARTICLE XI

The Borrower Representative.

SECTION 11.01. Appointment; Nature of Relationship. The Company is hereby appointed by each of the Borrowers as its contractual representative (herein referred to as the “Borrower Representative”) hereunder and under each other Loan Document, and each of the Borrowers irrevocably authorizes the Borrower Representative to act as the contractual representative of such Borrower with the rights and duties expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative agrees to act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in this Article XI. Additionally, the Borrowers hereby appoint the Borrower Representative as their agent to receive all of the proceeds of the Loans in the Funding Account(s), at which time the Borrower Representative shall promptly disburse such Loans to the appropriate Borrower(s), provided that, in the case of a Revolving Loan, such amount shall not exceed Availability. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective officers, directors, agents or employees, shall not be liable to the Borrower Representative or any Borrower for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 11.01.

SECTION 11.02. Powers. The Borrower Representative shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Borrower Representative by the terms of each thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Borrower Representative shall have no implied duties to the Borrowers, or any obligation to the Lenders to take any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents to be taken by the Borrower Representative.

SECTION 11.03. Employment of Agents. The Borrower Representative may execute any of its duties as the Borrower Representative hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through authorized officers.

SECTION 11.04. Notices. Each Borrower shall immediately notify the Borrower Representative of the occurrence of any Default hereunder referring to this Agreement describing such Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Borrower Representative receives such a notice, the Borrower Representative shall give prompt notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Any notice provided to the Borrower Representative hereunder shall constitute notice to each Borrower on the date received by the Borrower Representative.





SECTION 11.05. Successor Borrower Representative. Upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative may resign at any time, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Borrower Representative. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt written notice of such resignation to the Lenders.

SECTION 11.06. Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate. The Borrowers hereby empower and authorize the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Loan Documents and all related agreements, certificates, documents, or instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Borrowing Base Certificates and the Compliance Certificates. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Borrower Representative of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Borrowers.

SECTION 11.07. Reporting. Each Borrower hereby agrees that such Borrower shall furnish promptly after each fiscal month to the Borrower Representative a copy of its Borrowing Base Certificate and any other certificate or report required hereunder or requested by the Borrower Representative on which the Borrower Representative shall rely to prepare the Borrowing Base Certificates and Compliance Certificate required pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

(Signature Pages Follow)

    




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

        
BORROWERS:

VERA BRADLEY DESIGNS, INC.
 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


VERA BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL, LLC

 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



VERA BRADLEY SALES, LLC

 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



OTHER LOAN PARTIES:

VERA BRADLEY, INC.


 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 











JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender


 
By
/s/ Stephanie Lis
 
Name:
Stephanie Lis
 
Title:
Authorized Officer







WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

 
By
/s/ Tamar Scoville
 
Name:
Tamar Scoville
 
Title:
Vice President









       




COMMITMENT SCHEDULE


Lender
Revolving Commitment
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
$50,000,000
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
$25,000,000
Total
$75,000,000




DETROIT 7-7748 1466002v13







Exhibit


Exhibit 10.2
PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Security Agreement”) is entered into as of September 7, 2018 by and among Vera Bradley Designs, Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Vera Bradley Designs”), Vera Bradley, Inc., an Indiana corporation (“Holdings”), Vera Bradley International, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (“VB International”), Vera Bradley Sales, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (“VB Sales”), and any additional entities which become parties to this Security Agreement by executing a Security Agreement Supplement hereto in substantially the form of Annex I hereto (such additional entities, together with Vera Bradley Designs, Holdings, VB International, and VB Sales, each a “Grantor”, and collectively, the “Grantors”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the lenders party to the Credit Agreement referred to below.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

The Grantors, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders are entering into a Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Each Grantor is entering into this Security Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to enter into and extend credit to Vera Bradley Designs, VB International, and VB Sales (in such capacity, the “Borrowers”, and each, a “Borrower”) under the Credit Agreement and to secure the Secured Obligations that it has agreed to guarantee pursuant to Article X of the Credit Agreement.

ACCORDINGLY, the Grantors and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

1.1.    Terms Defined in Credit Agreement. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

1.2.    Terms Defined in UCC. Terms defined in the UCC which are not otherwise defined in this Security Agreement are used herein as defined in the UCC.

1.3.    Definitions of Certain Terms Used Herein. As used in this Security Agreement, in addition to the terms defined in the first paragraph hereof and in the Preliminary Statement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Accounts” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Article” means a numbered article of this Security Agreement, unless another document is specifically referenced.

“Cash Dominion Period” means any period when any Default exists and any other period beginning on the date that Availability is less than the greater of (i) $10,000,000, and (ii) 12.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment, and ending on the date that Availability has been greater than the foregoing threshold for 60 consecutive days.

“Chattel Paper” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.
    
“Closing Date” means the date of the Credit Agreement.

“Collateral” shall have the meaning set forth in Article II.

“Collateral Access Agreement” means any landlord waiver or other agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, between the Administrative Agent and any third party (including any bailee,




consignee, customs broker, or other similar Person) in possession of any Collateral or any landlord of any real property where any Collateral is located, as such landlord waiver or other agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Collateral Deposit Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).

“Collateral Report” means any certificate (including any Borrowing Base Certificate), report or other document delivered by any Grantor to the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the Collateral pursuant to any Loan Document.

“Collection Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b).

“Control” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 8 or, if applicable, in Section 9-104, 9-105, 9-106 or 9-107 of Article 9 of the UCC.

“Control Agreement” means an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among any Loan Party, a bank, financial institution, securities intermediary, or other Person holding such Loan Party’s funds or maintaining a Deposit Account or Securities Account for such Loan Party, and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to collection and control of all deposits, balances, securities and other assets held in a Deposit Account or Securities Account maintained by such Loan Party with such bank, financial institution, securities intermediary, or other Person.

“Credit Card Accounts” means any “payment intangibles,” as defined in the UCC, receivables, or other rights to payment of a monetary obligation due to any Debtor from a credit card issuer or a credit card processor in connection with purchases of Inventory of any Debtor in the ordinary course of business on (a) credit cards issued by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, each of their respective affiliates, and any other credit card issuers, (b) private label credit cards of any Debtor, or (c) debit cards issued by issuers or providers.

“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.

“Deposit Accounts” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Event of Default” means an event described in Section 5.1.

“Exempt Accounts” means certain Deposits Accounts satisfying both of the following requirements: (a) the Administrative Agent has agreed in writing that such Deposits Accounts may be designated as Exempt Accounts and (b) the aggregate amount on deposit in all such Deposit Accounts that are Exempt Accounts does not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

“Exhibit” refers to a specific exhibit to this Security Agreement, unless another document is specifically referenced.

“General Intangibles” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Goods” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Instruments” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Inventory” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Investment Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Lenders” means the lenders party to the Credit Agreement and their successors and assigns.





“Liabilities” means all claims, actions, suits, judgments, damages, losses, liability, obligations, responsibilities, fines, penalties, sanctions, costs, fees, Taxes, commissions, charges, disbursements and expenses (including those incurred upon any appeal or in connection with the preparation for and/or response to any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), in each case of any kind or nature (including interest accrued thereon or as a result thereto and fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and consultants), whether joint or several, whether or not indirect, contingent, consequential, actual, punitive, treble or otherwise.

“Lock Boxes” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

“Lock Box Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

“Pledged Collateral” means all Instruments, Securities and other Investment Property of the Grantors, whether or not physically delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Security Agreement.

“Receivables” means the Accounts, Credit Card Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, Investment Property, Instruments and any other rights or claims to receive money which are General Intangibles or which are otherwise included as Collateral.

“Required Secured Parties” means (a) prior to an acceleration of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Required Lenders, (b) after an acceleration of the Obligations under the Credit Agreement but prior to the date upon which the Credit Agreement has terminated by its terms and all of the obligations thereunder have been Paid in Full, Lenders holding in the aggregate at least a majority of the total of the Aggregate Credit Exposure, and (c) after the Credit Agreement has terminated by its terms and all of the Obligations thereunder have been Paid in Full (whether or not the Obligations under the Credit Agreement were ever accelerated), the Secured Parties holding in the aggregate at least a majority of the aggregate net early termination payments and all other amounts then due and unpaid from any Grantor to the Secured Parties in respect of the Secured Obligations, as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

“Retail Store” means any retail store of any Grantor located in the continental U.S.

“Section” means a numbered section of this Security Agreement, unless another document is specifically referenced.

“Securities Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 8 of the UCC.

“Security” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 8 of the UCC.

“Security Agreement Supplement” shall mean any Security Agreement Supplement to this Security Agreement in substantially the form of Annex I hereto executed by an entity that becomes a Grantor under this Security Agreement after the date hereof.

“Stock Rights” means all dividends, instruments or other distributions and any other right or property which the Grantors shall receive or shall become entitled to receive for any reason whatsoever with respect to, in substitution for or in exchange for any Equity Interest constituting Collateral, any right to receive an Equity Interest and any right to receive earnings, in which the Grantors now have or hereafter acquire any right, issued by an issuer of such Equity Interest.

“Supporting Obligations” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time, of the State of Illinois or of any other state the laws of which are required as a result thereof to be applied in connection with the attachment, perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, Administrative Agent’s or any other Secured Party’s Lien on any Collateral.
    
The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.





ARTICLE II
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

Each Grantor hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of its right, title and interest in, to and under all personal property and other assets, whether now owned by or owing to, or hereafter acquired by or arising in favor of such Grantor (including under any trade name or derivations thereof), and whether owned or consigned by or to, or leased from or to, such Grantor, and regardless of where located (all of which will be collectively referred to as the “Collateral”), including:

(i)all Accounts and Credit Card Accounts;
(ii)all Receivables;
(iii)all Inventory;
(iv)
all Instruments, Documents, and Chattel Paper evidencing or substituted for the foregoing;

(v)
all Equity Interests in Subsidiaries, subject to Section 5.14(b) of the Credit Agreement;

(vi)
all Deposit Accounts with any bank or other financial institution (including all cash, cash equivalents, financial assets, negotiable instruments and other evidence of payment, and other funds on deposit therein or credited thereto);

(vii)
all Securities Accounts with any securities intermediary (including any and all Investment Property held therein or credited thereto); and

(viii)
all accessions to, substitutions for and replacements, proceeds (including Stock Rights), insurance proceeds, Supporting Obligations, and products of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing, together with all books and records, customer lists, credit files, computer files, programs, printouts and other computer materials and records related thereto and any General Intangibles at any time evidencing or relating to any of the foregoing;


to secure the prompt and complete payment and performance of the Secured Obligations.


ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Grantor represents and warrants, and each Grantor that becomes a party to this Security Agreement pursuant to the execution of a Security Agreement Supplement represents and warrants (after giving effect to supplements, if any, to each of the Exhibits hereto with respect to such Grantor as attached to such Security Agreement Supplement), to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

1.Title, Authorization, Validity, Enforceability, Perfection and Priority. Such Grantor has good and valid rights in or the power to transfer the Collateral and title to the Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a security interest hereunder, free and clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted under Section 4.1(e), and has full power and authority to grant to the Administrative Agent the security interest in the Collateral pursuant hereto. The execution and delivery by such Grantor of this Security Agreement has been duly authorized by proper corporate or limited liability company proceedings, as applicable, of such Grantor, and this Security Agreement constitutes a legal valid and binding obligation of such Grantor and creates a security interest which is enforceable against such Grantor in all Collateral it now owns or hereafter




acquires, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. When financing statements have been filed in the appropriate offices against such Grantor in the locations listed on Exhibit H, the Administrative Agent will have a fully perfected first priority security interest in that Collateral of such Grantor in which a security interest may be perfected by filing, subject only to Liens permitted under Section 4.1(e).

2.Type and Jurisdiction of Organization, Organizational and Identification Numbers. The type of entity of such Grantor, its state of organization, the organizational number issued to it by its state of organization and its federal employer identification number are set forth on Exhibit A.

3.Principal Location. Such Grantor’s mailing address and the location of its place of business (if it has only one) or its chief executive office (if it has more than one place of business), are disclosed in Exhibit A; such Grantor has no other places of business except those set forth in Exhibit A.

4.Collateral Locations. All of such Grantor’s locations where Collateral is located are listed on Exhibit A. All of said locations are owned by such Grantor except for locations (i) which are leased by the Grantor as lessee and designated in Part VII(b) of Exhibit A and (ii) at which Inventory is held in a public warehouse or is otherwise held by a bailee or on consignment as designated in Part VII(c) of Exhibit A.

5.Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts. All of such Grantor’s Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts are listed on Exhibit B.

6.Exact Names. Such Grantor’s name in which it has executed this Security Agreement is the exact name as it appears in such Grantor’s organizational documents, as amended, as filed with such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization. Such Grantor has not, during the past five years, been known by or used any other corporate or fictitious name, or been a party to any merger or consolidation, or been a party to any acquisition.

7.Chattel Paper. Exhibit C lists all Chattel Paper of such Grantor that is Collateral. All action by such Grantor necessary or desirable to protect and perfect the Administrative Agent’s Lien on each item listed on Exhibit C (including the delivery of all originals and the placement of a legend on all Chattel Paper as required hereunder) has been duly taken. The Administrative Agent will have a fully perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral listed on Exhibit C, subject only to Liens permitted under Section 4.1(e).

8.Accounts and Chattel Paper.

(a)The names of the obligors, amounts owing, due dates and other information with respect to its Accounts and Chattel Paper that is Collateral are and will be correctly stated in all material respects in all records of such Grantor relating thereto and in all invoices and Collateral Reports with respect thereto furnished to the Administrative Agent by such Grantor from time to time. As of the time when each Account or each item of Chattel Paper that shall be Collateral arises, such Grantor shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such Account or Chattel Paper, as the case may be, and all records relating thereto, are genuine and in all material respects what they purport to be.

(b)With respect to its Accounts, except as specifically disclosed on the most recent Collateral Report, (i) all Accounts are Eligible Accounts; (ii) to such Grantor’s knowledge, there are no facts, events or occurrences which in any way impair the validity or enforceability thereof or could reasonably be expected to reduce the amount payable thereunder as shown on such Grantor’s books and records and any invoices, statements and Collateral Reports with respect thereto; (iii) such Grantor has not received any notice of proceedings or actions which are threatened or pending against any Account Debtor which might result in any adverse change in such Account Debtor’s financial condition; and (iv) such Grantor has no knowledge that any Account Debtor has become insolvent or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due.





(c)In addition, with respect to all of its Accounts, (i) the amounts shown on all invoices, statements and Collateral Reports with respect thereto are actually and absolutely owing to such Grantor as indicated thereon and are not in any way contingent; (ii) no payments have been or shall be made thereon except payments immediately delivered to a Lock Box or a Collateral Deposit Account as required pursuant to Sections 7.1 or 7.2; and (iii) to such Grantor’s knowledge, all Account Debtors have the capacity to contract.

9.Inventory. With respect to any of its Inventory scheduled or listed on the most recent Collateral Report, except as specifically disclosed on the most recent Collateral Report, (a) such Inventory (other than Inventory in transit) is located at one of such Grantor’s locations as permitted by Sections 4.1(g) or 4.15 hereof, (b) no Inventory (other than Inventory in transit) is now, or shall at any time or times hereafter be stored at any other location except as permitted by Sections 4.1(g) or 4.15 hereof, (c) such Grantor has good, indefeasible and merchantable title to such Inventory, (d) such Inventory is Eligible Inventory, (e) such Inventory has been produced in accordance with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, and all rules, regulations and orders thereunder and (f) the completion of manufacture, sale or other disposition of such Inventory by the Administrative Agent following an Event of Default shall not require the consent of any Person and shall not constitute a breach or default under any contract or agreement to which such Grantor is a party or to which such property is subject.

10.Reserved.

11.Filing Requirements. None of the Collateral owned by it is of a type for which security interests or liens may be perfected by filing under any federal statute.

12.No Financing Statements, Security Agreements. No financing statement or security agreement describing all or any portion of the Collateral which has not lapsed or been terminated (by a filing authorized by the secured party in respect thereof) naming such Grantor as debtor has been filed or is of record in any jurisdiction except for financing statements or security agreements (a) naming the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties as the secured party and (b) in respect to other Permitted Encumbrances.

13.Pledged Collateral.

(a)Exhibit G sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Pledged Collateral owned by such Grantor. Such Grantor is the direct, sole beneficial owner and sole holder of record of the Pledged Collateral listed on Exhibit G as being owned by it, free and clear of any Liens, except for any Liens permitted by Section 4.1(e). Such Grantor further represents and warrants that (i) all Pledged Collateral owned by it constituting an Equity Interest has been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such Pledged Collateral) duly authorized, validly issued, are fully paid and non‑assessable, (ii) with respect to any certificates delivered to the Administrative Agent representing an Equity Interest, either such certificates are Securities as defined in Article 8 of the UCC as a result of actions by the issuer or otherwise, or, if such certificates are not Securities, such Grantor has so informed the Administrative Agent so that the Administrative Agent may take steps to perfect its security interest therein as a General Intangible, (iii) all such Pledged Collateral held by a securities intermediary is covered by a Control Agreement among such Grantor, the securities intermediary and the Administrative Agent pursuant to which the Administrative Agent has Control and (iv) all Pledged Collateral which represents Indebtedness owed to such Grantor has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued and delivered by the issuer of such Indebtedness, is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such issuer and such issuer is not in default thereunder.

(b)In addition, (i) none of the Pledged Collateral owned by it has been issued or transferred in violation of the securities registration, securities disclosure or similar laws of any jurisdiction to which such issuance or transfer may be subject, (ii) no options, warrants, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever (A) exist relating to such Pledged Collateral or (B) obligate the issuer of any Equity Interest included in the Pledged Collateral to issue additional Equity Interests, and (iii) no consent, approval, authorization, or other action by, and no giving of notice, filing with, any governmental authority or any other Person is required for the pledge by such Grantor of such Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Security Agreement or for the execution,




delivery and performance of this Security Agreement by such Grantor, or for the exercise by the Administrative Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Security Agreement or for the remedies in respect of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Security Agreement, except as may be required in connection with such disposition by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally.

(c)Except as set forth in Exhibit G, such Grantor owns 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests which constitute Pledged Collateral owned by it and none of the Pledged Collateral which represents Indebtedness owed to such Grantor is subordinated in right of payment to other Indebtedness or subject to the terms of an indenture.


ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

From the date of this Security Agreement and thereafter until this Security Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms hereof, each Grantor party hereto as of the date hereof agrees, and from and after the effective date of any Security Agreement Supplement applicable to any Grantor (and after giving effect to supplements, if any, to each of the Exhibits hereto with respect to such subsequent Grantor as attached to such Security Agreement Supplement) and thereafter until this Security Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms hereof, each such additional Grantor agrees that:

4.1.    General.

(a)Collateral Records. Such Grantor will maintain complete and accurate books and records with respect to the Collateral owned by it, and furnish to the Administrative Agent, with sufficient copies for each of the Lenders, such reports relating to such Collateral as the Administrative Agent shall from time to time request.

(b)Authorization to File Financing Statements; Ratification. Such Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file, and if requested will deliver to the Administrative Agent, all financing statements and other documents and take such other actions as may from time to time be requested by the Administrative Agent in order to maintain a first perfected security interest in and, if applicable, Control of, the Collateral owned by such Grantor. Any financing statement filed by the Administrative Agent may be filed in any filing office in any UCC jurisdiction and may (i) indicate such Grantor’s Collateral by any description which reasonably approximates the description contained in this Security Agreement, and (ii) contain any other information required by part 5 of Article 9 of the UCC for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of any financing statement or amendment, including whether such Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organization identification number issued to such Grantor. Such Grantor also agrees to furnish any such information described in the foregoing sentence to the Administrative Agent promptly upon request. Such Grantor also ratifies its authorization for the Administrative Agent to have filed in any UCC jurisdiction any initial financing statements or amendments thereto if filed prior to the date hereof.

(c)Further Assurances. Such Grantor will, if so requested by the Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent, as often as the Administrative Agent requests, statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral owned by it and such other reports and information in connection with its Collateral as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in such detail as the Administrative Agent may specify. Such Grantor also agrees to take any and all actions necessary to defend title to the Collateral against all persons and to defend the security interest of the Administrative Agent in its Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien not expressly permitted hereunder.

(d)Disposition of Collateral. Such Grantor will not sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the Collateral owned by it except for dispositions specifically permitted pursuant to Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement.





(e)Liens. Such Grantor will not create, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien on the Collateral owned by it except (i) the security interest created by this Security Agreement, and (ii) other Permitted Encumbrances.

(f)Other Financing Statements. Such Grantor will not authorize the filing of any financing statement naming it as debtor covering all or any portion of the Collateral owned by it, except for financing statements (i) naming the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties as the secured party, and (ii) in respect to other Permitted Encumbrances. Such Grantor acknowledges that it is not authorized to file any financing statement or amendment or termination statement with respect to any financing statement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, subject to such Grantor’s rights under Section 9-509(d)(2) of the UCC.

(g)Locations. Such Grantor will not (i) maintain any Collateral owned by it at any location other than those locations listed on Exhibit A (which Exhibit A shall be updated in accordance with Section 5.01(h) of the Credit Agreement), (ii) otherwise change, or add to, such locations without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent as required by the Credit Agreement (and if the Administrative Agent gives such consent, such Grantor will concurrently therewith use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a Collateral Access Agreement for each such location to the extent required by Section 4.13) except as permitted under Section 4.15, or (iii) change its principal place of business or chief executive office from the location identified on Exhibit A, other than as permitted by the Credit Agreement.

(h)Compliance with Terms. Such Grantor will perform and comply with all obligations in respect of the Collateral owned by it and all agreements to which it is a party or by which it is bound relating to such Collateral.

4.2.    Receivables.

(a)Certain Agreements on Receivables. Such Grantor will not make or agree to make any discount, credit, rebate or other reduction in the original amount owing on a Receivable or accept in satisfaction of a Receivable less than the original amount thereof, except that, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, such Grantor may reduce the amount of Accounts arising from the sale of Inventory in accordance with its present policies and in the ordinary course of business.

(b)Collection of Receivables. Except as otherwise provided in this Security Agreement, such Grantor will collect and enforce, at such Grantor’s sole expense, all amounts due or hereafter due to such Grantor under the Receivables owned by it consistent with the ordinary course of such Grantor’s business.

(c)Delivery of Invoices. Such Grantor will deliver to the Administrative Agent promptly upon its request duplicate invoices with respect to each Account owned by it bearing such language of assignment as the Administrative Agent shall specify.

(d)Disclosure of Counterclaims on Receivables. Each Grantor shall disclose on each Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to the Credit Agreement whether (i) any discount, credit or agreement to make a rebate or to otherwise reduce the amount owing on any Receivable owned by such Grantor exists, (ii) to the knowledge of such Grantor, any dispute, setoff, claim, counterclaim or defense exists or has been asserted or threatened with respect to any such Receivable, and (iii) any credit memorandum has been issued. Such Grantor shall send the Administrative Agent a copy of each credit memorandum in excess of $250,000 as soon as issued.

(e)Electronic Chattel Paper. Such Grantor shall take all steps necessary to grant the Administrative Agent Control of all electronic Chattel Paper that is Collateral in accordance with the UCC and all “transferable records” as defined in each of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.





4.3.    Inventory.

(a)Maintenance of Goods. Such Grantor will do all things necessary to maintain, preserve, protect and keep its Inventory in good repair and working and saleable condition, except for damaged or defective goods arising in the ordinary course of such Grantor’s business.

(b)    Returned Inventory. If an Account Debtor returns any Inventory to such Grantor when no Event of Default exists, then such Grantor shall promptly determine the reason for such return and shall issue a credit memorandum to the Account Debtor in the appropriate amount. Such Grantor shall immediately report to the Administrative Agent any return involving an amount in excess of $1,000,000. Each such report shall indicate the reasons for the returns and the locations and condition of the returned Inventory. In the event any Account Debtor returns Inventory to such Grantor when an Event of Default exists, such Grantor, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, shall: (i) hold the returned Inventory in trust for the Administrative Agent; (ii) segregate all returned Inventory from all of its other property; (iii) dispose of the returned Inventory solely according to the Administrative Agent’s written instructions; and (iv) not issue any credits or allowances with respect thereto without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent. All returned Inventory shall be subject to the Administrative Agent’s Liens thereon. Whenever any Inventory is returned, the related Account shall be deemed ineligible to the extent of the amount owing by the Account Debtor with respect to such returned Inventory and such returned Inventory shall not be Eligible Inventory.
(c)    Inventory Count; Perpetual Inventory System. Such Grantor will conduct a physical count of its Inventory in cycles at least once per fiscal year, and after and during the continuation of an Event of Default, at such other times as the Administrative Agent requests. Such Grantor, at its own expense, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the results of each physical verification, which such Grantor has made, or has caused any other Person to make on its behalf, of all or any portion of its Inventory. Such Grantor will maintain a perpetual inventory reporting system at all times.
    
4.4.    Delivery of Instruments, Securities, Chattel Paper and Documents. Such Grantor will (a) deliver to the Administrative Agent immediately upon execution of this Security Agreement the originals of all Chattel Paper, Securities and Instruments constituting Collateral owned by it (if any then exist), (b) hold in trust for the Administrative Agent upon receipt and immediately thereafter deliver to the Administrative Agent any such Chattel Paper, Securities and Instruments constituting Collateral, (c) upon the Administrative Agent’s request, deliver to the Administrative Agent (and thereafter hold in trust for the Administrative Agent upon receipt and immediately deliver to the Administrative Agent) any Document evidencing or constituting Collateral, and (d) promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request, deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly executed amendment to this Security Agreement, in the form of Exhibit I hereto (the “Amendment”), pursuant to which such Grantor will pledge such additional Collateral. Such Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to attach each Amendment to this Security Agreement and agrees that all additional Collateral owned by it set forth in such Amendments shall be considered to be part of the Collateral.

4.5.    Uncertificated Pledged Collateral. Such Grantor will permit the Administrative Agent from time to time to cause the appropriate issuers (and, if held with a securities intermediary, such securities intermediary) of uncertificated securities or other types of Pledged Collateral owned by it not represented by certificates to mark their books and records with the numbers and face amounts of all such uncertificated securities or other types of Pledged Collateral not represented by certificates and all rollovers and replacements therefor to reflect the Lien of the Administrative Agent granted pursuant to this Security Agreement. With respect to any Pledged Collateral owned by it, such Grantor will take any actions necessary to cause (a) the issuers of uncertificated securities which are Pledged Collateral and (b) any securities intermediary which is the holder of any such Pledged Collateral, to cause the Administrative Agent to have and retain Control over such Pledged Collateral. Without limiting the foregoing, such Grantor will, with respect to any such Pledged Collateral held with a securities intermediary, cause such securities intermediary to enter into a Control Agreement with the Administrative Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, giving the Administrative Agent Control.





4.6.    Pledged Collateral.

(a)Changes in Capital Structure of Issuers. Such Grantor will not (i) permit or suffer any issuer of an Equity Interest constituting Pledged Collateral owned by it to dissolve, merge, liquidate, retire any of its Equity Interests or other Instruments or Securities evidencing ownership, reduce its capital, sell or encumber all or substantially all of its assets (except for Permitted Encumbrances and sales of assets permitted pursuant to Section 4.1(d)) or merge or consolidate with any other entity, or (ii) vote any such Pledged Collateral in favor of any of the foregoing.

(b)Issuance of Additional Securities. Such Grantor will not permit or suffer the issuer of an Equity Interest constituting Pledged Collateral owned by it to issue additional Equity Interests, any right to receive the same or any right to receive earnings, except to such Grantor.

(c)Registration of Pledged Collateral. Such Grantor will permit any registerable Pledged Collateral owned by it to be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee at any time at the option of the Required Secured Parties.

(d)Exercise of Rights in Pledged Collateral.

(i)    Without in any way limiting the foregoing and subject to clause (ii) below, such Grantor shall have the right to exercise all voting rights or other rights relating to the Pledged Collateral owned by it for all purposes not inconsistent with this Security Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided however, that no vote or other right shall be exercised or action taken which would have the effect of impairing the rights of the Administrative Agent in respect of such Pledged Collateral.

(i)Such Grantor will permit the Administrative Agent or its nominee at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, without notice, to exercise all voting rights or other rights relating to the Pledged Collateral owned by it, including, without limitation, exchange, subscription or any other rights, privileges, or options pertaining to any Equity Interest or Investment Property constituting such Pledged Collateral as if it were the absolute owner thereof.

(ii)Such Grantor shall be entitled to collect and receive for its own use all cash dividends and interest paid in respect of the Pledged Collateral owned by it to the extent not in violation of the Credit Agreement other than any of the following distributions and payments (collectively referred to as the “Excluded Payments”): (A) dividends and interest paid or payable other than in cash in respect of such Pledged Collateral, and instruments and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged Collateral; (B) dividends and other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of such Pledged Collateral in connection with a partial or total liquidation or dissolution or in connection with a reduction of capital, capital surplus or paid-in capital of an issuer; and (C) cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed, in respect of principal of, or in redemption of, or in exchange for, such Pledged Collateral; provided however, that until actually paid, all rights to such distributions shall remain subject to the Lien created by this Security Agreement; and

(iii)All Excluded Payments and all other distributions in respect of any Pledged Collateral owned by such Grantor, whenever paid or made, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent to hold as Pledged Collateral and shall, if received by such Grantor, be received in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, be segregated from the other property or funds of such Grantor, and be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent as Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).

(e)Interests in Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships. Each Grantor agrees that no ownership interests in a limited liability company or a limited partnership which are included within the Collateral owned by such Grantor shall at any time constitute a Security under Article 8 of the UCC of the applicable jurisdiction.





(f)Pledge of Limited Liability Company Equity Interests. Notwithstanding anything contained in an operating agreement (a “Pledged LLC Operating Agreement”) of a limited liability company (a “Pledged LLC”) whose Equity Interests are being pledged by a Loan Party (a “Pledging Party”) pursuant hereto, each Pledging Party shall be permitted to pledge or hypothecate any or all of its membership interests in such Pledged LLC, including all economic rights, control rights and status rights as a member, to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders, and any transfer of such membership interests pursuant to the Administrative Agent’s exercise of remedies in connection with any such pledge or hypothecation shall be permitted under the applicable Pledged LLC Operating Agreement with no further action or approval required thereunder. Notwithstanding anything contained in a Pledged LLC Operating Agreement to the contrary, subject to the terms of the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall have the right, to the extent set forth in the this Agreement, and without further approval of the Pledging Party or any other member of the Pledged LLC and without becoming a member of the Pledged LLC (unless the Administrative Agent elects to become a member), to exercise the membership voting rights of the Pledging Party. Notwithstanding anything contained in a Pledged LLC Operating Agreement to the contrary, and without complying with any other procedures set forth in such Pledged LLC Operating Agreement, upon the exercise of remedies in connection with a pledge or hypothecation, to the extent set forth in this Agreement, (a) the Administrative Agent or its transferee, as the case may be, shall, if it so elects, become a member of the Pledged LLC under the applicable Pledged LLC Operating Agreement and, in such event, shall succeed to all of the rights and powers of the Pledging Party, including the right to participate in the management of the business and affairs of the Pledged LLC, and shall be bound by all of the obligations, of a member under such Pledged LLC Operating Agreement without taking any further action on the part of the Administrative Agent or its transferee, as the case may be, and (b) following such exercise of remedies, the Pledging Party shall cease to be a member of the Pledged LLC and shall have no further rights or powers under the applicable Pledged LLC Operating Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by a Pledging Party shall constitute any necessary approval of such Pledging Party as a member of a Pledged LLC under the Pledged LLC Operating Agreement to the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.6(f). The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, shall be a third party beneficiary of the Pledged LLC Operating Agreement with respect to the terms contained in this Section 4.6(f).

1.Reserved.

4.8    Reserved.

4.9.    Reserved.

4.10.    Federal, State or Municipal Claims. Such Grantor will promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any Collateral which constitutes a claim against the United States government or any state or local government or any instrumentality or agency thereof, the assignment of which claim is restricted by federal, state or municipal law.

4.11.    No Interference. Such Grantor agrees that it will not interfere with any right, power and remedy of the Administrative Agent provided for in this Security Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise, or the exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Administrative Agent of any one or more of such rights, powers or remedies.

4.12.    Insurance. (a)    In the event any Collateral is located in any area that has been designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a “Special Flood Hazard Area”, such Grantor shall purchase and maintain flood insurance on such Collateral (including any personal property which is located on any real property leased by such Loan Party within a “Special Flood Hazard Area”). The amount of flood insurance required by this Section shall at a minimum comply with applicable law, including the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended.

    (b)    All insurance policies required hereunder and under Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement shall name the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) as an additional insured or as lender loss payee, as applicable, and shall contain lender loss payable clauses or mortgagee clauses, through endorsements in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which provide that: (i) all




proceeds thereunder with respect to any Collateral shall be payable to the Administrative Agent; (ii) no such insurance shall be affected by any act or neglect of the insured or owner of the property described in such policy; and (iii) such policy and lender loss payable or mortgagee clauses may be canceled, amended, or terminated only upon at least thirty (30) days prior written notice given to the Administrative Agent.

(c)    All premiums on any such insurance shall be paid when due by such Grantor, and copies of the policies delivered to the Administrative Agent. Unless a Grantor provides the Administrative Agent with evidence of the insurance coverage required by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may purchase insurance at such Grantor’s or the Borrower’s expense to protect the Administrative Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ interests in the Collateral. This insurance may, but need not, protect such Grantor’s interests. The coverage that the Administrative Agent purchases may not pay any claim that such Grantor makes or any claim that is made against such Grantor in connection with the Collateral. Such Grantor may later cancel any insurance purchased by the Administrative Agent, but only after providing the Administrative Agent with evidence that such Grantor has obtained insurance as required by this Agreement. If the Administrative Agent purchases insurance for the Collateral, such Grantor and the Borrower will be responsible for the costs of that insurance, including interest and any other charges the Administrative Agent may impose in connection with the placement of the insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance. The costs of the insurance may be added to the Borrower’s or such Grantor’s total outstanding balance or obligation. The costs of the insurance may be more than the cost of insurance such Grantor may be able to obtain on its own. By purchasing such insurance, the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have waived any Default arising from the Grantor’s failure to maintain such insurance or pay any premiums therefor.

4.13.     Collateral Access Agreements. Such Grantor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a Collateral Access Agreement, from the lessor of each leased property, mortgagee of owned property or bailee or consignee with respect to any warehouse, processor or converter facility or other location where Collateral is stored or located, which agreement or letter shall provide access rights, contain a waiver or subordination of all Liens or claims that the landlord, mortgagee, bailee or consignee may assert against the Collateral at that location, and shall otherwise be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, provided that the Grantors shall not be required to use such commercially reasonable efforts with respect to Retail Stores unless requested to do so by the Administrative Agent. With respect to such locations or warehouse space leased as of the Closing Date and thereafter, if the Administrative Agent has not received a Collateral Access Agreement as of the Effective Date (or, if later, as of the date such location is acquired or leased), the Borrower’s Eligible Inventory at that location shall be subject to such Reserves as may be established by the Administrative Agent. If, after the Closing Date, any real property or warehouse space shall be leased by such Grantor or any Inventory shall be shipped to a processor or converter under arrangements established after the Closing Date, such Grantor shall (i) comply with the requirements of Section 4.13, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a satisfactory Collateral Access Agreement with respect to such location and if such Collateral Access Agreement has not been obtained, the Borrower’s Eligible Inventory at that location shall be subject to the establishment of Reserves acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Such Grantor shall timely and fully pay and perform its obligations under all leases and other agreements with respect to each leased location or third party warehouse where any Collateral is or may be located.

4.14.     Control Agreements. Such Grantor will provide to the Administrative Agent promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request, a Control Agreement duly executed on behalf of each bank, financial institution, securities intermediary, or other Person holding such Grantor’s funds or maintaining a Deposit Account or Securities Account of such Grantor as set forth in this Security Agreement; provided that, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, defer delivery of any such Control Agreement, establish a Reserve with respect to any Deposit Account or Securities Account for which the Administrative Agent has not received such Control Agreement, and require such Grantor to open and maintain a new Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts with a bank, financial institution, securities intermediary, or other Person subject to a Control Agreement.

4.15. Change of Name or Location; Change of Fiscal Year. Such Grantor shall not (a) change its name as it appears in official filings in the state of its incorporation or organization, (b) change its chief executive office, principal place of business, mailing address, corporate offices or warehouses or locations at which Collateral is held or stored, or the location of its records concerning the Collateral as set forth in this Security Agreement, (c) change the type of




entity that it is, (d) change its organization identification number, if any, issued by its state of incorporation or other organization, or (e) change its state of incorporation or organization, in each case, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of such change and the Administrative Agent shall have acknowledged in writing that either (1) such change will not adversely affect the validity, perfection or priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, or (2) any reasonable action requested by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith has been completed or taken (including any action to continue the perfection of any Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, in any Collateral), provided that, (i) any new location shall be in the continental U.S. and (ii) each Grantor may close Retail Stores and open Retail Stores if (x) during the Initial Period, such Grantor shall have specifically disclosed such closings and openings on the most recent Collateral Report, and (ii) after the Initial Period, such Grantor shall have notified the Administrative Agent in writing of such closings and openings at least thirty (30) days prior thereto and shall have provided a copy of the lease for any such new Retail Store and such information with respect to each such new Retail Store as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent. Such Grantor shall not change its fiscal year.

ARTICLE V
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

5.1. Events of Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:

(a)Any representation or warranty made by or on behalf of any Grantor under or in connection with this Security Agreement shall be materially false as of the date on which made.

(b)Any Grantor shall fail to observe or perform any of the terms or provisions of Article IV or Article VII.

(c)Any Grantor shall fail to observe or perform any of the terms or provisions of this Security Agreement (other than a breach which constitutes an Event of Default under any other Section of this Article V) and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after the earlier of knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent.

(d)The occurrence of any “Event of Default” under, and as defined in, the Credit Agreement.

(e)Any Equity Interest which is included within the Collateral shall at any time constitute a Security or the issuer of any such Equity Interest shall take any action to have such interests treated as a Security unless (i) all certificates or other documents constituting such Security have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and such Security is properly defined as such under Article 8 of the UCC of the applicable jurisdiction, whether as a result of actions by the issuer thereof or otherwise, or (ii) the Administrative Agent has entered into a control agreement with the issuer of such Security or with a securities intermediary relating to such Security and such Security is defined as such under Article 8 of the UCC of the applicable jurisdiction, whether as a result of actions by the issuer thereof or otherwise.
    
1.
Remedies.

(a)Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may exercise any or all of the following rights and remedies:

(i)those rights and remedies provided in this Security Agreement, the Credit Agreement, or any other Loan Document; provided that, this Section 5.2(a) shall not be understood to limit any rights or remedies available to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties prior to an Event of Default;

(ii)those rights and remedies available to a secured party under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) or under any other applicable law (including, without limitation,




any law governing the exercise of a bank’s right of setoff or bankers’ lien) when a debtor is in default under a security agreement;

(iii)give notice of sole control or any other instruction under any Control Agreement and take any action therein with respect to such Collateral;

(iv)without notice (except as specifically provided in Section 8.1 or elsewhere herein), demand or advertisement of any kind to any Grantor or any other Person, enter the premises of any Grantor where any Collateral is located (through self-help and without judicial process) to collect, receive, assemble, process, appropriate, sell, lease, assign, grant an option or options to purchase or otherwise dispose of, deliver, or realize upon, the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales (which sales may be adjourned or continued from time to time with or without notice and may take place at any Grantor’s premises or elsewhere), for cash, on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk, and upon such other terms as the Administrative Agent may deem commercially reasonable; and

(v)concurrently with written notice to the applicable Grantor, transfer and register in its name or in the name of its nominee the whole or any part of the Pledged Collateral, exchange certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations, exercise the voting and all other rights as a holder with respect thereto, to collect and receive all cash dividends, interest, principal and other distributions made thereon and to otherwise act with respect to the Pledged Collateral as though the Administrative Agent was the outright owner thereof.

(b)The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may comply with any applicable state or federal law requirements in connection with a disposition of the Collateral and compliance will not be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

(c)The Administrative Agent shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right of equity redemption, which equity redemption the Grantor hereby expressly releases.

(d)Until the Administrative Agent is able to effect a sale, lease, or other disposition of Collateral, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to hold or use Collateral, or any part thereof, to the extent that it deems appropriate for the purpose of preserving Collateral or its value or for any other purpose deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may, if it so elects, seek the appointment of a receiver or keeper to take possession of Collateral and to enforce any of the Administrative Agent’s remedies (for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties), with respect to such appointment without prior notice or hearing as to such appointment.

(e)If, after the Credit Agreement has terminated by its terms and all of the Obligations have been Paid in Full, there remain Swap Agreement Obligations outstanding, the Required Secured Parties may exercise the remedies provided in this Section 5.2 upon the occurrence of any event which would allow or require the termination or acceleration of any Swap Agreement Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Swap Agreement.

(f)Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be required to (i) make any demand upon, or pursue or exhaust any of its rights or remedies against, any Grantor, any other obligor, guarantor, pledgor or any other Person with respect to the payment of the Secured Obligations or to pursue or exhaust any of its rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral therefor or any direct or indirect guarantee thereof, (ii) marshal the Collateral or any guarantee of the Secured Obligations or to resort to the Collateral or any such guarantee in any particular order, or (iii) effect a public sale of any Collateral.





(g)Each Grantor recognizes that the Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Collateral and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof in accordance with clause (a) above. Each Grantor also acknowledges that any private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall not be deemed to have been made in a commercially unreasonable manner solely by virtue of such sale being private. The Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit any Grantor or the issuer of the Pledged Collateral to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under applicable state securities laws, even if the applicable Grantor and the issuer would agree to do so.

5.3. Grantor’s Obligations Upon Default. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent after the occurrence of a Default, each Grantor will:

(a)assemble and make available to the Administrative Agent the Collateral and all books and records relating thereto at any place or places specified by the Administrative Agent, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere;

(b)permit the Administrative Agent, by the Administrative Agent’s representatives and agents, to enter, occupy and use any premises where all or any part of the Collateral, or the books and records relating thereto, or both, are located, to take possession of all or any part of the Collateral or the books and records relating thereto, or both, to remove all or any part of the Collateral or the books and records relating thereto, or both, and to conduct sales of the Collateral, without any obligation to pay the Grantor for such use and occupancy;

(c)prepare and file, or cause an issuer of Pledged Collateral to prepare and file, with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other applicable government agency, registration statements, a prospectus and such other documentation in connection with the Pledged Collateral as the Administrative Agent may request, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and furnish to the Administrative Agent, or cause an issuer of Pledged Collateral to furnish to the Administrative Agent, any information regarding the Pledged Collateral in such detail as the Administrative Agent may specify;

(d)take, or cause an issuer of Pledged Collateral to take, any and all actions necessary to register or qualify the Pledged Collateral to enable the Administrative Agent to consummate a public sale or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral; and

(e)at its own expense, cause the independent certified public accountants then engaged by each Grantor to prepare and deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, at any time, and from time to time, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request, the following reports with respect to the applicable Grantor: (i) a reconciliation of all Accounts; (ii) an aging of all Accounts; (iii) trial balances; and (iv) a test verification of such Accounts.

ARTICLE VI
ACCOUNT VERIFICATION; ATTORNEY IN FACT; PROXY

1.Account Verification. The Administrative Agent may at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in the Administrative Agent’s own name, in the name of a nominee of the Administrative Agent, or in the name of any Grantor communicate (by mail, telephone, facsimile or otherwise) with the Account Debtors of any such Grantor, parties to contracts with any such Grantor and obligors in respect of Instruments of any such Grantor to verify with such Persons, to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, the existence, amount, terms of, and any other matter relating to, Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper, payment intangibles and/or other Receivables.

2.Authorization for Administrative Agent to Take Certain Action.





(a)    Each Grantor irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney in fact (i) to execute on behalf of such Grantor as debtor and to file financing statements necessary or desirable in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion to perfect and to maintain the perfection and priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, (ii) in the case of any Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to such Grantor, execute, deliver and have recorded any document that the Administrative Agent may request to evidence, effect, publicize or record the Administrative Agent’s security interest in such Intellectual Property and the goodwill and General Intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby, (iii) to endorse and collect any cash proceeds of the Collateral, (iv) to file a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Security Agreement or any financing statement with respect to the Collateral as a financing statement and to file any other financing statement or amendment of a financing statement (which does not add new collateral or add a debtor) in such offices as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion deems necessary or desirable to perfect and to maintain the perfection and priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, (v) to contact and enter into one or more agreements with the issuers of uncertificated securities which are Pledged Collateral or with securities intermediaries holding Pledged Collateral as may be necessary or advisable to give the Administrative Agent Control over such Pledged Collateral, (vi) to apply the proceeds of any Collateral received by the Administrative Agent to the Secured Obligations as provided in Section 7.3, (vii) to discharge past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees or Liens on the Collateral (except for such Liens that are Permitted Encumbrances), (viii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to contact Account Debtors for any reason, (ix) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to demand payment or enforce payment of the Receivables in the name of the Administrative Agent or such Grantor and to endorse any and all checks, drafts, and other instruments for the payment of money relating to the Receivables, (x) to sign such Grantor’s name on any invoice or bill of lading relating to the Receivables, drafts against any Account Debtor of the Grantor, assignments and verifications of Receivables, (xi) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise all of such Grantor’s rights and remedies with respect to the collection of the Receivables and any other Collateral, (xii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew the Receivables, (xiii) to settle, adjust or compromise any legal proceedings brought to collect Receivables, (xiv) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to prepare, file and sign such Grantor’s name on a proof of claim in bankruptcy or similar document against any Account Debtor of such Grantor, (xv) to prepare, file and sign such Grantor’s name on any notice of Lien, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document in connection with the Receivables, (xvi) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to change the address for delivery of mail addressed to such Grantor to such address as the Administrative Agent may designate and to receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to such Grantor, and (xvii) to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out this Security Agreement; and such Grantor agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent on demand for any payment made or any expense incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that, this authorization shall not relieve such Grantor of any of its obligations under this Security Agreement or under the Credit Agreement.

(b)    All acts of said attorney or designee are hereby ratified and approved. The powers conferred on the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, under this Section 6.2 are solely to protect the Administrative Agent’s interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any such powers.

3.Proxy. EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS ITS PROXY AND ATTORNEY‑IN‑FACT (AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 6.2 ABOVE) WITH RESPECT TO ITS PLEDGED COLLATERAL, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO VOTE ANY OF THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL, WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION TO DO SO. IN ADDITION TO THE RIGHT TO VOTE ANY OF THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL, THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT SHALL INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES AND REMEDIES TO WHICH A HOLDER OF ANY OF THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL WOULD BE ENTITLED (INCLUDING GIVING OR WITHHOLDING WRITTEN CONSENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS, CALLING SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND VOTING AT SUCH MEETINGS). SUCH PROXY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE, AUTOMATICALLY AND WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF ANY ACTION




(INCLUDING ANY TRANSFER OF ANY OF THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL ON THE RECORD BOOKS OF THE ISSUER THEREOF) BY ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE ISSUER OF THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL OR ANY OFFICER OR AGENT THEREOF), UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A DEFAULT.

4.Nature of Appointment; Limitation of Duty. THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT IN THIS ARTICLE VI IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE UNTIL THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT IS TERMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8.14. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING CONTAINED HEREIN, NONE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, ANY OTHER SECURED PARTY, ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF THEIR OR THEIR AFFILIATES’ RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE ANY DUTY TO EXERCISE ANY RIGHT OR POWER GRANTED HEREUNDER OR OTHERWISE OR TO PRESERVE THE SAME AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY FAILURE TO DO SO OR FOR ANY DELAY IN DOING SO, EXCEPT IN RESPECT OF DAMAGES ATTRIBUTABLE SOLELY TO ITS OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT AS FINALLY DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION; PROVIDED THAT, IN NO EVENT SHALL THEY BE LIABLE FOR ANY PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

ARTICLE VII
COLLECTION AND APPLICATION OF COLLATERAL PROCEEDS; DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS


1.Collection of Receivables.

(a) On or before 60 days after the Closing Date, each Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent Control Agreements for each Deposit Account (other than Exempt Accounts) maintained by such Grantor into which all cash, checks or other similar payments relating to or constituting payments made in respect of Receivables will be deposited (each, a “Collateral Deposit Account”). All Collateral Deposit Accounts are identified as such on Exhibit B. After the Closing Date, each Grantor will comply with the terms of Section 7.2.

(b)Each Grantor shall direct all of its Account Debtors to forward payments directly to Collateral Deposit Accounts subject to Control Agreements. If any Grantor should refuse or neglect to notify any Account Debtor to forward payments directly to a Collateral Deposit Account subject to a Control Agreement after notice from the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to make such notification directly to such Account Debtor. If notwithstanding the foregoing instructions, any Grantor receives any proceeds of any Receivables, such Grantor shall receive such payments as the Administrative Agent’s trustee, and shall immediately deposit all cash, checks or other similar payments related to or constituting payments made in respect of Receivables received by it to a Collateral Deposit Account. At no time shall any Grantor withdraw any amounts from a Collateral Deposit Account, and all funds deposited into any Collateral Deposit Account will be swept on a daily basis into a collection account maintained by such Grantor with the Administrative Agent (the “Collection Account”). The Administrative Agent shall hold and apply funds received into the Collection Account as provided by the terms of Section 7.3.

2.Covenant Regarding New Deposit Accounts; Lock Boxes. Before opening or replacing any Collateral Deposit Account or other Deposit Account, each Grantor shall (a) obtain the Administrative Agent’s consent in writing to the opening of such Collateral Deposit Account or other Deposit Account, and (b) cause each bank or financial institution in which it seeks to open a Collateral Deposit Account or other Deposit Account, to enter into a Deposit Account Control Agreement with the Administrative Agent in order to give the Administrative Agent Control of such Collateral Deposit Account or other Deposit Account (except Exempt Accounts) and provide for a daily sweep into the Collection Account. The Grantors will ensure that the aggregate amount on deposit in all Exempt Accounts will not exceed $1,000,000 at any time, and if at any time the aggregate amount on deposit in all Exempt Accounts exceeds $1,000,000, the Grantors shall




immediately sweep such excess into the Collection Account. The Grantors and the Administrative Agent, if mutually agreed upon, may establish lock box service (a “Lock Box”) and enter into an irrevocable lockbox agreements in the form provided by or otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and which shall be accompanied by an acknowledgment by the bank where the Lock Box is located of the Lien of the Administrative Agent granted hereunder and of irrevocable instructions to wire all amounts collected therein to the Collection Account (each, a “Lock Box Agreement”). In the case of Deposit Accounts or Lock Boxes maintained with Lenders, the terms of such letter shall be subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement regarding setoffs.

3.Application of Proceeds; Deficiency. All amounts deposited in the Collection Account shall be deemed received by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.18 of the Credit Agreement and shall, after having been credited to the Collection Account, be applied (and allocated) by Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.10(b) of the Credit Agreement; provided that, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing and a Cash Dominion Period is not otherwise in effect, collections which are received into the Collection Account shall be deposited into the applicable Grantor’s Funding Account rather than being used to reduce amounts owing under the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall require all other cash proceeds of the Collateral or other assets, which are not required to be applied to the Obligations pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Credit Agreement, to be deposited in a special non‑interest bearing cash collateral account with the Administrative Agent and held there as security for the Secured Obligations. No Grantor shall have any control whatsoever over said cash collateral account. Any such proceeds of the Collateral shall be applied in the order set forth in Section 2.18 of the Credit Agreement unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall otherwise direct. The balance, if any, after all of the Secured Obligations have been satisfied, shall be deposited by the Administrative Agent into such Grantor’s general operating account with the Administrative Agent. The Grantors shall remain liable, jointly and severally, for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all Secured Obligations, including any attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred by Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to collect such deficiency. For purposes of Section 2.10(b) of the Credit Agreement, full cash dominion shall be deemed to be in effect pursuant to Section 7.3 during any Cash Dominion Period.

ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.Waivers. Each Grantor hereby waives notice of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale or other disposition of all or any part of the Collateral may be made. To the extent such notice may not be waived under applicable law, any notice made shall be deemed reasonable if sent to the Grantors, addressed as set forth in Article IX, at least ten days prior to (i) the date of any such public sale or (ii) the time after which any such private sale or other disposition may be made. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages, and demands against the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party arising out of the repossession, retention or sale of the Collateral, except such as arise solely out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or such other Secured Party as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. To the extent it may lawfully do so, each Grantor absolutely and irrevocably waives and relinquishes the benefit and advantage of, and covenants not to assert against the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party, any valuation, stay, appraisal, extension, moratorium, redemption or similar laws and any and all rights or defenses it may have as a surety now or hereafter existing which, but for this provision, might be applicable to the sale of any Collateral made under the judgment, order or decree of any court, or privately under the power of sale conferred by this Security Agreement, or otherwise. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each Grantor hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or any notice (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) of any kind in connection with this Security Agreement or any Collateral.

2.Limitation on Administrative Agent’s and Other Secured Parties’ Duty with Respect to the Collateral. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to clean-up or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale. The Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party shall use reasonable care with respect to the Collateral in its possession or under its control. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Secured Party




shall have any other duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or nominee of the Administrative Agent or such other Secured Party, or any income thereon or as to the preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto. To the extent that applicable law imposes duties on the Administrative Agent to exercise remedies in a commercially reasonable manner, each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that it is commercially reasonable for the Administrative Agent (i) to fail to incur expenses deemed significant by the Administrative Agent to prepare Collateral for disposition or otherwise to transform raw material or work in process into finished goods or other finished products for disposition, (ii) to fail to obtain third party consents for access to Collateral to be disposed of, or to obtain or, if not required by other law, to fail to obtain governmental or third party consents for the collection or disposition of Collateral to be collected or disposed of, (iii) to fail to exercise collection remedies against Account Debtors or other Persons obligated on Collateral or to remove Liens on or any adverse claims against Collateral, (iv) to exercise collection remedies against Account Debtors and other Persons obligated on Collateral directly or through the use of collection agencies and other collection specialists, (v) to advertise dispositions of Collateral through publications or media of general circulation, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (vi) to contact other Persons, whether or not in the same business as such Grantor, for expressions of interest in acquiring all or any portion of the Collateral, (vii) to hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of Collateral, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (viii) to dispose of Collateral by utilizing internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capacity of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets, (ix) to dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets, (x) to disclaim disposition warranties, such as title, possession or quiet enjoyment, (xi) to purchase insurance or credit enhancements to insure the Administrative Agent against risks of loss, collection or disposition of Collateral or to provide to the Administrative Agent a guaranteed return from the collection or disposition of Collateral, or (xii) to the extent deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent, to obtain the services of other brokers, investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist the Administrative Agent in the collection or disposition of any of the Collateral. Each Grantor acknowledges that the purpose of this Section 8.2 is to provide non-exhaustive indications of what actions or omissions by the Administrative Agent would be commercially reasonable in the Administrative Agent’s exercise of remedies against the Collateral and that other actions or omissions by the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on account of not being indicated in this Section 8.2. Without limitation upon the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 8.2 shall be construed to grant any rights to any Grantor or to impose any duties on the Administrative Agent that would not have been granted or imposed by this Security Agreement or by applicable law in the absence of this Section 8.2.

3.Compromises and Collection of Collateral. The Grantors and the Administrative Agent recognize that setoffs, counterclaims, defenses and other claims may be asserted by obligors with respect to certain of the Receivables, that certain of the Receivables may be or become uncollectible in whole or in part and that the expense and probability of success in litigating a disputed Receivable may exceed the amount that reasonably may be expected to be recovered with respect to a Receivable. In view of the foregoing, each Grantor agrees that the Administrative Agent may at any time and from time to time, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, compromise with the obligor on any Receivable, accept in full payment of any Receivable such amount as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion shall determine or abandon any Receivable, and any such action by the Administrative Agent shall be commercially reasonable so long as the Administrative Agent acts in good faith based on information known to it at the time it takes any such action.

4.Secured Party Performance of Debtor Obligations. Without having any obligation to do so, the Administrative Agent may perform or pay any obligation which any Grantor has agreed to perform or pay in this Security Agreement and the Grantors shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for any amounts paid by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.4. The Grantors’ obligation to reimburse the Administrative Agent pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be a Secured Obligation payable on demand.

5.Specific Performance of Certain Covenants. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Sections 4.1(d), 4.1(e), 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 5.3, or 8.7 or in Article VII will cause irreparable injury to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, that the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at law




in respect of such breaches and therefore agrees, without limiting the right of the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties to seek and obtain specific performance of other obligations of the Grantors contained in this Security Agreement, that the covenants of the Grantors contained in the Sections referred to in this Section 8.5 shall be specifically enforceable against the Grantors.

6.Dispositions Not Authorized. No Grantor is authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral except as set forth in Section 4.1(d) and notwithstanding any course of dealing between any Grantor and the Administrative Agent or other conduct of the Administrative Agent, no authorization to sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral (except as set forth in Section 4.1(d)) shall be binding upon the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties unless such authorization is in writing signed by the Administrative Agent with the consent or at the direction of the Required Secured Parties.

7.No Waiver; Amendments; Cumulative Remedies. No delay or omission of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any right or remedy granted under this Security Agreement shall impair such right or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any Default or an acquiescence therein, and any single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall not preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. No waiver, amendment or other variation of the terms, conditions or provisions of this Security Agreement whatsoever shall be valid unless in writing signed by the Administrative Agent with the concurrence or at the direction of the Lenders required under Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement and then only to the extent in such writing specifically set forth. All rights and remedies contained in this Security Agreement or by law afforded shall be cumulative and all shall be available to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties until the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full.

8.Limitation by Law; Severability of Provisions. All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Security Agreement may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable provision of law, and all the provisions of this Security Agreement are intended to be subject to all applicable mandatory provisions of law that may be controlling and to be limited to the extent necessary so that they shall not render this Security Agreement invalid, unenforceable or not entitled to be recorded or registered, in whole or in part. Any provision in this Security Agreement that is held to be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid without affecting the remaining provisions in that jurisdiction or the operation, enforceability, or validity of that provision in any other jurisdiction, and to this end the provisions of this Security Agreement are declared to be severable.

9.Reinstatement. This Security Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against any Grantor for liquidation or reorganization, should any Grantor become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of any creditor or creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of any Grantor’s assets, and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, or any part thereof (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Secured Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent conveyance,” or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Secured Party in its discretion), all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Secured Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

10.Benefit of Agreement. The terms and provisions of this Security Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns (including all persons who become bound as a debtor to this Security Agreement), except that no Grantor shall have the right to assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Security Agreement or any interest herein, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. No sales of participations, assignments, transfers, or other dispositions of any agreement governing the Secured




Obligations or any portion thereof or interest therein shall in any manner impair the Lien granted to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, hereunder.

11.Survival of Representations. All representations and warranties of the Grantors contained in this Security Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Security Agreement.

12.Taxes and Expenses. Any taxes (including income taxes) payable or ruled payable by Federal or State authority in respect of this Security Agreement shall be paid by the Grantors, together with interest and penalties, if any. The Grantors shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for any and all out‑of‑pocket expenses and internal charges (including reasonable attorneys’, auditors’ and accountants’ fees and reasonable time charges of attorneys, paralegals, auditors and accountants who may be employees of the Administrative Agent) paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, collection and enforcement of this Security Agreement and in the audit, analysis, administration, collection, preservation or sale of the Collateral (including the expenses and charges associated with any periodic or special audit of the Collateral). Any and all costs and expenses incurred by the Grantors in the performance of actions required pursuant to the terms hereof shall be borne solely by the Grantors.

13.Headings. The title of and section headings in this Security Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not govern the interpretation of any of the terms and provisions of this Security Agreement.

14.Termination. This Security Agreement shall continue in effect (notwithstanding the fact that from time to time there may be no Secured Obligations outstanding) until (i) the Credit Agreement has terminated pursuant to its express terms and (ii) all of the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full (or with respect to any outstanding Letters of Credit, a cash deposit or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, a back up standby Letter of Credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank has been delivered to the Administrative Agent as required by the Credit Agreement) other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been made and no commitments of the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties which would give rise to any Secured Obligations are outstanding.

15.Entire Agreement. This Security Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the Grantors and the Administrative Agent relating to the Collateral and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the Grantors and the Administrative Agent relating to the Collateral.

16.CHOICE OF LAW. THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS APPLICABLE TO NATIONAL BANKS.

17.CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL OR ILLINOIS STATE COURT SITTING IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT AND IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE AS TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT OR THAT SUCH COURT IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY GRANTOR IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.





18.WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH GRANTOR, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

19.Indemnity. Each Grantor hereby agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, and their respective successors, assigns, agents and employees (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”), from and against any and all liabilities, damages, penalties, suits, fees, costs, and expenses of any kind and nature (including, without limitation, all expenses of litigation or preparation therefor whether or not the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party is a party thereto) imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee, in any way relating to or arising out of this Security Agreement, or the manufacture, purchase, acceptance, rejection, ownership, delivery, lease, possession, use, operation, condition, sale, return or other disposition of any Collateral (including, without limitation, latent and other defects, whether or not discoverable by the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties or any Grantor, and any claim for Patent, Trademark or Copyright infringement); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, damages, penalties, suits, fees, costs, and expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

20.Counterparts. This Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Security Agreement by signing any such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Security Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Security Agreement.

ARTICLE IX
NOTICES

9.1.    Sending Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Security Agreement shall be sent in accordance with Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.

9.2.    Change in Address for Notices. Each of the Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may change the address for service of notice upon it by a notice in writing to the other parties.

ARTICLE X
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT    

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. has been appointed Administrative Agent for the other Secured Parties hereunder pursuant to Article VIII of the Credit Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties to this Security Agreement that any authority conferred upon the Administrative Agent hereunder is subject to the terms of the delegation of authority made by the Secured Parties to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and that the Administrative Agent has agreed to act (and any successor Administrative Agent shall act) as such hereunder only on the express conditions contained in such Article VIII. Any successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Article VIII of the Credit Agreement shall be entitled to all the rights, interests and benefits of the Administrative Agent hereunder.

[Signature Page Follows]




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantors and the Administrative Agent have executed this Security Agreement as of the date first above written.
GRANTORS:

VERA BRADLEY DESIGNS, INC.


 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


VERA BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL, LLC


 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


VERA BRADLEY SALES, LLC


 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


VERA BRADLEY, INC.


 
By
/s/ John Enwright
 
Name:
John Enwright
 
Title:
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer






JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

 
By
/s/ Stephanie Lis
 
Name:
Stephanie Lis
 
Title:
Authorized Officer

            



Exhibit


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert Wallstrom, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vera Bradley, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: September 12, 2018
 
/s/ Robert Wallstrom
 
 
Robert Wallstrom
 
 
Chief Executive Officer



Exhibit


Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, John Enwright, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vera Bradley, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: September 12, 2018
 
/s/ John Enwright
 
 
John Enwright
 
 
Chief Financial Officer



Exhibit


Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert Wallstrom, the Chief Executive Officer of Vera Bradley, Inc., certify that (i) the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2018 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vera Bradley, Inc. as of the dates and for the periods set forth therein.

 
 
/s/ Robert Wallstrom
 
 
Robert Wallstrom
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
September 12, 2018
 
 
Date

I, John Enwright, the Chief Financial Officer of Vera Bradley, Inc., certify that (i) the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 4, 2018 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vera Bradley, Inc. as of the dates and for the periods set forth therein.

 
 
/s/ John Enwright
 
 
John Enwright
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
September 12, 2018
 
 
Date