-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, UMOTqr7S/Hi95x3BI8+6OCXgCH4Ty8PVAWLmRY3J8CeFm/VqYhfpElMlRohvyheM pd2DigZ9/YGyZ+Owv3qUHw== 0000950137-06-006401.txt : 20060531 0000950137-06-006401.hdr.sgml : 20060531 20060531151950 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950137-06-006401 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060531 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060531 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TALX CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000917524 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-COMPUTER INTEGRATED SYSTEMS DESIGN [7373] IRS NUMBER: 430988805 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MO FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-21465 FILM NUMBER: 06876830 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 11432 LACKLAND ROAD CITY: ST LOUIS STATE: MO ZIP: 63146 BUSINESS PHONE: 3142147000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 11432 LACKLAND ROAD CITY: ST LOUIS STATE: MO ZIP: 63146 10-K 1 c05630e10vk.txt ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED 3/31/2006 ================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------------- FORM 10-K [X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 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 000-21465 TALX CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MISSOURI 43-0988805 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 11432 LACKLAND ROAD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63146 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (314) 214-7000 (Registrant's telephone number, Including area code) SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. [X] Yes [ ] No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. [ ] Yes [X] No Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. 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. [X] Yes [ ] No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). [ ] Yes [X] No As of September 30, 2005, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $699 million. For purpose of this calculation only, without determining whether the following are affiliates of the registrant, the registrant has assumed that (i) its directors and executive officers are affiliates and (ii) entities controlled by such persons are affiliates. As of May 30, 2006, there were 32,371,398 shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the registrant's 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which definitive proxy statement will be filed within 120 days of the end of the registrant's fiscal year, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. ================================================================================ PART I FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This report contains certain statements regarding future results, performance, expectations, or intentions that may be considered forward-looking statements ("forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to, among other things, business trends and prospects, potential future profitability, revenue growth and cash flows, including without limitation, forward-looking statements under "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-K are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks facing us. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) the risk that our revenues from The Work Number may fluctuate in response to changes in certain economic conditions such as interest rates and employment trends; (2) risks associated with our ability to prevent breaches of confidentiality or inappropriate use of data as we perform large-scale processing of verifications; (3) risks associated with our ability to maintain the accuracy, privacy and confidentiality of our clients' employee data; (4) risks related to our ability to increase the size and range of applications for The Work Number database and to successfully market current and future services and related to our dependence on third party providers to do so; (5) the risk of interruption of our computer network and telephone operations, including potential slow-down or loss of business as potential clients review our operations; (6) risks associated with potential challenges regarding the applicability of the Fair Credit Reporting Act or similar law; (7) risks relating to the dependence of the market for The Work Number services on mortgage documentation requirements in the secondary market and the risk that our revenues and profitability would be significantly harmed if those requirements were relaxed or eliminated; (8) risks related to the applicability of any new privacy legislation or interpretation of existing laws; (9) the risk that our revenues from unemployment tax management services may fluctuate in response to changes in economic conditions; (10) risks related to changes in tax laws, including work opportunity , or "WOTC," and welfare to work, or "WtW," tax credits; (11) the risk to our future growth due to our dependence on our ability to effectively integrate acquired companies and capitalize on cross-selling opportunities; and (12) risks relating to doing business with the federal government following our April 2006 acquisition of PAN. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" for a more detailed description of many of these and other risk factors. You should read this Form 10-K completely and with the understanding that our actual results may be materially different from what we expect. We do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. 2 ITEM 1. BUSINESS OVERVIEW We are a leading provider of payroll-related and human resources business process outsourcing services. Our services enable our clients to automate and outsource the performance of payroll and human resources business processes that would otherwise be performed by their own in-house payroll or human resources departments. Our clients are large and mid-size organizations, including more than three-fourths of the Fortune 500 companies in a wide variety of industries, as well as a number of government agencies. Our current services include employment and income verification and other payroll-related services, unemployment tax management services, tax credit and incentive services, and employee assessment and talent management services. - Income Verification and Employment Services. Our employment and income verification services, which we refer to collectively as "The Work Number services," are designed to help employers save time and effort and reduce expenses associated with many of the administrative tasks required to support large workforces. These tasks include verifying employment and income information, printing and distributing pay stubs and annual W-2 forms, collecting time-reporting data, updating employee personnel records on a self-service basis, and screening job applicants. As of March 31, 2006, The Work Number database, our proprietary database of payroll and other human resources-related information, contained approximately 129.0 million employee records and had contracts to receive an additional 7.3 million records. Authorized users such as mortgage lenders, pre-employment screeners, credit issuers, social service agencies and others access The Work Number service and pay us transaction-based or monthly service fees for verification of employment and income information. - Unemployment Tax Management Services. Through our unemployment tax management services, we provide unemployment insurance claims processing, unemployment hearing education and consultation, and unemployment tax planning and management services to a broad range of employers. These services are designed to reduce the cost of processing unemployment claims by human resources departments and to better manage the tax rate that employers are assessed for unemployment taxes. - Tax Credit and Incentive Services. Our services in the tax credits and incentives segment include assisting employers with federal, state and local tax credits. Examples of federal tax credit services include integrating work opportunity, or "WOTC", and welfare to work, or "WtW", tax credit processing into the current hiring process, as well as processing all necessary forms to identify applicants and employees who are potential qualifiers for hiring tax credits. State and local tax credit services include assisting clients in identifying and calculating enterprise zone credits and job creation credits. - Employee Assessment and Talent Management Services. Beginning in fiscal year 2007, through our employee assessment and talent management services, we provide testing and assessment services, as well as talent management services that are designed to enable organizations to automate and improve their human capital management business processes. With our employee assessment and talent management services, clients can electronically deliver the assessments to applicants and arrange the administering or proctoring of the assessments at pre-qualified testing centers. Using an online dashboard, clients can manage open positions and direct active applicants through the entire assessment and selection process, including external tests such as a drug test. TALX services are enabled by our proprietary databases and applications that are designed to quickly and efficiently access and process large volumes of data. We employ web, interactive voice response, fax, document imaging and other technologies to enhance the services offered to our clients. We can interact with various payroll and human resources systems, and are virtually independent of the information technology services our clients select. As used in this Form 10-K the terms "TALX," "we," "our," and "us" and other similar terms refer to TALX Corporation, unless we specify otherwise. We have obtained a trademark registration for the name TALX and a trademark registration for The Work Number for Everyone, The Work Number, FasTime, UC eXpress, W-2 eXpress, Advanced HR Solutions, Performance Assessment Network, PAN, and Vital Information for Talent Assessment with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, TALXWare is our trademark, and I-9 eXpress, HireXpress and FasCast are our service marks. All other trade names, trademarks and product names in this Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners. 3 We are a Missouri corporation, with our principal executive offices located at 11432 Lackland Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63146. Our telephone number is (314) 214-7000. AVAILABLE INFORMATION Our Internet website address is http://www.talx.com. We have made copies of the following reports available free of charge through our Internet website, as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: our annual report on Form 10-K; quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; current reports on Form 8-K; and amendments to those reports. Information on our website does not constitute a part of this Report. RECENT ACQUISITIONS Pursuant to an acquisition agreement dated April 20, 2005, we acquired Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., which specializes in providing unemployment cost management services as well as an employment verification service, for approximately $24 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Additionally, the acquisition agreement includes provisions for potential earn-out payments if certain future financial performance measures are achieved through the twelve months ending April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2007, respectively. Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated April 26, 2005, we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain of the liabilities of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC, which specializes in employment-related tax credit and incentive services, for approximately $5 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated November 1, 2005, we acquired the unemployment tax management businesses of Employers Unity, Inc., for approximately $30 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated December 15, 2005, we acquired the tax credit and incentives business of Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc., for approximately $24 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Pursuant to an acquisition agreement dated April 6, 2006, we acquired Performance Assessment Network, Inc., or "PAN," a provider of secure, electronic-based psychometric testing and assessments, as well as comprehensive talent management services, for approximately $75 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The purchase prices of the acquisitions were determined based on arms'-length negotiations, and were paid in cash financed through our Loan Agreements as discussed in Notes 8 and 20 to our consolidated financial statements and in "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources." SEGMENTS As a result of recent acquisitions, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, we determined that we operate in four business segments: - The Work Number services; - unemployment tax management; - tax credits and incentives; and - maintenance and support services related to our former customer premises systems business. The presentation of segment information reflects the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Prior period information has been reclassified to reflect the establishment of the unemployment tax management segment and the tax credits and incentives segment, which were previously presented together as one segment. We are assessing the impact of the April 6, 2006 acquisition of PAN on our current segment classifications. See "Recent Acquisitions" above. 4 THE WORK NUMBER SERVICES The Work Number services include our employment and income verification services, W-2 management services (which include initial distribution, reissue and correction of W-2 forms), paperless pay services that enable employees to electronically receive pay statement information as well as review and change direct deposit account or W-4 information, integrated electronic time capture and reporting services, paperless new-hire services to bring new workers on board using electronic forms, and I-9 management services designed to help clients electronically comply with the immigration laws that require employers to complete an I-9 form for each new hire. The Work Number employment and income verification service is designed to help employers save time and effort and reduce expenses associated with many of the administrative tasks required to support large workforces. Additionally, all services in The Work Number suite of services provide secure web access for managers to obtain management reports, approve certain transactions and exercise important control functions. The Work Number. Lenders, pre-employment screeners, credit issuers, social service agencies and other information verifiers often request organizations to verify employment and income information that has been provided by employees or former employees. For example, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, leading purchasers of residential mortgages in the United States, usually require independent verification of employment and income data for the past two calendar years and a current payroll period in connection with mortgages that they will purchase. The Work Number is an outsourced service that enables employers to direct the third-party verifiers to our website or to a toll-free telephone number to verify the employee's employment status and income data. We generate substantially all of The Work Number revenues from transaction-based or monthly fees charged to lenders, pre-employment screeners, credit issuers, social service agencies and other information verifiers for verification of employment and income information. As of March 31, 2006, The Work Number database contained approximately 129.0 million employee records and had contracts to receive an additional 7.3 million records. The Work Number database is updated on a regular basis as employers transmit data electronically directly to us each payroll period. Employers contract to provide this data for specified periods, generally three years. Each employee included in our clients' payroll data represents an employment record on The Work Number database. This payroll data is uploaded to The Work Number database, updating each employee's record. If the employee is no longer employed by a client, the existing record remains intact. Thus, The Work Number database includes all our clients' current employees, as well as former employees. W-2 eXpress. W-2 eXpress is a suite of services relating to the initial distribution (either printed or electronic), reissue and correction of W-2 wage and tax statement forms that we offer to existing clients and other large employers. Using data provided by employers, we distribute original W-2 forms (both electronically and in paper form through business alliances) to the employees of our clients and provide an automated process to enable these employees to request corrections to their W-2 forms and obtain additional copies via the web, telephone or direct download into their tax preparation software. This suite of services allows complete employee self-service, without requiring direct interaction with the employer's payroll staff. The majority of W-2 eXpress clients are billed based upon either the number of unique W-2s or the number of employees, generally pursuant to multi-year contracts. ePayroll. ePayroll (or Paperless Pay) is a suite of payroll self-service applications that enables employees, via the web or by telephone, to receive pay statement information, access current and historical payroll information, review and change direct deposit account or paycard information, review and change W-4 (federal and state) information, update personal information, and enroll in selected paycard services chosen by their employer. Employers that send us electronic transmissions of their employees' pay stubs and direct deposit data can reduce the amount of staff required to process routine employee payroll requests as well as reduce the cost to distribute paper pay advices. FasTime. FasTime services are integrated time capture and reporting solutions that work from any phone or the web and are used by large employers and the temporary staffing industry. For large employers, FasTime collects hours worked and exception time codes providing a user-friendly online approval and reporting for managers. FasTime is tailored to a company's business rules and processes and is designed to provide a comprehensive, paperless system for reporting time and availability and the reporting and management tools for distributed offices. 5 HireXpress. HireXpress is a paperless new-hire service that manages key components of the enterprise-scale hiring process, including electronic new-hire packets as well as the ability to monitor the completion process and provide approvals. Employers define their new-hire packets, and HireXpress notifies new employees and prompts them to complete their forms online using electronic signatures. Using the Web, HireXpress can automate the new-hire packet by creating electronic employee files. Information gathered from completed forms can be uploaded to the client's HR/Payroll system to provide a more complete electronic record. I-9 eXpress. Our I-9 eXpress service is designed to help clients alleviate the difficulties involved with complying with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which requires employers to complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form for all new employees and maintain these forms for a minimum of three years after the date of hire. Using this service, an employer can electronically generate and store I-9 forms and generate reports to monitor compliance. We expect this service to be fully implemented by the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. UNEMPLOYMENT TAX MANAGEMENT Our unemployment tax management segment operates under the names UC eXpress, TALX Employer Services, Johnson and Associates, Jon-Jay Associates, and Employers Unity, which we refer to collectively as "UC eXpress". We offer a broad suite of services designed to reduce the cost of processing unemployment claims by human resources departments and to better manage the tax rate that employers are assessed for unemployment taxes. These services utilize optical character recognition, document imaging, web, fax and interactive voice response to speed the processing of unemployment claims, with the goal of resisting unmeritorious or illegitimate claims for unemployment compensation that have been filed with state agencies by separated employees. These services are aimed at relieving human resources departments of the administrative burden of managing unemployment claims. Following an employee separation, we respond on behalf of our client to an unemployment claim filed by the separated employee. This includes reviewing employment records to preserve the clients' rights as an employer. If an unemployment hearing is required, these services include client conferences with our hearing consultants/attorneys and, upon client request, attendance at the hearing with the employer's representative. In addition, our field-based account management team and hearing consultants bring state-specific unemployment tax knowledge to the client. We also offer comprehensive employer tax services that encompass five service areas, including unemployment tax services, unemployment tax analysis, employment tax research and recovery, tax registrations, and employment tax consulting (withholding and unemployment). Clients who choose TALX for tax services collaborate with our tax analysts to monitor the clients' unemployment tax accounts, verify tax rates and contribution reports and identify voluntary contribution opportunities. TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES Our services in the tax credits and incentives segment include assisting employers with federal, state and local tax credits. Examples of federal tax credit services include integrating work opportunity, or "WOTC", and welfare to work, or "WtW", tax credit processing into the current hiring process, as well as processing all necessary forms to identify applicants and employees who are potential qualifiers for hiring tax credits. Through various acquisitions, we have expanded our existing tax credit services, including our capabilities to process WOTC/WtW tax credits, as well as our ability to assist clients in identifying and calculating certain other federal, state and local tax credits and incentives, such as enterprise zone credits and job creation credits. Under current legislation, the WOTC and WtW credits were available to employers through December 31, 2005, and without further Congressional action to renew the credits, these programs have lapsed and are no longer available to our clients. We understand that Congress is currently considering the renewal of these programs. In the event that the lapsing of any of these programs should become permanent, we believe we would continue for approximately six months thereafter to earn revenues from credits in effect as of December 31, 2005. Although these programs have historically been renewed retroactively by Congress following their lapsing in accordance with their terms, Congress may not similarly renew such programs in the future. Moreover, if these programs lapse, any future renewals may not be retroactive, which means that the value of these programs to our clients could be reduced to such an extent that they no longer desire tax credit and incentive services. Any non-renewal of these tax credit programs, the renewal of such programs without retroactive effect, or other adverse change in tax legislation could adversely affect our business and results of operations. 6 MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES RELATED TO OUR FORMER CUSTOMER PREMISES SYSTEMS BUSINESS We previously offered our products and services exclusively through licensed software specifically developed for each client, and installed these systems at the client's site. In 2000 we discontinued sales to new clients. Currently, we provide system enhancements to existing clients and client support 7-days per week, 24-hours per day, through a toll-free hotline, email and our website. We sold these systems under licenses and generate additional revenues by providing ongoing maintenance and support. During 2003, we notified our maintenance clients of our intention to discontinue all support services effective June 2005. As a result of requests from a number of clients, we have agreed to extend these support services until December 31, 2006. EMPLOYEE ASSESSMENTS AND TALENT MANAGEMENT On April 6, 2006, we acquired Performance Assessment Network, Inc., or "PAN", a provider of secure, electronic-based psychometric testing and assessments, as well as comprehensive talent management services. These services can be sold together or as separate solutions. As part of its testing and assessment services, PAN does not generate its own tests and assessments. Instead, it presents a broad variety of third-party offerings, providing one-stop shopping for its clients. PAN's service provides access to more than 650 assessments on a flexible platform and a network of thousands of testing stations. PAN's experienced psychologists consult with clients to help them determine the most appropriate assessments for aptitudes and competencies that best fit their open positions. PAN also provides a broad range of talent management services that can be mapped to the client's current hiring process. With PAN services, clients can electronically deliver the assessments to applicants and arrange the administering or proctoring of the assessments at pre-qualified testing centers. Using an online dashboard, clients can manage open positions and direct active applicants through the entire assessment and selection process, including external tests such as a drug test. The talent management dashboard can be sold independently of the test and assessment services. One client, the Transportation Security Administration ("TSA"), through a subcontract with CPS Human Resource Services, represented approximately 75% of PAN's revenues in fiscal year 2006. In fiscal 2005, PAN derived approximately 93% of its revenues from this relationship. Selected financial data regarding our business segments for fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006 is set forth in Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." For additional information, see "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview." SALES AND MARKETING We employ a direct sales force and also utilize strategic marketing alliances. We use our direct sales force and strategic alliances to develop relationships with large employers, typically those having over 3,500 employees. We also recently established a separate in-house sales team focusing on prospects with less than 3,500 employees. In addition, we use our strategic alliances to help us identify potential clients among small and mid-sized employers, typically those with less than 3,500 employees. We also utilize a direct sales force to market the use of The Work Number database to verifiers such as lenders and credit issuers. DIRECT SALES FORCE Our sales, service and marketing effort relies on a team approach consisting of approximately 260 professionals in 41 U.S. cities, including regional sales vice presidents, regional sales directors, regional client relationship directors, regional sales managers, business development representatives, client relationship managers, account managers, product managers, product consultants and marketing personnel. Our business development representatives qualify companies as viable potential clients and establish appointments for our regional sales managers. Our regional sales directors and regional sales managers are responsible for presenting our service offerings to prospective clients and negotiating for the sale of our services. Our product managers oversee product direction and provide sales assistance. Our regional client relationship directors, client relationship managers and account managers service existing clients. Product consultants provide technical assistance to regional sales managers and prospective clients during the sales process. Our marketing personnel develop market strategies and support the sales force at all levels. 7 Additionally we have a team of professionals that manage our alliance relationships. This team includes sales managers responsible for generating sales through the development and management of existing alliance relationships. Finally, we have a team dedicated to marketing the use of The Work Number database to verifiers such as lenders and credit issuers. This team identifies potential new verifiers and uses of the database, as well as takes steps to promote increased utilization of the database by current verifiers. STRATEGIC MARKETING ALLIANCES We have established alliances with leading providers of related payroll and human resources outsourcing services with the goal of building the database of records for The Work Number and extending our services relating to employees of both large and mid-sized employers. These alliances include: - Hewitt Associates LLC: Hewitt Associates is a global management consulting firm specializing in human resource services that has agreed to make The Work Number available to its clients. For example, The Work Number is directly accessible by employees of Hewitt's clients through an employee portal that incorporates a seamless link to our website for The Work Number. In exchange, we have agreed, among other things, to share revenue with Hewitt resulting from its referrals. - Ceridian Corporation: Ceridian is a global human resources and payroll outsourcing company that has agreed to make The Work Number and selected tax management services available to its clients in exchange for discounted prices for tax management services and a share of the revenue generated by client records on The Work Number. These and other strategic marketing alliances, such as ExcellerateHRO (a joint venture of EDS and Towers Perrin), Convergys Corporation, ACS, Checkpoint HR, and AON, are generally governed by non-exclusive contractual arrangements that remain in effect for specified periods. The success of these alliances generally will depend on the interest and commitment of these companies in promoting and coordinating product development and marketing efforts with us, which is entirely at their discretion. Some of these companies maintain similar relationships with some of our competitors and compete directly with us in certain applications. COMPETITION We believe the principal competitive factors in our markets include: - service and product features, quality, security and performance; - breadth of service offerings; - functionality and ease of use; - company reputation for integrity and confidentiality; - company financial strength; and - cost of the service or product. We have a number of competitors for our various services. Below is a summary of the more significant competitors: 8
TALX Service Competitors - ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- The Work Number Employment - Large employers and outsourcers who manage Verification Services this function through a call center; and - A few large employers who have established internal systems to automate employment verification. Complementary Work Number - Payroll processors such as Automatic Data Services Processing, Inc. (ADP), Paychex, Inc. and Ceridian Corporation. We believe that these payroll processors are generally focused on the small- to mid-sized market. Unemployment Tax Management - Large employers who manage this function Services internally. - ADP and a number of smaller regional firms that offer unemployment tax management services. Tax Credits and Incentives - ADP, First Advantage, and a number of smaller regional firms that offer tax credit and incentive services. - Employers who manage this function internally. Employee Assessments and Talent - Assessment service providers that offer Management proprietary content, usually in a very limited quantity, include Previsor, Inc., Development Dimensions International (DDI) and Brainbench, Inc. - Human resources consulting firms that generally offer a wide range of services may include customized assessments such as AON Corporation, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. and Right Management Consulting (a subsidiary of Manpower, Inc.). - Assessment or test publishers that have their proprietary delivery platforms, such as Devine Group, Inc., Hogan Assessments Systems, Inc. and SHL Group plc.
We believe that we compete favorably in the key competitive factors that affect our markets for The Work Number services, our unemployment tax management services, our tax credit and incentives services, and our employee assessment and talent management services. However, our markets are still evolving, and we may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. Many of our existing and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing, technical and other resources than we do. In addition, many of our competitors have well-established relationships with our current and potential clients and extensive knowledge of our markets. It is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors will emerge and rapidly acquire market share. Moreover, our competitors may consolidate with each other, or with other companies, giving them even greater capabilities with which to compete against us. TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Our business is based on databases we construct and applications we build or acquire to access and deliver data. Our services are run on industry standard databases from Oracle, Microsoft and IBM and internally developed applications. We use a combination of Microsoft technologies for the creation, deployment and operation of our applications, along with technologies from a number of other companies. A few of our applications utilize a proprietary integrated visual development environment and software system known as TALXWare. We also license and integrate complementary technologies into our products including speech recognition, text-to-speech, image classification, and facsimile. We license these technologies from third-party suppliers pursuant to non-exclusive license or resale agreements or purchase the technologies under open market arrangements and then integrate them into our products. Some of the PAN products license intellectual property, for varying terms, in the form of various tests which are then implemented on or integrated with the PAN platform. We have directed our development efforts toward enhancing and developing new offerings for The Work Number services and tax management services. The most recent enhancements include: - extending the features and capabilities of The Work Number database, through new verification types; - W-2 eXpress, through expanded self-service capabilities; - ePayroll paystub/direct deposit services, through the addition of electronic W-4 management; - the addition of the I-9 eXpress service; - the addition of new integrated and batch interfaces and the expansion of social services data; 9 - HireXpress, through the expansion of the automated onboarding process; - FasTime services, through the expansion of its automated paid-time-off management capabilities; and - enhancing and consolidating our unemployment tax in-house claims processing systems. Additionally, PAN's efforts have been focused on adding more test offerings and introduction of Vital Information for Talent Assessment, or "VITA," its automated talent management platform. We incurred total product development costs of $6.3 million, $8.1 million and $9.0 million in fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. As of March 31, 2006, our total product development staff consisted of approximately 80 full-time employees. After the acquisition of PAN, our total product development staff consisted of approximately 90 full-time employees. We believe that significant investments in product development are required to remain competitive. PROPRIETARY RIGHTS Our success and ability to compete is dependent in part upon our ability to protect and maintain our proprietary rights to our intellectual property. We regard our trademarks and our other intellectual property as having significant value and as being important factors in the development and marketing of our products. We currently rely on a combination of trademark, trade secret and copyright laws and restrictions on disclosure to establish and protect our intellectual property. We have obtained a trademark registration for the name TALX and a trademark registration for The Work Number for Everyone, The Work Number, FasTime, UC eXpress, W-2 eXpress, Advanced HR Solutions, Performance Assessment Network, PAN, and Vital Information for Talent Assessment with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Additionally, TALXWare is our trademark, and I-9 eXpress, HireXpress and FasCast are our service marks. We also rely on certain patents in our employee assessment and talent management services. We generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our officers, employees and consultants. We also generally limit access to and distribution of our source code, access to our databases, and the disclosure and use of other proprietary information. However, these measures provide only limited protection of our intellectual property rights. In addition, we may not have signed agreements containing adequate protective provisions in every case, and the contractual provisions that are in place may not provide us with adequate protection in all circumstances. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain or use technology that we regard as proprietary. We cannot assure you that the steps taken by us to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our technology or that our competitors will not independently develop techniques that are similar or superior to our technology. Any failure to adequately protect our proprietary rights could result in our competitors offering similar products, potentially resulting in loss of competitive advantage and decreased revenues. In addition, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could significantly harm our business. Third-parties have asserted in the past and, from time to time, may assert in the future, patent, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to our business. We have entered into a license agreement to use various interactive voice response and computer telephony integration technologies under which we made an initial payment and will pay future royalties. We have not conducted an exhaustive search to determine whether the technology included in our products infringes or misappropriates intellectual property held by other third-parties. In addition, because patent applications in the United States are not publicly disclosed until the patent is issued, applications may have been filed which could relate to our products. Any claims asserting that our systems infringe or may infringe proprietary rights of third-parties, if determined adversely to us, could significantly harm our business. CLIENTS As of March 31, 2006, The Work Number database contained employee records from over 1,500 clients, representing approximately 129.0 million present and former employees. Additionally, as of that date, we had contracts with new clients to provide 7.3 million records of present and former employees in backlog. These clients typically employ over 1,000 employees. Our clients are large and mid-size organizations, including more than three-fourths of the Fortune 500 companies in a wide variety of industries, as well as a number of government agencies. As of March 31, 2006, our tax management business had over 9,000 clients of various sizes and operated in a broad range of industries. No client accounted for more than 10% of total revenues in any of fiscal years 2004, 2005 or 2006. 10 On April 6, 2006, we acquired PAN, a provider of secure, electronic-based psychometric testing and assessments, as well as comprehensive talent management services. PAN has more than 1,500 clients including individual job candidates, Global 2000 and mid-market companies, and government organizations. One client of PAN, the TSA, through a subcontract with CPS Human Resource Services, represented approximately 75% of PAN's revenues in fiscal year 2006. In fiscal 2005, PAN derived approximately 93% of its revenues from this relationship. For more information, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors - PAN derives a substantial portion of its revenues from the Federal government, which subjects us to special risks associated with government contracts and subcontracts." EMPLOYEES As of March 31, 2006, we employed approximately 1,751 full-time and 76 part-time employees. As of April 30, 2006, after the acquisition of PAN, we employed approximately 1,819 full-time and 70 part-time employees. We have never had a work stoppage, and no employees are represented by a labor organization. We consider our employee relations to be good. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS You should carefully consider the following factors and other information in this Form 10-K in evaluating our company: OUR REVENUES FROM THE WORK NUMBER MAY FLUCTUATE IN RESPONSE TO CERTAIN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS INTEREST RATES AND EMPLOYMENT TRENDS. A significant portion of our revenues from The Work Number depends on residential mortgage-related and employment-related activity. We charge a fee for each request from lenders, pre-employment screeners, credit issuers, social services agencies, and other verifiers to verify employment and income information. Therefore, a decrease in activity within either of these segments would reduce our overall number of transactions per record in the database. This reduction in transactions, whether due to increases in interest rates or otherwise, could cause our revenues and profitability to be harmed. As an example, during a portion of fiscal year 2004, revenues for The Work Number services were adversely affected by a slowdown in the refinancing segment of the mortgage loan market. AS WE PERFORM LARGE-SCALE PROCESSING OF VERIFICATIONS, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY OR INAPPROPRIATE USE OF DATA, WHICH MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE CLAIMS AND LOSS OF CUSTOMERS. As we seek to increase the use of The Work Number database by verifiers with frequent need of verification, we plan to use new methods for performing the verifications and new types of verifications. These verifiers include large mortgage lenders, pre-employment screeners, credit issuers, social service agencies, or other volume verifiers. These volume verifiers can obtain verifications in large volume or "batch" transactions using different means and requiring less proof of authorization than smaller verifiers. These volume verifiers generally enter into contracts by which they agree that they will not use the income verification service unless they have been authorized by the employee to do so, or have legal authority to obtain the information. Many of the industries that utilize The Work Number for large scale processing of verifications have high turnover which may lead to the verifier failing to terminate access privileges to The Work Number in a timely manner. We have the ability to conduct regular audits of these volume verifiers to ensure compliance with documentation requirements. However, there is a risk that the verifier may not have the requisite authority, and that there may be claims for breach of privacy or confidentiality against us, claims for damages by employees and employers and resulting loss of employer relationships, which could significantly harm our results of operations. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN THE ACCURACY, PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF EMPLOYEE INFORMATION IN THE WORK NUMBER AND OUR OTHER DATABASES, WE MAY FACE SIGNIFICANT CLAIMS AND OUR REPUTATION COULD BE HARMED. The Work Number services depend on the accuracy of highly confidential employment and income history and other information, including social security numbers, which employers provide to us and which we convert for use in The Work Number and our other services. Although we have a number of protective measures in place, any inaccuracies in such information - whether in the recording of such information, the unauthorized access to information, or otherwise - or our inability to keep such information confidential, may give rise to claims against us and adversely affect our reputation or market acceptance of The Work Number and our other services. While we continue to test our data security processes for 11 weaknesses, we cannot assure you that we will not experience a breach in our data security, which could result in such claims. Our financial condition, results of operations and reputation may be significantly harmed if any asserted claims were ultimately decided against us. OUR FUTURE GROWTH IS SUBSTANTIALLY DEPENDENT ON OUR ABILITY TO INCREASE THE SIZE AND RANGE OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE WORK NUMBER DATABASE. In order to successfully grow our business, we will have to make The Work Number and related business process outsourcing services increasingly attractive to a greater number of large organizations, their employees and verifiers. To achieve this goal, we believe that we will need to increase the number of employee records contained in The Work Number database, the amount and type of information contained in those records and the number of services that make use of those records. Our strategy for increasing the size of The Work Number database is based in part on strategic alliances with several providers of payroll and human resources outsourcing services. Our success will depend on the interest and commitment of these providers, which is entirely at their discretion. Some of these companies compete with us in certain service areas. Our strategy is also based in part on strategic acquisitions of businesses with databases of employee information. If we are unable to attract and retain a sufficient number of employer clients, if we cannot persuade them to include a greater amount of information in the employee records they provide us, or if we fail to develop additional applications to use this information, we may not achieve our growth objectives. INTERRUPTIONS TO OUR COMPUTER NETWORK OR TELEPHONE OPERATIONS COULD SIGNIFICANTLY HARM OUR REVENUES AND INDUSTRY REPUTATION. Significant portions of our operations depend on our ability to protect our computer equipment and the information stored in our data processing centers against damage from fire, power loss, telecommunications failures, unauthorized intrusion and other events. We have data processing centers located in St. Louis, Missouri; Columbus, Ohio; Carmel, Indiana; Plano, Texas; and Ontario, Canada, which areas have historically been vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as floods, earthquakes and tornadoes. We back up software and related data files regularly and store the back-up files off-site at a nearby secure facility. A portion of the data is also replicated to a secondary facility for high availability. We cannot assure you that these measures will eliminate the risk of extended interruption of our operations. We also rely on voice and data carriers to provide connectivity for our customers to gain telephone access, internet access and corporate intranet access to our services. In addition, we rely on these same providers to provide the wide area network necessary to connect our facilities across the United States to our data processing centers. We have not established an alternative disaster recovery facility, which would serve to protect us from losses of employee record information due to damage to our data storage facilities. Any damage or failure that interrupts our operations or destroys some or all of our database of employee records could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability and industry reputation. IF A COURT OR REGULATOR CONCLUDES THAT THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT OR SIMILAR LAW APPLIES TO THE WORK NUMBER SERVICES, OUR BUSINESS AND PROFITABILITY COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY HARMED. The Fair Credit Reporting Act, which we refer to as the FCRA, applies to "consumer reporting agencies" that engage in the practice of "assembling or evaluating" certain information relating to consumers. While we have historically taken the position that the FCRA does not apply to The Work Number services, the statutory language is subject to varying interpretation, and we are not aware of controlling legal authority to support our position. Recent public concerns relating to, among other things, data integrity, privacy and identity theft issues may increase the risk of action by consumers through litigation or by the Federal Trade Commission, or the "FTC," or state regulatory authorities, which enforce the FCRA or similar laws. If a court, the FTC, or a state regulatory authority were to determine that the FCRA or other similar law does apply, we could be subject to claims for substantial damages, penalties and attorneys' fees and may experience negative publicity and reputational harm. Additionally, compliance with the FCRA would result in some changes in the manner in which we deliver The Work Number services. As a result, while it is difficult to estimate the ultimate impact on us if a court or regulator concludes that the FCRA or similar law applies to us, our business, operations, results of operations and financial condition could be significantly harmed. THE MARKET FOR THE WORK NUMBER DEPENDS IN PART ON THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY PURCHASERS IN THE SECONDARY MORTGAGE MARKET, AND OUR REVENUES AND PROFITABILITY WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY HARMED IF THESE REQUIREMENTS WERE RELAXED OR ELIMINATED. 12 We believe that residential mortgage lenders are among the most active users of The Work Number. They utilize our services to verify employment, income and related information. The demand for this verification is driven in part by the requirements of the Federal National Mortgage Association, which is also known as Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which is also known as Freddie Mac, the leading purchasers of residential mortgages in the United States. These agencies currently require specific information, including independent verification of employment and income data for the past two calendar years and a current payroll period in connection with certain mortgages they purchase. Accordingly, most lenders seek this information from mortgage applicants. If Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac were to reduce the requirement for employment and income data or eliminate the requirement for independent verification thereof, our revenues and profitability would be significantly harmed. PRIVACY LEGISLATION OR INTERPRETATIONS OF EXISTING LAWS COULD RESTRICT OUR BUSINESS. Personal privacy has become a significant issue in the United States. Some commentators, privacy advocates and government bodies have recommended limitations on, or taken actions to limit, the use of personal information by those collecting this information. For example, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act contains provisions protecting the privacy of consumer non-public personal information collected by financial institutions. Additionally, federal privacy regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or "HIPAA," restrict the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information. In addition, the states are taking greater interest in privacy rights on behalf of their residents, and a number of states have enacted privacy legislation. These privacy regulations could impose additional costs and could limit our use and disclosure of such information. Some states have also enacted consumer and health information privacy protection laws. If new statutes or regulations were adopted that restricted our business, or existing statutes or regulations were deemed to apply to us, we may be required to change our activities and revise or eliminate our services, which could significantly harm our revenues and operations. CHANGES IN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS COULD LIMIT UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CLAIMS, CAUSING EMPLOYERS TO QUESTION THE VALUE OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT AND LIMITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TAX PLANNING. A difficult economic environment and consequent staff reductions could result in an increase in unemployment compensation claims. Conversely, as economic conditions improve, and claims decrease, employers may question the value of our unemployment compensation management and unemployment compensation tax planning services. As a result of the difficult economic environment in recent years, states with significant budget challenges may take legislative or regulatory steps to reduce unemployment benefits, change the way benefit charges impact employers' accounts or close tax-planning opportunities, which could reduce the opportunities for service to employers. In such situations, our revenues could be harmed. For example, during fiscal year 2005, changes in economic conditions contributed to claims activity being less than we expected. As a result, we experienced lower revenue levels in our unemployment cost management services business during fiscal year 2005. CHANGES IN TAX LAW, INCLUDING THE WORK OPPORTUNITY, OR "WOTC," AND WELFARE TO WORK, OR "WTW," TAX CREDITS, COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT OUR BUSINESS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. Certain of our revenues and profits from continuing operations are derived from our tax services businesses. At any time, the tax laws or the administrative interpretations of those laws may be amended. Any of those new laws or interpretations could adversely affect us. For example, the WOTC and WtW tax credits expired on January 1, 2006. Accordingly, these tax credits are no longer available to our clients. Federal legislation, however, has been introduced that would combine the WOTC and the WtW tax credits and extend the combined credit for one year. The proposal would be effective for wages paid or incurred by employers hiring qualified individuals who begin work for an employer after December 31, 2005 and before January 1, 2007. While Congress historically has renewed retroactively these credits following their expiration, we cannot assure you that Congress will renew such credits in the future. Any non-renewal of these tax credits, renewal of such credits without retroactive effect, or other adverse changes in tax legislation, could adversely affect our business and results of operations. If new statutes or regulations were adopted that restricted our business or the ability of others to provide us with payroll and human resources information, or existing statutes or regulations were deemed to apply to us or such third parties, we may be required to change our activities and revise or eliminate our services, which could significantly harm our revenues and operations. 13 OUR FUTURE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DEPENDENT ON SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION OF ACQUISITIONS. We expect a portion of our growth to come from business acquisitions which we recently consummated or which we may consummate in the future. Such acquisitions involve certain operational, legal and financial risks. Operational risks include the possibility that an acquisition does not ultimately provide the benefits originally anticipated by our management, while we continue to incur operating expenses to provide the services formerly provided by the acquired company. Legal risks involve contract and regulatory issues. For example, some employers may not consent to the transfer of ownership of their contracts by which the services are provided, and some states' unemployment insurance agencies may require changes to powers of attorney by which the employer authorizes representation in employment matters. In the event of any loss of employer-customers or our inability to appear before state unemployment insurance agencies, our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. Financial risks involve the incurrence of indebtedness as a result of the acquisitions and the consequent need to service that indebtedness. In addition, in the event we were to issue stock in connection with any acquisitions, we would dilute the voting power and could dilute the economic interests of existing shareholders. In carrying out our acquisition strategy, we attempt to minimize the risk of unexpected liabilities and contingencies associated with acquired businesses through planning, investigation and negotiation, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying attractive acquisition candidates or completing additional acquisitions on favorable terms. PAN DERIVES A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ITS REVENUES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH SUBJECTS US TO SPECIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND SUBCONTRACTS. TALX and PAN have a number of prime and sub-contracts with the Federal government, which we refer to collectively as "government contracts". For example, one client, the Transportation Security Administration, or "TSA", represented approximately 75% of PAN's revenues in fiscal year 2006. In fiscal 2005, PAN derived approximately 93% of its revenues from this relationship. Following our acquisition of PAN in April 2006, we have increased exposure to special risks that result from doing business with the United States Federal government and some of its agencies, including acquisition integration risks. Termination of these arrangements, or material deterioration in PAN'S relations with the government, would have an adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Among the factors that could materially adversely affect our government contracting business are: - budgetary constraints affecting Federal government spending generally, or specific departments or agencies in particular, and changes in fiscal policies or available funding; - changes in U.S. Federal government programs or requirements; - the adoption of new laws or regulations; - delays in the payment of our invoices by government payment offices and, where PAN is a subcontractor, as in the case with our TSA contract, possible resulting delays in payments by the prime contractors that are its customers; and - where PAN is a subcontractor, dependence on the performance by and actions of the prime contractor. In addition to these appropriations, economic and political factors, which we cannot control, Federal government agencies have special rights to reduce their purchases under contracts, to audit and review performance, to terminate contracts or not to extend contracts, any of which could have an adverse affect on our financial condition and operating results. Failure to comply with technical requirements or procurement-related laws and regulations could subject us to penalties or liabilities, or result in termination of the government contracts or a deterioration in the relationship. For example in the case of the TSA, PAN has specified qualification standards and key personnel provisions that we must satisfy. If we are acting as a subcontractor, we may be liable to the prime contractor for costs they are unable to recover or damages they incur as a consequence of any improperly allocated costs by us or our failure to make a required disclosure during negotiations. If a government audit or other review or investigation uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including termination of contracts, forfeitures of profits, suspension of payments, fines, and suspension or debarment from doing business with the Federal government either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor. In addition, we could suffer serious harm to our reputation if allegations of impropriety were made against us. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial results or results of operations. 14 IF THE SUTA DUMPING PREVENTION ACT OF 2004 APPLIES TO OUR TAX PLANNING SERVICES, OUR BUSINESS AND REVENUES COULD BE HARMED. On August 9, 2004 the President signed the "SUTA Dumping Prevention Act of 2004." In the past, some employers found ways to manipulate state experience rating systems so that these employers paid lower state employment compensation taxes than their unemployment experience alone would have otherwise allowed. This practice is referred to as "SUTA dumping." "SUTA" refers to state unemployment tax acts, but has also been referred to as "state unemployment tax avoidance." Most frequently these avoidance tactics involved mergers, acquisitions or corporate restructurings, the legality of which depended upon state laws. The SUTA Dumping Prevention Act of 2004 established a nationwide minimum standard to curb SUTA dumping. The law also established penalties for employers and their advisors who knowingly violate those state law provisions. Our tax management services include advising clients with respect to unemployment compensation taxes. We fully support the measures enacted in the SUTA dumping legislation, and we believe the advice we have given since the enactment of this legislation does not include advice to clients to take any action which would be prohibited under the legislation. However, there can be no assurance that we have not and will not provide advice to clients or that our clients have not taken or will not take action which runs afoul of the SUTA Dumping Prevention Act of 2004. We could be subject to "meaningful civil and criminal penalties," as the statute provides, for violations of the law. We could also be subject to negative publicity, harm to our reputation, and strained relationships with state agencies which are important to our business if we were accused of advising clients to take actions in violation of the SUTA dumping guidelines, or if clients took such actions at a time when we were providing advice on unemployment compensation taxes. OUR QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY, WHICH COULD CAUSE OUR STOCK PRICE TO DECLINE SIGNIFICANTLY. Our revenues, margins and results from operations have fluctuated in the past, and may continue to fluctuate in the future due to a number of factors. For The Work Number services, these factors include residential mortgage activity and interest rate levels. Revenues generated from our W-2 eXpress service are affected by seasonality, as revenues are primarily earned in our fourth fiscal quarter. The non-renewal of certain tax credit programs, such as WOTC or WtW, the renewal of such programs without retroactive effect, or other adverse changes in tax legislation would cause fluctuations in our tax credit and incentive services business. For all of our service offerings, other factors that can cause our operating results to fluctuate include: - new product introductions or announcements by us or our competitors; - market acceptance of new services; - pricing pressure; - the hiring and training of additional staff; - the length of the sales cycle; and - general economic conditions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sustain our level of total revenues or our historical rate of revenue growth on a quarterly or annual basis. It is likely that, in some future quarters, our operating results will fall below our targets and the expectations of stock market analysts and investors. In such event, the price of our common stock could decline significantly. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCE NEW BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING SERVICES AND ENHANCED FUNCTIONALITY TO KEEP PACE WITH RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT CHARACTERIZE OUR MARKETS, OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY HARMED. The business process outsourcing industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology, and our future success will depend upon our ability to keep pace with technological developments. In particular, the market for self-service applications through the web and corporate intranets using browser software is rapidly evolving. To remain competitive, we must continually change and improve our services in response to changes in operating systems, application software, computer and telephony hardware, communications, database and networking systems, programming tools and computer language technology. Additionally, we must also introduce new business process outsourcing services and add functionality to existing services in response to changing market conditions and client demand. 15 The development of new, technologically advanced services is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation and highly skilled engineering and development personnel, as well as the accurate anticipation of technology and market trends. If we are unable, for technical or other reasons, to develop and market new business process outsourcing services or enhancements to existing services in a timely and cost-effective manner, or if new business process outsourcing services do not achieve market acceptance, we could lose revenues and our competitive position could suffer. WE DEPEND ON THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, AND SERVICE, WHICH EXPOSES US TO DISRUPTION IF THOSE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES ARE NO LONGER OFFERED, SUPPORTED OR DEVELOP DEFECTS. Our services involve integration with operating systems and products developed by others and services provided by others. If any third-party software, hardware or service, such as Microsoft Windows server products, Microsoft database software and development tools, Oracle database software, Sun Solaris, IBM (Informix) database software, Intel Media processing hardware, Sybase Power Builder development tools, and testing products provided by third parties and utilized by PAN, become unavailable for any reason, fail to integrate with our products or fail to be supported by their respective vendors or to operate properly, we would have to redesign our products or, in the case of PAN, attempt to locate replacement testing products. We cannot assure you that we could accomplish any redesign or obtain any replacements in a cost-effective or timely manner. Further, if third-parties release new versions of these systems or products before we develop products compatible with such new releases, demand for our services and products might decline, thereby harming our revenues and profitability. We believe that if any supplier agreement expires or is canceled or otherwise terminated, or if a third-party supplier refuses to sell to us, in most cases, we could locate one or more alternate suppliers. In some instances it may be either impossible or impractical to find an alternate source for certain products. It would require a significant amount of time to integrate the relevant technology from the new supplier, which would result in a significant delay in our ability to offer the particular enhancement. We could also experience difficulties integrating the new supplier's technology with our services. We cannot assure you we could accomplish any such integration in a cost-effective manner. Significant delays in the offering of service enhancements due to integration of technology from new suppliers could significantly harm our revenues and profitability. OUR SERVICES MAY CONTAIN DEFECTS OR LACK ADEQUATE SECURITY WHICH MAY CAUSE US TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT COSTS, DIVERT OUR ATTENTION FROM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AND RESULT IN A LOSS OF CUSTOMERS. As a result of their complexity, business process outsourcing services and hardware and software products may contain undetected errors or failures when first introduced or as new versions are released. We cannot assure you that, despite testing by us and our clients, errors will not occur in services and systems after implementation. The occurrence of such errors could result in potential security issues, delivery of incorrect results which could harm an employee, employer, verifier, or other users of our services, or loss or delay in market acceptance of our services, which could significantly harm our revenues and our reputation. Web or other users could access without authorization or otherwise disrupt our web and corporate intranet services. Such unauthorized access and other disruptions could jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through the computer systems of our clients, which could result in significant liability to us, could cause the loss of existing clients and could discourage potential new clients. THE LOSS OF KEY MANAGEMENT WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS. Our success depends in large part upon the retention of key management, especially William W. Canfield, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer, who has served in that capacity for more than 15 years. We would likely undergo a difficult transition period if we were to lose the services of our key management, including Mr. Canfield, which would materially and adversely affect our business and prospects. BECAUSE OF INTENSE COMPETITION FOR TRAINED PERSONNEL, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECRUIT OR RETAIN NECESSARY PERSONNEL ON A COST-EFFECTIVE BASIS. Our success depends in large part upon our ability to identify, hire, retain and motivate highly-skilled employees. Competition for highly-skilled employees in our industry is intense. In addition, employees may leave our company and subsequently compete against us. Our failure to attract and retain these qualified employees could significantly harm our ability to develop 16 new services and maintain customer relationships. Moreover, companies in our industry whose employees accept positions with competitors frequently claim that those competitors have engaged in unfair hiring practices. We may be subject to such claims as we seek to retain or hire qualified personnel, some of whom may currently be working for our competitors. Some of these claims may result in material litigation. We could incur substantial costs in defending ourselves against these claims, regardless of their merits. Such claims could also discourage potential employees who currently work for our competitors from joining us. CLAIMS THAT WE INFRINGE THIRD-PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES OR RESTRICTIONS ON OUR ABILITY TO SELL OUR SERVICES. Other parties have asserted in the past, and may assert in the future, patent, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to our business. For example, we have entered into a license to use various interactive voice response and computer telephony technologies that required us to make an initial payment and to pay future royalties. Further, we have not conducted an exhaustive search to determine whether the technology we have in our services infringes or misappropriates intellectual property held by other third parties. We cannot provide assurance that others will not claim that we are infringing their intellectual property rights or that we do not in fact infringe those intellectual property rights. Any claims asserting that our services infringe or may infringe proprietary rights of third-parties, if determined adversely to us, could significantly harm our results of operations. Any claims, with or without merit, could: - be time-consuming; - result in costly litigation; - divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel; - require us to develop alternative technology, thereby resulting in delays and the loss or deferral of revenues; - require us to cease marketing business process outsourcing services containing the infringing intellectual property; - require us to pay substantial damage awards; - damage our reputation; or - require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements which may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. In the event a claim against us were successful and we could not obtain a license to the relevant technology on acceptable terms or license a substitute technology or redesign our services to avoid infringement, our revenues, results of operations and competitive position would be harmed. OUR FAILURE TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MAY SIGNIFICANTLY HARM OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND REPUTATION. Our success and ability to compete is dependent in part on our ability to protect and maintain our proprietary rights to our intellectual property. We currently rely on a combination of trade secret, trademark and copyright laws to establish and protect our intellectual property. We generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our officers, employees and consultants. We also generally limit access to and distribution of our source code, access to our databases and the disclosure and use of our other proprietary information. However, these measures provide only limited protection of our intellectual property rights. In addition, we may not have procured signed agreements containing adequate protective provisions in every case, and the contractual provisions that are in place may not provide us with adequate protection in all circumstances. Further, we have not included copyright notices on all of our copyrightable intellectual property. Efforts to address any infringement of our proprietary rights could result in significant litigation costs, and any failure to adequately protect our proprietary rights could result in our competitors offering similar services, potentially resulting in the loss of one or more competitive advantages and decreased revenues. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, existing trade secret, copyright, patent and trademark laws afford us only limited protection. Others may attempt to copy or reverse engineer aspects of our services or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Accordingly, we may not be able to prevent misappropriation of our technologies or to deter others from developing similar technologies. Further, monitoring the unauthorized use of our products and other proprietary rights is difficult. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could significantly harm our results of operations and reputation. 17 WE FACE COMPETITION FROM A BROAD RANGE OF COMPANIES. The markets for our services are extremely competitive and subject to rapid technological change. We consider the primary competitor to The Work Number to be large employers and outsourcers who manage employment verification through a call center or through internal automated systems. We believe the primary competitors to other complementary Work Number services are ADP, Paychex, Inc., and Ceridian Corporation. We consider the primary competitor to our unemployment tax management services to be ADP, as well as smaller regional firms that offer similar services. We consider the primary competitors to our tax credit and incentive services to be ADP and First Advantage, as well as smaller regional firms that offer similar services. We consider the primary competitors to our employee assessment and talent management services to be Previsor, Inc., Development Dimensions International, Brainbench, Inc., Devine Group, Inc., Hogan Assessments Systems, Inc., and SHL Group plc, as well as human resources consulting firms such as AON Corporation, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc., and Right Management Consulting, a subsidiary of Manpower, Inc. Our competitors may have more resources than we do. Increased competition could result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which could significantly harm our results of operations. Additionally, we may be required to increase spending in response to competition in order to pursue new market opportunities or to invest in research and development efforts, and, as a result, our operating results in the future may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or that competitive pressures we face will not significantly harm our results of operations. PROVISIONS OF OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AND MISSOURI LAW MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR A THIRD PARTY TO ACQUIRE US, DESPITE THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS. A number of provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Missouri law could make it difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from attempting to acquire, control of us. These provisions: - provide for a classified Board of Directors; - limit the right of shareholders to remove directors or change the size of the Board of Directors; - limit the right of shareholders to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors; - limit the right of shareholders to call a special meeting of shareholders or propose other actions; - require unanimity for shareholders to act by written consent, in accordance with Missouri law; - require a higher percentage of shareholders than would otherwise be required under Missouri law to amend, alter, change or repeal certain provisions of our articles of incorporation; - provide that the bylaws may be amended only by the majority vote of the Board of Directors and shareholders will not be able to amend the bylaws without first amending the articles of incorporation; - authorize the issuance of preferred stock with any voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such rights as may be specified by our Board of Directors, without shareholder approval; and - restrict specified types of "business combinations" and "control share acquisitions," as well as regulate some tender offers. These provisions may: - have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control despite possible benefits to our shareholders; - discourage bids at a premium over the market price of our common stock; and - harm the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of our shareholders. OUR STOCK PRICE IS VOLATILE AND COULD DROP UNEXPECTEDLY. The market price of our common stock has been volatile. The price could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations due to factors including: - actual or anticipated variations in our operating results; - announcements of technological innovations or new services or contracts by us or our competitors; 18 - our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; - developments with respect to patents, copyrights or proprietary rights; - changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; - concerns regarding the security of our database; - conditions and trends in outsourcing of tax management, human resources and payroll services; and general economic and market conditions. The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of equity securities of many technology companies. Often these fluctuations have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performances of those companies. Broad market and industry factors may significantly affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. Declines in the market price of our common stock could also harm employee morale and retention, our access to capital and other aspects of our business. BECAUSE OUR SHARE PRICE IS VOLATILE, WE MAY BE THE TARGET OF SECURITIES LITIGATION, WHICH IS COSTLY AND TIME-CONSUMING TO DEFEND. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, shareholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. In January 2004, we restated our consolidated financial statements as a result of adjustments to our customer premises systems business. The restatement affected the fiscal years ended March 31, 1999 through 2003 and the first two quarters of fiscal year 2004. In fiscal year 2005 we settled class action litigation, as discussed in "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Other Matters" of our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and settled an SEC enforcement action, as described below. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management attention and resources, which would significantly harm our profitability and reputation. These market fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. We are subject to a cease and desist order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and a U.S. District Court court order and are required to advance expenses to one of our former officers in satisfaction of indemnification obligations in connection with a related case against that former officer. As previously reported, on March 3, 2005, we agreed with the SEC, without admitting or denying any liability, to pay one dollar in disgorgement and, pursuant to a court order, to pay a $2.5 million civil penalty, and not to violate certain provisions of the federal securities laws in the future pursuant to the SEC cease and desist order. Our agreement resolved the SEC's investigation into our accounting for certain items. The cease and desist order enjoins us from committing or causing future violations of specified securities laws. Any further violation of these laws could result in civil penalties, including sanctions, fines and penalties, which may be more severe than if the violation had occurred without our having entered into the order. Our former chief financial officer is currently defending a related SEC civil action, and any future related litigation costs for his defense will be borne by us and not by insurance. In addition, to the extent that we are required to indemnify him against any fines or penalties assessed against him, those amounts would be borne by us and will not be covered by insurance. Any such costs, fines or penalties borne by us could harm our business and financial condition. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS. None ITEM 2. PROPERTIES As of March 31, 2006, we occupied approximately 561,000 square feet of office space in 58 buildings across the country; this includes leases expiring in fiscal year 2007 which we do not intend to renew as we consolidate our facilities, as noted in the table below. At such date, all of our facilities were leased and were utilized primarily for general administrative, data processing and sales purposes. We believe our facilities have been generally well maintained, are in good operating condition and are adequate for our current requirements. Additionally, we had approximately 103 employees, primarily sales-related, working out of their homes. The following table includes descriptions of our significant facilities and, if applicable, the specific business segment to which the property is dedicated. 19
SQUARE BUSINESS ADDRESS CITY AND STATE FACILITY TYPE FOOTAGE SEGMENT - ---------------------- ---------------- ----------------------------------------- ------- ---------------- 11432 Lackland Road St. Louis, MO Corporate Headquarters - Executive, 94,000 All Administrative, Data Processing and Sales 10101 Woodfield(1) St. Louis, MO Administrative, Data Processing and Sales 83,000 Unemployment tax management 11828 Borman Drive St. Louis, MO Administrative, Data Processing and Sales 46,000 All 1850 Borman Court(1) St. Louis, MO Administrative, Data Processing and Sales 40,000 All 3455 Mill Run Drive Hilliard, OH Administrative, Data Processing and Sales 20,000 Unemployment tax management 1845 Borman Court St. Louis, MO Call Center, Administrative 23,000 All One Corporate Way Peabody, MA Administrative and Data Processing 19,000 Unemployment tax management 191 W. Schrock Road(1) Westerville, OH Administrative and Data Processing 18,000 Unemployment tax management 1195 Corporate Lake(1) St. Louis, MO Administrative and Data Processing 15,000 Unemployment tax management 300 East McBee Ave. Greenville, SC Administrative, Data Processing and Sales 14,000 Tax credits & incentives 410 Rodeo Road North Platte, NB Administrative and Data Processing 13,000 Unemployment tax management 7903 Allison Way Arvada, CO Administrative and Data Processing 13,000 Unemployment tax management 3400 Waterview Pkwy. Richardson, TX Administrative and Sales 9,000 The Work Number services
(1)Lease expires in fiscal year 2007. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We are a defendant from time to time in lawsuits. Based on information currently available, we believe that no current proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon us, our consolidated financial position, or our results of operations. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "TALX." On January 6, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable February 17, 2005, to shareholders of record on January 20, 2005. On November 14, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable January 17, 2006, to shareholders of record on December 19, 2005. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock as quoted in the Nasdaq National Market for each of the quarters since the beginning of fiscal 2005 through the end of fiscal 2006, retroactively adjusted for the effects of the 3-for-2 stock splits. 20
HIGH LOW ------ ------ FISCAL 2005: First quarter................................... $11.02 $ 9.67 Second quarter.................................. 10.94 9.00 Third quarter................................... 13.33 10.15 Fourth quarter.................................. 16.34 10.29 FISCAL 2006: First quarter................................... $21.84 $11.94 Second quarter.................................. 27.57 17.84 Third quarter................................... 32.53 20.71 Fourth quarter.................................. 36.76 25.70
On May 30, 2006, the last reported sale price on the Nasdaq National Market for our common stock was $26.50 per share. As of May 30, 2006, there were approximately 245 holders of record of our common stock. During fiscal 2001, we began paying dividends on our common stock on a quarterly basis. The following table sets forth dividends declared per share of common stock for the periods indicated, retroactively adjusted for the effects of the 3-for-2 stock splits:
DIVIDEND DECLARED -------- FISCAL 2005: First Quarter................................... $ 0.02 Second Quarter.................................. $ 0.03 Third Quarter................................... $ 0.03 Fourth Quarter.................................. $ 0.03 FISCAL 2006: First Quarter................................... $ 0.03 Second Quarter.................................. $ 0.03 Third Quarter................................... $ 0.03 Fourth Quarter.................................. $ 0.04
Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements and operating and financial condition and such other factors as the board may deem relevant. See "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" regarding certain contractual restrictions on our ability to pay dividends that are found in our new loan agreement. The following table provides information about purchases by us and our affiliated purchasers during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act: ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
TOTAL NUMBER OF MAXIMUM NUMBER SHARES PURCHASED OF SHARES THAT MAY TOTAL NUMBER AS PART OF PUBLICLY YET BE PURCHASED OF SHARES AVERAGE PRICE ANNOUNCED PLANS UNDER THE PLANS OR PERIOD PURCHASED PAID PER SHARE OR PROGRAMS (2) PROGRAMS - ---------------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------------- ------------------ January 1, 2006 to January 31, 2006..... 600(1) $ 0.01 -- 2,943,300 February 1, 2006 to February 28, 2006... -- -- -- 2,943,300 March 1, 2006 to March 31, 2006......... -- -- -- 2,943,300 ------------ -------------- ------------------- Total.............................. 600 $ 0.01 -- 2,943,300 ============ ============== ===================
(1) Represent restricted shares, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock split, that were forfeited by a former employee, for which we reimbursed the former employee. Accordingly, these share purchases are not considered a part of our publicly-announced share repurchase program. 21 (2) On May 10, 2005, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to three million shares of our stock, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock splits, in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions during the 36-month period ending May 9, 2008, subject to market conditions and other factors. Under this plan, we have repurchased a cumulative total of 56,700 shares of our common stock, as adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock splits. All shares repurchased have been reissued in connection with restricted stock grants. ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA This section presents our selected historical financial data and certain additional information. As discussed below, on April 22, 2003, we sold substantially all of the assets of our Human Resources and Benefits Application Services business. During July 2001 we acquired Ti3, Inc. and during March 2002, we acquired the unemployment cost management services business of Gates, McDonald & Company and James E. Frick, Inc., d/b/a The Frick Company. On July 1, 2003, we acquired Johnson and Associates. Effective April 1, 2004, we acquired certain businesses of Sheakley-Uniservice, Inc. and Sheakley Interactive Services, LLC. In October 2004, we acquired TBT Enterprises, Inc., UI Advantage, Inc. and Net Profit Inc., all of which specialize in employment-related tax credit and incentive services. On April 20, 2005, we acquired Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., which specializes in providing unemployment cost management services as well as an employment verification service. On April 26, 2005, we acquired the tax credits and incentives business of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC. On November 1, 2005, we acquired the unemployment tax business of Employers Unity, Inc., and on December 15, 2005, we acquired the tax credits and incentives business of Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc. On April 6, 2006, we acquired Performance Assessment Network, Inc., or "PAN", a provider of secure, electronic-based psychometric testing and assessments, as well as comprehensive talent management services. We derived the financial data presented below for, and as of the end of, each of the years in the five-year period ended March 31, 2006 from our consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements for, and as of the end of, each of the years in the five-year period ended March 31, 2006 have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. The financial information set forth below reflects the classification of the database, document services and Human Resources and Benefits Application Services businesses as discontinued operations. The selected data in this section is not intended to replace the financial statements. You should read carefully the financial statements included in this Form 10-K, including the notes to the consolidated financial statements, in conjunction with "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." For a discussion of material uncertainties that might cause the data reflected herein not to indicate our future financial condition or results of operations, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors." On January 6, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable February 17, 2005, to shareholders of record on January 20, 2005. On November 14, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable January 17, 2006, to shareholders of record on December 19, 2005. Earnings per share and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding set forth below have been retroactively adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock splits. 22
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 (1) 2003 (1) 2004 (1) 2005 2006 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) STATEMENT OF EARNINGS DATA: Revenues: The Work Number services............................... $ 27,184 $ 35,934 $ 46,608 $ 65,373 $ 91,331 Tax management services................................ 848 74,645 73,667 90,208 114,420 Customer premises systems.............................. 3,480 1,708 -- -- -- Maintenance and support................................ 3,893 3,639 4,120 2,814 1,676 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Total revenues...................................... 35,405 115,926 124,395 158,395 207,427 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Cost of revenues: The Work Number services............................... 9,320 12,285 13,947 18,645 21,339 Tax management services................................ 450 38,337 37,986 45,064 55,289 Customer premises systems.............................. 2,652 997 -- -- -- Maintenance and support................................ 1,028 734 1,320 1,008 352 Inventory write-down................................... 307 -- -- -- -- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Total cost of revenues.............................. 13,757 52,353 53,253 64,717 76,980 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Gross profit.............................................. 21,648 63,573 71,142 93,678 130,447 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Operating expenses: Selling and marketing.................................. 6,333 18,902 23,862 27,693 32,700 General and administrative............................. 7,454 25,180 26,052 32,845 42,658 Restructuring charges.................................. 2,627 -- -- -- -- SEC settlement charge.................................. -- -- -- 2,500 -- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Total operating expenses............................ 16,414 44,082 49,914 63,038 75,358 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Operating income ......................................... 5,234 19,491 21,228 30,640 55,089 Other income (expense), net............................... 1,567 (1,358) (845) (2,725) (4,477) Income tax expense........................................ 2,509 6,945 7,890 11,887 20,637 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Earnings from continuing operations....................... 4,292 11,188 12,493 16,028 29,975 Income from discontinued operations, net.................. 5 1,781 199 582 515 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Net earnings........................................ $ 4,297 $ 12,969 $ 12,692 $ 16,610 $ 30,490 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========= Net earnings per common share (2): Basic: Continuing operations............................... $ 0.15 $ 0.36 $ 0.41 $ 0.52 $ 0.94 Discontinued operations, net........................ -- 0.06 0.01 0.02 0.02 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net earnings..................................... $ 0.15 $ 0.42 $ 0.42 $ 0.54 $ 0.96 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Diluted: Continuing operations............................... $ 0.14 $ 0.35 $ 0.39 $ 0.49 $ 0.89 Discontinued operations, net........................ -- 0.06 0.01 0.02 0.01 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net earnings..................................... $ 0.14 $ 0.41 $ 0.40 $ 0.51 $ 0.90 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Cash dividends declared per common share.................. $ 0.05 $ 0.06 $ 0.09 $ 0.11 $ 0.13 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic (2).............................................. 28,401,049 30,920,805 30,514,278 30,954,629 31,775,969 Diluted (2)............................................ 30,333,786 31,969,269 32,009,759 32,452,679 33,828,651
MARCH 31, ------------------------------------------------ 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS) BALANCE SHEET DATA: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments... $ 21,431 $ 9,409 $10,043 $19,014 $11,555 Working capital..................................... 2,862 1,616 5,996 24,816 28,491 Total assets........................................ 179,819 172,795 213,990 246,919 347,545 Long-term debt plus capital leases.................. 30,308 22,152 50,012 57,648 110,911 Shareholders' equity................................ 115,991 123,183 133,817 151,864 186,298 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Employment records in The Work Number database...... 60,700 76,400 90,100 106,900 129,000 Employment records under contract (3)............... 70,200 82,000 97,200 113,100 136,300
23 - ---------- (1) In January 2004, we restated our consolidated financial statements as a result of adjustments to our customer premises systems business. The resulting restatement affected the fiscal years ended March 31, 1999 through 2003 and the first two quarters of fiscal year 2004. The restatement had practically no cumulative impact on our financial results or financial condition. It had the effect of reducing revenues by $955,000 for fiscal years 1999, 2000 and 2001 and increasing revenues by a similar amount in fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The impact on the fiscal years 2002 and 2003 was an increase in revenues of $610,000 and $384,000, respectively. In addition to the revenue adjustments, the related commissions associated with the revenues were adjusted accordingly and the income tax provisions were amended to reflect the impact of these restatements. After adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock splits, the annual impact to diluted earnings per share was an increase of $0.01 for both fiscal years 2002 and 2003. (2) Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the incremental increase in common shares outstanding assuming the exercise of all employee stock options and warrants that would have had a dilutive effect on earnings per share and the dilutive effect of all restricted stock. The weighted average number of shares is based on common stock outstanding for basic earnings per share and common stock outstanding, restricted stock outstanding, and common stock options and warrants for diluted earnings per share in periods when such common stock options and warrants are not antidilutive. On January 6, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable February 17, 2005, to shareholders of record on January 20, 2005. On November 14, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable January 17, 2006, to shareholders of record on December 19, 2005. Earnings per share and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding have been retroactively adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock splits. (3) Represents aggregate employment records included in The Work Number database and employment records under contract that have not yet been converted to the database. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS You should read this discussion together with the financial statements and other financial information included in this Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006. See "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. - Risk Factors". OVERVIEW We are a leading provider of payroll-related and human resources business process outsourcing services. Our services enable our clients to automate and outsource the performance of payroll and human resources business processes that would otherwise be performed by their own in-house payroll or human resources departments. Our clients are large and mid-size organizations, including more than three-fourths of the Fortune 500 companies in a wide variety of industries, as well as a number of government agencies. Our current services include employment and income verification and other payroll-related services, unemployment tax management services, tax credit and incentive services, and employee assessment and talent management services. - Income Verification and Employment Services. Our employment and income verification services, which we refer to collectively as "The Work Number services," are designed to help employers save time and effort and reduce expenses associated with many of the administrative tasks required to support large workforces. These tasks include verifying employment and income information, printing and distributing pay stubs and annual W-2 forms, collecting time-reporting data, updating employee personnel records on a self-service basis, and screening job applicants. As of March 31, 2006, The Work Number database, our proprietary database of payroll and other human resources-related information, contained approximately 129.0 million employee records and had contracts to receive an additional 7.3 million records. Authorized users such as mortgage lenders, pre-employment screeners, credit issuers, social service agencies and others access The Work Number service and pay us transaction-based or monthly service fees for verification of employment and income information. - Unemployment Tax Management Services. Through our unemployment tax management services, we provide unemployment insurance claims processing, unemployment hearing education and consultation, and unemployment tax planning and management services to a broad range of employers. These services are designed to reduce the cost of processing unemployment claims by human resources departments and to better manage the tax rate that employers are assessed for unemployment taxes. - Tax Credit and Incentive Services. Our services in the tax credits and incentives segment include assisting employers with federal, state and local tax credits. Examples of federal tax credit services include integrating work opportunity, or "WOTC", and welfare to work, or "WtW", tax credit processing into the current hiring process, as well as processing all necessary forms to identify applicants and employees who are potential qualifiers for hiring tax credits. State and local tax credit services include assisting clients in identifying and calculating enterprise zone credits and job creation credits. 24 - Employee Assessment and Talent Management Services. Beginning in fiscal year 2007, through our employee assessment and talent management services, we provide testing and assessment services, as well as talent management services that are designed to enable organizations to automate and improve their human capital management business processes. With our employee assessment and talent management services, clients can electronically deliver the assessments to applicants and arrange the administering or proctoring of the assessments at pre-qualified testing centers. Using an online dashboard, clients can manage open positions and direct active applicants through the entire assessment and selection process, including external tests such as a drug test. TALX services are enabled by our proprietary databases and applications that are designed to quickly and efficiently access and process large volumes of data. We employ web, interactive voice response, fax, document imaging and other technologies to enhance the services offered to our clients. We can interact with various payroll and human resources systems, and are virtually independent of the information technology services our clients select. As a result of recent acquisitions discussed in " -- Acquisitions" below, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, we determined that we operate in four business segments. The presentation of segment information reflects the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Prior period information has been reclassified to reflect the establishment of the unemployment tax management segment and the tax credits and incentives segment, which were previously presented together as one segment. Our services and products fall within four business segments: The Work Number services, unemployment tax management, tax credits and incentives, and customer premises systems and related maintenance and support. The Work Number services include our employment verification and services, W-2 eXpress, ePayroll, FasTime, HireXpress, and I-9 eXpress; unemployment tax management includes our employment tax consulting and claim processing operations and unemployment tax planning services; tax credits and incentives include federal, state and local tax credit and incentive services; and maintenance and support relates to a business we are phasing out. We are assessing the impact of the April 6, 2006 acquisition of Performance Assessment Network, Inc., or PAN, on our current segment classifications. See " - -- Acquisitions" below. On January 6, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable February 17, 2005, to shareholders of record on January 20, 2005. On November 14, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable January 17, 2006 to shareholders of record on December 19, 2005. Earnings per share and weighted average number of common shares outstanding throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been retroactively adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock splits. RECENT PERFORMANCE We achieved record revenues and gross margin in fiscal 2006. We successfully executed our strategies and emphasized cross-selling services to our existing client base. We continued to make strategic acquisitions and realized operational efficiencies as we integrated these acquisitions. Additionally, we broadened our portfolio of services, both through innovations in-house and through our strategic acquisitions. Our revenues rose 31 percent to $207.4 million in fiscal year 2006 compared to $158.4 million in the prior year. Our earnings from continuing operations in fiscal 2006 increased 87 percent to $30.0 million, or $0.89 per diluted share. Earnings from continuing operations totaled $16.0 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in fiscal 2005. The Work Number services achieved record revenues in fiscal year 2006, increasing 40 percent to $91.3 million compared to $65.4 million in the prior year. Growth in revenues was primarily attributable to the increased records in the database, coupled with the continued broadening of our verifier base. Additionally, the acquisitions of the Jon-Jay and Employers Unity employment verification businesses also contributed to the increase in revenues in fiscal year 2006. Through a program we call REACH, we are seeking to increase the number of transactions within our existing verifier base vertically by expanding usage with verifiers that have multiple locations and integrating our services with the verifiers' systems and processes. Also through the REACH program, we are seeking to increase transactions horizontally across multiple office branches and services at verifier clients by identifying additional usages for The Work Number database within our existing verifier base. Additionally, through a focused marketing campaign, we have gained additional verifiers, particularly within the consumer finance area. Gross margin for this business improved 510 basis points to 76.6 percent from 71.5 percent the year before. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to higher revenue levels and improved leveraging of our operational infrastructure. 25 The total number of employment records on The Work Number services increased to 129.0 million at March 31, 2006 from 106.9 million a year ago, representing a 21 percent increase. Total employment records under contract, including those in contract backlog to be added to the database, increased 21 percent to 136.3 million at March 31, 2006 from 113.1 million a year earlier. Each employee included in our clients' payroll data represents an employment record on The Work Number database. This payroll data is uploaded to The Work Number database, updating each employee's record. If the employee is no longer employed by a client, the existing record remains intact. Thus, The Work Number database includes all our clients' current employees, as well as former employees. Revenues in the unemployment tax management business increased 19 percent to $100.8 million, compared to $85.0 million in the prior year. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the acquisitions in fiscal year 2006, as noted below. The unemployment tax management business continued to be an important contributor to our overall profitability as well as to the growth in The Work Number services, resulting from selling those services to our unemployment tax management client base. Gross margin in the unemployment tax management business increased 120 basis points to 49.8 percent from 48.6 percent in the 2005 fiscal year. The improved gross margin was primarily a result of efficiencies achieved as acquisitions are integrated. Revenues in the tax credits and incentives business increased 161 percent to $13.6 million, compared to $5.2 million in the prior year. The increase in revenue was primarily a result of our acquisitions in fiscal year 2006, as noted below. Gross margin in the tax credits and incentives business declined to 65.4 percent from 73.8 percent in fiscal year 2005, primarily due to higher revenue levels in fiscal year 2005 following the temporary lifting of the hiatus on Work Opportunity and Welfare to Work tax credits in October 2004. ACQUISITIONS On April 6, 2006, we acquired PAN, a provider of secure, electronic-based psychometric testing and assessments, as well as comprehensive talent management services, for approximately $75 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The purchase price was determined based on arms'-length negotiations, and was paid in cash financed through our Loan Agreement as discussed below in " - Liquidity and Capital Resources." The acquisition agreement provides for indemnification of the Company by the sellers for certain pre-closing liabilities and obligations of the business, subject to certain limitations. An escrow account, maintained pursuant to the terms of the escrow agreement, is also available until eighteen months following the purchase to satisfy the indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement, subject to certain limitations described in the acquisition agreement. Of the purchase price, $10.0 million was paid into the escrow account. PAN had revenues of approximately $25.0 million in its fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. As discussed in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, effective April 1, 2004, we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of the unemployment compensation, employment verification and applicant screening and hiring workflow services businesses of Sheakley-Uniservice, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sheakley Interactive Services, LLC, which we refer to collectively as the "Sheakley Businesses". Additionally, on October 15, 2004, we completed the acquisition of the stock of TBT Enterprises, Incorporated and UI Advantage, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which we collectively refer to as "TBT Enterprises". On October 25, 2004, we completed the acquisition of Net Profit, Inc., headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. On April 20, 2005, we acquired Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., which specializes in providing unemployment cost management services as well as an employment verification service. On April 26, 2005, we acquired the tax credits and incentives business of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC. Total revenues for these businesses were approximately $12.0 million for calendar year 2004. On November 1, 2005, we acquired the unemployment tax business of Employers Unity, Inc., which had revenues of approximately $14.0 million in 2004. On December 15, 2005, we acquired the tax credits and incentives business of Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc., which had revenues of approximately $6.0 million in 2004. 26 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On a periodic basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, intangible assets, capitalized software and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that the following critical accounting policies include our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. REVENUE RECOGNITION: All revenues are generally recognized pursuant to annual or multi-year contracts. Revenues from The Work Number are realized primarily from transaction or monthly fees and, to a lesser degree, based on up-front set-up fees and periodic maintenance fees. Revenues for transaction fees are recognized in the period that they are earned, based on fees charged to users at the time they conduct verifications of employment and income. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, the revenue for set-up fees and monthly maintenance fees is recognized on a straight-line basis from the time the service is available to be used by our clients through the end of the service period. Revenue for our W-2 service is recognized evenly from the time the service is available for use by TALX clients through the end of the service period. Additionally, we have some clients that are billed for this service on a transactional basis. For these clients, we recognize revenue on a monthly basis, as transactions occur. We charge ePayroll clients on a per-employee, per-month basis, plus an initial set-up fee. Revenue for the initial set-up fees is recognized evenly over the initial contract period, beginning with the date the client is "live" on our system. Per-employee, per-month fees are recognized as revenue in the period the service is provided. FasTime clients are billed for initial set-up fees, monthly maintenance fees and per transaction fees. Revenue is recognized evenly from the time the service is available for use by our clients through the end of the service period for set-up and maintenance fees and as services are performed for transaction-based fees. HireXpress clients are billed for initial set-up fees and per transaction fees or monthly fees. Revenue is recognized evenly from the time the service is available for use by our clients through the end of the service period for set-up fees and as services are performed for transaction-based or monthly fees. Revenues from our unemployment tax management services are recognized in the period that they are earned, evenly over the life of the contract. Transaction fees are recorded as the services are provided. Unemployment tax management revenue that is contingent upon achieving certain performance criteria is recognized when those criteria are met. We realize revenues in our tax credits and incentives business on a contingent basis, as a percentage of the tax credits and incentives delivered to our clients. Revenues related to WOTC and WtW tax credits are recognized after the applicable state government has certified the eligibility of the client's employee and the employee has worked the required number of hours to receive the credit. Revenue related to state and local tax credits and certain other federal tax credits is recognized based on milestones achieved, calculation of the underlying credit, or the client's utilization of the underlying credit, depending upon the provisions of the contract. In relationships with certain of our customers, we enter into agreements with more than one of our service offerings included in the arrangement. When a client contracts with us to provide more than one service, the terms of the underlying contract itemize each service provided and the related fees for each service. In accordance with the consensus of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, as these fee arrangements are similar to those charged to other clients, we recognize revenue on the basis of the fair values of the underlying services. Deferred revenue represents the unearned portion of The Work Number set-up fees, unemployment tax management and maintenance fees. Commissions paid are deferred and charged to expense proportionally over the related service period. 27 Direct expenses related to cost of revenues are tracked separately for each service we provide. Incremental direct costs that are related to the origination of a client contract are expensed as incurred. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND INTANGIBLE ASSET VALUATION: In connection with the acquisitions of Ti3, Inc.; the unemployment cost management services business of Gates, McDonald & Company, a subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; James E. Frick, Inc., d/b/a The Frick Company; Johnson and Associates; the Sheakley Businesses; TBT Enterprises, Incorporated and UI Advantage, Inc.; Net Profit, Inc.; Jon-Jay Associates, Inc.; the tax credits and incentives business of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC; the unemployment tax business of Employers Unity, Inc.; and the tax credits and incentives business of Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc., we acquired certain identifiable intangible assets. We recorded these assets in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations." Effective April 6, 2006, we acquired PAN. We will record this acquisition in accordance with SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations." Effective April 1, 2002, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 142 addresses the initial recognition and measurement of intangible assets acquired outside of a business combination and the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition. SFAS No. 142 provides that intangible assets with finite useful lives be amortized and that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will rather be tested at least annually for impairment. We reviewed our goodwill and intangible assets as of December 31, 2005 and determined that no impairment existed. CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE: Software development costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility is achieved, after which time they are capitalized on a product-by-product basis. We amortize capitalized software development costs evenly over the remaining estimated economic life of the product, generally three to five years. We begin amortization of capitalized software development costs when the product is available for general release to clients. We review all capitalized software assets for impairment as of each balance sheet date. Upon determination of any impairment, we write down the asset to the appropriate value in the period that the impairment is determined. INCOME TAXES: We record income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes arise because of different treatment between financial statement accounting and tax accounting, known as temporary differences. We record the tax effect of these temporary differences as deferred tax assets (generally items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in future periods) and deferred tax liabilities (generally items that we received a tax deduction for, but have not yet been recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The above listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K which contains accounting policies and other disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123r, "Share-Based Payments" ("SFAS No. 123r"), a revision of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"), which requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and record such expense in their consolidated financial statements. The provisions of SFAS No. 123r are effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. We have adopted this standard effective April 1, 2006 and elected the modified-prospective transition method. Under the modified-prospective transition method, awards that are granted, modified, repurchased or canceled after the date of adoption should be measured and accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123r. Stock-based awards that are granted prior to the effective date should continue to be accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123, except that stock option expense for unvested options must be recognized in the statement of operations. Had we adopted SFAS No. 123r in prior periods, we believe the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of SFAS No. 123 as described in the "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. We expect to report stock-based compensation expense of approximately $2.0 million, net of taxes, in fiscal 2007 following the adoption of SFAS 123r. 28 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following tables set forth (1) revenues and gross margin, (2) the gross margin percentage by revenue category, and (3) certain items from our consolidated statement of operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------------ 2004 2005 2006 -------- -------- -------- (IN THOUSANDS) Revenues: The Work Number services................................ $ 46,608 $ 65,373 $ 91,331 Unemployment tax management............................. 73,008 85,009 100,826 Tax credits and incentives.............................. 659 5,199 13,594 Maintenance and support................................. 4,120 2,814 1,676 -------- -------- -------- Total revenues....................................... $124,395 $158,395 $207,427 -------- -------- -------- Gross profit: The Work Number services................................ $ 32,661 $ 46,728 $ 69,992 Unemployment tax management............................. 35,217 41,309 50,243 Tax credits and incentives.............................. 464 3,835 8,888 Maintenance and support................................. 2,800 1,806 1,324 -------- -------- -------- Total gross profit................................... $ 71,142 $ 93,678 $130,447 -------- -------- --------
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, --------------------- 2004 2005 2006 ---- ---- ---- Gross margin percentage by revenue category: The Work Number services........................................ 70.1% 71.5% 76.6% Unemployment tax management..................................... 48.2 48.6 49.8 Tax credits and incentives...................................... 70.4 73.8 65.4 Maintenance and support......................................... 68.0 64.2 79.0
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------ 2004 2005 2006 ----- ----- ----- PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUES Revenues: The Work Number services........................................ 37.5% 41.2% 44.0% Unemployment tax management..................................... 58.7 53.7 48.6 Tax credits and incentives...................................... 0.5 3.3 6.6 Maintenance and support......................................... 3.3 1.8 0.8 ----- ----- ----- Total revenues............................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 Cost of revenues................................................... 42.8 40.9 37.1 ----- ----- ----- Gross margin....................................................... 57.2 59.1 62.9 ----- ----- ----- Operating expenses: Selling and marketing........................................... 19.2 17.5 15.8 General and administrative...................................... 20.9 20.7 20.5 SEC settlement charge........................................... -- 1.6 -- ----- ----- ----- Total operating expenses..................................... 40.1 39.8 36.3 ----- ----- ----- Operating income................................................... 17.1 19.3 26.6 Other expense, net................................................. (0.7) (1.7) (2.2) ----- ----- ----- Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense... 16.4 17.6 24.4 Income tax expense................................................. 6.3 7.5 9.9 ----- ----- ----- Earnings from continuing operations............................. 10.1 10.1 14.5 Discontinued operations, net....................................... 0.1 0.4 0.2 ----- ----- ----- Net earnings.................................................... 10.2% 10.5% 14.7% ===== ===== =====
As discussed in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, effective April 1, 2004, we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of the unemployment compensation, employment verification and applicant screening and hiring workflow services businesses of Sheakley-Uniservice, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sheakley Interactive Services, LLC. Additionally, on October 15, 2004, we completed the acquisition of the stock of TBT Enterprises, Incorporated and UI Advantage, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which we collectively refer to as "TBT Enterprises." On October 25, 2004, we completed the acquisition of Net Profit, Inc., headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. On April 20, 2005, we acquired Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., which specializes in providing unemployment cost management services as well as an employment verification service. On April 26, 2005, we acquired the tax credits and incentives business of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC. On November 1, 2005, we acquired the unemployment tax business of Employers Unity, Inc., and on December 15, 2005, we acquired the tax credits and incentives business of Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc. 29 On April 22, 2003 we transferred substantially all of the assets of our Human Resources and Benefits Application Services business to Workscape, Inc., a Massachusetts-based provider of benefits and workforce management solutions. Accordingly, the historical results of operations for this business have been reclassified to earnings from discontinued operations on our consolidated statement of earnings. Revenues.
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------------ 2004 2005 2006 -------- -------- -------- (IN THOUSANDS) The Work Number services................................. $ 46,608 $ 65,373 $ 91,331 Unemployment tax management.............................. 73,008 85,009 100,826 Tax credits and incentives............................... 659 5,199 13,594 Maintenance and support.................................. 4,120 2,814 1,676 -------- -------- -------- Total revenues........................................ $124,395 $158,395 $207,427 -------- -------- --------
Total revenues increased 31.0% to $207.4 million in fiscal 2006 from $158.4 million in fiscal 2005 and $124.4 million in fiscal 2004. The Work Number services segment Revenues from The Work Number services increased 39.7% to $91.3 million in fiscal 2006 from $65.4 million in fiscal 2005 and $46.6 million in fiscal 2004. Growth in revenues was primarily attributable to the increased records in the database, coupled with the continued broadening of our verifier base. Additionally, the acquisitions of the Jon-Jay and Employers Unity employment verification businesses also contributed to the increase in revenues in fiscal year 2006. Through a program we call REACH, we are seeking to increase the number of transactions within our existing verifier base vertically by expanding usage with verifiers that have multiple locations and integrating our services with the verifiers' systems and processes. Also through the REACH program, we are seeking to increase transactions horizontally across multiple office branches and services at verifier clients by identifying additional usages for The Work Number database within our existing verifier base. Finally, through a focused marketing campaign, we have gained additional verifiers, particularly within the consumer finance area. The increase in fiscal 2005 was due primarily to an increase in transaction volume resulting from marketing efforts directed to verifiers and employers, the continued growth of the database, the REACH program, and the acquisitions of the Sheakley employment verification business and HireXpress, our applicant screening and hiring workflow services business. The mortgage industry, the consumer finance industry, and pre-employment screeners are the primary revenue generators for The Work Number. Verifications in the consumer finance area increased significantly in fiscal year 2006 as we have focused on extending our reach to additional consumer finance lenders, such as lenders for automobile, furniture and appliance loans. Mortgage-related verifications declined as a percentage of total verifications in fiscal year 2005 compared to the prior year primarily as a result of overall economic factors. The balance between mortgage-related and pre-employment-related verification revenues began to shift back from its widest spread in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 towards a more traditional balance towards the end of fiscal 2004. The table below indicates the percentage of The Work Number revenues contributed by types of verifiers during fiscal year 2005 and fiscal year 2006.
QUARTERS ENDED ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MARCH 31, JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MARCH 31, REVENUE SOURCE 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 - ------------------------------------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Pre-Employment....................... 18% 19% 18% 14% 19% 17% 18% 14% Mortgage............................. 35 34 35 27 34 34 33 28 Consumer Finance..................... 16 21 21 24 23 28 27 22 Social Services...................... 13 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 Other................................ 5 5 5 2 2 2 2 1 Complementary Work Number Services... 13 13 13 25 13 10 11 26
As of the end of fiscal year 2006, we had 129.0 million employment records on The Work Number services database, a 21% increase from fiscal year 2005. Total employment records under contract, including those in the contract backlog to be added to the database, represented 136.3 million records, a 21% increase from fiscal year 2005. We generally receive regular feeds of payroll data from each client. Each employee included in our clients' payroll data represents an employment record on The Work Number database. This payroll data is uploaded to The Work Number 30 database, updating each employee's record. If the employee is no longer employed by a client, the existing record remains intact. Thus, The Work Number database includes all our clients' current employees, as well as former employees. Our W-2 eXpress services also experienced strong growth in fiscal 2006 and 2005. We had 12.1 million W-2s on our system for fiscal 2006, representing an increase of 18.6% over fiscal 2005. W-2s on our system increased 20.0% in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. Unemployment tax management segment Revenues in the unemployment tax management business increased 19 percent to $100.8 million, compared to $85.0 million in the prior year. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the acquisitions of Jon-Jay Associates, Inc. and Employers Unity, Inc. in fiscal year 2006. Revenues from unemployment tax management increased 16.4% to $85.0 million in fiscal 2005 from $73.0 million in fiscal 2004 primarily as a result of our acquisition of the Sheakley Businesses. Unemployment tax management revenues consist of multi-year contracts that provide a solid revenue base with upside potential through contingency billings from tax consulting or additional billings if certain performance measures exceed contractually set levels. Revenues may also vary if the number of claims processed exceeds or falls below contractually set levels. Claims activity has trended down over the last two years, but remained steady over the last half of fiscal 2006. Tax credits and incentives segment Revenues in the tax credits and incentives business increased 161 percent to $13.6 million, compared to $5.2 million in the prior year. The increase in revenue was primarily a result of our acquisitions of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC and Management Insights, Inc. in fiscal year 2006 and inclusion of a full year of revenues from our fiscal year 2005 acquisitions of Net Profit, Inc. and TBT Enterprises. Revenues from tax credits and incentives increased to $5.2 million in fiscal 2005 from $0.7 million in fiscal 2004 primarily as a result of our acquisitions of Net Profit, Inc. and TBT Enterprises in fiscal 2005. Maintenance and support segment Revenues from maintenance and support related to the former customer premises systems business declined to $1.7 million in fiscal 2006, compared to $2.8 million in fiscal 2005 and $4.1 million in fiscal 2004. During 2003, we notified our maintenance clients of our intention to discontinue all support services effective June 2005. As a result of requests from a number of our clients, we have agreed to extend these support services until December 31, 2006. We anticipate revenues from maintenance and support will continue to decrease over time from current levels. Gross Profit and Gross Margin.
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------------ 2004 2005 2006 ------- ------- -------- (IN THOUSANDS) The Work Number services............ $32,661 $46,728 $ 69,992 Unemployment tax management......... 35,217 41,309 50,243 Tax credits and incentives.......... 464 3,835 8,888 Maintenance and support............. 2,800 1,806 1,324 ------- ------- -------- Total gross profit............... $71,142 $93,678 $130,447 ------- ------- -------- Gross margin percentage by segment: The Work Number services............ 70.1% 71.5% 76.6% Unemployment tax management......... 48.2 48.6 49.8 Tax credits and incentives.......... 70.4 73.8 65.4 Maintenance and support............. 68.0 64.2 79.0 Total gross margin percentage.... 57.2% 59.1% 62.9%
Total gross profit increased 39.3% to $130.4 million in fiscal 2006 from $93.7 million in fiscal 2005 and $71.1 million in fiscal 2004. Total gross margin increased to 62.9% in fiscal 2006 from 59.1% in fiscal 2005 and 57.2% in fiscal 2004. The Work Number segment The Work Number services gross profit increased 49.8% to $70.0 million in fiscal 2006 from $46.7 million in fiscal 2005 and $32.7 million in fiscal 2004. Gross margin increased to 76.6% in fiscal 2006 from 71.5% in fiscal 2005 and 70.1% in fiscal 31 2004. The increases in gross profit and gross margin were due primarily to higher revenue levels as discussed above and improved leveraging of our operational infrastructure. Unemployment tax management segment Unemployment tax management gross profit increased 21.6% to $50.2 million, or 49.8% of corresponding revenue, in fiscal 2006 from $41.3 million, or 48.6% of corresponding revenue, in fiscal 2005 and $35.2 million, or 48.2% of corresponding revenue, in fiscal 2004. The increases in gross profit and gross margin in fiscal years 2006 and 2005 were due primarily to higher revenues, as well as cost savings realized through our consolidation of the operational infrastructure of various acquisitions. The unemployment tax management business has been an important contributor to our overall profitability as well as to the growth in The Work Number Services due to success in cross-selling The Work Number Services into the unemployment tax management client base. Tax credits and incentives segment Tax credits and incentives gross profit increased 132.2% to $8.9 million, or 65.4% of corresponding revenue, in fiscal 2006 from $3.8 million, or 73.8% of corresponding revenue, in fiscal 2005 and $0.5 million, or 70.4% of corresponding revenue, in fiscal 2004. The increase in gross profit in fiscal years 2006 and 2005 was due primarily to higher revenues, as well as cost savings realized through our consolidation of the operational infrastructure of various acquisitions. The decline in gross margin in fiscal 2006 was primarily due to higher revenue levels increasing the gross margin in fiscal year 2005 following the temporary lifting of the hiatus on WOTC and WtW tax credits in October 2004. Customer premises systems and maintenance and support segment Customer premises systems and maintenance and support gross profit decreased to $1.3 million from $1.8 million in fiscal 2005 and $2.8 million in fiscal 2004. The decline in gross profit was due to the lower revenues as we continue to phase out of this business. Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased 18.1% to $32.7 million in fiscal 2006 from $27.7 million in fiscal 2005 and $23.9 million in fiscal 2004. As a percentage of revenues, such expenses decreased to 15.8% in fiscal 2006 compared to 17.5% in fiscal 2005 and 19.2% in fiscal 2004. The increase in expenses in fiscal 2006 was primarily due to increased commissions and incentives, which resulted from our higher revenues, as well as increased personnel as we developed a new sales and service team to market directly to prospective employer clients with fewer than 3,500 employees. Selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues improved in fiscal 2006 as a result of the higher revenue levels, improved leveraging of our selling and marketing infrastructure and our continued focus on expense control. Increased selling and marketing expenses in fiscal 2005 were primarily due to increased commissions and incentives, which resulted from our higher revenues, as well as increased personnel as we developed a new sales and service team to market directly to verifiers. General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 29.9% to $42.7 million in fiscal 2006 from $32.8 million in fiscal 2005 and $26.1 million in fiscal 2004. The increase in general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2006 resulted primarily from additional amortization related to intangible assets from our recent acquisitions and the expansion of our infrastructure to accommodate our growing business and the financial consolidation of the acquisitions described in Notes 5 and 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As a percentage of revenues, such expenses decreased to 20.5% in fiscal 2006 compared to 20.7% in fiscal 2005 and 20.9% in fiscal 2004. SEC Settlement Charge. As previously disclosed, the staff of the SEC conducted an investigation into the matters that were the subject of the restatements of our financial statements that we had announced on December 16, 2002, and January 5, 2004. In March 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri entered a final judgment against us whereby we agreed, without admitting or denying any liability, to pay $2.5 million in civil penalties and not to violate certain provisions of the federal securities laws in the future. In addition, the SEC entered a cease and desist order whereby we agreed, without admitting or denying any liability, to pay one dollar in disgorgement and not to violate certain provisions of the federal securities laws in the future. Separately, William W. Canfield, our president and chief executive officer, entered into a settlement with the SEC related to its investigation against him in a related matter. Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income (expense), net totaled $4.5 million of other expense in fiscal 2006, compared to $2.7 million in fiscal 2005 and $0.8 million in fiscal 2004. The increases in fiscal 2006 and 2005 were due to higher interest expense resulting from increased borrowings to fund our acquisitions in 2006 and 2005. 32 Income Tax Expense. Our effective income tax rate was 40.8%, 42.6%, and 38.7% in fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The SEC settlement charge, as discussed above, was not tax deductible, causing a higher effective income tax rate in fiscal 2005. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following tables set forth (1) specified unaudited statement of operations data (2) the gross margin percentage for each of our revenue categories, and (3) statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of our total revenues, in each case for each of the four quarters in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements contained herein and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of such information when read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. We believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our financial results should not necessarily be relied upon as an indication of future performance. We had initially recorded the SEC settlement charge in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 as other income (expense), net. It was reclassified to operating expenses in the accompanying table of quarterly results of operations to conform to current presentation to more accurately reflect the nature of this charge. As a result of the reclassification, previously reported operating income for the fiscal year 2005 first quarter should have been $2.8 million, as reflected in the table below. 33
QUARTERS ENDED ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MARCH 31, JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MARCH 31, 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) Revenues: The Work Number services.................. $ 14,417 $ 14,188 $ 15,558 $ 21,210 $ 20,445 $ 21,857 $ 21,904 $ 27,125 Unemployment tax management............... 20,710 21,572 20,901 21,826 23,052 23,344 26,193 28,237 Tax credits and incentives................ 190 90 2,704 2,215 2,873 2,699 3,785 4,237 Maintenance and support................... 744 780 677 613 424 444 450 358 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Total revenues.......................... 36,061 36,630 39,840 45,864 46,794 48,344 52,332 59,957 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Gross profit: The Work Number services.................. 10,225 10,257 11,372 14,874 15,715 17,178 17,026 20,073 Unemployment tax management............... 9,676 10,759 10,211 10,663 11,187 11,602 13,121 14,333 Tax credits and incentives................ 90 30 2,134 1,581 1,963 1,675 2,652 2,598 Maintenance and support................... 512 548 424 322 337 344 350 293 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Total gross margin...................... 20,503 21,594 24,141 27,440 29,202 30,799 33,149 37,297 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Operating expenses: Selling and marketing..................... 7,020 6,618 6,965 7,090 7,730 8,073 8,587 8,310 General and administrative................ 8,170 7,779 8,460 8,436 10,088 10,052 11,108 11,410 SEC settlement charge..................... 2,500 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Total operating expenses................ 17,690 14,397 15,425 15,526 17,818 18,125 19,695 19,720 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Operating income.............................. 2,813 7,197 8,716 11,914 11,384 12,674 13,454 17,577 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= Net earnings from continuing operations....... $ 198 $ 3,930 $ 4,813 $ 7,087 $ 6,425 $ 7,151 $ 7,422 $ 8,977 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= Net earnings.................................. $ 356 $ 4,059 $ 4,966 $ 7,229 $ 6,627 $ 7,177 $ 7,644 $ 9,042 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= Diluted earnings from continuing operations per share................................. $ 0.01 $ 0.12 $ 0.15 $ 0.21 $ 0.19 $ 0.21 $ 0.22 $ 0.26 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= Diluted earnings per share................... $ 0.01 $ 0.13 $ 0.15 $ 0.22 $ 0.20 $ 0.21 $ 0.22 $ 0.26 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= Gross margin percentage by segment: The Work Number services.................. 70.9% 72.3% 73.1% 70.1% 76.9% 78.6% 77.7% 74.0% Unemployment tax management............... 46.7 49.9 48.9 48.9 48.5 49.7 50.1 50.8 Tax credits and incentives................ 47.4 33.3 78.9 71.4 68.3 62.1 70.1 61.3 Maintenance and support................... 68.8 70.3 62.6 52.5 79.5 77.5 77.8 81.8 PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUES: Revenues: The Work Number services.................. 40.0% 38.7% 39.1% 46.3% 43.7% 45.2% 41.9% 45.2% Unemployment tax management............... 57.5 59.0 52.4 47.6 49.3 48.3 50.0 47.1 Tax credits and incentives................ 0.5 0.2 6.8 4.8 6.1 5.6 7.2 7.1 Maintenance and support................... 2.0 2.1 1.7 1.3 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.6 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Total revenues.......................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Cost of revenues.............................. 43.1 41.0 39.4 40.2 37.6 36.3 36.7 37.8 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Gross margin.................................. 56.9 59.0 60.6 59.8 62.4 63.7 63.3 62.2 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Operating expenses: Selling and marketing..................... 19.5 18.1 17.5 15.4 16.5 16.7 16.4 13.9 General and administrative................ 22.7 21.3 21.2 18.4 21.6 20.8 21.2 19.0 SEC settlement charge..................... 6.9 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Total operating expenses................ 49.1 39.4 38.7 33.8 38.1 37.5 37.6 32.9 -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- Operating income.............................. 7.8 19.6 21.9 26.0 24.3 26.2 25.7 29.3 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= Net earnings from continuing operations....... 0.6 10.7 12.1 15.5 13.8 14.8 14.2 15.0 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= Net earnings.................................. 1.0 11.1 12.5 15.8 14.2 14.8 14.6 15.1 ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== ========= ======== =========
See "Acquisitions" above regarding our acquisitions in fiscal years 2005 and 2006. Our revenues, margins and operating results have fluctuated in the past, and are likely to continue to fluctuate in the future, on an annual and quarterly basis, as a result of a number of factors, most of which are outside of our control, as discussed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly, which could cause our stock price to decline significantly." SEASONALITY Revenues generated from our W-2 eXpress service, which is part of The Work Number services segment, are particularly affected by seasonality and are principally earned in our fourth fiscal quarter. Revenues generated from our unemployment tax management services are generally higher in the fourth fiscal quarter as certain client contracts allow us to bill additional fees based upon actual annual claims volumes. Additionally, our tax planning business has an inherent seasonality based upon the general nature of tax services. 34 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS The following table summarizes certain of our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2006.
PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD (IN THOUSANDS) ------------------------------------------------------ LESS THAN 1 1-3 3-5 MORE THAN TOTAL YEAR YEARS YEARS 5 YEARS ------------------------------------------------------ Long-Term Debt Obligations.... $110,802 $ -- $ -- $110,802 $ -- Capital Lease Obligations..... 169 60 83 26 -- Operating Lease Obligations... 24,461 5,672 7,910 5,470 5,409 -------- ----------- ------ -------- --------- Total.................... $135,432 $ 5,732 $7,993 $116,298 $ 5,409 ======== =========== ====== ======== =========
In connection with certain of our acquisitions, there are additional contingent payments to be calculated based on identified performance criteria as specified in the underlying purchase agreements. When determined beyond a reasonable doubt, these additional payments will be recorded as goodwill. As of March 31, 2006, approximately $5.4 million in contingent payments have been made. We estimate that additional payments could range up to approximately $14 million and be payable over the next 18 months. Interest on long-term debt obligations is at variable rates and, therefore, has not been included in these contractual obligations. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Long-term Debt -- Loan Agreement" below. As discussed below under "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Long-term Debt," on May 25, 2006, we amended and restated our principal loan agreement and on May 25, 2006, we sold $75.0 million of secured senior guaranteed notes and used the proceeds to repay outstanding revolving loans under our loan agreement. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ---------------------------- 2004 2005 2006 -------- ------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS) Net cash provided by (used in): Operating Activities........... $ 21,558 $30,049 $39,370 Investing Activities........... (48,258) (35,194) (98,193) Financing Activities........... 25,859 7,976 53,129
In recent years, we have financed our operations through cash flows from operating activities. In addition to cash provided by operating activities, we have access to a revolving credit facility, which we have used most recently primarily for acquisitions. On May 25, 2006, we completed a private placement of $75.0 million of senior guaranteed notes, as described below. We generated cash from operating activities of $39.4 million in fiscal 2006, a $9.4 million increase compared to $30.0 million in fiscal 2005, primarily as a result of improved operating results. Our principal sources and uses of cash during fiscal 2006 were as follows: Sources: - Generated $39.4 million from operations; - Borrowed $138.8 million under credit arrangements to finance acquisitions and refinance debt; and - Received proceeds of $6.9 million from the sale of short-term investments. Uses: - Acquisition of four businesses for a total of $87.1 million; - Purchased $5.1 million in short-term investments; - Repaid $85.5 million under long-term debt facilities, including debt refinancings; and - Invested $12.9 million in property and equipment and capitalized software development. Our net cash used in investing activities increased to $98.2 million in fiscal 2006 from $35.2 million in fiscal 2005. This increase was primarily due to $87.1 million of cash outlays for acquisitions and $12.9 million of investments in property, equipment, and capitalized software, partially offset by $1.8 million of net sales of short-term investments. At March 31, 2006, we had no significant capital spending or purchase commitments other than normal purchase commitments and commitments under facilities and operating leases, but would expect capital expenditures to increase during the next 18 months as we integrate the operations of our new acquisitions and continue to invest in our data center infrastructure. In connection with certain of our acquisitions, there are additional contingent payments to be calculated based on identified performance criteria as specified in the underlying purchase agreements. When determined beyond a reasonable doubt, these additional payments will be recorded as goodwill. In fiscal year 2006, approximately $5 million in contingent payments have been made. We estimate that additional payments could range up to approximately $14 million and be payable over the next 18 months. 35 Pursuant to an acquisition agreement dated April 6, 2006, we acquired PAN for approximately $75 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The purchase price was determined based on arms'-length negotiations, and was paid in cash financed through our Loan Agreement as discussed below in " - Long-Term Debt." Net cash provided by financing activities was $53.1 million in fiscal 2006 compared to $8.0 million in fiscal 2005. The increase was due primarily to net borrowings under credit arrangements of $53.3 million in 2006 compared to $7.5 million in 2005. In both years, borrowings were used to fund acquisitions. Additionally, in fiscal 2006, we paid $3.8 million in dividends, received $4.9 million from issuance of common stock in connection with employee benefit plans, and repurchased stock for $1.3 million. Our working capital increased to $28.5 million at March 31, 2006 from $24.8 million at March 31, 2005. This increase was primarily due to increased accounts receivable as a result of our acquisitions in fiscal year 2006. Our accounts receivable increased $11.8 million to $31.5 million at March 31, 2006, compared to $19.7 million at March 31, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to significantly higher revenues in the fiscal 2006 fourth quarter compared to the fourth quarter of the prior year. Based on cash and cash equivalents on hand, together with anticipated cash flows from operations, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to pay our obligations as they become due, for at least the next 12 months. Our business strategy contemplates that we will consider acquisitions from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will make any such additional acquisitions or that any such acquisitions would be successful. We expect that such acquisitions may require that we access additional credit. As described below, our Loan Agreement will provide funding for certain possible future acquisitions subject to certain conditions. Except in these circumstances, we cannot assure you that additional credit would be available on acceptable terms. Any such additional credit would increase the risks associated with leverage, including our ability to service indebtedness and volatility of interest rates. Also, we have filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement regarding $125 million of our securities. The registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC and allows us to complete one or more offerings of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, purchase contracts, warrants and units from time to time in one or more public offerings. This Form 10-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any securities registered under the registration statement in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. During fiscal 2006, we continued our quarterly dividend program, declaring a $0.03 per share dividend in each of the first three quarters and a $0.04 per share dividend in the fourth quarter, as adjusted for the effects of the 3-for-2 stock split. We are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax year ended March 31, 2004. We do not expect the results of this examination to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN On May 10, 2005, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to three million shares of our stock in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions during the 36-month period ending May 9, 2008, subject to market conditions and other factors. Under this plan, we have repurchased a cumulative total of 56,700 shares of our common stock, as adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split. All shares repurchased have been reissued in connection with restricted stock grants. LONG-TERM DEBT Loan Agreement. On April 14, 2005, we entered into a secured second amended and restated loan agreement, which we refer to as the "2005 Loan Agreement," with LaSalle Bank National Association, as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto, or collectively, the "Lenders," to replace the loan agreement in place at the time, which we refer to as the "2004 Loan Agreement," and refinance in full the $57.5 million outstanding loan balance at March 31, 2005. The 2005 Loan Agreement established a $100.0 million revolving line of credit and provided for the issuance of letters of credit and swingline loans. On November 1, 2005, we amended the 2005 Loan Agreement to expand the availability under our revolving line of credit to $150.0 million, of which $39.2 million remained available as of March 31, 2006. On April 6, 2006, we entered into the second amendment to the 2005 Loan Agreement which, among other things, expanded the availability under our revolving 36 line of credit to $200 million. There are procedures, including limitations on the timing and increments, associated with such a commitment increase request. The second amendment also revised and updated other terms, including the terms of some of the financial covenants under the Loan Agreement. On May 25, 2006, concurrently with the issuance and sale of the $75.0 million principal amount of Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014, which we refer to as the "Notes," we entered into a $150.0 million third amended and restated loan agreement, which we refer to as the "2006 Loan Agreement," with the Lenders to replace the 2005 Loan Agreement and refinance in full the $112.4 million outstanding loan balance on May 25, 2006, after giving effect to the repayment of $74.2 million of loans outstanding under the 2005 Loan Agreement from the proceeds of the Notes. The 2006 Loan Agreement established a $150.0 million revolving line of credit and provided for the issuance of letters of credit and swingline loans. The 2006 Loan Agreement includes an accordion feature that permits us to increase availability to $200 million under certain circumstances. There are procedures, including limitations on the timing and increments, associated with such a commitment increase request. In conjunction with the 2006 Loan Agreement, the Lenders released their security interests in our and our subsidiaries' assets and the stock of our subsidiaries, which had existed under the 2005 Loan Agreement. The proceeds of loans made under the 2006 Loan Agreement may be used solely to refinance loans outstanding under the 2005 Loan Agreement and for working capital, permitted capital expenditures, as the source for payment of our obligations with respect to letters of credit, to finance permitted acquisitions meeting specified criteria, and to finance certain repurchases of our capital stock subject to specified limitations. The 2006 Loan Agreement is absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed by our material subsidiaries. We may make prepayments on advances under the revolving credit facility without penalty, provided we give at least one business day's notice, pay accrued interest and otherwise make the applicable lenders whole. As the 2006 Loan Agreement is a revolving credit facility, there are no scheduled minimum principal repayments in fiscal years 2006 through 2010. All amounts outstanding under the credit facility are due and payable on April 14, 2010. Advances under the revolving credit facility bear interest at rates we select, including a base rate or the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate is a variable rate equal to the greater of the Lender's prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.5%. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans will vary from 1.00% to 1.75%. Swingline loans will bear interest at the base rate. During the existence of an event of default, loans will bear additional interest of 2.00% per year. We will pay a facility fee, payable on a quarterly basis in the amount equal to 0.25% of the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. If we utilize any letters of credit, we will pay a fronting fee equal to 0.125% of the face amount of each letter of credit, as well as a letter of credit fee equal to the aggregate undrawn amount of the letter of credit multiplied by the LIBOR margin in effect on the date the letter of credit is issued. We paid the Lenders an amendment fee equal to $50,000 on the effective date of the 2005 Loan Agreement, an amendment fee equal to $75,000 on November 1, 2005 in connection with the first amendment, and amendment fees in the aggregate amount of $55,000 in connection with the second amendment. The 2006 Loan Agreement includes certain covenants, including, without limitation, restrictions on the use of proceeds of any loans, as described above. The 2006 Loan Agreement also requires compliance with certain financial covenants based on our minimum interest coverage (the ratio of EBIT minus dividends and income tax expense to interest expense), minimum EBITDA (as defined in the 2006 Loan Agreement and as adjusted for, among other things, approved acquisitions) and our ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (as so adjusted). The 2006 Loan Agreement also requires compliance with certain operating and other covenants which limit, without first obtaining written consent of the lenders, among other things, the ability of TALX and our subsidiaries to incur additional debt (with specified exceptions), sales of assets, changes in our capital structure, affiliate transactions, acquisitions, and distributions to our shareholders. The 2006 Loan Agreement generally prohibits the payment of cash dividends, except for cash dividends not in excess of six cents per share per calendar quarter, up to a maximum of $7.5 million per fiscal year so long as we are not in default at the time of the declaration. The 2006 Loan Agreement also contains various representations and warranties, regarding, among others, compliance with material laws, the accuracy of financial statements and other information delivered to the Lenders and the absence of material changes. In the event of a default under the 2006 Loan Agreement, the Lenders may terminate the commitments made under the Loan Agreement, declare amounts outstanding, including accrued interest and fees, payable immediately, and enforce any and all rights and interests. 37 Note Placement. On May 25, 2006, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with several institutional investors for the issuance and sale by TALX in a private placement of our Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 in an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million. We used the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to repay outstanding loans in the amount of $74.2 million under the 2005 Loan Agreement. We are required to repay the principal amount of the Notes in five annual installments commencing on May 25, 2010 with the final payment of all principal then outstanding on May 25, 2014. We may prepay the Notes subject to certain restrictions and the payment of a make-whole amount. In addition, we may be required by the holders of the Notes to prepay the Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement. Under certain circumstances, we may also be required to use proceeds of certain asset dispositions to prepay a portion of the Notes. Interest on the Notes of 6.89% per annum is payable semiannually until the principal becomes due and payable, provided, that the interest rate increases by 0.45% unless we increase equity capital by $75 million before September 30, 2006; provided further, if such increase takes place after September 30, 2006 and before September 30, 2007, then on and after the first day of the next fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter in which such equity capital was raised, such additional interest will no longer accrue and be payable, and the interest rate on the Notes will return to 6.89% per annum, subject in any event to the immediately following sentence. To the extent permitted by law, upon the occurrence of an event of default, interest accrues on any amount due at a rate equal to the greater of 8.89% or 2.0% over prime as announced by LaSalle Bank National Association. Our obligations with respect to the Notes and the Note Purchase Agreement are absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed by our material subsidiaries. The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary covenants, including compliance with laws, maintenance of insurance, keeping of books, conduct of business, maintenance of properties, payment of taxes, inspection of records, furnishing of quarterly and annual financial statements, quarterly compliance certificates and other financial information. The Note Purchase Agreement also contains customary restrictive covenants including certain restrictions on transactions with affiliates, our Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), other indebtedness, including that of guarantor subsidiaries, our ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges to Consolidated Fixed Charges (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), our ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Operating Cash Flow (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), liens and encumbrances, consolidations and mergers, and sales of assets. Except as described below, upon the happening of an event of default under the Note Purchase Agreement, the holder or holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to us, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default with respect to the payment of principal or interest on the Notes occurs, any holder or holders of the Notes at the time outstanding affected by such event of default may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to us, declare all of the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default with respect to bankruptcy proceedings occurs, all of the Notes then outstanding will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of any holders of the Notes. We have entered into an interest rate swap contract which has a notional amount of $14.0 million at March 31, 2006. Under this contract, we pay a fixed rate of 3.72% and receive a variable rate of LIBOR, which is equal to the LIBOR rate utilized on our outstanding revolving loans. The notional amount of our interest rate swap contract steps down over time until its termination on March 31, 2008. Effective April 14, 2005, in connection with the refinancing of our credit facility existing at that time, we matched our existing interest rate swap to our outstanding borrowings. This strategy effectively converts a portion of our outstanding revolving loans into a fixed rate instrument over the term of the interest rate swap contract. The interest rate swap and related gains and losses arising on the contract are accounted for as a cash flow hedge in accordance with SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." Specifically, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are deferred and recorded in other comprehensive income. These deferred gains or losses are recognized in income when the transactions being hedged are completed. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. OTHER MATTERS We are a defendant from time to time in lawsuits. Based on information currently available, we believe that no current proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon us. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" for a detailed description of various risk factors. 38 ITEM 7A. QUANTITIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK As discussed above under "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources," our credit facility bears interest at floating rates we select under the terms of the Loan Agreement. As of March 31, 2006, we had $110.8 million principal outstanding on our credit facility, of which $14.0 million was hedged with an interest rate swap contract. On an annual basis, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would result in an approximate $1.0 million change to our annual interest expense, based on net variable rate borrowings of $96.8 million. 39 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE ------ TALX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting............................... 41 Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm....................................... 42, 43 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2005 and 2006...................................... 44 Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.......... 45 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006............................................................ 46 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006........ 47 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................................... 48
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework. In conducting our evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, we have excluded the following acquisitions completed during fiscal year 2006: Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC, Employers Unity, Inc. and Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc. Total revenues of these entities for the periods from the respective acquisitions through March 31, 2006 were $19,000,000. These entities were acquired for total consideration of $83,000,000, subject to certain contingent purchase price adjustments. Refer to Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these acquisitions and their impact on our consolidated financial results. Our management has concluded that, as of March 31, 2006, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on these criteria. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, which is included on page 43 herein. TALX Corporation by: /s/ William W. Canfield by: /s/ L. Keith Graves President, Chief Executive Officer Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Chairman of the Board Officer and Assistant Secretary 41 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of TALX Corporation: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TALX Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated May 31, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on management's assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting. /s/ KPMG LLP St. Louis, Missouri May 31, 2006 42 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of TALX Corporation: We have audited management's assessment, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that TALX Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management's assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, management's assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework issued by COSO. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework issued by COSO. The Company acquired Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC, Employers Unity, Inc. and Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc., during the year ended March 31, 2006. Management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006, these entities' internal control over financial reporting associated with total revenues of $19,000,000, included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the periods from the respective acquisitions through March 31, 2006. These entities were acquired for total consideration of $83,000,000, subject to certain contingent purchase price adjustments. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of these entities. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2006, and our report dated May 31, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. /s/ KPMG LLP St. Louis, Missouri May 31, 2006 43 TALX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE INFORMATION)
MARCH 31, ---------------------- 2005 2006 --------- --------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents................................................................. $ 11,399 $ 5,705 Short term investments ................................................................... 7,615 5,850 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,173 at March 31, 2005 and $3,731 at March 31, 2006 ......................................................... 19,718 31,527 Unbilled receivables ..................................................................... 3,713 5,911 Prepaid expenses and other current assets ................................................ 5,282 6,576 Deferred tax assets, net ................................................................. 1,683 2,580 --------- --------- Total current assets .................................................................. 49,410 58,149 Property and equipment, net ................................................................. 11,414 16,037 Capitalized software development costs, net of amortization of $4,605 in 2005 and $6,329 in 2006 ..................................................................................... 3,374 4,059 Goodwill .................................................................................... 136,143 190,232 Other intangibles, net ...................................................................... 45,448 77,434 Other assets ................................................................................ 1,130 1,634 --------- --------- $ 246,919 $ 347,545 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable ......................................................................... $ 2,054 $ 2,257 Accrued expenses and other liabilities ................................................... 16,502 19,219 Dividends payable ........................................................................ 835 1,289 Deferred revenue ......................................................................... 5,203 6,893 --------- --------- Total current liabilities ............................................................. 24,594 29,658 Deferred tax liabilities, net ............................................................... 10,083 17,634 Long term debt, less current portion ........................................................ 57,500 110,802 Other liabilities ........................................................................... 2,878 3,153 --------- --------- Total liabilities ..................................................................... 95,055 161,247 --------- --------- Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares and no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2005 and 2006 ................................................ -- -- Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares at March 31, 2005 and 75,000,000 shares at March 31, 2006, issued 20,922,011 shares at March 31, 2005 and 32,225,321 at March 31, 2006 ................................................. 209 322 Additional paid-in capital ............................................................... 164,937 177,463 Deferred compensation .................................................................... (223) (5,076) (Accumulated deficit) retained earnings .................................................. (12,726) 13,467 Accumulated other comprehensive income: Unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract, net of tax expense of $39 at March 31, 2005 and $80 at March 31, 2006 ................................................. 59 122 Treasury stock, at cost, 42,275 shares at March 31, 2005 ................................. (392) -- --------- --------- Total shareholders' equity ............................................................ 151,864 186,298 --------- --------- $ 246,919 $ 347,545 ========= =========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 44 TALX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE INFORMATION)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, -------------------------------------------- 2004 2005 2006 ------------ ------------ ------------ Revenues: The Work Number services ............................................ $ 46,608 $ 65,373 $ 91,331 Tax management services ............................................. 73,667 90,208 114,420 Maintenance and support ............................................. 4,120 2,814 1,676 ------------ ------------ ------------ Total revenues ................................................... 124,395 158,395 207,427 ------------ ------------ ------------ Cost of revenues: The Work Number services ............................................ 13,947 18,645 21,339 Tax management services ............................................. 37,986 45,064 55,289 Maintenance and support ............................................. 1,320 1,008 352 ------------ ------------ ------------ Total cost of revenues ........................................... 53,253 64,717 76,980 ------------ ------------ ------------ Gross profit ..................................................... 71,142 93,678 130,447 ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating expenses: Selling and marketing ............................................... 23,862 27,693 32,700 General and administrative .......................................... 26,052 32,845 42,658 SEC settlement charge ............................................... -- 2,500 -- ------------ ------------ ------------ Total operating expenses ......................................... 49,914 63,038 75,358 ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating income ................................................. 21,228 30,640 55,089 ------------ ------------ ------------ Other income (expense), net: Interest income ..................................................... 71 224 693 Interest expense .................................................... (919) (2,944) (5,165) Other, net .......................................................... 3 (5) (5) ------------ ------------ ------------ Total other income (expense), net ................................ (845) (2,725) (4,477) ------------ ------------ ------------ Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense .... 20,383 27,915 50,612 Income tax expense ..................................................... 7,890 11,887 20,637 ------------ ------------ ------------ Earnings from continuing operations .............................. 12,493 16,028 29,975 Discontinued operations, net of income taxes: Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net ................... 173 15 (1) Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net .................... 26 567 516 ------------ ------------ ------------ Earnings from discontinued operations ............................ 199 582 515 ------------ ------------ ------------ Net earnings .................................................. $ 12,692 $ 16,610 $ 30,490 ============ ============ ============ Basic earnings per share: Continuing operations ............................................... $ 0.41 $ 0.52 $ 0.94 Discontinued operations ............................................. 0.01 0.02 0.02 ------------ ------------ ------------ Net earnings ..................................................... $ 0.42 $ 0.54 $ 0.96 ============ ============ ============ Diluted earnings per share: Continuing operations ............................................... $ 0.39 $ 0.49 $ 0.89 Discontinued operations ............................................. 0.01 0.02 0.01 ------------ ------------ ------------ Net earnings ..................................................... $ 0.40 $ 0.51 $ 0.90 ============ ============ ============ Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic ............................................................... 30,514,278 30,954,629 31,775,969 Diluted ............................................................. 32,009,759 32,452,679 33,828,651
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 45 TALX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004, 2005 AND 2006 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE INFORMATION)
ACCU- MULATED ACCUMULATED ADDITIONAL DEFERRED DEFICIT/ OTHER COMMON PAID-IN COMPEN- RETAINED_ COMPREHENSIVE TREASURY STOCK CAPITAL SATION EARNINGS INCOME STOCK --------- ----------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- --------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2003......................... $ 140 $ 162,773 -- $ (34,721) $ (158) $ (4,851) Net earnings...................................... -- -- -- 12,692 -- -- Net unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract....................................... -- -- -- -- 107 -- Total comprehensive income........................ Repurchase of 131,211 shares of common stock...... -- -- -- -- -- (1,795) Issuance of 239,401 shares of treasury stock for benefit plans, net of tax benefit.......... -- 417 -- (932) -- 2,720 Cash dividends ................................... -- -- -- (2,575) -- -- --------- ----------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- --------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2004......................... 140 163,190 -- (25,536) (51) (3,926) Net earnings...................................... -- -- -- 16,610 -- -- Net unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract....................................... -- -- -- --- 110 -- Total comprehensive income........................ Issuance of 317,657 shares of treasury stock for benefit plans, net of tax benefit.......... -- 1,680 -- (612) -- 3,412 Issuance of 10,000 shares of restricted common stock ......................................... -- 136 $ (258) -- -- 122 Compensation expense.............................. -- -- 35 -- -- -- Issuance of 6,973,469 shares of common stock and 58,891 shares of treasury stock upon 3-for-2 stock split............................ 69 (69) -- (16) -- -- Cash dividends ................................... -- -- -- (3,172) -- -- -------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- ------------- --------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2005......................... 209 164,937 (223) (12,726) 59 (392) Net earnings...................................... -- -- -- 30,490 -- -- Net unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract....................................... -- -- -- -- 63 -- Total comprehensive income........................ Issuance of 42,275 shares of treasury stock and 436,769 shares of common stock for benefit plans, net of tax benefit...................... 4 7,434 -- -- -- 392 Repurchase of 37,800 shares of common stock....... -- -- -- -- -- (1,287) Issuance of 158,450 shares of restricted common stock, net of tax benefit...................... 1 4,005 (5,252) -- -- 1,287 Issuance of 68,062 shares of common stock for warrants, net of tax benefit .................. 1 1,194 Compensation expense.............................. -- -- 399 -- -- -- Issuance of 10,677,829 shares of common stock upon 3-for-2 stock split....................... 107 (107) -- (35) -- -- Cash dividends ................................... -- -- -- (4,262) -- -- -------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- ------------- --------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2006......................... $ 322 $ 177,463 $ (5,076) $ 13,467 $ 122 $ -- ======== ================== ========== ========== ============= ========= COMPRE- TOTAL HENSIVE SHAREHOLDERS' INCOME EQUITY ------------- ------------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2003......................... $ 123,183 Net earnings...................................... $ 12,692 12,692 Net unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract....................................... 107 107 -------------- Total comprehensive income........................ $ 12,799 ============== Repurchase of 131,211 shares of common stock...... (1,795) Issuance of 239,401 shares of treasury stock for benefit plans, net of tax benefit.......... 2,205 Cash dividends ................................... (2,575) ------------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2004......................... 133,817 Net earnings...................................... $ 16,610 16,610 Net unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract....................................... 110 110 -------------- Total comprehensive income........................ $ 16,720 ============== Issuance of 317,657 shares of treasury stock for benefit plans, net of tax benefit.......... 4,480 Issuance of 10,000 shares of restricted common stock ......................................... -- Compensation expense.............................. 35 Issuance of 6,973,469 shares of common stock and 58,891 shares of treasury stock upon 3-for-2 stock split............................ (16) Cash dividends ................................... (3,172) ------------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2005......................... 151,864 Net earnings...................................... $ 30,490 30,490 Net unrealized gain on interest rate swap contract....................................... 63 63 -------------- Total comprehensive income........................ $ 30,553 ============== Issuance of 42,275 shares of treasury stock and 436,769 shares of common stock for benefit plans, net of tax benefit...................... 7,830 Repurchase of 37,800 shares of common stock....... (1,287) Issuance of 158,450 shares of restricted common stock, net of tax benefit ..................... 41 Issuance of 68,062 shares of common stock for warrants, net of tax benefit .................. 1,195 Compensation expense.............................. 399 Issuance of 10,677,829 shares of common stock upon 3-for-2 stock split....................... (35) Cash dividends ................................... (4,262) ------------- BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2006......................... $ 186,298 =============
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 46 TALX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------------------- 2004 2005 2006 --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings ............................................. $ 12,692 $ 16,610 $ 30,490 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization ......................... 8,211 10,624 13,242 Non-cash compensation ................................. -- 35 399 Deferred taxes ........................................ 3,108 2,518 3,235 Net assets of business held for sale .................. 374 -- -- Gain on swap agreement ................................ -- -- (59) Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net ........................... 2,792 (2,990) (7,780) Unbilled receivables ............................... (1,098) (1,999) (1,799) Prepaid expenses and other current assets .......... (7,670) 5,554 (1,149) Other assets ....................................... (231) 119 (702) Accounts payable ................................... (186) 461 22 Accrued expenses and other liabilities ............. 4,582 (1,560) 5,992 Deferred revenue ................................... (1,094) 460 (2,774) Other liabilities .................................. 78 217 253 --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities ....... 21,558 30,049 39,370 --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to property and equipment ...................... (4,228) (6,382) (10,471) Change in restricted cash ................................ (38,645) 38,645 -- Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ....................... (1,741) (59,316) (87,079) Capitalized software development costs ................... (2,169) (2,001) (2,408) Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments ......... 800 -- -- Proceeds from sale of short-term investments ............. 1,700 5,200 6,885 Purchases of short-term investments ...................... (3,975) (11,340) (5,120) --------- --------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities ................. (48,258) (35,194) (98,193) --------- --------- --------- Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid ........................................... (2,435) (3,020) (3,809) Borrowings under long-term debt facility ................. 38,747 18,000 138,802 Repayments under long-term debt facility ................. (10,763) (10,500) (85,500) Issuance of common stock ................................. 2,105 3,496 4,923 Repurchase of common stock ............................... (1,795) -- (1,287) --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by financing activities ............. 25,859 7,976 53,129 --------- --------- --------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents .. (841) 2,831 (5,694) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year .............. 9,409 8,568 11,399 --------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year .................... $ 8,568 $ 11,399 $ 5,705 ========= ========= =========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 47 TALX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2005 AND 2006 (1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) Description of Business We are a leading provider of payroll-related and human resources business process outsourcing services. Our services enable our clients to automate and outsource the performance of payroll and human resources business processes that would otherwise be performed by their own in-house payroll or human resources departments. Our clients are large and mid-size organizations, including more than three-fourths of the Fortune 500 companies in a wide variety of industries, as well as a number of government agencies. Our current services include employment and income verification and other payroll-related services, unemployment tax management services, tax credit and incentive services, and employee assessment and talent management services. Our services are enabled by our proprietary databases and applications that are designed to quickly and efficiently access and process large volumes of data. We employ web, interactive voice response, fax, document imaging and other technologies to enhance the services offered to our clients. We can interact with various payroll and human resources systems, but are virtually independent of the information technology services our clients select. (b) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TALX Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. (c) Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. (d) Short-term Investments Short-term investments at March 31, 2006 consist of highly liquid money market account deposits. We classify our short-term investments in one of two categories: available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are those securities which we have the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other securities are classified as available-for-sale. All of our securities were classified as available-for-sale at March 31, 2006. Interest income is recognized when earned. Short-term investments classified as available-for-sale are stated at market value. (e) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We evaluate the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer's ability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable (i.e., net of deferred revenue) to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For the remaining customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the aggregate receivables are outstanding, the current business environment and historical experience. (f) Property and Equipment We record property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We depreciate property and equipment evenly over the assets' estimated useful lives. We amortize leasehold improvements evenly over the lesser of the useful life of the asset or lease term. (g) Product Development and Capitalized Software Development Costs Software development costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility is achieved, after which time they are capitalized on a product-by-product basis. We amortize capitalized software development costs evenly over the remaining estimated economic life of the product, generally three to five years. We begin amortization of capitalized software 48 development costs when the product is available for general release to clients. We review all capitalized software assets for impairment as of each balance sheet date. Upon determination of any impairment, we write the asset down to the appropriate value in the period that the impairment is determined. (h) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets We have adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141, "Business Combinations," and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" as of April 1, 2002. SFAS No. 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually. In accordance with SFAS 142, goodwill is reviewed for impairment based upon reporting units. (i) Revenue Recognition, Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue All revenues are generally recognized pursuant to annual or multi-year contracts. Revenues from The Work Number are realized primarily from transaction or monthly fees and, to a lesser degree, based on up-front set-up fees and periodic maintenance fees. Revenues for transaction fees are recognized in the period that they are earned, based on fees charged to users at the time they conduct verifications of employment and income. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, the revenue for set-up fees and monthly maintenance fees is recognized on a straight-line basis from the time the service is available to be used by our clients through the end of the service period. Revenue for our W-2 service is recognized evenly from the time the service is available for use by TALX clients through the end of the service period. Additionally, we have some clients that are billed for this service on a transactional basis. For these clients, we recognize revenue on a monthly basis, as transactions occur. We charge ePayroll clients on a per-employee, per-month basis, plus an initial set-up fee. Revenue for the initial set-up fees is recognized evenly over the initial contract period, beginning with the date the client is "live" on our system. Per-employee, per-month fees are recognized as revenue in the period the service is provided. FasTime clients are billed for initial set-up fees, monthly maintenance fees and per transaction fees. Revenue is recognized evenly from the time the service is available for use by our clients through the end of the service period for set-up and maintenance fees and as services are performed for transaction-based fees. HireXpress clients are billed for initial set-up fees and per transaction fees or monthly fees. Revenue is recognized evenly from the time the service is available for use by our clients through the end of the service period for set-up fees and as services are performed for transaction-based or monthly fees. Revenues from our unemployment tax management services are recognized in the period that they are earned, evenly over the life of the contract. Transaction fees are recorded as the services are provided. Unemployment tax management revenue that is contingent upon achieving certain performance criteria is recognized when those criteria are met. We realize revenues in our tax credits and incentives business on a contingent basis, as a percentage of the tax credits and incentives delivered to our clients. Revenues related to WOTC and WtW tax credits are recognized after the applicable state government has certified the eligibility of the client's employee and the employee has worked the required number of hours to receive the credit. Revenue related to state and local tax credits and certain other federal tax credits is recognized based on milestones achieved, calculation of the underlying credit, or the client's utilization of the underlying credit, depending upon the provisions of the contract. In relationships with certain of our customers, we enter into agreements with more than one of our service offerings included in the arrangement. When a client contracts with us to provide more than one service, the terms of the underlying contract itemize each service provided and the related fees for each service. In accordance with the consensus of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, as these fee arrangements are similar to those charged to other clients, we recognize revenue on the basis of the fair values of the underlying services. 49 Deferred revenue represents the unearned portion of The Work Number set-up fees, unemployment tax management and maintenance fees. Commissions paid are deferred and charged to expense proportionally over the related service period. Direct expenses related to cost of revenues are tracked separately for each service we provide. Incremental direct costs that are related to the origination of a client contract are expensed as incurred. (j) Concentration of Credit Risk We sell our services and software in a variety of industries. No client represented over 10% of revenues in fiscal 2004, 2005 or 2006. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our clients' financial conditions and do not require collateral. Credit losses from clients have been within our expectations, and we believe the allowance for doubtful accounts adequately provides for any expected losses. (k) Income Taxes We record income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes arise because of different treatment between financial statement accounting and tax accounting, known as temporary differences. We record the tax effect of these temporary differences as deferred tax assets (generally items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in future periods) and deferred tax liabilities (generally items that we received a tax deduction for, but have not yet been recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. (l) Fair Value of Financial Instruments We disclose estimated fair values for our financial instruments. A financial instrument is defined as cash or a contract that both imposes on one entity a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial instrument to a second entity and conveys to that second entity a contractual right to receive cash or another financial instrument from the first entity. Our financial instruments include our credit facility. The carrying value of this credit facility approximates fair value as its stated interest rate approximates market rates. Estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. (m) Derivative Financial Instruments Our policy is to manage interest costs using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. We do not hold or issue any derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. (n) Stock-Based Compensation We account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." We record compensation expense related to restricted stock awards over the vesting periods of the awards and reflect the unearned portion of deferred compensation as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Since all of our options are granted with an option price equal to the market price at the time of grant, we have not recognized any stock-based employee compensation cost under our stock option plans. SFAS No. 123 requires pro forma disclosure of the impact on earnings as if the compensation expense for these plans had been determined using the fair value method. 50 Compensation cost is calculated under a straight line basis. The following table presents our net earnings and earnings per share as reported and the pro forma amounts that would have been reported using the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 for the years presented:
MARCH 31, -------------------------------------- 2004 2005 2006 ----------- ---------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) Net earnings, as reported ................................. $ 12,692 $ 16,610 $30,490 Stock-based employee compensation cost, net of taxes ...... 1,544 1,456 1,685 ----------- ---------- ------- Net earnings, pro forma ................................ $ 11,148 $ 15,154 $28,805 =========== ========== ======= Basic earnings per share: Net earnings, as reported .............................. $ 0.42 $ 0.54 $ 0.96 Stock-based employee compensation cost, net of taxes ... 0.05 0.05 0.05 ----------- ---------- ------- Net earnings, pro forma ............................. $ 0.37 $ 0.49 $ 0.91 =========== ========== ======= Diluted earnings per share: Net earnings, as reported .............................. $ 0.40 $ 0.51 $ 0.90 Stock-based employee compensation cost, net of taxes ... 0.05 0.04 0.05 ----------- ---------- ------- Net earnings, pro forma ............................. $ 0.35 $ 0.47 $ 0.85 =========== ========== =======
The fair value of option grants for fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006 is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: expected volatility of 70%, 48%, and 50% in fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively; risk-free interest rate of 3.00%, 4.07%, and 3.90% in fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively; expected life of 7.0, 7.0, and 6.0 years in fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively; and an expected dividend yield of 0.90%, 0.78%, and 0.63% in fiscal 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123r, "Share-Based Payments" ("SFAS No. 123r"), a revision of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"), which requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and record such expense in their consolidated financial statements. The provisions of SFAS No. 123r are effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. We have adopted this standard effective April 1, 2006 and elected the modified-prospective transition method. Under the modified-prospective transition method, awards that are granted, modified, repurchased or canceled after the date of adoption should be measured and accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123r. Stock-based awards that are granted prior to the effective date should continue to be accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123, except that stock option expense for unvested options must be recognized in the statement of operations. (o) Management's Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for depreciation, amortization, allowance for doubtful accounts and income taxes as well as in the evaluation of potential losses due to impairment or pending litigation. (p) Litigation When a contingency becomes probable and estimable a reserve is established in the consolidated financial statements. To the extent not recoverable by directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage, legal costs are expensed as incurred. (q) Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the incremental increase in common shares outstanding assuming the exercise of all 51 employee stock options and warrants that would have had a dilutive effect on earnings per share and the dilutive effect of all restricted stock. The weighted average number of shares is based on common stock outstanding for basic earnings per share and common stock outstanding, restricted stock outstanding, and common stock options and warrants for diluted earnings per share in periods when such common stock options and warrants are not antidilutive. (2) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Accounts receivable consist of the following:
MARCH 31, ---------------------------- 2005 2006 ----------- ----------- (IN THOUSANDS) Accounts receivable....................... $ 22,891 $ 35,258 Less allowance for doubtful accounts...... 3,173 3,731 ----------- ----------- $ 19,718 $ 31,527 =========== ===========
Billings to customers are made in accordance with the terms of the individual contracts. The following table represents activity within our allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:
(IN THOUSANDS) -------------- Balance at March 31, 2003............................. $ 1,183 Additions........................................ 560 Write-offs....................................... (647) ----------- Balance at March 31, 2004............................. 1,096 Additions........................................ 1,045 Acquisitions..................................... 1,506 Write-offs....................................... (474) ----------- Balance at March 31, 2005............................. 3,173 Additions........................................ 1,840 Acquisitions..................................... 185 Write-offs....................................... (1467) ----------- Balance at March 31, 2006............................. $ 3,731 ===========
(3) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment consists of the following:
RANGE OF ESTIMATED MARCH 31, USEFUL LIVES ----------------------- (IN YEARS) 2005 2006 -------------- --------- ---------- (IN THOUSANDS) Computer equipment................................ 3-5 $ 13,076 $ 18,282 Office furniture and equipment.................... 5-10 2,257 3,711 Software.......................................... 3-5 9,078 12,959 Capitalized lease equipment....................... 3-5 37 37 Automobile........................................ 3 7 7 Leasehold improvements............................ 3-10 5,531 6,268 --------- ---------- 29,986 41,264 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.... 18,572 25,227 --------- ---------- $ 11,414 $ 16,037 ========= ==========
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $4.9 million, $5.5 million, and $6.7 million for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. 52 (4) PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS Product development costs and amortization of capitalized software development costs for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 are as follows:
MARCH 31, ------------------------------------------------- 2004 2005 2006 ------------- ------------- ------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Product development costs charged to general and administrative expenses............................... $ 3,698 $ 4,354 $ 4,836 ============= ============= ============= Amortization of capitalized software development costs charged to cost of revenues........................... $ 1,594 $ 1,813 $ 1,724 ============= ============= =============
(5) ACQUISITIONS Pursuant to an acquisition agreement dated April 20, 2005, we acquired Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., which specializes in providing unemployment cost management services as well as an employment verification service, for approximately $24 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Additionally, the acquisition agreement includes provisions for potential earn-out payments if certain future financial performance measures are achieved through the twelve months ending April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2007, respectively. Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated April 26, 2005, we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain of the liabilities of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC, which specializes in employment-related tax credit and incentive services, for approximately $5 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated November 1, 2005, we acquired the unemployment tax management businesses of Employers Unity, Inc., for approximately $30 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated December 15, 2005, we acquired the tax credit and incentives business of Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc., for approximately $24 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. In connection with certain of our acquisitions, there are additional contingent payments to be calculated based on identified performance criteria as specified in the underlying purchase agreements. When determined beyond a reasonable doubt, these additional payments will be recorded as goodwill. In fiscal year 2006, approximately $5 million in contingent payments have been made. We estimate that additional payments could range up to approximately $14 million and be payable over the next 18 months. The following table summarizes the purchase price allocations of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the acquired businesses as of the effective dates of the acquisitions. The purchase price allocations for Employers Unity, Inc. and Management Insights, Inc. are preliminary, and final determinations of the required purchase accounting adjustments will be made upon the completion of our integration plans.
JON-JAY ASSOCIATES, GLICK & GLICK EMPLOYERS UNITY, MANAGEMENT INC. CONSULTANTS, LLC INC. INSIGHTS, INC. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Cash and cash equivalents ........ $ 170 $ -- $ -- $ -- Accounts receivable, net ......... 1,036 150 955 2,080 Other current assets ............. 53 71 419 -- Property and equipment, net ...... 325 -- 184 105 Goodwill and intangible assets ... 26,040 4,939 31,705 21,944 Other non-current assets ......... 25 -- -- 22 -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Total assets acquired ......... 27,649 5,160 33,263 24,151 -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
53 Deferred revenue .............. 1,619 -- 2,845 -- Current liabilities ........... 589 113 352 73 Other non-current liabilities ................. 2,794 -- -- -- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Total liabilities assumed .. 5,002 113 3,197 73 -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Net assets acquired ........ $ 22,647 $ 5,047 $ 30,066 $ 24,078 ==================== ==================== ==================== ====================
The table below reflects unaudited pro forma combined results of TALX and all businesses acquired in fiscal years 2005 and 2006, as if the acquisitions had occurred on April 1, 2004:
2005 2006 -------------------- -------------------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) Pro forma revenues ......................... $ 198,528 $ 225,246 Pro forma net earnings ..................... 16,065 31,614 Pro forma basic earnings per share ......... 0.52 0.99 Pro forma diluted earnings per share ....... 0.50 0.93
These unaudited pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of what the actual combined results of operations might have been if the acquisitions had been effective at the beginning of fiscal year 2005. (6) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS In connection with the acquisitions of Ti3, Inc.; the unemployment cost management services business of Gates, McDonald & Company, a subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; James E. Frick, Inc., d/b/a The Frick Company; Johnson and Associates; the Sheakley Businesses; TBT Enterprises, Incorporated and UI Advantage, Inc.; Net Profit, Inc., Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., the tax credits and incentives business of Glick & Glick Consultants LLC, the unemployment tax management business of Employers Unity, Inc., and the tax credits and incentives business of Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc., we acquired certain identifiable intangible assets. These acquisitions enhance our existing service offerings by allowing us to offer clients expanded services in connection with electronic time reporting, the processing of unemployment claims, and the processing of the federal work opportunity ("WOTC") and welfare to work ("WTW") tax credits, as well as assisting clients in calculating certain other federal and state tax credits. We recorded these assets in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations". Effective April 1, 2002, we adopted the SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 142 addresses the initial recognition and measurement of intangible assets acquired outside of a business combination and the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition. SFAS No. 142 provides that intangible assets with finite useful lives be amortized and that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will rather be tested at least annually for impairment. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, any impairment loss identified upon adoption of this standard is recognized as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. We reviewed our goodwill and intangible assets as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 and determined that no impairment existed. The following table summarizes goodwill activity by segment for years ended March 31, 2005 and 2006:
THE WORK UNEMPLOYMENT TAX CREDITS NUMBER TAX AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES AND SUPPORT TOTAL ---------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------ (IN THOUSANDS) March 31, 2004 ................................ $ 23,843 $ 82,089 $ 807 $ -- $ 106,739 Acquisition of the Sheakley Businesses ...... 5,499 11,916 -- -- 17,415 Acquisition of TBT Enterprises .............. -- -- 5,165 -- 5,165 Acquisition of Net Profit, Inc. ............. -- -- 6,210 -- 6,210 Earn-out related to prior acquisition ....... -- 614 -- -- 614 ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ March 31, 2005 ................................ 29,342 94,619 12,182 -- 136,143 Earn-out related to prior acquisitions ...... -- -- 5,000 -- 5,000 Additional acquisition costs and adjustments .......................... -- (50) 1,117 -- 1,067 Acquisition of Jon-Jay Associates, Inc. ..... 11,719 6,623 -- -- 18,342
54 Acquisition of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC ..................... -- -- 2,389 -- 2,389 Acquisition of Employers Unity, Inc. ...... 2, 526 13,564 -- -- 16,090 Acquisition of Management Insights, Inc. .. -- -- 11,201 -- 11,201 ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ March 31, 2006 ................................ $ 43,587 $ 114,756 $ 31,889 $ -- $ 190,232 ========== =========== ============ ============ ============
Tax-deductible goodwill totaled $145.9 million as of March 31, 2006 The following table summarizes other intangible asset activity for years ended March 31, 2005 and 2006:
CUSTOMER CUSTOMER NON- TRADE RELATIONSHIPS RECORDS COMPETE NAME TOTAL ------------- --------- -------- ----- ------- (IN THOUSANDS) GROSS CARRYING VALUES: March 31, 2004 ................................. $ 17,838 $ 2,184 $ 212 $ -- $20,234 Acquisition of the Sheakley Businesses ....... 22,100 -- 700 -- 22,800 Acquisition of TBT Enterprises ............. 3,980 -- 320 -- 4,300 Acquisition of Net Profit, Inc. .............. 3,720 -- 280 -- 4,000 ------------- --------- -------- ----- ------- March 31, 2005 ................................. 47,638 2,184 1,512 -- 51,334 Acquisition of Jon-Jay Associates, Inc. ...... 7,438 -- -- 260 7,698 Acquisition of Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC ...................... 2,550 -- -- -- 2,550 Acquisition of Employers Unity, Inc. ......... 15,615 -- -- -- 15,615 Acquisition of Management Insights, Inc. ..... 10,743 -- -- -- 10,743 ------------- --------- -------- ----- ------- March 31, 2006 ................................. $ 83,984 $ 2,184 $ 1,512 $ 260 $87,940 ============= ========= ======== ===== ======= ACCUMULATED AMORTIZATION: March 31, 2004 ................................. $ 2,415 $ 293 $ 139 $ -- $ 2,847 Amortization ................................. 2,696 145 198 -- 3,039 ------------- --------- -------- ----- ------- March 31, 2005 ................................. 5,111 438 337 -- 5,886 Amortization ................................. 4,149 146 246 79 4,620 ------------- --------- -------- ----- ------- March 31, 2006 ................................. $ 9,260 $ 584 $ 583 $ 79 $10,506 ============= ========= ======== ===== ======= Weighted average lives (in years) .................. 16.54 15.00 6.54 3.00 16.29 ============= ========= ======== ===== =======
Amortization of other intangible assets is projected to be $5.5 million for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, $ 5.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, and $5.3 million for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2011. (7) ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES Accrued expenses and other liabilities as of March 31, 2005 and 2006 consist of the following:
MARCH 31, ------------------------------- 2005 2006 ------------- ------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Compensation and benefits...... $ 12,646 $ 14,281 Income taxes payable........... -- 1,857 Other.......................... 3,856 3,081 ------------- ------------- $ 16,502 $ 19,219 ============= =============
55 (8) LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt at March 31, 2005 and 2006 consists of:
MARCH 31, ----------------------------- 2005 2006 ------------- ---------- (IN THOUSANDS) Borrowings under loan agreements..... $ 57,500 $ 110,802 Less current portion............ -- -- ------------- ----------- Long-term debt....................... $ 57,500 $ 110,802 ============= ===========
On April 14, 2005, we entered into a secured second amended and restated loan agreement (the "2005 Loan Agreement") with LaSalle Bank National Association, as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto (collectively, the "Lenders"), to replace the loan agreement in place at the time, which we refer to as the "2004 Loan Agreement," and refinance in full the $57.5 million outstanding loan balance at March 31, 2005. The 2005 Loan Agreement established a $100.0 million revolving line of credit and provided for the issuance of letters of credit and swingline loans. On November 1, 2005, we amended the 2005 Loan Agreement to expand the availability under our revolving line of credit to $150.0 million, of which $39.2 million remained available as of March 31, 2006. The proceeds of loans made under the 2005 Loan Agreement may be used solely to refinance loans outstanding under the 2004 Loan Agreement and for working capital, permitted capital expenditures, as the source for payment of our obligations with respect to letters of credit, to pay the transaction costs of the 2005 Loan Agreement, to finance permitted acquisitions meeting specified criteria, and to finance certain repurchases of our capital stock subject to specified limitations. The 2005 Loan Agreement is secured by pledges of our stock and membership interests in, and guarantees of, our material subsidiaries and security interests in substantially all of our assets. Loans under the 2005 Loan Agreement mature on April 14, 2010, except that any letters of credit may extend beyond that date if the letter of credit lender approves and we provide sufficient collateral as security for an extended loan. We may make prepayments on advances under the revolving credit facility without penalty, provided we give at least one business day's notice, pay accrued interest and otherwise make the applicable lenders whole. As the Loan Agreement is a 5-year revolving credit facility, there are no scheduled minimum principal repayments in fiscal years 2006 through 2010. All amounts outstanding under the credit facility are due and payable on April 14, 2010. Advances under the revolving credit facility bear interest at rates we select, including a base rate or the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate is a variable rate equal to the greater of the Lender's prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.5%. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans will vary from 1.25% to 2.00%. Swingline loans will bear interest at the base rate. During the existence of an event of default, loans will bear additional interest of 2.00% per year. We paid the Lenders an amendment fee equal to $50,000 on the effective date of the 2005 Loan Agreement and an amendment fee equal to $75,000 on November 1, 2005 in connection with the first amendment. We also will pay a facility fee, payable on a quarterly basis in the amount equal to 0.25% of the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. If we utilize any letters of credit, we will pay a fronting fee equal to 0.125% of the face amount of each letter of credit, as well as a letter of credit fee equal to the aggregate undrawn amount of the letter of credit multiplied by the LIBOR margin in effect on the date the letter of credit is issued. The 2005 Loan Agreement includes certain covenants, including, without limitation, restrictions on the use of proceeds of any loans, as described above. The 2005 Loan Agreement also requires compliance with certain financial covenants based on our minimum interest coverage (the ratio of EBIT minus dividends and income tax expense to interest expense), minimum EBITDA (as defined in the 2005 Loan Agreement and as adjusted for, among other things, approved acquisitions and the SEC settlement charge, as discussed in Note 1) and our ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (as so adjusted). The 2005 Loan Agreement also requires compliance with certain operating and other covenants which limit, without first obtaining written consent of the lenders, among other things, the ability of TALX and our subsidiaries to incur additional debt (with specified exceptions), sales of assets, changes in our capital structure, affiliated transactions, acquisitions, and distributions to our shareholders. The 2005 Loan Agreement generally prohibits the payment of cash dividends, except for cash dividends not in excess of six cents per share per calendar quarter, up to a maximum of $7.5 million per fiscal year so long as we are not in default at the time of the declaration. The 2005 Loan Agreement also contains various representations and warranties, regarding, among others, compliance with material laws, the accuracy of financial statements and other information delivered to the Lenders and the absence of material changes. In the event of a default under the 2005 Loan Agreement, the Lenders may terminate the commitments made under the Loan Agreement, declare amounts outstanding, including accrued interest and fees, payable immediately, and enforce any and all rights and interests. 56 (9) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT We have entered into an interest rate swap contract which has a notional amount of $14.0 million at March 31, 2006. Under this contract, we pay a fixed rate of 3.72% and receive a variable rate of LIBOR, which is equal to the LIBOR rate utilized on our outstanding revolving loans. The notional amount of our interest rate swap contract steps down over time until its termination on March 31, 2008. Effective April 14, 2005, in connection with the refinancing of our credit facility existing at that time, we matched our existing interest rate swap to our outstanding borrowings. This strategy effectively converts a portion of our outstanding revolving loans into a fixed rate instrument over the term of the interest rate swap contract. The interest rate swap and related gains and losses arising on the contract are accounted for as a cash flow hedge in accordance with SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." Specifically, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are deferred and recorded in other comprehensive income. These deferred gains or losses are recognized in income when the transactions being hedged are completed. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. (10) LEASES We have non-cancelable operating leases, primarily for office space and office equipment, that expire through fiscal 2013. Total rent expense for operating leases was $5.3 million, $6.0 million, and $7.3 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Amortization expense associated with assets acquired under capital leases is included in total depreciation and amortization expense. The following is a schedule, by year, of the future minimum payments, in thousands, under operating leases as of March 31, 2006. Fiscal Year: 2007................................................... $5,672 2008................................................... 4,234 2009................................................... 3,676 2010................................................... 2,902 2011................................................... 2,568 Thereafter............................................. 5,409 ------- Total minimum lease payments.............................. $24,461 =======
(11) INCOME TAXES Income tax expense consists of the following:
MARCH 31, ----------------------------------------------- 2004 2005 2006 ----------- -------------- ----------- (IN THOUSANDS) Current: Federal............................................ $ 4,242 $ 7,519 $ 15,161 State and local.................................... 608 1,311 2,519 Deferred: Federal............................................ 2,614 2,604 2,602 State and local.................................... 426 453 355 ----------- ----------- ----------- Income tax expense from continuing operations... 7,890 11,887 20,637 Discontinued operations............................... 123 380 337 ----------- ----------- ----------- Total income tax expense........................... $ 8,013 $ 12,267 $ 20,974 =========== =========== ===========
Income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the federal income tax rate of 35% in 2004, 2005 and 2006 to earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense as a result of the following: 57
MARCH 31, ------------------------------------ 2004 2005 2006 ---------- ---------- ---------- (IN THOUSANDS) Computed "expected" tax expense ...................................... $ 7,134 $ 9,770 $ 17,714 Increase in income taxes resulting from: State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit ... 672 1,147 1,868 Adjustment for tax basis in fixed assets ......................... -- -- 851 Non-deductible SEC settlement charge ............................. -- 875 -- Travel and entertainment .......................................... 72 68 140 Other, net ........................................................ 12 27 64 ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 7,890 $ 11,887 $ 20,637 ========== ========== ==========
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at March 31, 2005 and 2006 are presented below:
MARCH 31, ---------------------------- 2005 2006 ---------- ----------- (IN THOUSANDS) Deferred tax assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts................................ $ 1,057 $ 1,395 Accrual for compensated absences............................... 577 1,221 Stock options.................................................. 614 470 Installment sale............................................... 396 -- Other.......................................................... 359 679 ----------- ----------- Total deferred tax assets................................... 3,003 3,765 ----------- ----------- Deferred tax liabilities: Differences in capitalized software development cost methods... (1,333) (1,583) Differences in intangible asset amortization methods........... (9,284) (15,346) Differences in expense recognition methods..................... (786) (1,181) Depreciation and amortization.................................. -- (628) Other.......................................................... -- (81) ----------- ----------- Total deferred tax liabilities.............................. (11,403) (18,819) ----------- ----------- Net deferred tax liabilities................................ $ (8,400) $ (15,054) =========== ===========
An income tax benefit totaling approximately $614,000 was charged directly to shareholders' equity in fiscal year 2005 in connection with the exercise of stock options. In fiscal year 2006, the following approximate income tax benefits were charged directly to shareholders' equity: $3.1 million in connection with the exercise and/or disqualifying disposition of stock options; $44,000 in connection with disqualifying dispositions under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; $40,000 in connection with restricted stock awards; and $963,000 in connection with the exercise of warrants by a third party service provider. Deferred tax liabilities of approximately $1.1 million in fiscal year 2005 and $3.3 million in fiscal year 2006 were set up related to stock acquisitions for differences in the assigned values and the tax bases of acquired assets and liabilities (other than the portion of goodwill for which amortization is not deductible for tax purposes). This deferred tax liability is part of the purchase accounting for the stock acquisitions, and was charged directly to goodwill. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, we believe it is more likely than not we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. TALX operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to audit in those jurisdictions. We are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax year ended March 31, 2004. We have not received any assessments from the Internal Revenue Service related to this audit at this time, and do not expect the results of this examination to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. 58 (12) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY On January 6, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable February 17, 2005, to shareholders of record on January 20, 2005. On November 14, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable January 17, 2006 to shareholders of record on December 19, 2005. Earnings per share and weighted average number of common shares outstanding throughout these financial statements have been retroactively adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock splits. TALX has adopted the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan that provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock grants, stock appreciation rights and performance units. The plan allows for maximum awards of 4,500,000 shares of common stock, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock split. On September 25, 2005, the Board of Directors awarded 55,200 shares of restricted stock under the plan to employees and 15,000 shares of restricted stock to our outside Directors, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock split. The weighted average fair value of the restricted shares on the date of grant was $22.39, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock split. On January 24, 2006, the Board of Directors awarded 97,250 shares of restricted stock under the plan to employees and 15,000 shares of restricted stock to our outside Directors, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock split. The weighted average fair value of the restricted shares on the date of grant was $32.92. The shares awarded to employees and outside Directors vest evenly over five and three years, respectively. Recipients of restricted stock pay $0.01 cash consideration per share, have the right to vote all shares subject to the grant, and have dividend rights with respect to the shares, whether or not the shares have vested. TALX had previously adopted a stock option plan for employees that provided for the issuance of a maximum of 6,860,700 shares of common stock, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits, pursuant to incentive or non-qualified options. Options were granted by the Board of Directors at prices not less than fair market value as of the date of the grant. Options vested 20% per year and expired six to ten years after the date of the grant. In fiscal year 2006, the Board granted 11,250 options under this plan, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock split. Upon adoption of the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we can make no further awards under the previous stock option plan. TALX had also previously adopted a stock option plan for outside Directors that provided for the issuance of a maximum of 326,700 shares of common stock, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits. On May 10, 2005, the outside Directors were awarded options in the amount of 2,812 shares each, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock split, at the fair market value as of the date of the grant. The options vest one year from the date of grant. Options outstanding amount to 122,379 and 111,933 at March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits. The stock option plan for outside Directors also provided for grants of restricted stock of a total of not more than 12,000 restricted shares per year to the outside Directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Under this plan, a total of 22,500 shares of restricted shares were awarded to our outside Directors in fiscal 2005, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits. The restricted shares vest evenly over 3 years. The weighted average fair value of the restricted shares on the date of grant was $11.49, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits. Recipients of restricted stock pay $0.01 cash consideration per share, have the right to vote all shares subject to the grant, and have dividend rights with respect to the shares, whether or not the shares have vested. Upon adoption of the omnibus incentive plan, we could make no further awards under the previous stock option plan. 59 After adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits, stock option activity under the plans for the three years ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE --------- -------------- Outstanding at March 31, 2003... 3,600,671 5.86 Granted...................... 1,138,500 7.17 Cancelled.................... (308,060) 7.55 Exercised.................... (353,037) 2.67 --------- Outstanding at March 31, 2004... 4,078,074 6.43 Granted...................... 425,245 11.74 Cancelled.................... (314,752) 6.79 Exercised.................... (453,984) 5.13 --------- Outstanding at March 31, 2005... 3,734,583 7.10 Granted...................... 25,310 14.28 Cancelled.................... (91,013) 8.77 Exercised.................... (556,610) 5.62 --------- Outstanding at March 31, 2006... 3,112,270 7.37 =========
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE --------------------------------------------- -------------------------- WEIGHTED AVERAGE REMAINING WEIGHTED WEIGHTED NUMBER OF CONTRACTUAL LIFE AVERAGE NUMBER OF AVERAGE RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICE SHARES (YEARS) EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE - ------------------------ --------- ---------------- -------------- --------- -------------- $ 0.00 -- 1.69 288,098 2.3 $ 1.35 288,098 $ 1.35 1.69 -- 3.38 185,477 3.1 2.00 185,477 2.00 3.38 -- 5.07 240,063 4.1 3.76 240,063 3.76 5.07 -- 6.76 406,799 6.8 5.83 137,250 5.84 6.76 -- 8.45 625,858 5.9 7.48 337,520 7.52 8.45 -- 10.14 590,320 7.7 8.64 234,822 8.68 10.14 -- 11.83 518,354 5.1 10.68 393,013 10.69 11.83 -- 15.21 243,241 8.8 13.76 48,147 13.76 15.21 -- 16.90 14,060 5.1 16.90 -- -- --------- --------- 3,112,270 1,864,390 ========= =========
In May 1999, we entered into an agreement with a third party, under which they provided us with strategic advisory services. Pursuant to that agreement, we issued them warrants to purchase a total of 68,062 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.21 per share, after adjustment for the effect of the 2005 3-for-2 stock split. All 68,062 warrants were exercised in fiscal year 2006, prior to the record date of the 2006 3-for-2 stock split. During fiscal 1997, shareholders approved the TALX Corporation 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which was amended in 1998 and 2000 and amended and restated in 2001. The ESPP allows eligible employees the right to purchase common stock on a quarterly basis at the lower of 85% of the market price at the beginning or end of each three-month offering period. Of the 2,041,875 shares of common stock shares reserved for the ESPP, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits, there were 613,594 shares remaining at March 31, 2006. On May 10, 2005, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to three million shares of our stock, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock split, in the open market, or through privately negotiated transactions during the 36-month period ending May 9, 2008, subject to market conditions and other factors. Under this plan, we have repurchased a cumulative total of 56,700 shares of our common stock, as adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split. All shares repurchased have been reissued in connection with restricted stock grants. During fiscal 2001, we began paying dividends on our common stock on a quarterly basis. After adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock splits, dividends of $0.09, $0.11 and $0.13 per share were declared and dividends of $0.08, $0.10 and $0.12 per share were paid to shareholders during fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements, operating and financial condition, restrictions in our Loan Agreement, and such other factors as the board may deem relevant. 60 (13) EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the incremental increase in common shares outstanding assuming the exercise of all employee stock options and warrants that would have had a dilutive effect on earnings per share and the dilutive effect of all restricted stock. The weighted average number of shares is based on common stock outstanding for basic earnings per share and common stock outstanding, restricted stock outstanding, and common stock options and warrants for diluted earnings per share in periods when such common stock options and warrants are not antidilutive. As of March 31, 2005 and 2006, stock options to purchase 272,679 and 0 shares, respectively, were not dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share amounts. On January 6, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable February 17, 2005, to shareholders of record January 20, 2005. On November 14, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable January 17, 2006 to shareholders of record on December 19, 2005. Earnings per share and weighted average number of common shares outstanding throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been retroactively adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock splits.
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------------- 2005 2006 ------------ --------------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE INFORMATION) BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE: Net earnings: Continuing operations ...................................... $ 16,028 $ 29,975 Discontinued operations .................................... 582 515 ------------ --------------- Net earnings ............................................ $ 16,610 $ 30,490 ============ =============== Weighted average number of common shares outstanding .......... 31,383,017 31,814,015 Less: weighted average number of treasury shares .............. (428,388) (38,046) ------------ --------------- Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding ........................... 30,954,629 31,775,969 ============ =============== Basic earnings per common share: Continuing operations ...................................... $ 0.52 $ 0.94 Discontinued operations .................................... 0.02 0.02 ------------ --------------- Net earnings ............................................ $ 0.54 $ 0.96 ============ =============== DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE: Net earnings: Continuing operations ...................................... $ 16,028 $ 29,975 Discontinued operations .................................... 582 515 ------------ --------------- Net earnings ............................................ $ 16,610 $ 30,490 ============ =============== Weighted average number of common shares outstanding .......... 31,383,017 31,814,015 Weighted average number of restricted shares .................. 9,617 46,358 Weighted average number of shares issuable under employee stock purchase plans............................................ 16,506 10,549 Dilutive effect of the exercise of stock options .............. 1,388,966 1,995,775 Dilutive effect of the exercise of warrants ................... 82,961 -- Less: weighted average number of treasury shares .............. (428,388) (38,046) ------------ --------------- Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding ........................... 32,452,679 33,828,651 ============ =============== Diluted earnings per common share: Continuing operations ...................................... $ 0.49 $ 0.89 Discontinued operations .................................... 0.02 0.01 ------------ --------------- Net earnings ............................................ $ 0.51 $ 0.90 ============ ===============
61 (14) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS On April 21, 2003, the Board of Directors granted management the authority to dispose of the Human Resources and Benefits Application Services business. Accordingly, it was determined that this business met the requirements to be presented as a discontinued operation. On April 22, 2003 we transferred substantially all of the assets of our Human Resources and Benefits Application Services business to Workscape, Inc., a Massachusetts-based provider of benefits and workforce management solutions. The primary product of this line of services, the benefits enrollment business, provides a customized solution for clients' employees to enroll in an employer's benefits programs and make changes to their personal information and benefits elections, all by means of the Internet or by telephone. Workscape, Inc. hired all of the employees directly related to the benefits enrollment business. The transaction was structured as a transfer of assets under contract for sale with no initial down-payment and the purchase price to be paid over a three-year period, based on a client retention formula. Proceeds were anticipated to be between $2.0 million and $6.0 million. While the contract did not specify a minimum guaranteed amount, we secured a $2.0 million note from Workscape, Inc. As of March 31, 2006, we had received payment in full on the note, $135,000 of interest payments in connection with the note, and $793,000 in additional consideration. All assets and liabilities of this business, both the portion of the business transferred under contract to Workscape, Inc. (approximately 90% of the assets) and the remaining approximately 10% of assets that were transferred to another third party, along with related transaction costs, were recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as net assets of business held for sale. We recorded cash received under the asset purchase agreement first to reduce the recorded value of net assets of business held for sale and then to reflect gain on the sale of the business. In connection with the transfer, we provided Workscape, Inc., for agreed-upon fees, with various transition services related to the operation of the benefits enrollment business through December 2005. These fees, offset by costs to deliver the service, were recorded first to reduce the recorded value of net assets of business held for sale and then to reflect gain on the sale of the business. As of December 31, 2005, we are no longer providing transition services related to this business. The historical results of operations for this business have been reclassified to earnings from discontinued operations on our consolidated statement of earnings. The results of operations for this business for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were as follows:
MARCH 31, -------------------- 2004 2005 2006 ----- ----- ---- (IN THOUSANDS) Revenues........................................ $ -- $ -- $ -- ===== ===== ==== Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations... 281 25 (1) Gain on disposal of discontinued operations..... 41 937 853 ----- ----- ---- Earnings from discontinued operations........ 322 962 852 Income tax expense.............................. 123 380 337 ----- ----- ---- Net earnings from discontinued operations.... $ 199 $ 582 $515 ===== ===== ====
(15) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN We sponsor a profit-sharing/401(k) plan. The plan covers substantially all of our employees. Employees may contribute up to 50% of pre-tax compensation to the plan. We make contributions to the plan, subject to ERISA limitations, up to 2.4% of employees' earnings. There is a three-year graded vesting schedule for employer matching contributions. Participants direct the investment of both employee deferral and employer matching contributions among a variety of investment choices. The plan does not hold company stock. Total expense under the plan for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was $831,000, $1.0 million, and $1.2 million, respectively. 62 (16) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We are a defendant from time to time in lawsuits. Based on information currently available, we believe that no current proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon us. On March 3, 2005, we agreed with the SEC, without admitting of denying any liability, to pay one dollar in disgorgement and, pursuant to a court order, to pay a $2.5 million civil penalty, and not to violate certain provisions of the federal securities laws in the future. (17) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION As a result of recent acquisitions, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2006, we determined that we operate in four business segments. The presentation of segment information reflects the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker and Board of Directors review gross profit for the Company's business units. The Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker and Board of Directors only review profit and loss information after gross profit on a consolidated basis to assess performance, make overall operating decisions and make resource allocations. The Company's business units are closely interrelated in their activities and share services such as order entry, billing, technical services, network facilities, telecommunications, purchasing and information technology facilities. As a result, it is impractical and provides no value to allocate costs of all of these services to the business units or to allocate any of the underlying assets to the businesses. Additionally, the Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker and its principal officers participate in a cash bonus program which rewards performance based upon consolidated Company results. As of March 31, 2006, the Company's operations are conducted principally through business segments comprised of: The Work Number services, unemployment tax management, tax credits and incentives, and maintenance and support. The Work Number services include our employment and income verification services, W-2 management services (which include initial distribution, reissue and correction of W-2 forms), paperless pay services that enable employees to electronically receive pay statement information as well as review and change direct deposit account or W-4 information, integrated electronic time capture and reporting services, paperless new-hire services to bring new workers on board using electronic forms, and I-9 management services designed to help clients electronically comply with the immigration laws that requires employers to complete an I-9 form for each new hire. Our unemployment tax management segment includes our unemployment and claims management and unemployment tax planning services. Tax credits and incentives includes the identification, calculation, and processing of certain federal, state and local tax credits for our clients. Our fourth segment, maintenance and support, relates to a business the Company is phasing out. There are no intersegment sales, and we do not allocate assets to the segments. Prior period information has been reclassified to reflect the establishment of the unemployment tax management segment and the tax credits and incentives segment, which were previously presented together as one segment. 63 Summary by Business Segments:
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, --------------------------------- 2004 2005 2006 --------- --------- --------- (IN THOUSANDS) Net revenue: The Work Number services..................................... $ 46,608 $ 65,373 $ 91,331 Unemployment tax management ................................. 73,008 85,009 100,826 Tax credits and incentives .................................. 659 5,199 13,594 Maintenance and support...................................... 4,120 2,814 1,676 --------- --------- --------- Total revenue............................................. $ 124,395 $ 158,395 $ 207,427 ========= ========= ========= Gross profit: The Work Number services..................................... $ 32,661 $ 46,728 $ 69,992 Unemployment tax management ................................. 35,217 41,309 50,243 Tax credits and incentives .................................. 464 3,835 8,888 Maintenance and support...................................... 2,800 1,806 1,324 --------- --------- --------- Total gross profit........................................ 71,142 93,678 130,447 Selling and marketing expenses................................... (23,862) (27,693) (32,700) General and administrative expenses.............................. (26,052) (32,845) (42,658) SEC settlement charge............................................ -- (2,500) -- --------- --------- --------- Operating income.......................................... 21,228 30,640 55,089 Net interest expense............................................. (848) (2,720) (4,472) Other income (expense)........................................... 3 (5) (5) --------- --------- --------- Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes... $ 20,383 $ 27,915 $ 50,612 ========= ========= =========
(18) SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the year for interest totaled $756,000, $2.6 million, and $5.1 million for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Cash paid during the year for income taxes totaled $4.7 million, $11.5 million, and $11.3 million for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. (19) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION James W. Canfield, the son of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, is employed in a non-executive position with our Company as Director of Product Management. Mr. Canfield has a current annual salary of $125,000 and is eligible for a bonus of approximately $46,000 based upon certain performance goals. This bonus can decrease or increase based on the percentage achievement of these performance goals. Mr. Canfield is also eligible annually for an award of restricted stock. Both the bonus and restricted stock awards are granted under standard corporate compensation plans and are consistent with payments made to director-level managers at Mr. Canfield's level. For fiscal 2006, Mr. Canfield received $115,600 in salary, approximately $42,000 in bonus and 1,700 shares of restricted stock for his services to the Company. (20) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS ACQUISITION Pursuant to an acquisition agreement dated April 6, 2006, we acquired Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a provider of secure, electronic-based psychometric testing and assessments, as well as comprehensive talent management services, for approximately $75 million, including transaction costs, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The purchase price was determined based on arms'-length negotiations, and was paid in cash financed through our 2005 Loan Agreement as discussed above in Note 8. 64 The acquisition agreement provides for indemnification of the Company by the sellers for certain pre-closing liabilities and obligations of the business, subject to certain limitations. An escrow account, maintained pursuant to the terms of the escrow agreement, is also available until eighteen months following the purchase to satisfy the indemnification obligations under the purchase agreement, subject to certain limitations described in the acquisition agreement. Of the purchase price, $10.0 million was paid into the escrow account. AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT On April 6, 2006, we entered into the second amendment to the 2005 Loan Agreement which expanded the availability under our revolving line of credit to $200 million and provided for mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions under certain circumstances, as well as an accordion feature that permits restoration of the $200 million availability under certain circumstances. There are procedures, including limitations on the timing and increments, associated with such a commitment increase request. The second amendment also revised and updated other terms, including the terms of some of the financial covenants under the Loan Agreement. On May 25, 2006, concurrently with the issuance and sale of the $75.0 principal amount of Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014, which we refer to as the "Notes," we entered into a $150.0 million third amended and restated loan agreement, which we refer to as the "2006 Loan Agreement," with the Lenders to replace the 2005 Loan Agreement and refinance in full the $112.4 million outstanding loan balance on May 25, 2006, after giving effect to the repayment of $74.2 million of loans from the proceeds of the Notes. The 2006 Loan Agreement established a $150.0 million revolving line of credit and provided for the issuance of letters of credit and swingline loans. The 2006 Loan Agreement includes an accordion feature that permits us to increase availability to $200 million under certain circumstances. There are procedures, including limitations on the timing and increments, associated with such a commitment increase request. In conjunction with the 2006 Loan Agreement, the Lenders released their security interests in our and our subsidiaries' assets and the stock of our subsidiaries, which had existed under the 2005 Loan Agreement. The proceeds of loans made under the 2006 Loan Agreement may be used solely to refinance loans outstanding under the 2005 Loan Agreement and for working capital, permitted capital expenditures, as the source for payment of our obligations with respect to letters of credit, to pay the transaction costs of the 2006 Loan Agreement, to finance permitted acquisitions meeting specified criteria, and to finance certain repurchases of our capital stock subject to specified limitations. The 2006 Loan Agreement is absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed by our material subsidiaries. We may make prepayments on advances under the revolving credit facility without penalty, provided we give at least one business day's notice, pay accrued interest and otherwise make the applicable lenders whole. As the 2006 Loan Agreement is a revolving credit facility, there are no scheduled minimum principal repayments in fiscal years 2006 through 2010. All amounts outstanding under the credit facility are due and payable on April 14, 2010. Advances under the revolving credit facility bear interest at rates we select, including a base rate or the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate is a variable rate equal to the greater of the Lender's prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.5%. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans will vary from 1.00% to 1.75%. Swingline loans will bear interest at the base rate. During the existence of an event of default, loans will bear additional interest of 2.00% per year. We will pay a facility fee, payable on a quarterly basis in the amount equal to 0.25% of the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. If we utilize any letters of credit, we will pay a fronting fee equal to 0.125% of the face amount of each letter of credit, as well as a letter of credit fee equal to the aggregate undrawn amount of the letter of credit multiplied by the LIBOR margin in effect on the date the letter of credit is issued. In connection with the second amendment to the 2005 Loan Agreement, we paid the Lenders amendment fees in the aggregate amount of $55,000 on the effective date. 65 The 2006 Loan Agreement includes certain covenants, including, without limitation, restrictions on the use of proceeds of any loans, as described above. The 2006 Loan Agreement also requires compliance with certain financial covenants based on our minimum interest coverage (the ratio of EBIT minus dividends and income tax expense to interest expense), minimum EBITDA (as defined in the 2006 Loan Agreement and as adjusted for, among other things, approved acquisitions) and our ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (as so adjusted). The 2006 Loan Agreement also requires compliance with certain operating and other covenants which limit, without first obtaining written consent of the lenders, among other things, the ability of TALX and our subsidiaries to incur additional debt (with specified exceptions), sales of assets, changes in our capital structure, affiliate transactions, acquisitions, and distributions to our shareholders. The 2006 Loan Agreement generally prohibits the payment of cash dividends, except for cash dividends not in excess of six cents per share per calendar quarter, up to a maximum of $7.5 million per fiscal year so long as we are not in default at the time of the declaration. The 2006 Loan Agreement also contains various representations and warranties, regarding, among others, compliance with material laws, the accuracy of financial statements and other information delivered to the Lenders and the absence of material changes. In the event of a default under the 2006 Loan Agreement, the Lenders may terminate the commitments made under the Loan Agreement, declare amounts outstanding, including accrued interest and fees, payable immediately, and enforce any and all rights and interests. NOTE PLACEMENT On May 25, 2006, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with several institutional investors for the issuance and sale by TALX in a private placement of Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 (the "Notes") in an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (the "Note Purchase Agreement"). We used the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to repay outstanding loans in the amount of $74.2 million under the 2005 Loan Agreement. We are required to repay the principal amount of the Notes in five annual installments commencing on May 25, 2010 with the final payment of all principal then outstanding on May 25, 2014. We may prepay the Notes subject to certain restrictions and the payment of a make-whole amount. In addition, we may be required by the holders of the Notes to prepay the Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement. Under certain circumstances, we may also be required to use proceeds of certain asset dispositions to prepay a portion of the Notes. Interest on the Notes of 6.89% per annum is payable semiannually until the principal becomes due and payable, provided, that the interest rate increases by 0.45% unless we increase equity capital by $75 million before September 30, 2006; provided further, if such increase takes place after September 30, 2006 and before September 30, 2007, then on and after the first day of the next fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter in which such equity capital was raised, such additional interest will no longer accrue and be payable, and the interest rate on the Notes will return to 6.89% per annum, subject in any event to the immediately following sentence. To the extent permitted by law, upon the occurrence of an event of default, interest accrues on any amount due at a rate equal to the greater of 8.89% or 2.0% over prime as announced by LaSalle Bank National Association. Our obligations with respect to the Notes and the Note Purchase Agreement are absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed by our material subsidiaries. The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary covenants, including compliance with laws, maintenance of insurance, keeping of books, conduct of business, maintenance of properties, payment of taxes, inspection of records, furnishing of quarterly and annual financial statements, quarterly compliance certificates and other financial information. The Note Purchase Agreement also contains customary restrictive covenants including certain restrictions on transactions with affiliates, our Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), other indebtedness, including that of guarantor subsidiaries, our ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges to Consolidated Fixed Charges (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), our ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Operating Cash Flow (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), liens and encumbrances, consolidations and mergers, and sales of assets. Except as described below, upon the happening of an event of default under the Note Purchase Agreement, the holder or holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to us, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default with respect to the payment of principal or interest on the Notes occurs, any holder or holders of the Notes at the time outstanding 66 affected by such event of default may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to us, declare all of the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable. If an event of default with respect to bankruptcy proceedings occurs, all of the Notes then outstanding will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of any holders of the Notes. 67 (21) SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) Summarized quarterly data is set forth in the following tables.
FISCAL 2005 -------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MARCH 31, 2004 2004 2004 2005 --------- --------- -------- --------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) Total revenues................................ $ 36,061 $ 36,630 $ 39,840 $ 45,864 Gross margin.................................. 20,503 21,594 24,141 27,440 Net earnings from continuing operations....... 198 3,930 4,813 7,087 Net earnings.................................. 356 4,059 4,966 7,229 Basic earnings per share: Net earnings from continuing operations... 0.01 0.13 0.16 0.23 Net earnings ............................. 0.01 0.13 0.16 0.23 Diluted earnings per share: Net earnings from continuing operations... 0.01 0.12 0.15 0.21 Net earnings ............................. 0.01 0.13 0.15 0.22
FISCAL 2006 -------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MARCH 31, 2005 2005 2005 2006 --------- --------- -------- --------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) Total revenues................................ $ 46,794 $ 48,344 $ 52,332 $ 59,957 Gross margin.................................. 29,202 30,799 33,149 37,297 Net earnings from continuing operations....... 6,425 7,151 7,422 8,977 Net earnings.................................. 6,627 7,177 7,644 9,042 Basic earnings per share: Net earnings from continuing operations... 0.20 0.23 0.23 0.28 Net earnings ............................. 0.21 0.23 0.24 0.28 Diluted earnings per share: Net earnings from continuing operations... 0.19 0.21 0.22 0.26 Net earnings.............................. 0.20 0.21 0.22 0.26
On January 6, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable February 17, 2005, to shareholders of record on January 20, 2005. On November 14, 2005, we declared a 3-for-2 stock split, which was effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, payable January 17, 2006 to shareholders of record on December 19, 2005. Earnings per share and weighted average number of common shares outstanding throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been retroactively adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock splits. 68 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES: Our management, including our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)), as of March 31, 2006, and determined that such controls and procedures are effective as of that date to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They have also determined in their evaluation that there was no significant change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. It should be noted that while our management, including the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary, believe our disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance, they do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. The information contained in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm regarding such Management's Report contained in "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" are incorporated by reference herein. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION As discussed above under "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - - Long-Term Debt," which discussion is incorporated by reference in this Item 9B, on May 25, 2006, we completed a private sale of notes and amended and restated our loan agreement with our lenders. 69 PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT. Information regarding directors and executive officers of the Company is contained under the captions "Nominees and Continuing Directors," "Committees and Meetings of the Board of Directors," "Executive Officers," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" and "Code of Business Ethics" included in the Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. Information regarding executive compensation is contained under the caption "Executive Compensation," "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation," "Equity Compensation Plan Information," "Shareholder Approved Equity Compensation," "Non-Shareholder Approved Equity Compensation," "Employment and Severance Agreements" and "Director Compensation" included in the Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters is contained under the captions "Equity Compensation Plan Information," "Shareholder Approved Equity Compensation," "Non-shareholder Approved Equity Compensation," "Common Stock Ownership of Directors, Nominees and Officers," and "Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" included in the Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is contained under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions" included in the Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is contained under the caption "Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" included in the Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference. 70 PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report: (1) Financial Statements See "Item 8 -- Index to Consolidated Financial Statements." (2) Financial Statement Schedules None; such schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto. (3) Exhibits See Exhibit Index for the exhibits filed as part of or incorporated by reference into this report. We agree to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any long-term debt instruments for which the total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets of us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. 71 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 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. TALX CORPORATION By: /s/ WILLIAM W. CANFIELD -------------------------------------------- William W. Canfield Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) May 31, 2006 By: /s/ L. KEITH GRAVES -------------------------------------------- L. Keith Graves Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) May 31, 2006 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated: /s/ WILLIAM W. CANFIELD Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director May 31, 2006 - ----------------------- William W. Canfield (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ L. KEITH GRAVES Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Assistant May 31, 2006 - ------------------- L. Keith Graves Secretary (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ RICHARD F. FORD Director May 31, 2006 - ------------------- Richard F. Ford /s/ TONY G. HOLCOMBE Director May 31, 2006 - -------------------- Tony G. Holcombe /s/ CRAIG E. LABARGE Director May 31, 2006 - -------------------- Craig E. LaBarge /s/ EUGENE M. TOOMBS Director May 31, 2006 - -------------------- Eugene M. Toombs /s/ M. STEVE YOAKUM Director May 31, 2006 - ------------------- M. Steve Yoakum
72 EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. - ----------- 2.1 Asset Purchase Agreement by and among TALX Corporation and Sheakley-Uniservice, Inc., Sheakley Interactive Services, LLC and Larry Sheakley, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2004+ 2.2 Escrow Agreement by and among TALX Employer Services, LLC, TALX Corporation, Sheakley-Uniservice, Inc., Sheakley Interactive Services, LLC and LaSalle Bank National Association dated as of March 31, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2004 2.3 Transition Services Agreement by and between TALX Employer Services, LLC, TALX Corporation, Sheakley-Uniservice, Inc., Sheakley Interactive Services, LLC dated as of March 31, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2004 + 2.4 Acquisition Agreement, dated April 6, 2006, by and among TALX Corporation, the shareholders of Performance Assessment Network, Inc., and Douglas E. Cole, as representative of such shareholders, incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 7, 2006 (File No. 000-21465) + 3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of TALX Corporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 14, 2005 (File No. 000-21465) 3.2 Bylaws of TALX Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2001 (File No. 000-21465) 4.1 See Exhibit 3.1 4.2 Form of Senior Guaranteed Note due 2014 (included as Exhibit 1 to Note Purchase Agreement attached as Exhibit 10.46) 10.1 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969) ++ 10.2 TALX Corporation Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969) ++ 10.3 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969) ++ 10.4 TALX Corporation Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969) ++ 10.4.1 Amendment to TALX Corporation Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2001 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.4.2 Second Amendment to TALX Corporation Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to our Schedule 14A filed July 23, 2004 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.5 Form of Director Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1998 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.6 Lease dated March 28, 1996 by and between TALX Corporation and Stephen C. Murphy, Thomas W. Holley, Arthur S. Margulis and Samuel B. Murphy, Trustee of the Samuel B. Murphy Revocable Living Trust UTA 1/9/91, dba "Adie Road Partnership," incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969) 10.12 Employment Agreement between TALX Corporation and Mr. Canfield, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969) ++
73 10.19 License Agreement by and between A2D, L.P. and TALX Corporation, dated as of April 1, 2001, incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.26 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2001 (File No. 000-21465) * 10.29 TALX Corporation 2004-2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.30 First Amendment to and Complete Restatement of Split-Dollar Agreements and Related Insurance Agreements, dated March 31, 1999, by and among TALX Corporation, William W. Canfield, and Thomas M. Canfield and James W. Canfield, Trustees of the Canfield Family Irrevocable Insurance Trust U/A March 31, 1993, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.31 Form of Employment Agreement for Messrs. Chaffin, Graves, & Smith, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 17, 2005 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.32 FY05 Incentive Bonus Plan Agreement for Corporate Officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 000-21465)++ 10.33 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 000-21465)++ 10.34 Description of Officer Perquisites, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 000-21465)++ 10.35 Schedule of Director Compensation Arrangements ++ 10.36 Schedule of Named Executive Officer Compensation Arrangements ++ 10.37 Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement among the Company, LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders named therein, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 000-21465) 10.38 TALX Corporation 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Attachment B to our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on July 22, 2005 ++ 10.39 Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Employee), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 23, 2005 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.40 Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Outside Director), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 23, 2005 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.41 TALX Corporation 2006 - 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 (File No. 000-21465) ++ 10.42 Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Award (included as an annex to Exhibit 10.41) ++ 10.43 Amendment dated November 1, 2005 to Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement among the Company, LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders named therein, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.43 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 000-21465) 10.44 Second Amendment dated April 6, 2006 to Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement among the Company, LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders named therein 10.45 Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2006, among the Company, LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders named therein 10.46 Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2006, among the Company and the Purchasers named therein 10.47 Nonqualified Savings and Retirement Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 24, 2006 ++ 11.1 Statement regarding computation of Per Share Earnings
74 21.1 Subsidiaries of TALX Corporation 23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP 31.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification required by Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 31.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification required by Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 32.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
- ---------- + TALX Corporation undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of any schedule to the Securities Exchange Commission upon request. ++ Represents management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. * Certain portions of this agreement have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 75
EX-10.35 2 c05630exv10w35.txt SCHEDULE OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS EXHIBIT 10.35 TALX CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS We pay each director an annual retainer of $12,000, a $4,000 additional retainer for serving as Chairman of a Committee, a $1,000 fee for each quarterly Board meeting attended, a $1,000 fee for each Committee meeting attended in person, a $500 fee for each special Board meeting attended in person, and a $250 fee for each Committee or special Board meeting attended by telephone, plus expenses. Our officers do not receive any additional compensation for serving as members of the Board of Directors or any of its Committees. Pursuant to our Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, adopted in July 1996 and amended in May 2001 and September 2004 (as amended, the "Outside Directors' Plan"), each non-employee director receives each year options to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the grant date. On May 10, 2005, each non-employee director was granted an option to purchase 2,812 shares of our Common Stock, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock split. The options have a term of six years and become exercisable one year after date of grant, provided that no option may be exercised at any time unless the participant is then an outside director and has been so continuously since the granting of the option (except as described below), and provided further that upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Outside Directors' Plan), the options will become immediately exercisable. Unexercised options will expire upon the termination of a participant's service as a director of the Company, unless such termination was by reason of death or disability or subsequent to a Change in Control, in which case the personal representative of the participant may exercise any or all of the participant's unexercised unexpired options (provided such exercise occurs within 12 months of the date of the participant's death or termination) or, in the case of a Change in Control, the participant may exercise any or all of the participant's unexercised unexpired options but not after the term of such options. A total of 326,700 shares of Common Stock have been authorized for issuance under the Outside Directors' Plan (after giving effect to all stock dividends and splits). TALX has adopted the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan that provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock grants, stock appreciation rights and performance units. The plan allows for maximum awards of 4,500,000 shares of common stock, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock split. On September 25, 2005, the Board of Directors awarded 15,000 shares of restricted stock to our outside Directors, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock split. The weighted average fair value of the restricted shares on the date of grant was $22.39, after adjustment for the 3-for-2 stock split. On January 24, 2006, the Board of Directors awarded another 15,000 shares of restricted stock to our outside Directors, after adjustment for the effect of the 3-for-2 stock split. The weighted average fair value of the restricted shares on the date of grant was $32.92. The shares awarded to outside Directors vest evenly over three years. Recipients of restricted stock pay nominal cash consideration equal to the $0.01 par value of their shares, have the right to vote all shares subject to the grant, and have dividend rights with respect to the shares, whether or not the shares have vested. The 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan replaced the Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, and no future grants will be made under the Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan. Except for shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding awards, whether or not vested, shares of common stock available under the Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan are no longer available for issuance, and no shares of common stock forfeited or cancelled under the Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan will be available for grants under the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors recommends for approval awards of stock options and restricted stock under the Outside Directors' Plan and the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan to the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. For restricted stock, the Committee's recommendation will be discretionary, based on the individual performance and participation of each outside director. While it is currently contemplated that each outside director will be awarded an equal number of shares of restricted stock, the Committee may recommend that one or more outside directors receive a greater number of shares based on outstanding performance. EX-10.36 3 c05630exv10w36.txt SCHEDULE OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS Exhibit 10.36 TALX CORPORATION SCHEDULE OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS (a) 2007 Annual Base Salaries and Employment Agreements Effective April 3, 2006, base salaries for our named executive officers were: $500,000 for William W. Canfield, President and Chief Executive Officer; $265,000 for L. Keith Graves, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; $235,000 for Michael E. Smith, Senior Vice President, Marketing; $213,000 for Edward W. Chaffin, President-UC eXpress and $200,000 for Stacey A. Simpson, President, The Work Number. These salaries are paid pursuant to each officer's Employment Agreement with us, and this disclosure is qualified by reference to the written agreements, forms of which, or which, are filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the attached Annual Report on Form 10-K. In connection with our annual review of executive officer compensation, we entered into revised employment agreements with several of our executive officers. The new agreements commenced effective April 3, 2006. Their terms are the same as those described in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 10, 2005, except that in the event of termination "based on the actions by the Company," other than for "cause," the officers would be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to: o For Messrs. Graves or Smith, two times the sum of his annual base salary and targeted incentive compensation in the year of termination, and o For Mr. Chaffin or Ms. Simpson, the sum of his or her annual base salary and targeted incentive compensation. In addition, each of these officers would continue to receive their health and welfare, automobile and life insurance benefits for a period following termination equal to two years for Messrs. Graves and Smith and one year for Mr. Chaffin and Ms. Simpson, subject to limitations imposed by applicable plan documents or law. We qualify this description with the form of employment agreement, which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the attached Annual Report on Form 10-K. (b) Restricted Stock Awards Effective September 21, 2005, we awarded restricted stock to some of our employees under our 2005 TALX Corporation Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Omnibus Plan"). In connection with this award to our employees, after adjustment for the effect of the 2006 3-for-2 stock split, Mr. Canfield received 16,500 shares, Mr. Graves received 3,600 shares, and Messrs. Smith and Chaffin and Ms. Simpson each received 2,100 shares. Effective January 24, 2006, we awarded restricted stock to some of our employees under the Omnibus Plan. In connection with this award to our employees, Mr. Canfield received 13,750 shares, Mr. Graves received 7,700 shares, Mr. Smith received 6,050 shares, Mr. Chaffin received 4,400 shares, and Ms. Simpson received 5,400 shares. All of the restricted shares vest annually on the anniversary of the date of grant in equal parts over a five-year period. We qualify this disclosure by the forms of awards, which have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the attached Annual Report on Form 10-K. (c) Annual Incentive Compensation Plan We have an annual incentive compensation plan, in which some of our employees, including the named executive officers, participate. Under the plan, employees receive cash compensation in an amount equal to a specified percentage of their annual base salary (or of specified amounts in the case of other specified performance-based criteria set forth in an applicable award) if we approach, meet or exceed our annual earnings per share ("EPS") goal, which is annually determined by our board of directors, typically in the first fiscal quarter. Effective April 1, 2006, Mr. Canfield will be entitled to receive an annual incentive bonus ranging from 45 to 112.5% of his base salary, based on an EPS goal, assuming certain criteria are met; Mr. Graves will be entitled to receive an annual incentive bonus ranging from 41.9 to 104.7% of his base salary, based on an EPS goal, assuming certain criteria are met; Mr. Smith will be entitled to receive an annual incentive bonus ranging from 22.5 to 56.2% of his base salary, based on an EPS goal, assuming certain criteria are met; Mr. Chaffin will be entitled to receive an annual incentive bonus ranging from 7 to 17.6% of his base salary, based on an EPS goal, assuming certain criteria are met; and Ms. Simpson will be entitled to receive an annual incentive bonus ranging from 12 to 30% of her base salary, based on an EPS goal, assuming certain criteria are met. For Mr. Smith, in fiscal year 2007, in addition to an EPS goal, which could result in Mr. Smith receiving from 16.3 - 40.9% of his base salary as a component of his incentive compensation, Mr. Smith's incentive compensation award contains operating profit margin and revenue targets for our Complementary Work Number Services businesses. For Mr. Chaffin, in fiscal year 2007, in addition to an EPS goal, which could result in Mr. Chaffin receiving from 27 - 67.6% of his base salary as a component of his incentive compensation, Mr. Chaffin's incentive compensation award contains operating profit margin and revenue targets for our UC eXpress division. For Ms. Simpson, in fiscal year 2007, in addition to an EPS goal, which could result in Ms. Simpson receiving from 24.3 - 60.7% of her base salary as a component of her incentive compensation, Ms. Simpson's incentive compensation award contains operating margin and revenue targets for The Work Number. (d) 2006-2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan Mr. Canfield and Mr. Graves participate in our 2006-2008 Long Term Incentive Plan for Selected Key Executives, which we refer to as the "2006 LTIP." The 2006 LTIP is designed to attract and motivate key selected employees toward long-term profit improvement and to permit them to earn additional compensation in the event that the profitability and asset productivity goals are achieved over the three-year term of the plan. The 2006 LTIP is governed by the Omnibus Plan. Under the terms of the plan, our Compensation Committee determines the identities of the officers of TALX and our affiliates who are eligible to participate and generally has conclusive discretion with respect to other matters under the 2006 LTIP. Each participant must remain our employee for the entire term of the 2006 LTIP award, and no partial awards will be granted in the event of a participant's termination prior to the completion of the final plan year, subject to the next sentence, unless the Compensation Committee authorizes a partial award. Awards will vest and become payable in part if termination occurs as a result of a participant's death, disability or retirement before the completion of the term. Cash awards are determined as a percentage of a participant's base salary for the final year of the plan. The 2006 LTIP commenced on April 1, 2005, subject to shareholder approval of the Omnibus Plan, which approval was obtained on September 8, 2005. Currently, Mr. Canfield and Mr. Graves are the only employees designated by the Compensation Committee to participate in the 2006 LTIP, as follows: TALX Corporation 2006-2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan for Key Executives
Estimated Future Performance Or Payouts Under Number of Other Period Non-Stock Performance Until Maturation Price-Based Plans Name Units(1) Or Payout Target/Maximum ---- --------------- ---------------- ----------------- William W. Canfield................... N/A 2006-2008 $450,000/$787,500 (1) L. Keith Graves....................... N/A 2006-2008 $240,000/$360,000 (1)
(1) In the event that we meet or exceed the award criteria, and the other conditions under the 2006 LTIP are satisfied, we will pay Mr. Canfield an amount in cash ranging from 100%-175% of his 2008 base salary pursuant to his award under the 2006 LTIP and Mr. Graves an amount in cash ranging from 100%-150% of his 2006 base salary pursuant to his award under the 2006 LTIP. (e) Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan On May 22, 2006, our Board of Directors approved the adoption of the TALX Corporation Nonqualified Savings and Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is available to a select group of management or highly compensated employees, including our named executive officers. This disclosure is qualified by reference to the Plan and related Adoption Agreement, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the attached Annual Report on Form 10-K.
EX-10.44 4 c05630exv10w44.txt SECOND AMENDMENT DATED APRIL 6, 2006 TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT EXHIBIT 10.44 SECOND AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT (this "AMENDMENT") is entered into as of this 6th day of April, 2006 by and among LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("LBNA"), as Administrative Agent and as a Lender, SOUTHWEST BANK OF ST. LOUIS ("SWB"), as a Lender, NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST ("NCB"), as a Lender, FIFTH THIRD BANK ("FTB"), as a Lender, MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. ("MLC"), as a Lender, and FIRST BANK ("FB"), as a Lender (collectively LBNA, SWB, NCB, FTB, MLC, and FB are referred to herein as "Lenders") and TALX CORPORATION, a Missouri corporation ("BORROWER"); and consented to by TALX UCM SERVICES, INC., a Missouri corporation ("TUS"), TALX EMPLOYER SERVICES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("TES"), TALX FASTIME SERVICES, INC., a Texas Corporation ("TFTS"), TBT ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED, a Maryland corporation ("TBT"), UI ADVANTAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation ("UI"), NET PROFIT, INC., a South Carolina corporation ("NET"), TALX TAX INCENTIVE SERVICES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("TIS"), JON-JAY ASSOCIATES, INC., a Massachusetts corporation ("JJ"), TALX TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("TTCI"), MANAGEMENT INSIGHT INCENTIVES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("MII"), and UNEMPLOYMENT SERVICES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("US") (collectively TUS, TES, TFTS, TBT, UI, NET, TIS, JJ, TTCI, MII and US are referred to herein as "GUARANTORS"). WITNESSETH WHEREAS, Borrower obtained an Aggregate Commitment in the principal amount of up to Forty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($40,000,000.00) pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement dated March 27, 2002 entered into by the Borrower, LBNA, and SWB, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated July 29, 2002 among Borrower, LBNA, and SWB, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Loan Agreement dated January 27, 2003 among Borrower, LBNA, and SWB, as further amended by that certain Third Amendment to Loan Agreement dated June 30, 2003 among Borrower, LBNA, and SWB (as so amended, the "INITIAL LOAN AGREEMENT"); WHEREAS, in order to refinance the indebtedness outstanding under the Initial Loan Agreement, Borrower, LBNA, SWB, NCB, FTB, and MLC entered into that certain Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2004 increasing the Aggregate Commitment (as defined therein) to Eighty-Three Million and 00/100 Dollars ($83,000,000.00), as amended by that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated September 9, 2004, and that certain Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated September 30, 2004 (as so amended, the "AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT"); WHEREAS, in order to refinance the indebtedness outstanding under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, Borrower, LBNA, SWB, NCB, FTB, and MLC have entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated April 14, 2005 increasing the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment to One Hundred Million and 00/100 Dollars ($100,000,000.00), as amended by that certain First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated November 1, 2005 (as so amended, the "SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT"), pursuant to which, among other things, the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment was increased to One Hundred Fifty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($150,000,000.00); WHEREAS, the Borrower hereby requests and the Lenders agree to further amend the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement to increase the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment to Two Hundred Million and 00/100 Dollars ($200,000,000.00) and make other amendments as more specifically set forth herein; and WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise defined herein, have the meaning given to them in the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows: 1. AMENDMENTS. Upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth herein, the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall be amended as follows: a) AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT. The first sentence of Section 3.1.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows: "Subject to the limitations in Section 3.1.2 and elsewhere herein, each Lender commits to make available to Borrower, from and after the Second Amendment Effective Date to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, such Lender's Pro-Rata Share of an Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment of $200,000,000, by funding such Lender's Pro-Rata Share of Revolving Loan Advances made from time to time by Administrative Agent as provided herein." b) INCREASES IN AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT. Section 3.4 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall be amended and restated as follows: "SECTION 3.4 INCREASES IN AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT. 3.4.1 REQUEST FOR INCREASE. At any time prior to April 6, 2008 and provided that the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment has been reduced to $150,000,000 pursuant to Sections 3.6 or 3.7 hereof on or before January 6, 2007, the Borrower may request that the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment be increased without the prior written consent of all of the Lenders; provided that, (a) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment shall at no time exceed $200,000,000; (b) the Borrower is not permitted to 2 make any such request during the six month period following any reduction in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement (other than a reduction pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof); (c) the Borrower is not permitted to make any such request more frequently than once in any 6-month period; and (d) each such request must be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 and increments of $5,000,000 in excess thereof. Such request shall be made in a written notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders not less than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the proposed effective date of such increase, which notice (a "Commitment Increase Notice") must specify the amount of the proposed increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment and the proposed effective date of such increase. Any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement is subject to the following conditions precedent: (A) Borrower must have executed promissory notes in favor of each Lender and any Proposed New Lender in the amount of each Lender's Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, as increased under this Section; (B) the Borrower must have obtained the consent thereto of each Guarantor and its reaffirmation of the Loan Document(s) executed by it, which consent and reaffirmation must be in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (C) as of the date of the Commitment Increase Notice and as of the proposed effective date of the increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement, no event shall have occurred and then be continuing which constitutes a Default, Event of Default, or Existing Default under this Agreement, (D) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Proposed New Lender or Lender that agreed to provide a "Commitment" in support of such increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement must have executed and delivered a "Commitment and Acceptance" substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.4.1 hereto, (E) counsel for the Borrower and for the Guarantors must have provided to the Administrative Agent supplemental opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (F) the Borrower and the Proposed New Lender must otherwise have executed and delivered such other instruments and documents as may be required under Section 10.1.1 or that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests in connection with such increase. If any fee is charged by the Lenders in connection with any such increase, such fee shall be in accordance with then prevailing market conditions, which market conditions shall have been reasonably documented by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower. Upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent to any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement, the Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Borrower and each Lender of the effective date of such increase. 3.4.2. LENDERS' PARTICIPATION IN INCREASE. In the event Borrower delivers a Commitment Increase Notice, each of the Lenders will be given the opportunity to participate in the requested increase. No Lender shall be obligated to increase its Commitment pursuant to a Commitment Increase Notice. On or prior to the date that is fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of the Commitment Increase Notice, each Lender must submit to the Administrative Agent a notice indicating the maximum amount by which it is willing to increase its Commitment in connection with such Commitment Increase Notice (any such notice to the Administrative Agent being herein a "Lender 3 Increase Notice"). Any Lender which does not submit a Lender Increase Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to the expiration of such fifteen (15) Business Day period will be deemed to have denied any increase in its Commitment. In the event that the increases of Commitments set forth in the Lender Increase Notices exceed the amount requested by the Borrower in the Commitment Increase Notice, the Administrative Agent has the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to allocate the amount of increases necessary to meet the Borrower's Commitment Increase Notice. 3.4.3. PROPOSED NEW LENDER(S) PARTICIPATION IN INCREASE. In the event that the Lender Increase Notices are less than the amount requested by the Borrower, not later than three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed effective date the Borrower may notify the Administrative Agent of any financial institution that has agreed to become a "Lender" party hereto (a "Proposed New Lender") in connection with the Commitment Increase Notice. Any Proposed New Lender must be consented to by the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). If the Borrower does not arrange for any Proposed New Lender(s) to commit to the shortfall from the Lender Increase Notices, then the Borrower will be deemed to have reduced the amount of its Commitment Increase Notice to the aggregate amount set forth in the Lender Increase Notices. Based upon (i) the Lender Increase Notices, (ii) any allocations made in connection therewith and (iii) if applicable, any notice regarding any Proposed New Lender, the Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower and the Lenders on or before the Business Day immediately prior to the proposed effective date of the amount of each Lender's and each Proposed New Lender's Commitment (the "Effective Commitment Amount") and the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement which amounts are effective on the following Business Day. Upon the effective date of any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement that is supported by a Proposed New Lender, such Proposed New Lender will be a party to this Agreement as a Lender, will have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder, and execute any document evidencing joinder in this Agreement as required by Administrative Agent. Nothing contained herein constitutes, or otherwise is, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder at any time. 3.4.4. BUYING AND SELLING LENDERS. For purposes of this Section 3.4.4, (A) the term "Buying Lender(s)" means (i) each Lender the Effective Commitment Amount of which is greater than its Commitment prior to the effective date of any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement, and (ii) each Proposed New Lender that is allocated an Effective Commitment Amount in connection with any Commitment Increase Notice, and (B) the term "Selling Lender(s)" shall mean each Lender whose Commitment under this Agreement is not being increased from that in effect prior to such increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement. Effective on the effective date of any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement pursuant to Sections 3.4.1, 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 above, each Selling Lender hereby sells, grants, assigns and conveys to each Buying Lender, without recourse, warranty, or representation of any kind, except as specifically provided herein, an undivided percentage in such Selling Lender's right, title and interest in and to its 4 outstanding Revolving Loans in the respective dollar amounts and percentages necessary so that, from and after such sale, each Selling Lender's outstanding Revolving Loans shall equal such Selling Lender's Pro-Rata Share (calculated based upon the Effective Commitment Amounts) of the outstanding Revolving Loans under this Agreement. Effective on the effective date of the increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement pursuant to Sections 3.4.1, 3.4.2, and 3.4.3 above, each Buying Lender hereby purchases and accepts such grant, assignment and conveyance from the Selling Lenders. Each Buying Lender hereby agrees that its respective purchase price for the portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans purchased hereby shall equal the respective dollar amount necessary so that, from and after such payments, each Buying Lender's outstanding Revolving Loans shall equal such Buying Lender's Pro-Rata Share (calculated based upon the Effective Commitment Amounts) of the outstanding Revolving Loans under this Agreement. Such amount shall be payable on the effective date of the increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent, in turn, shall wire transfer any such funds received to the Selling Lenders, in same day funds, for the sole account of the Selling Lenders. Each Selling Lender hereby represents and warrants to each Buying Lender that such Selling Lender owns the Revolving Loans being sold and assigned hereby for its own account and has not sold, transferred or encumbered any or all of its interest in such Revolving Loans, except for participations which will be extinguished upon payment to Selling Lender of an amount equal to the portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans being sold by such Selling Lender. Each Buying Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except for each Selling Lender's representations and warranties contained in the foregoing sentence, each such Buying Lender has entered into its Commitment and Acceptance with respect to such increase on the basis of its own independent investigation and has not relied upon, and will not rely upon, any explicit or implicit written or oral representation, warranty or other statement of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent concerning the authorization, execution, legality, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. The Borrower hereby agrees to compensate each Selling Lender for all losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by each Lender in connection with the sale and assignment of any Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan hereunder on the terms and in the manner as set forth in Section 19.4." c) MANDATORY DECREASE IN AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT. The following shall be added to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement as a new Section 3.7: "3.7 MANDATORY REDUCTION OF AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT. Upon the receipt by the Borrower of cash proceeds from the first to occur of (i) the issuance of Parity Debt in accordance with Section 15.2.9 hereof and (ii) the issuance of stock in accordance with Section 15.13 hereof with respect to which the Net Cash Proceeds thereof are at least $50,000,000, (x) the Aggregate Incremental Commitment shall be reduced to zero and the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment shall automatically be reduced to $150,000,000, in each case, effective as of the date on which the Administrative Agent shall have received the prepayment described in Section 6.3.3, and 5 (y) each Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment shall be reduced to an amount equal to such Lender's Base Commitment." d) INCREMENTAL INCREASE OF AGGREGATE COMMITMENT FEE. Section 5.8 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "5.8 INCREMENTAL INCREASE OF AGGREGATE COMMITMENT FEE. Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of that certain Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the "Second Amendment") dated as of April 6, 2006, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Guarantors, Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, (i) a fee in the amount of $5,000 for the account of each Lender, and (ii) for the account of each Lender whose Revolving Loan Commitment is increased pursuant to the Second Amendment, a fee equal to five (5) basis points of the amount of each Lender's Incremental Commitment." e) REVOLVING LOAN UNUSED FEE. Section 5.2 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended to add the following sentence at the end thereof: "The Administrative Agent shall distribute the Revolving Loan Unused Fee to each Lender in accordance with each Lender's Pro-Rata Share." f) MANDATORY PREPAYMENT UPON ISSUANCE OF PARITY DEBT OR STOCK. The following shall be added to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement as a new Section 6.3.3: "6.3.3 MANDATORY PREPAYMENT UPON ISSUANCE OF PARITY DEBT OR STOCK. Upon the receipt by the Borrower of cash proceeds from the first to occur of (i) the issuance by Borrower of Parity Debt in accordance with Section 15.2.9 hereof and (ii) the issuance of stock in accordance with Section 15.13 with respect to which the Net Cash Proceeds thereof are at least $50,000,000, Borrower shall concurrently therewith pay to Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders the amount necessary to reduce the Aggregate Revolving Loans to $150,000,000. The amount of such mandatory prepayment shall be paid by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders holding Incremental Commitments ratably in accordance with their respective Pro-Rata Share. g) RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST UPON ISSUANCE OF PARITY DEBT. The following shall be added to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement as a new Section 8.6: "8.6 RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS. Each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby agree that the Security Interests securing the Loan Obligations shall be released upon the occurrence of the following: (i) the Borrower shall have issued (a) Parity Debt in accordance with Section 15.2.9 hereof or (b) stock in accordance with Section 15.13 hereof with respect to which the Net Cash Proceeds thereof are at least $50,000,000; (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received the prepayment described in Section 6.3.3; 6 (iii) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment shall have been reduced to $150,000,000 pursuant to Section 3.7; and (iv) the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have entered into an amendment and restatement of this Agreement and each other Loan Document that the Administrative Agent deems necessary or that the Borrower reasonably requests to effectuate the foregoing release and will include, among other things, one or more provisions to the effect that the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Covered Person to, enter into any agreement containing a negative pledge provision, other than the agreements governing the Parity Debt." h) SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS TO THE APPROVED ACQUISITION. Section 10.3.2 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "10.3.2. SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS TO THE APPROVED ACQUISITION. Administrative Agent shall have received the applicable Approved Acquisition Documents, which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that all requirements to close the Approved Acquisition have been completed or waived by the parties to the Approved Acquisition Documents, except for the delivery of the purchase price with respect to the Approved Acquisition; and every other condition, if any, to the applicable Approved Acquisition as described herein shall be satisfied, or waived by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have completed its due diligence with respect to the Approved Acquisition and shall have received evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the total amount of Loan proceeds used as consideration at the time of closing of the Approved Acquisition shall not exceed the sum of $75,000,000 plus a working capital adjustment of up to $5,000,000 payable pursuant to the Approved Acquisition Documents, unless otherwise approved by Administrative Agent prior to consummation of the Approved Acquisition." i) CONDITIONS TO ADVANCES FOR APPROVED ACQUISITIONS. Section 10.3.7 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "10.3.7. CONSUMMATION OF APPROVED ACQUISITIONS. Any Advance of Loan proceeds for purposes of consummating the Approved Acquisition must occur no later than April 30, 2006." j) ISSUANCE OF PARITY DEBT. The following shall be added to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement as a new Section 15.2.9: "15.2.9 PARITY DEBT. Indebtedness issued by Borrower which satisfies the following criteria (such Indebtedness, the "Parity Debt"): 7 (i) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness and documents pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued are reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders; (ii) the original aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness shall not be less than $50,000,000 nor in excess of $75,000,000; (iii) such Indebtedness is unsecured; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the holders of such Indebtedness shall have entered into an intercreditor agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Required Lenders; (iv) to the extent required by Section 6.3.3 hereof, the Net Cash Proceeds received by Borrower in connection with the issuance of such Indebtedness shall be paid to the Administrative Agent, and, to the extent required by Section 3.7 hereof, the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment shall be reduced to $150,000,000." k) SPECIAL DEFINITIONS. Section 16.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended to restate the definitions of "EBIT" and "EBITDA" in their entirety as follows: "EBIT means, with respect to any fiscal period of Borrower, the consolidated net income of Borrower and each Covered Person for such fiscal period, as determined in accordance with GAAP and reported on the Financial Statements for such period, plus (i) Interest Expense in such period, (ii) income tax expense in such period, and (iii) the non-cash charges of any share-based compensation awards, to the extent such non-cash charges were expensed during such period in accordance with SFAS 123 or are required to be shown as an expense in any comparative financial statements for periods prior to the effective date of SFAS 123. For any period during which a Prior Acquisition, the Approved Acquisition or any Permitted Acquisition was consummated, EBIT shall be calculated on a proforma basis as if the entity acquired in connection with any such acquisition had been acquired on the first day of such period. From and after the closing of the Approved Acquisition, EBIT shall be adjusted for the first four consecutive fiscal quarters thereafter by adding the following amounts to EBIT determined pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence: $2,700,000.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2006, $1,675,000.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2006, $650,000.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2006, and $325,000.00 for the quarter ending March 31, 2007." "EBITDA means, with respect to any fiscal period of Borrower, the consolidated net income of Borrower and each Covered Person for such fiscal period, as determined in accordance with GAAP and reported on the Financial Statements for such period, plus (i) (A) Interest Expense in such period, (B) income tax expense in such period, (C) amortization of good will and depreciation expense taken in such period, (D) any extraordinary loss in such period, and (E) the non-cash charges of any share-based compensation awards, to the extent such non-cash charges were expensed during such 8 period in accordance with SFAS 123 or are required to be shown as an expense in any comparative financial statements for periods prior to the effective date of SFAS 123, minus (ii) any extraordinary gain in such period. For any period during which a Prior Acquisition, the Approved Acquisition or any Permitted Acquisition was consummated, EBITDA shall be calculated on a proforma basis as if the entity acquired in connection with any such acquisition had been acquired on the first day of such period. From and after the closing of the Approved Acquisition, EBITDA shall be adjusted for the first four consecutive fiscal quarters thereafter by adding the following amounts to EBITDA determined pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence: $2,700,000.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2006, $1,675,000.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2006, $650,000.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2006, and $325,000.00 for the quarter ending March 31, 2007." l) MAXIMUM RATIO OF TOTAL FUNDED INDEBTEDNESS TO EBITDA. Section 16.4 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "16.4. MAXIMUM RATIO OF TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS TO EBITDA. The ratio of Borrower's Total Indebtedness to EBITDA for the four-quarter period then ended, calculated the last day of each fiscal quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 through the Revolving Loan Maturity Date shall not be greater than 2.50 to 1; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, the Borrower's ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA shall not be greater than 2.75 to 1." m) MINIMUM EBITDA. Section 16.6 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "16.6. MINIMUM EBITDA. Commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2006, Borrower's EBITDA for the four-quarter period then ended, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter ending June 30, September 30, December 31, and March 31 through the Revolving Loan Maturity Date shall be no less than (A) $60,400,000, plus (B) 75% of EBITDA of any entity acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition for the most recently-ended four fiscal quarters prior to the closing of such Permitted Acquisition, as such amount is mutually agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower." n) ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT POWERS. Section 18.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement is hereby amended to add the following sentence at the end thereof: "Each Lender hereby authorizes LaSalle, in its capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 15.2.9, to execute an intercreditor agreement in connection with the issuance by Borrower of Parity Debt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to execute such intercreditor agreement or any other document or instrument related to the Parity Debt." 9 o) GLOSSARY. The Glossary located at Exhibit 2.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall be revised as follows: i) The definition of "AGGREGATE BASE COMMITMENT" is hereby added as follows: "AGGREGATE BASE COMMITMENT - means the commitment of the Lenders to fund Revolving Loan Advances in an aggregate amount of up to $150,000,000." ii) The definition of "AGGREGATE INCREMENTAL COMMITMENT" is hereby added as follows: "AGGREGATE INCREMENTAL COMMITMENT - means the commitment of the Lenders to fund Revolving Loan Advances in excess of the Aggregate Base Commitment. As of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Aggregate Incremental Commitment shall be $50,000,000." iii) The definition of "APPROVED ACQUISITIONS" is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "APPROVED ACQUISITION -- means the acquisition by Borrower of the capital stock of Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation." iv) The definition of "APPROVED ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS" is hereby added as follows: "APPROVED ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS -- means the acquisition agreement entered into by Borrower, in the form as furnished and approved by the Administrative Agent in writing prior to the consummation of the Approved Acquisition, with only such amendments, modifications or supplements thereto, or waivers of the terms thereof, as shall be approved in writing by the Administrative Agent." v) The definition of "BASE COMMITMENT" is hereby added as follows: "BASE COMMITMENT - means with respect to each Lender, such Lender's share of the Aggregate Base Commitment as set forth opposite such Lender's name on the table set forth on Exhibit 3 hereto entitled "Base Commitments." vi) The definition of "BUYING LENDER" is hereby added as follows: "BUYING LENDER(S) -- is defined in Section 3.4.4." vii) The definition of "COMMITMENT AND ACCEPTANCE" is hereby added as follows: "COMMITMENT AND ACCEPTANCE -- is defined in Section 3.4.1." 10 viii) The definition of "COMMITMENT INCREASE NOTICE" is hereby added as follows: "COMMITMENT INCREASE NOTICE -- is defined in Section 3.4.2." ix) The definition of "EFFECTIVE COMMITMENT AMOUNT" is hereby added as follows: "EFFECTIVE COMMITMENT AMOUNT -- is defined in Section 3.4.3." x) The definition of "EXISTING LOAN DOCUMENTS" shall be revised to include the following language in such definition: "Security Agreement dated November 1, 2005, executed by Unemployment Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Guaranty of Unemployment Services, LLC dated November 1, 2005; the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest in Unemployment Services, LLC by TALX UCM Services, Inc. dated November 1, 2005; the Security Agreement dated December 15, 2005, by TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Guaranty of TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, dated December 15, 2005; the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest in TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC by TALX Corporation dated December 15, 2005; the Security Agreement dated December 15, 2005, by Management Insight Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Guaranty of Management Insight Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, dated December 15, 2005; and the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest in Management Insight Incentives, LLC by TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC dated December 15, 2005; and any other loan document executed and delivered to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders." xi) The definition of "INCREMENTAL COMMITMENT" is hereby added as follows: "INCREMENTAL COMMITMENT - means with respect to each Lender, such Lender's share of the Aggregate Incremental Commitment as set forth opposite such Lender's name on the table set forth on Exhibit 3 hereto entitled "Incremental Commitments." xii) The definition of "LENDER INCREASE NOTICE" is hereby added as follows: "LENDER INCREASE NOTICE -- is defined in Section 3.4.2." xiii) The definition of "NET CASH PROCEEDS" is hereby added as follows: "NET CASH PROCEEDS - means, with respect to any issuance of Parity Debt or stock by the Borrower, the amount of cash received by the Borrower from such transaction after payment of all brokerage commissions and all other ordinary and reasonable fees and expenses and commissions related to such transaction." xiv) The definition of "PARITY DEBT" is hereby added as follows: 11 "PARITY DEBT -- is defined in Section 15.2.9." xv) The definition of "PRIOR ACQUISITION" is hereby added as follows: "PRIOR ACQUISITION - means the acquisition of the assets or stock or Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC, Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., Employers Unity, Inc. and Business Incentives, Inc." xvi) The definition of "PROPOSED NEW LENDER" is hereby added as follows: "PROPOSED NEW LENDER -- is defined in Section 3.4.3." xvii) The definition of "PRO-RATA SHARE" is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "PRO-RATA SHARE -- with respect to each Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans, participate in Letters of Credit, reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer, and receive payments of principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses with respect thereto, the applicable percentage determined as follows: 1. With respect to an Aggregate Revolving Loan of less than or equal to $150,000,000, the applicable percentage determined as follows: (x) prior to the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment being terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender's Base Commitment, by (ii) the Aggregate Base Commitment; and (y) from and after the time the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment has been terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Lender's Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and such Lender's Letter of Credit Exposure, by (ii) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amounts of all Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure; and 2. With respect to an Aggregate Revolving Loan of greater than $150,000,000, the applicable percentage determined as follows: (x) prior to the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment being terminated or reduced to zero: (I) with respect to up to $150,000,000 of the Aggregate Revolving Loan, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) such Lender's Base Commitment, by (b) the Aggregate Base Commitment; and 12 (II) with respect to that portion of the Aggregate Revolving Loan in excess of $150,000,000, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) such Lender's Incremental Commitment, by (b) the Aggregate Incremental Commitment; and (y) from and after the time the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment has been terminated or reduced to zero: (I) with respect to up to $150,000,000 of the Aggregate Revolving Loan, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Lender's Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and such Lender's Letter of Credit Exposure up to the amount of such Lender's Base Commitment, by (ii) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amounts of all Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure up to the Aggregate Base Commitment; and (II) with respect to that portion of the Aggregate Revolving Loan in excess of $150,000,000, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Lender's Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and such Lender's Letter of Credit Exposure in excess of such Lender's Base Commitment, by (ii) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amounts of all Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure in excess of the Aggregate Base Commitment. 3. Upon the effectiveness of any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to Section 3.4, each Lender's "Pro-Rata Share" shall be determined in accordance with Section 3.4.4 based upon such Lender's Effective Commitment Amount." xviii) The definition of "SECOND AMENDMENT" is hereby added as follows: "SECOND AMENDMENT -- is defined in Section 5.8." xix) The definition of "SECOND AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE" is hereby added as follows: "SECOND AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE - means the date on which the Second Amendment becomes effective pursuant to Section 2 thereof." xx) The definition of "SECURITY AGREEMENT" shall be revised to include the following language in such definition: "Security Agreement dated November 1, 2005, executed by Unemployment Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Security Agreement dated December 15, 2005, by TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC, a 13 Missouri limited liability company; and the Security Agreement dated December 15, 2005, by Management Insight Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company." xxi) The definition of "SELLING LENDER(S)" is hereby added as follows: "SELLING LENDER(S) -- is defined in Section 3.4.4." p) LENDERS, LENDER'S COMMITMENTS AND PRO-RATA SHARES. Exhibit 3 to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows: BASE COMMITMENTS
LENDER BASE COMMITMENT ------ --------------- LaSalle Bank National Association $ 45,000,000 Southwest Bank of St. Louis $ 35,000,000 National City Bank of the Midwest $ 25,000,000 Fifth Third Bank $ 17,500,000 Merrill Lynch Capital, a Division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. $ 17,500,000 First Bank $ 10,000,000 AGGREGATE BASE COMMITMENT $150,000,000.00
INCREMENTAL COMMITMENTS
LENDER INCREMENTAL COMMITMENT ------ ---------------------- LaSalle Bank National Association $ 10,000,000 Southwest Bank of St. Louis $ 8,750,000 National City Bank of the Midwest $ 8,750,000 Fifth Third Bank $ 8,750,000 First Bank $ 8,750,000
14 INCREMENTAL COMMITMENTS
LENDER INCREMENTAL COMMITMENT ------ ---------------------- Merrill Lynch Capital, a Division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. $ 5,000,000 AGGREGATE INCREMENTAL COMMITMENT $50,000,000.00
q) COMMITMENT AND ACCEPTANCE. A new Exhibit 3.4.1 to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall added in the form of the attached Exhibit 3.4.1. r) COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. Schedule II to the Compliance Certificate attached as Exhibit 14.14 to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall be replaced in its entirety with the attached Schedule II to Exhibit 14.14. s) TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS TO EBITDA. For purposes of calculating the Base Rate Margin, the Eurodollar Margin and the Letter of Credit Fee pursuant to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, as of the date on which this Amendment becomes effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof, Borrower's ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA is hereby agreed to be greater than 2.00 to 1. Thereafter, and commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2006, the applicable Margins shall be re-determined by Administrative Agent promptly after each delivery by Borrower to Administrative Agent of Borrower's Financial Statements (and accompanying Compliance Certificate) as required in Section 14.14.2 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, and will become applicable on the third Business Day following the day when Borrower delivers such Financial Statements (and accompanying Compliance Certificate) to Administrative Agent. t) CHANGE OF ADDRESS. For all purposes under the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document, the address of the chief executive office of each Covered Person and the address for any notice delivered to a Covered Person pursuant to any Loan Document shall be as follows: 11432 Lackland Road St. Louis, MO 63146 Attention: William W. Canfield Notices to include a copy to: Bryan Cave LLP One Metropolitan Square, Suite 3600 St. Louis, Missouri 63102 Attention: R. Randall Wang and Karen W. Fries In connection with the foregoing change, each Covered Person hereby authorizes the 15 Administrative Agent to prepare and file such UCC financing statements as are necessary to amend the UCC financing statements previously filed in connection with the Security Interests granted pursuant to the Loan Documents. 2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO AMENDMENT. As a condition precedent to Lenders' consent to the amendments as described herein and to the effectiveness of this Amendment, the following must have been satisfied: a) This Agreement. Borrower, each Guarantor, and each Lender shall have executed and delivered this Amendment to Administrative Agent's possession and Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent all fees related to this Amendment. b) Revolving Notes. Borrower shall have executed and delivered the following Revolving Notes to the Administrative Agent in substitution of the Revolving Loan Notes issued by the Borrower to each Lender on November 1, 2005 (other than in the case of MLC with respect to which a new Revolving Note will not be issued and the existing Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated November 1, 2005 in the amount of $17,500,000 payable to MLC shall remain in effect): (i) Amended and Restated Revolving Note in the principal amount of $55,000,000 from Borrower in favor of LBNA; (ii) Amended and Restated Revolving Note in the principal amount of $43,750,000 from Borrower in favor of SWB; (iii) Amended and Restated Revolving Note in the principal amount of $33,750,000 from Borrower in favor of NCB; (iv) Amended and Restated Revolving Note in the principal amount of $26,250,000 from Borrower in favor of FTB; (v) Amended and Restated Revolving Note in the principal amount of $18,750,000 from Borrower in favor of FB; and (vi) Amended and Restated Revolving Note in the principal amount of $22,500,000 from Borrower in favor of MLC. c) Other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such consents, approvals, opinions, certificates, documents and information as Administrative Agent deems necessary. d) Representations and Warranties. Except as set forth on Schedule I hereto, the Representations and Warranties set forth in Section 12 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Amendment. e) Compliance with Loan Documents. The Borrower and each Guarantor shall be in full compliance with all of the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents, and there 16 shall be no Existing Default thereunder, and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing thereunder or shall result after giving effect to this Amendment. f) Closing of Approved Acquisition. The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that all material requirements to close the Approved Acquisition shall have been satisfied or waived by the parties to the Approved Acquisition Documents, except for the payment of the purchase price. 3. MISCELLANEOUS. a) Loan Documents Continue. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, all of the terms, provisions, conditions, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and powers contained in the Loan Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect and the same are hereby ratified and confirmed and are incorporated herein by reference. Reference to this Amendment need not be made in any note, document, letter, certificate, Loan Documents, or any communication issued or made pursuant to or with respect to the Loan Documents; any reference to the Loan Documents being sufficient to refer to the Loan Documents as amended hereby. In no manner shall this Amendment impair the Loan Documents, the rights, remedies obligations, liabilities, liens or security interests represented thereby, nor shall any such rights, remedies, obligations, liabilities, liens or security interests be in any manner waived or impaired, diminished or discharged hereby. b) Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by the party to be charged. (Signatures of Borrower, Guarantors, and Lenders are on the following pages.) 17 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND A LENDER By: /s/ Tom Harmon ------------------------------------ Print Name: Tom Harmon Title: Senior Vice President 18 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. SOUTHWEST BANK OF ST. LOUIS, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Robert W. Sellers ------------------------------------ Print Name: Robert W. Sellers Title: Senior Vice President 19 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Eric Hartman ------------------------------------ Print Name: Eric Hartman Title: Vice President 20 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. FIFTH THIRD BANK, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Shawn D. Hagan ------------------------------------ Print Name: Shawn D. Hagan Title: Vice President 21 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., AS A LENDER By: /s/ Phillip J. Salter ------------------------------------ Print Name: Phillip J. Salter Title: Vice President 22 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. FIRST BANK, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Keith M. Schmelder ------------------------------------ Print Name: Keith M. Schmelder Title: Senior Vice President 23 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above. BORROWER: TALX CORPORATION, A MISSOURI CORPORATION, AS BORROWER By: /s/ L. Keith Graves ------------------------------------- Print Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer 24 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT OF GUARANTORS Each Guarantor (i) acknowledges the amendments to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement as set forth in this Amendment; (ii) consents to the execution of this Amendment by the Borrower, (iii) acknowledges that this consent is not required under the terms of its Guaranty and that the execution hereof by the Guarantor shall not be construed to require the Lenders to obtain its acknowledgment to any future amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the Agreement except as otherwise provided in said Guaranty, and (iv) acknowledges that it shall be bound by the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that the Guaranty with respect to which it is a party shall apply, without limitation, to all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment and that such Guaranty shall be and remain in full force and effect. TALX UCM SERVICES, INC., A MISSOURI TALX FASTIME SERVICES, INC., A TEXAS CORPORATION, AS A GUARANTOR CORPORATION, AS A GUARANTOR By: /s/ L. Keith Graves By: /s/ L. Keith Graves --------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Name: L. Keith Graves Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer TALX EMPLOYER SERVICES, LLC, A UI ADVANTAGE, INC., A MARYLAND MISSOURI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, CORPORATION, AS A GUARANTOR AS A GUARANTOR By: /s/ L. Keith Graves By: /s/ L. Keith Graves --------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Name: L. Keith Graves Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer TBT ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED, A NET PROFIT, INC., A SOUTH CAROLINA MARYLAND CORPORATION, AS A GUARANTOR CORPORATION, AS A GUARANTOR By: /s/ L. Keith Graves By: /s/ L. Keith Graves --------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Name: L. Keith Graves Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer TALX TAX INCENTIVE SERVICES, LLC, A JON-JAY ASSOCIATES, INC., A MISSOURI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, MASSACHUSETTS CORPORATION, AS A AS A GUARANTOR GUARANTOR By: /s/ L. Keith Graves By: /s/ L. Keith Graves --------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Name: L. Keith Graves Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer TALX TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES, LLC, MANAGEMENT INSIGHT INCENTIVES, LLC, A A MISSOURI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, MISSOURI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, AS A GUARANTOR AS A GUARANTOR By: /s/ L. Keith Graves By: /s/ L. Keith Graves --------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Name: L. Keith Graves Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer UNEMPLOYMENT SERVICES, LLC, A MISSOURI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, AS A GUARANTOR By: /s/ L. Keith Graves --------------------------------- Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer 25 EXHIBIT 3.4.1 COMMITMENT AND ACCEPTANCE Date _________ LaSalle Bank National Association One North Brentwood, Suite 950 St. Louis, Missouri 63105 Attention: [____________] Ladies and Gentlemen: Reference is hereby made to that certain Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated April 14, 2005 by and among TALX Corporation, as Borrower, the Guarantors signatory thereto, the financial institutions party thereto as Lenders and LaSalle Bank National Association, in its individual capacity as a Lender and as Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Loan Agreement"). Defined terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement. Pursuant to Section 3.4.1 of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower has requested an increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment in the amount of $__________ from $____________ to $____________. Such increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment is to become effective on the date (the "Effective Date") which is the later of (i) __________, _____ and (ii) the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.4.1 in respect of such increase have been satisfied. In connection with such requested increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, the Administrative Agent and _______________ (the "Accepting Bank") hereby agree as follows: 1. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Accepting Bank shall become a party to the Loan Agreement as a Lender and shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and shall thereupon have a [Revolving Loan Commitment under and for purposes of the Loan Agreement in an amount equal to the] or [the Revolving Loan Commitment of the Accepting Bank under the Loan Agreement shall be increased from $_________ to the] amount set forth opposite the Accepting Bank's name on the signature page hereof. 2. The Accepting Bank hereby (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, together with copies of such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Commitment and Acceptance agreement; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deemed appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Agreement; (iii) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as contractual representative on its behalf and to exercise such powers under 26 the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender. Revolving Loan Commitment: [Name of Lender] $_____________________ By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- TALX CORPORATION, as Borrower By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- 27 SCHEDULE II TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE All calculations done in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and based on the period ended __________________. Any inconsistencies between the descriptions of the items set forth in this Schedule II and the terms of any of Sections 16.1 through 16.6 shall be resolved in favor of the terms set forth in Sections 16.1 through 16.6. Reference should be made to Sections 16.1 through 16.6 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement for more specific instructions regarding the calculation periods and how the components of the financial covenants should be calculated. I. EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.1): (i) Net Income $_________ (ii) Interest Expense $_________ (iii) Federal, State and Local Income Tax expense accrued for as a liability $_________ (iv) Amortization of good will and other intangible assets and depreciation expense taken or accrued for in such period, without duplication $_________ (v) Extraordinary losses in such period incurred or accrued for in such period, without duplication $_________ (vi) Share based compensation expense $_________ (vii) Sums related to consummation of Approved Acquisition ($2,700,000.00, $1,675,000.00, $650,000.00, or $325,000.00, if applicable) $_________ (viii) Sum of Items (i) through (vii) $_________ (ix) Extraordinary income/gain in such period incurred or accrued for in such period, without duplication $_________ (x) Items (viii) minus Item (ix) -- EBITDA $_________ II. EBIT (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.1): (i) Net Income $_________ (ii) Interest Expense $_________
28 (iii) Federal, State and Local Income Tax expense accrued for as a liability $_________ (iv) Share based compensation expense $_________ (v) Sums related to consummation of Approved Acquisition ($2,700,000.00, $1,675,000.00, $650,000.00, or $325,000.00, if applicable) $_________ (vi) Sum of Items (i) through (v) - EBIT $_________ III. MINIMUM INTEREST COVERAGE (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.3) A. EBIT (for preceding four fiscal quarters per Item II (vi)) $_________ Less: (i) Dividends $_________ (ii) Federal, State and Local Income Tax expense accrued for as a liability $_________ B. Subtotal (EBIT minus (i) and (ii)) $_________ C. Interest Expense $_________ D. Ratio of Item B to Item C ____: 1.0 E. Minimum ratio required by Section 16.3: 2.0 to 1. IV. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS TO EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.4) A. Total Indebtedness $_________ B. EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters per Item I (xiii)) $_________ C. Ratio of Item A to Item B ____: 1.0 D. Maximum Ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA permitted by Section 16.4: 2.50 to 1; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, the Borrower's ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA shall not be greater than 2.75 to 1.
29 V. MINIMUM EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.6) A. EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters per Item 1 (xiii)) $_________ B. 75% EBITDA of Permitted Acquisitions $_________ C. Minimum EBITDA required by Section 16.6: commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2006, $60,400,000 plus 75% EBITDA of Permitted Acquisitions $_________
30
EX-10.45 5 c05630exv10w45.txt THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT EXHIBIT 10.45 THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT AMONG TALX CORPORATION, A MISSOURI CORPORATION AS BORROWER LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE FROM TIME TO TIME LENDERS PARTY HERETO DATED AS OF MAY 25, 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EFFECTIVE DATE................................................................ 1 2. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION......................................... 1 2.1. LISTED DEFINITIONS....................................................... 1 2.2. OTHER DEFINITIONS........................................................ 2 2.3. REFERENCES TO COVERED PERSON............................................. 2 2.4. REFERENCES TO REQUIRED LENDERS........................................... 2 2.5. ACCOUNTING TERMS......................................................... 2 2.6. MEANING OF SATISFACTORY.................................................. 2 2.7. COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS.............................................. 2 2.8. GENERAL.................................................................. 2 3. LENDERS' COMMITMENTS.......................................................... 3 3.1. REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS............................................... 3 3.1.1. AGGREGATE AMOUNT.................................................... 3 3.1.2. LIMITATION ON REVOLVING LOAN ADVANCES............................... 4 3.1.3. REVOLVING NOTES..................................................... 4 3.2. INTENTIONALLY DELETED.................................................... 4 3.3. LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT.............................................. 4 3.4. INCREASES IN AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT......................... 5 3.5. SWINGLINE FACILITY....................................................... 8 3.5.1. SWINGLINE LOANS..................................................... 8 3.5.2. PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON SWINGLINE LOANS........................... 8 3.5.3 REFUNDING SWINGLINE LOANS............................................ 9 3.6 REDUCTIONS OF AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT......................... 10 4. INTEREST...................................................................... 10 4.1. INTEREST ON DRAWS ON LETTERS OF CREDIT................................... 10 4.2. INTEREST ON AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOANS.................................... 10 4.3. ADJUSTED BASE RATE....................................................... 10 4.4. ADJUSTED EURODOLLAR RATE................................................. 10 4.5. BASE RATE MARGINS AND EURODOLLAR MARGINS................................. 11 4.6. CONVERSION OF LOANS...................................................... 11 4.7. INTEREST PERIODS FOR EURODOLLAR LOANS.................................... 12 4.8. TIME OF ACCRUAL.......................................................... 12 4.9. COMPUTATION.............................................................. 12 4.10. RATE AFTER MATURITY..................................................... 12 5. FEES.......................................................................... 12 5.2. REVOLVING LOAN UNUSED FEE................................................ 12 5.3. LETTER OF CREDIT FEE..................................................... 13 5.4. LETTER OF CREDIT FRONTING FEE............................................ 13 5.5. OTHER LETTER OF CREDIT FEES.............................................. 13 5.6. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S FEES.............................................. 13 5.7. CALCULATION OF FEES...................................................... 13 6. PAYMENTS...................................................................... 13 6.1. SCHEDULED PAYMENTS ON AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN........................... 14 6.1.1. INTEREST............................................................ 14
i 6.1.2. PRINCIPAL........................................................... 14 6.2. INTENTIONALLY DELETED.................................................... 14 6.3. PREPAYMENTS.............................................................. 14 6.3.1. VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENTS............................................... 14 6.3.2. MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS WHEN OVER-ADVANCES EXIST...................... 14 6.4. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS OF BORROWER.................................... 15 6.5. MANNER OF PAYMENTS AND TIMING OF APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS................. 15 6.5.1. PAYMENT REQUIREMENT................................................. 15 6.5.2. APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS AND PROCEEDS................................ 15 6.5.3. INTEREST CALCULATION................................................ 15 6.6. RETURNED INSTRUMENTS..................................................... 16 6.7. COMPELLED RETURN OF PAYMENTS OR PROCEEDS................................. 16 6.8. DUE DATES NOT ON BUSINESS DAYS........................................... 16 7. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING ADVANCES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT........................ 16 7.2. LOAN ADVANCES............................................................ 16 7.2.1. BORROWER REQUESTS................................................... 16 7.2.2. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S RIGHT TO MAKE OTHER REVOLVING LOAN ADVANCES.. 17 7.2.2.1. PAYMENT OF LOAN OBLIGATIONS................................. 17 7.3. LETTERS OF CREDIT........................................................ 17 7.4. FUNDINGS................................................................. 17 7.4.1. REVOLVING ADVANCES.................................................. 17 7.4.2. DRAWS ON LETTERS OF CREDIT.......................................... 17 7.4.3. ALL FUNDINGS RATABLE................................................ 18 7.5. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S AVAILABILITY ASSUMPTION........................... 18 7.5.1. ASSUMPTION AS TO LENDERS............................................ 18 7.5.2. ASSUMPTION AS TO BORROWER........................................... 19 7.6. DISBURSEMENT............................................................. 19 7.7. RESTRICTIONS ON ADVANCES................................................. 19 7.8. RESTRICTION ON NUMBER OF EURODOLLAR LOANS................................ 19 7.9. EACH ADVANCE REQUEST AND LETTER OF CREDIT REQUEST A CERTIFICATION........ 19 7.10. REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY ADVANCE REQUEST.................................. 20 7.11. REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY LETTER OF CREDIT REQUEST......................... 20 7.12. EXONERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND LENDERS......................... 20 8. SECURITY AND GUARANTIES....................................................... 20 10. Conditions of Lending........................................................ 21 10.1. CONDITIONS TO INITIAL ADVANCE........................................... 21 10.1.1. LISTED DOCUMENTS AND OTHER ITEMS................................... 21 10.1.2. FINANCIAL CONDITION................................................ 21 10.1.3. NO DEFAULT......................................................... 21 10.1.5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................... 21 10.1.6. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE......................................... 21 10.1.7. PENDING MATERIAL PROCEEDINGS....................................... 22 10.1.8. PAYMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES....................................... 22 10.1.11. INSURANCE......................................................... 22 10.1.12. ENVIRONMENTAL..................................................... 22
ii 10.1.13. OTHER ITEMS....................................................... 22 10.2. CONDITIONS TO SUBSEQUENT ADVANCES....................................... 22 10.2.1. GENERAL CONDITIONS................................................. 22 10.2.2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................... 22 10.2.3. NO DEFAULT......................................................... 22 10.3. CONDITIONS TO ADVANCES FOR APPROVED ACQUISITIONS........................ 22 10.3.1. APPROVED ACQUISITION DELIVERABLES.................................. 23 10.3.3. ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES............................................ 23 10.3.6. REQUEST TO FUND.................................................... 24 11. CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT.................................. 24 11.1. NO PROHIBITIONS......................................................... 24 11.2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......................................... 24 11.3. NO DEFAULT.............................................................. 24 11.4. OTHER CONDITIONS........................................................ 24 12. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES............................................... 24 12.1. ORGANIZATION AND EXISTENCE.............................................. 25 12.2. AUTHORIZATION........................................................... 25 12.3. DUE EXECUTION........................................................... 25 12.4. ENFORCEABILITY OF OBLIGATIONS........................................... 25 12.5. BURDENSOME OBLIGATIONS.................................................. 25 12.6. LEGAL RESTRAINTS........................................................ 25 12.7. LABOR CONTRACTS AND DISPUTES............................................ 25 12.8. NO MATERIAL PROCEEDINGS................................................. 26 12.9. MATERIAL LICENSES....................................................... 26 12.10. COMPLIANCE WITH MATERIAL LAWS.......................................... 26 12.10.1. GENERAL COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND EMPLOYMENT LAWS.... 26 12.10.2. PROCEEDINGS....................................................... 26 12.10.3. INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS...................... 26 12.10.4. NOTICES AND REPORTS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS................. 26 12.10.5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROPERTY TRANSFER ACTS.............................. 26 12.12. CONSUMMATION OF THE APPROVED ACQUISITIONS.............................. 26 12.13. PRIOR TRANSACTIONS..................................................... 27 12.15. SOLVENCY............................................................... 27 12.16. PROJECTIONS; PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET................................... 27 12.17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS................................................... 27 12.18. NO CHANGE IN CONDITION................................................. 28 12.19. INVESTMENTS............................................................ 28 12.20. INDEBTEDNESS........................................................... 28 12.21. INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS................................................... 28 12.22. OPERATING LEASES....................................................... 28 12.23. CAPITAL LEASES......................................................... 28 12.24. TAX LIABILITIES; GOVERNMENTAL CHARGES.................................. 28 12.25. PENSION BENEFIT PLANS.................................................. 28 12.25.1. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS........................................... 28 12.25.2. CLAIMS............................................................ 29
iii 12.25.3. REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS............................. 29 12.25.4. ACCUMULATED FUNDING DEFICIENCY.................................... 29 12.25.5. MULTI-EMPLOYER PLAN............................................... 29 12.26. WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS.................................................. 29 12.27. RETIREE BENEFITS....................................................... 29 12.28. DISTRIBUTIONS.......................................................... 29 12.29. REAL PROPERTY.......................................................... 29 12.32. NEGATIVE PLEDGES....................................................... 30 12.34. S CORPORATION.......................................................... 30 12.35. SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES............................................ 30 12.37. MARGIN STOCK........................................................... 30 12.38. SECURITIES MATTERS..................................................... 30 12.39. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT, ETC............................................ 30 12.40. NO MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSIONS................................. 31 12.41. FILINGS................................................................ 31 12.42. BROKER'S FEES.......................................................... 31 12.43. NO HART-SCOTT RODINO FILING REQUIRED................................... 31 13. MODIFICATION AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS................................. 31 14. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS........................................................ 32 14.1. USE OF PROCEEDS......................................................... 32 14.2. CORPORATE EXISTENCE..................................................... 32 14.3. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY AND LEASES...................................... 32 14.4. INVENTORY............................................................... 32 14.5. INSURANCE............................................................... 33 14.6. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.................................. 33 14.7. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.................................................... 33 14.8. DISCOVERY AND CLEAN-UP OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL............................ 34 14.8.1. IN GENERAL......................................................... 34 14.8.2. ASBESTOS CLEAN-UP.................................................. 34 14.9. TERMINATION OF PENSION BENEFIT PLAN..................................... 35 14.10. NOTICE TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OF MATERIAL EVENTS...................... 35 14.11. BORROWING OFFICER...................................................... 36 14.13. ACCOUNTING SYSTEM...................................................... 36 14.13.1. ACCOUNT RECORDS................................................... 36 14.13.2. TRACING OF PROCEEDS............................................... 36 14.14. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS................................................... 37 14.14.1. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS....................................... 37 14.14.2. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................... 37 14.15. OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................ 38 14.15.2. STOCKHOLDER REPORTS............................................... 38 14.15.3. PENSION BENEFIT PLAN REPORTS...................................... 38 14.15.4. TAX RETURNS....................................................... 38 14.18. ANNUAL PROJECTIONS..................................................... 38 14.19. OTHER INFORMATION...................................................... 38 14.20. AUDITS BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT......................................... 38 14.23. ACCESS TO OFFICERS AND AUDITORS........................................ 39
iv 14.24. PROFORMAS FOR PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS................................... 39 14.26. ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS.................................................. 40 14.27. FURTHER ASSURANCES..................................................... 40 15. NEGATIVE COVENANTS........................................................... 40 15.1. INVESTMENTS............................................................. 40 15.2. INDEBTEDNESS............................................................ 41 15.3. PREPAYMENTS............................................................. 42 15.4. INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS.................................................... 42 15.5. SECURITY INTERESTS...................................................... 42 15.6. NO AMENDMENTS TO ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS.................................. 43 15.7. ACQUISITIONS............................................................ 43 15.9. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY.................................................... 43 15.10. DISTRIBUTIONS.......................................................... 44 15.11. CHANGE OF CONTROL...................................................... 44 15.12. AMENDMENT TO CHARTER DOCUMENTS......................................... 44 15.13. CAPITAL STRUCTURE; EQUITY SECURITIES................................... 44 15.14. CHANGE OF BUSINESS..................................................... 44 15.15. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES........................................... 44 15.16. CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS................................................. 45 15.17. SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS........................................ 45 15.18. NEW SUBSIDIARIES....................................................... 45 15.19. FISCAL YEAR............................................................ 45 15.20. LEASES................................................................. 45 15.21. TRANSACTIONS HAVING A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON COVERED PERSON........ 45 16. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.......................................................... 46 16.1. SPECIAL DEFINITIONS..................................................... 46 16.2 INTENTIONALLY DELETED.................................................... 47 16.3. MINIMUM INTEREST COVERAGE............................................... 47 16.5. INTENTIONALLY DELETED................................................... 47 17. DEFAULT...................................................................... 47 17.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT....................................................... 47 17.1.1. FAILURE TO PAY PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST............................... 47 17.1.2. FAILURE TO PAY AMOUNTS OWED TO OTHER PERSONS....................... 48 17.1.3. REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES...................................... 48 17.1.4. CERTAIN COVENANTS.................................................. 48 17.1.5. OTHER COVENANTS.................................................... 48 17.1.6. ACCELERATION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS................................. 48 17.1.7. DEFAULT UNDER OTHER AGREEMENTS..................................... 48 17.1.8. BANKRUPTCY; INSOLVENCY; ETC........................................ 48 17.1.9. JUDGMENTS; ATTACHMENT; SETTLEMENT; ETC............................. 49 17.1.10. PENSION BENEFIT PLAN TERMINATION, ETC............................. 49 17.1.11. LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION........................................ 49 17.1.12. SEIZURE OF ASSETS................................................. 49 17.1.14. LOAN DOCUMENTS; SECURITY INTERESTS................................ 50 17.1.16. GUARANTY; GUARANTOR............................................... 50 17.2. CROSS DEFAULT........................................................... 50
v 17.3. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES..................................................... 50 17.3.1. TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS......................................... 50 17.3.2. ACCELERATION....................................................... 50 17.3.3. RIGHT OF SETOFF.................................................... 50 17.3.9. JOINT AND SEVERAL.................................................. 51 17.3.10. MISCELLANEOUS..................................................... 51 17.4. APPLICATION OF FUNDS.................................................... 51 18. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND LENDERS............................................. 51 18.1. APPOINTMENT, POWERS, AND IMMUNITIES..................................... 52 18.2. RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT........................................ 52 18.3. EMPLOYMENT OF AGENTS AND COUNSEL........................................ 53 18.4. DEFAULTS................................................................ 53 18.5. RIGHTS AS LENDER........................................................ 53 18.6. INDEMNIFICATION......................................................... 54 18.7. NOTIFICATION OF LENDERS................................................. 54 18.8. NON-RELIANCE ON AGENT AND OTHER LENDERS................................. 54 18.9. RESIGNATION............................................................. 55 18.10. COLLECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO LENDERS BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT....... 55 18.11. LENDER AS NON-U.S. PARTICIPANT......................................... 55 19. CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES...................................................... 56 19.1. COMPENSATION FOR INCREASED COSTS AND REDUCED RETURNS.................... 56 19.1.1. LAW CHANGES OR TAX IMPOSITIONS..................................... 57 19.1.2. CAPITAL ADEQUACY................................................... 57 19.1.3. NOTICE TO BORROWER................................................. 58 19.2. MARKET FAILURE.......................................................... 58 19.3. ILLEGALITY.............................................................. 58 19.4. COMPENSATION............................................................ 59 19.5. TREATMENT OF AFFECTED LOANS............................................. 59 19.6. TAXES................................................................... 60 19.6.1. GROSS-UP........................................................... 60 19.6.2. LENDERS' UNDERTAKINGS.............................................. 61 19.6.3. SURVIVAL OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS................................. 62 19.7. USURY................................................................... 62 20. GENERAL...................................................................... 62 20.1. LENDERS' RIGHT TO CURE.................................................. 62 20.2. RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE.................................................... 62 20.3. SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENTS.................................................. 62 20.4. ASSIGNMENTS............................................................. 62 20.4.1. PERMITTED ASSIGNMENTS.............................................. 62 20.4.2. CONSEQUENCES AND EFFECT OF ASSIGNMENTS............................. 63 20.4.3. AGREEMENTS UPON ASSIGNMENT......................................... 64 20.4.4. REGISTER........................................................... 64 20.4.5. NOTICE TO BORROWER OF ASSIGNMENT................................... 64 20.4.6. ASSIGNMENT TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK................................. 65 20.5. SALE OF PARTICIPATIONS.................................................. 65 20.6. INTENTIONALLY DELETED................................................... 65
vi 20.7. INFORMATION............................................................. 65 20.8. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES..................................................... 66 20.9. GENERAL INDEMNITY....................................................... 66 20.10. LETTERS OF CREDIT...................................................... 67 20.11. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES....................................... 67 20.12. LOAN RECORDS........................................................... 68 20.13. OTHER GUARANTIES....................................................... 68 20.14. LOAN OBLIGATIONS PAYABLE IN DOLLARS.................................... 68 21. Miscellaneous................................................................ 69 21.1. NOTICES................................................................. 69 21.2. AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS; WAIVERS AND CONSENTS...................... 69 21.3. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE....................................................... 70 21.4. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.................................................. 70 21.5. SEVERABILITY............................................................ 70 21.6. COUNTERPARTS............................................................ 70 21.7. GOVERNING LAW; NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.................................... 70 21.8. COUNTERPART FACSIMILE EXECUTION......................................... 70 21.9. EFFECT OF MERGER OF BANK................................................ 71 21.10. NEGOTIATED TRANSACTION................................................. 71 21.11. CHOICE OF FORUM........................................................ 71 21.12. SERVICE OF PROCESS..................................................... 72 21.13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL................................................... 72 21.14. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE............................................. 72 21.15. PATRIOT ACT NOTIFICATION............................................... 72 21.17. STATUTORY NOTICE - ORAL COMMITMENTS.................................... 73
vii THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT In consideration of the mutual agreements herein and other sufficient consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation (Borrower), and LaSalle Bank National Association (LaSalle), as Administrative Agent, LaSalle and the other lenders listed on Exhibit 3 to this Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (Agreement), as Lenders, agree as follows: The Borrower, LaSalle and Southwest Bank of St. Louis entered into that certain Loan Agreement dated March 27, 2002, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated July 29, 2002 among Borrower, LaSalle and Southwest Bank of St. Louis, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Loan Agreement dated January 27, 2003 among Borrower, LaSalle and Southwest Bank of St. Louis, as further amended by that certain Third Amendment to Loan Agreement dated June 30, 2003 among Borrower, LaSalle and Southwest Bank of St. Louis (as so amended, the Original Loan Agreement), as amended and restated by that certain Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2004, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated September 9, 2004, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated September 30, 2004 (as so amended, the First Amended and Restated Loan Agreement), as amended and restated by that certain Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated April 14, 2005, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated November 1, 2005, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated April 6, 2006 (as so amended, the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement). In connection with the issuance by the Borrower of Parity Debt, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will release their Security Interests securing the Loan Obligations and in connection therewith, the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement for the sake of clarity and convenience. This Agreement amends and restates, and the parties hereto hereby expressly agree that it does not constitute an extinguishment of the Loan Obligations pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. This Agreement and each Loan Document executed in connection herewith, evidences a refinancing of the Loan Obligations under the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. All such Loan Obligations are amended and restated by this Agreement and shall constitute Loan Obligations hereunder. From and after the Execution Date (defined below), all references made to the Original Loan Agreement, the First Amended and Restated Loan Agreement or the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement in any Loan Document or in any other instrument or document shall, without more, be deemed to refer to this Agreement and the Loan Documents executed in connection herewith. 1. EXECUTION DATE. This Agreement is executed as of May 25, 2006. 2. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. 2.1. LISTED DEFINITIONS. Capitalized words defined in the Glossary attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 shall have such defined meanings wherever used in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The inclusion of a defined term in the Glossary that is not used 1 elsewhere in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. 2.2. OTHER DEFINITIONS. If a capitalized word in this Agreement is not defined in the Glossary, it shall have such meaning as defined elsewhere herein, or if not defined elsewhere herein, the meaning defined in the UCC. Terms are italicized in this Agreement where they are defined. 2.3. REFERENCES TO COVERED PERSON. The words Covered Person, a Covered Person, any Covered Person, each Covered Person and every Covered Person refer to Borrower and each of its now existing or later acquired, created or organized Subsidiaries separately. The words Covered Persons refers to Borrower and its now existing or later acquired, created or organized Subsidiaries collectively. 2.4. REFERENCES TO REQUIRED LENDERS. The words Required Lenders means a minimum of three (3) Lenders whose shares of Lenders' Exposure at the relevant time aggregate at least fifty-one percent (51%). 2.5. ACCOUNTING TERMS. Unless the context otherwise requires, accounting terms herein that are not defined herein shall be determined under GAAP. All financial measurements contemplated hereunder respecting Borrower shall be made and calculated for Borrower and all of its now existing or later acquired, created or organized Subsidiaries, if any, on a consolidated and consolidating basis in accordance with GAAP unless expressly provided otherwise herein. 2.6. MEANING OF SATISFACTORY. Whenever herein a document or matter is required to be satisfactory to Administrative Agent or satisfactory to Lenders or satisfactory to Required Lenders, unless expressly stated otherwise such document must be satisfactory to Administrative Agent, Lenders or Required Lenders (as applicable) in both form and substance, and unless expressly stated otherwise Administrative Agent, Lenders or Required Lenders (as applicable) shall have the commercially reasonable discretion to determine whether the document or matter is satisfactory. 2.7. COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS. In computing or defining periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, and in computing the accrual of interest or fees, the word from shall mean from and including and the words to and until shall each mean to but excluding. Periods of days referred to in this Agreement shall be counted in calendar days unless Business Days are expressly prescribed, and references in this Agreement to months and years are to calendar months and calendar years unless otherwise specified. 2.8. GENERAL. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise: (i) references to the plural include the singular and vice versa; (ii) references to any Person include such Person's successors and assigns, but, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement; (iii) references to one gender include all genders; (iv) including is not limiting; (v) "or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or"; (vi) the words "hereof," "herein," "hereby," "hereunder" and similar terms in 2 this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole, including its Exhibits, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (vii) the word "Section" or "section" and "Page" or "page" refer to a section or page, respectively, of this Agreement, and the word "Exhibit" refers to an Exhibit to this Agreement unless it expressly refers to something else; (viii) reference to any agreement, document, or instrument (including this Agreement and any other Loan Document or other agreement, document or instrument defined herein), means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended, modified, restated or replaced and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and, if applicable, the terms hereof, and includes all attachments, exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated therein, if any; and (ix) general and specific references to any Law means such Law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time. Section captions and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. 2.9. RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby release any and all Security Interests securing the Loan Obligations which release includes, without limitation, (i) any Security Interests evidenced by UCC financing statements and intellectual property security recordations in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, and (ii) any Security Interests with respect to the capital stock or equity interests of any Subsidiary of the Borrower. Further, effective as of the Effective Date (i) the Security Agreements and the Pledge Agreements are hereby terminated, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall promptly file termination statements of UCC financing statements and releases of intellectual property security recordations in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, in each case, filed by the Administrative Agent in respect of the Security Agreements or the Pledge Agreements, (iii) the Administrative Agent agrees, upon the reasonable request of the Borrower, that the Administrative Agent will execute and deliver such additional terminations, releases and satisfactions of its Security Interests in any assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries as are necessary to evidence the foregoing release, and (iv) the Administrative Agent shall promptly release to the Borrower any stock certificates delivered in the possession of the Administrative Agent pertaining to the capital stock of the Borrower's Subsidiaries. 3. LENDERS' COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, and in reliance upon the Representations and Warranties, Lenders make the following commitments to Borrower: 3.1. REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS. 3.1.1. AGGREGATE AMOUNT. Subject to the limitations in Section 3.1.2 and elsewhere herein, each Lender commits to make available to Borrower, from the Effective Date to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, such Lender's Pro-Rata Share of an Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment of $150,000,000.00, by funding such Lender's Pro-Rata Share of Revolving Loan Advances made from time to time by Administrative Agent as provided herein. The Revolving Loan 3 Commitment of each Lender on the Effective Date is listed on Exhibit 3 hereto. The Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment may be increased or decreased as provided in this Agreement. Subject to the limitations in Section 3.1.2 and elsewhere herein, payments and prepayments that are applied to reduce the Aggregate Revolving Loan may be re-borrowed through Revolving Loan Advances. 3.1.2. LIMITATION ON REVOLVING LOAN ADVANCES. No Revolving Loan Advance will be made which would result in the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Loan, Swingline Loan Exposure, and the Letter of Credit Exposure on any Advance Date (except to the extent that a Revolving Loan Advance will be used immediately to reimburse Letter of Credit Issuer for unreimbursed draws on a Letter of Credit) exceeding the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, and no Revolving Loan Advance will be made on or after the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. Lenders may, however, in their absolute discretion make such Revolving Loan Advances, but shall not be deemed by doing so to have increased the Maximum Available Amount and shall not be obligated to make any such Revolving Loan Advances thereafter. At any time that there is an Existing Default, the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment may be canceled as provided in Section 17.3. The Maximum Available Amount on any date shall be a Dollar amount equal to the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, minus (a) the amount outstanding under the Aggregate Revolving Loan on such date, (b) the Letter of Credit Exposure on such date (except to the extent that a Revolving Loan Advance will be used immediately to reimburse Letter of Credit Issuer for unreimbursed draws on a Letter of Credit), and (c) the Swingline Loan Exposure. 3.1.3. REVOLVING NOTES. The obligation of Borrower to repay each Lender's Revolving Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender in a maximum principal amount equal to the amount of its Revolving Loan Commitment and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders. 3.2. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 3.3. LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT. Letter of Credit Issuer commits to issue standby letters of credit and commercial (documentary) letters of credit for the account of Borrower from time to time from the Effective Date to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, but only in connection with transactions satisfactory to Letter of Credit Issuer and only if the Letter of Credit Exposure will not as a result of such issuance exceed the lesser of (i) $1,000,000.00 and (ii) the Maximum Available Amount. The expiration date of any Letter of Credit will be a Business Day that is not later than the date which is twenty-five Business Days prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. Immediately upon the issuance by Letter of Credit Issuer of a Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Letter of Credit Issuer shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each other Lender, and such other Lender shall be deemed to have purchased and received from Letter of Credit Issuer, a pro-rata undivided interest and participation in such Letter of Credit, the reimbursement obligation of Borrower with respect thereto, and any guaranty thereof or collateral therefor. Such other Lender's pro- 4 rata undivided interest shall be the same as its Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment. 3.4. INCREASES IN AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT. 3.4.1. REQUEST FOR INCREASE. At any time prior to April 6, 2008, the Borrower may request that the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment be increased without the prior written consent of all of the Lenders; provided that, (a) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment shall at no time exceed $200,000,000; (b) the Borrower is not permitted to make any such request during the six month period following any reduction in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement; (c) the Borrower is not permitted to make any such request more frequently than once in any 6-month period; and (d) each such request must be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 and increments of $5,000,000 in excess thereof. Such request shall be made in a written notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders not less than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the proposed effective date of such increase, which notice (a "Commitment Increase Notice") must specify the amount of the proposed increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment and the proposed effective date of such increase. Any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement is subject to the following conditions precedent: (A) Borrower must have executed promissory notes in favor of each Lender and any Proposed New Lender in the amount of each Lender's Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, as increased under this Section; (B) the Borrower must have obtained the consent thereto of each Guarantor and its reaffirmation of the Loan Document(s) executed by it, which consent and reaffirmation must be in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (C) as of the date of the Commitment Increase Notice and as of the proposed effective date of the increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement, no event shall have occurred and then be continuing which constitutes a Default, Event of Default, or Existing Default under this Agreement, (D) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Proposed New Lender or Lender that agreed to provide a "Commitment" in support of such increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement must have executed and delivered a "Commitment and Acceptance" substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.4.1 hereto, (E) counsel for the Borrower and for the Guarantors must have provided to the Administrative Agent supplemental opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (F) the Borrower and the Proposed New Lender must otherwise have executed and delivered such other instruments and documents as may be required under Section 10.1.1 or that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests in connection with such increase. If any fee is charged by the Lenders in connection with any such increase, such fee shall be in accordance with then prevailing market conditions, which market conditions shall have been reasonably documented by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower. Upon satisfaction of 5 the conditions precedent to any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement, the Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Borrower and each Lender of the effective date of such increase. 3.4.2. LENDERS' PARTICIPATION IN INCREASE. In the event Borrower delivers a Commitment Increase Notice, each of the Lenders will be given the opportunity to participate in the requested increase. No Lender shall be obligated to increase its Commitment pursuant to a Commitment Increase Notice. On or prior to the date that is fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of the Commitment Increase Notice, each Lender must submit to the Administrative Agent a notice indicating the maximum amount by which it is willing to increase its Commitment in connection with such Commitment Increase Notice (any such notice to the Administrative Agent being herein a "Lender Increase Notice"). Any Lender which does not submit a Lender Increase Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to the expiration of such fifteen (15) Business Day period will be deemed to have denied any increase in its Commitment. In the event that the increases of Commitments set forth in the Lender Increase Notices exceed the amount requested by the Borrower in the Commitment Increase Notice, the Administrative Agent has the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to allocate the amount of increases necessary to meet the Borrower's Commitment Increase Notice. 3.4.3. PROPOSED NEW LENDER(s) PARTICIPATION IN INCREASE. In the event that the Lender Increase Notices are less than the amount requested by the Borrower, not later than three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed effective date the Borrower may notify the Administrative Agent of any financial institution that has agreed to become a "Lender" party hereto (a "Proposed New Lender") in connection with the Commitment Increase Notice. Any Proposed New Lender must be consented to by the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). If the Borrower does not arrange for any Proposed New Lender(s) to commit to the shortfall from the Lender Increase Notices, then the Borrower will be deemed to have reduced the amount of its Commitment Increase Notice to the aggregate amount set forth in the Lender Increase Notices. Based upon (i) the Lender Increase Notices, (ii) any allocations made in connection therewith and (iii) if applicable, any notice regarding any Proposed New Lender, the Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower and the Lenders on or before the Business Day immediately prior to the proposed effective date of the amount of each Lender's and each Proposed New Lender's Commitment (the "Effective Commitment Amount") and the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement which amounts are effective on the following Business Day. Upon the effective date of any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement that is supported by a Proposed New Lender, such Proposed New Lender will be a party to this Agreement as a Lender, will have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder, and execute any document evidencing joinder in this Agreement as required by Administrative Agent. 6 Nothing contained herein constitutes, or otherwise is, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder at any time. 3.4.4. BUYING AND SELLING LENDERS. For purposes of this Section 3.4.4, (A) the term "Buying Lender(s)" means (i) each Lender the Effective Commitment Amount of which is greater than its Commitment prior to the effective date of any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement, and (ii) each Proposed New Lender that is allocated an Effective Commitment Amount in connection with any Commitment Increase Notice, and (B) the term "Selling Lender(s)" shall mean each Lender whose Commitment under this Agreement is not being increased from that in effect prior to such increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement. Effective on the effective date of any increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement pursuant to Sections 3.4.1, 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 above, each Selling Lender hereby sells, grants, assigns and conveys to each Buying Lender, without recourse, warranty, or representation of any kind, except as specifically provided herein, an undivided percentage in such Selling Lender's right, title and interest in and to its outstanding Revolving Loans in the respective dollar amounts and percentages necessary so that, from and after such sale, each Selling Lender's outstanding Revolving Loans shall equal such Selling Lender's Pro-Rata Share (calculated based upon the Effective Commitment Amounts) of the outstanding Revolving Loans under this Agreement. Effective on the effective date of the increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement pursuant to Sections 3.4.1, 3.4.2, and 3.4.3 above, each Buying Lender hereby purchases and accepts such grant, assignment and conveyance from the Selling Lenders. Each Buying Lender hereby agrees that its respective purchase price for the portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans purchased hereby shall equal the respective dollar amount necessary so that, from and after such payments, each Buying Lender's outstanding Revolving Loans shall equal such Buying Lender's Pro-Rata Share (calculated based upon the Effective Commitment Amounts) of the outstanding Revolving Loans under this Agreement. Such amount shall be payable on the effective date of the increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent, in turn, shall wire transfer any such funds received to the Selling Lenders, in same day funds, for the sole account of the Selling Lenders. Each Selling Lender hereby represents and warrants to each Buying Lender that such Selling Lender owns the Revolving Loans being sold and assigned hereby for its own account and has not sold, transferred or encumbered any or all of its interest in such Revolving Loans, except for participations which will be extinguished upon payment to Selling Lender of an amount equal to the portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans being sold by such Selling Lender. Each Buying Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except for each Selling Lender's representations and warranties contained in the foregoing sentence, each such Buying Lender has entered into its Commitment and Acceptance with respect to such increase on the basis of its own independent investigation and has not relied upon, and will not rely upon, any explicit or implicit written or oral representation, warranty or other statement of 7 the Lenders or the Administrative Agent concerning the authorization, execution, legality, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. The Borrower hereby agrees to compensate each Selling Lender for all losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by each Lender in connection with the sale and assignment of any Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan hereunder on the terms and in the manner as set forth in Section 19.4. 3.5. SWINGLINE FACILITY. 3.5.1. SWINGLINE LOANS. Upon receipt of a Loan Request Certificate as provided in Section 7.10, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance on the obligations of the Lenders to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, advance a swingline (the "Swingline") in the form of one or more swingline loans (each a "Swingline Loan") to the Borrower from time to time before the Revolving Loan Maturity Date on a revolving basis up to $5,000,000 in aggregate principal amount from time to time (the "Swingline Facility") only if the Swingline Loan Exposure will not as a result of such advance exceed the lesser of (i) $5,000,000 or (ii) the Maximum Available Amount. The Administrative Agent may make a Swingline Loan even if after making a Swingline Loan, the Administrative Agent's Pro-Rata Share of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Loans, the Letter of Credit Exposure, and all outstanding Swingline Loans will exceed the Administrative Agent's Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment. Swingline Loans may be repaid and their principal amount reborrowed before the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, subject to the terms and conditions hereof. No more than five (5) Swingline Loans may be outstanding at any time. All Swingline Loans made by Administrative Agent under the Swingline Facility shall be evidenced by a Swingline Note of the Borrower (the "Swingline Note") payable to the order of Administrative Agent in the amount of its Swingline Facility. Without regard to the face principal amount of the Swingline Note, the actual principal amount at any time outstanding and owing by the Borrower on account thereof during the period ending on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date shall be the sum of all advances then or theretofore made thereon less all principal payments actually received thereon during such period. 3.5.2. PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON SWINGLINE LOANS. Each Swingline Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Swingline Loan is made until paid in full at the Adjusted Base Rate. Borrower shall pay interest on each Swingline Loan monthly in arrears beginning on the first day of the first calendar month ending after the date Administrative Agent advances any Swingline Loan and continuing on the first day of each calendar month thereafter and on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. Borrower shall repay the entire amount of any Swingline Loan as then outstanding on the earlier of demand therefor or the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. Upon the occurrence and during 8 the continuance of an Event of Default, Default, or Existing Default hereunder all Swingline Loans shall bear interest at the rate specified in Section 4.10. 3.5.3. REFUNDING SWINGLINE LOANS. In its sole and absolute discretion, Administrative Agent may at any time, but no less frequently than once weekly, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes Administrative Agent to act on its behalf for such purpose), request each Lender by means of written or telegraphic notices to make a Revolving Loan in an amount proportionate to such Lender's Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment as applied to the amount of the Swingline Loans outstanding on the date such notice is given. Unless any of the conditions of this Section 3.5.3 are not fulfilled on such date, each Lender shall make the proceeds of its requested Loan available to Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds, at the principal office of Administrative Agent in Chicago, Illinois, before 2:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the Business Day such notice is given (provided that such notice is given by 12:00 p.m. Local Time). In the event the Administrative Agent does not provide notice to the Lenders by 12:00 p.m. Local Time, such notice from the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have been received on the following Business Day. The proceeds of such Revolving Loans shall be immediately paid to the Administrative Agent and applied to repay the outstanding Swingline Loans. 3.5.3.1. If, prior to any Lender refunding a Swingline Loan with a Revolving Loan pursuant to Section 3.5.3, one of the events described in Section 17.1.8 has occurred, then, subject to the provisions of Section 3.5.3.2 below, each Lender shall, on the date such Revolving Loan was to have been made for the benefit of the Borrower, purchase from the Administrative Agent an undivided participation interest in the Swingline Loan in an amount equal to its Pro-Rata Share of such Swingline Loan. Upon request, each Lender shall promptly transfer to the Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation interest. 3.5.3.2. Each Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 3.5.3 and to purchase participation interests in accordance with Section 3.5.3.1 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender may have against the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (ii) the occurrence or continuance of any Default or Event of Default; (iii) any inability of the Borrower to satisfy the conditions precedent to borrowing set forth in this Agreement at any time or (iv) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If and to the extent any Lender shall not have made the amount required pursuant to Sections 3.5.3 or 3.5.3.1, as the case may be, available to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, by 2:00 P.M., Local Time on the Business Day on which such 9 Lender receives notice from the Administrative Agent of such payment or disbursement (it being understood that any such notice received after 12:00 p.m. Local Time, on any Business Day shall be deemed to have been received on the next following Business Day), such Lender agrees to pay interest on such amount to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent's account forthwith on demand, for each day from the date such amount was to have been delivered to the Administrative Agent to the date such amount is paid, at a rate per annum equal to (a) for the first three days after demand, the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect and (b) thereafter, the Base Rate from time to time in effect. 3.6. REDUCTIONS OF AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT. The Borrower shall have the right at any time upon five (5) Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to reduce the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000.00 or such greater amount which is an integral multiple of $1,000,000.00; provided, however, that the Borrower may not reduce the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment below the aggregate sum of outstanding Loan Obligations. 4. INTEREST. 4.1. INTEREST ON DRAWS ON LETTERS OF CREDIT. The unreimbursed amount of each draw on a Letter of Credit shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate applicable to Revolving Loans. 4.2. INTEREST ON AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOANS. Borrower may, as provided in Section 7, designate the whole of an Advance or any part of an Advance to be either a Base Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Advance; provided, however, during the existence of an Existing Default, Borrower may not designate an Advance or part of an Advance as a Eurodollar Advance. Each Base Rate Advance when made will become a Base Rate Loan, which shall bear interest at the Adjusted Base Rate. Each Eurodollar Advance when made will become a Eurodollar Loan, which shall bear interest at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate. Borrower may also, as provided herein, convert some or all of a Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan and some or all of a Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan. For each Eurodollar Loan, Borrower shall select an Interest Period as provided in Section 4. A Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate throughout the applicable Interest Period designated by Borrower. 4.3. ADJUSTED BASE RATE. The Adjusted Base Rate for any Base Rate Loan which is a Revolving Loan shall be the Base Rate plus the applicable Base Rate Margin determined from the table in Section 4.5. 4.4. ADJUSTED EURODOLLAR RATE. The Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for any Eurodollar Loan which is a Revolving Loan shall be the Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable Eurodollar Margin determined from the table in Section 4.5. 10 4.5. BASE RATE MARGINS AND EURODOLLAR MARGINS. Commencing on the Execution Date, the Margins shall be determined as follows:
If the ratio of Borrower's Total Indebtedness to EBITDA (for the four fiscal quarter period of Borrower The Base Rate The Eurodollar most recently ended) is: Margin is: Margin is: - --------------------------- ------------- -------------- Greater than or equal to 0.00% 1.75% 2.00 to 1 Less than 2.00 to 1 and 0.00% 1.50% greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1 Less than 1.50 to 1 and 0.00% 1.25% greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1 Less than 1.00 to 1 0.00% 1.00%
For purposes of computing the applicable Margins, the ratio of Borrower's Total Indebtedness to EBITDA as of the Execution Date is hereby agreed to be greater than 2.0 to 1. Thereafter, the applicable Margins shall be re-determined by Administrative Agent promptly after each delivery by Borrower to Administrative Agent of Borrower's Financial Statements (and accompanying Compliance Certificate) as required in Section 14.14.2, and will become applicable on the third Business Day following the day when Borrower delivers such Financial Statements (and accompanying Compliance Certificate) to Administrative Agent. 4.6. CONVERSION OF LOANS. Borrower may (i) as of any Business Day convert some or all of a Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan, or (ii) at the end of any Interest Period of a Eurodollar Loan, continue the Loan as a Eurodollar Loan for an additional Interest Period or convert some or all of such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan; provided however, that if there is an Existing Default, Borrower may not convert a Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan or continue a Eurodollar Loan for an additional Interest Period. To cause any conversion or continuation, Borrower shall give Administrative Agent, prior to 11:00 a.m. Local Time three Business Days prior to the date the conversion or continuation is to be effective, a written request (which may be mailed, personally delivered or telecopied as provided in Section 21.1) (i) specifying whether a conversion or continuation is requested, (ii) in the case of a conversion, specifying the amount to be converted and whether it is to be a Eurodollar Loan or a Base Rate Loan upon the conversion, and (iii) in the case of any conversion to or continuation of a Eurodollar Loan, specifying the Interest Period therefor. If such notice is not given prior to 11:00 a.m. Local Time on the third Business Day preceding the last day of the Interest Period of a Eurodollar Loan, then Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a notice to Administrative Agent requesting to convert all of such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, any conversion or continuation shall become effective only on the day following the last day of the current Interest Period. 11 4.7. INTEREST PERIODS FOR EURODOLLAR LOANS. For each Eurodollar Loan Borrower shall select an Interest Period that is either one month, two months, three months or six months; provided that: 4.7.1. every such Interest Period for a Eurodollar Advance shall commence on the date of the Advance or on the date of the conversion or continuation of any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan; 4.7.2. if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day of a calendar month which is not a Business Day, then such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day in that calendar month; provided, however, that if the next succeeding Business Day would be in the following calendar month, it shall expire on the first preceding Business Day; 4.7.3. any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and 4.7.4. no Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan that is part of the Aggregate Revolving Loan shall extend beyond the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. 4.8. TIME OF ACCRUAL. Interest shall accrue on all principal amounts outstanding from the date when first outstanding to the date when no longer outstanding. Amounts shall be deemed outstanding until payments are applied thereto as provided herein. 4.9. COMPUTATION. Interest shall be computed for the actual days elapsed over a year deemed to consist of 360 days. Interest rates that are based on the Base Rate shall change simultaneously with any change in the Base Rate and shall be effective for the entire day on which such change becomes effective. The Base Rate will be determined by Administrative Agent on the Execution Date and on each Business Day thereafter when the Base Rate changes. 4.10. RATE AFTER MATURITY. Borrower shall pay interest on the Aggregate Revolving Loans and any Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit after their Maturity, and, at the option of Administrative Agent, on the Aggregate Revolving Loans and on the other Loan Obligations after the occurrence of an Event of Default, at a rate per annum of two percent (2.0%) plus the interest rate otherwise applicable thereto. 5. FEES. 5.1. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 5.2. REVOLVING LOAN UNUSED FEE. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders a non-refundable, recurring Revolving Loan Unused Fee calculated by applying the daily equivalent of an annual Unused Fee Rate (computed for the actual number of days over a year deemed to consist of 360 days) to the Unused Revolving Loan Commitment on each day during the period from the Execution Date to 12 the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. The Unused Revolving Loan Commitment on any day shall be the difference between (i) the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii) the sum of (a) the Aggregate Revolving Loan, (b) the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, and (c) the total of all amounts drawn on outstanding Letters of Credit but not reimbursed to Letter of Credit Issuer by Borrower as of the close of business on such day. The Revolving Loan Unused Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears commencing on the last day of the first calendar quarter ending after the Execution Date and continuing on the last day of each calendar quarter thereafter and on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. The annual Unused Fee Rate shall be 0.250%. The Administrative Agent shall distribute the Revolving Loan Unused Fee to each Lender in accordance with each Lender's Pro-Rata Share. 5.3. LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of Letter of Credit Issuer and each other Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment, a non-refundable recurring Letter of Credit Fee for each Letter of Credit issued by Letter of Credit Issuer. The Letter of Credit Fee for any Letter of Credit shall be an amount equal to the aggregate undrawn amount of such Letter of Credit multiplied by the Eurodollar Margin in effect on the date such Letter of Credit is issued. The Letter of Credit Fee for each Letter of Credit shall be payable in advance upon its issuance and quarterly thereafter on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter thereafter while such Letter of Credit is outstanding. 5.4. LETTER OF CREDIT FRONTING FEE. Borrower shall pay to Letter of Credit Issuer a non-refundable, one-time Fronting Fee equal to 0.125% of the face amount of each Letter of Credit issued by Letter of Credit Issuer. The Fronting Fee due for any Letter of Credit shall be payable in advance on the issuance date of such Letter of Credit. 5.5. OTHER LETTER OF CREDIT FEES. Borrower shall pay to Letter of Credit Issuer such Letter of Credit Issuer's other customary fees for issuance, amendment, or renewal of a Letter of Credit and, as Letter of Credit Issuer and Borrower may agree with respect to each Letter of Credit, for each negotiation of a draft drawn under such Letter of Credit. 5.6. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S FEES. Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, and solely for the account of Administrative Agent, an annual non-refundable Agency Fee in the amount as set forth in the Agency Fee Letter together with any other fee payable solely for the account of Administrative Agent as set forth therein. The annual Agency Fee payment shall be paid to Administrative Agent on each anniversary date of the Execution Date. 5.7. CALCULATION OF FEES. All of the foregoing fees and all other fees payable to Administrative Agent or any Lender that are based on an annual percentage shall be calculated on the basis of a year deemed to consist of 360 days and for the actual number of days elapsed. 13 6. PAYMENTS. 6.1. SCHEDULED PAYMENTS ON AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN. 6.1.1. INTEREST. Borrower shall pay interest accrued on each Base Rate Loan included in the Aggregate Revolving Loan monthly in arrears beginning on the first day of the first calendar month ending after the Execution Date and continuing on the first day of each calendar month thereafter, and on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. Borrower shall pay interest accrued on each Eurodollar Loan included in the Aggregate Revolving Loan at the end of its Interest Period, and in addition, for each such Eurodollar Loan with an Interest Period longer than three months, Borrower shall pay interest accrued thereon on each day that would have been the end of an Interest Period with respect to such Eurodollar Loan had successive Interest Periods of three months' duration been applicable to such Eurodollar Loan. Borrower shall pay interest accrued on each Revolving Loan after the Revolving Loan Maturity Date on demand. 6.1.2. PRINCIPAL. Borrower shall repay the entire amount of the Aggregate Revolving Loan as then outstanding on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. 6.2. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 6.3. PREPAYMENTS. 6.3.1. VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENTS. Subject to the limitations in the following sentences, Borrower may wholly prepay any Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan that is included in the Aggregate Revolving Loan, at any time and may make a partial prepayment thereon from time to time, without payment of a premium. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no partial or entire prepayment may be made hereunder unless (i) Borrower gives Administrative Agent written notice (which may be mailed, personally delivered or telecopied as provided in Section 21.1) or telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in writing in the manner provided in Section 21.1) of Borrower's intention to make such prepayment at least one Business Day prior to tendering such prepayment, (ii) the total amount of such prepayment is a whole multiple of $1,000.00 (iii) Borrower pays any accrued interest on the amount prepaid at the time of such prepayment and (iv) Borrower pays any amount that is due under Section 19.4 as a consequence of the prepayment. Voluntary prepayments described in this Section 6.3.1, unless otherwise expressly stated in writing by Borrower to Administrative Agent prior to the making of such prepayment, shall be deemed made on the Base Rate Loans included in the Aggregate Revolving Loan until they are reduced to zero, and then to the Eurodollar Loans included in the Aggregate Revolving Loan (and all compensation due pursuant to Section 19.4 in connection therewith) until they are reduced to zero, and will be applied by Lenders to reduce the Revolving Loans in accordance with their respective Pro-Rata Shares of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment. 6.3.2. MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS WHEN OVER-ADVANCES EXIST. If at any time the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Loan, the Swingline Loan Exposure and the 14 Letter of Credit Exposure exceeds the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, whether as a result of optional Revolving Loan Advances by Lenders as contemplated by Section 3.1.2 or otherwise, Borrower shall on demand make a payment in the amount of the excess to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders on the Aggregate Revolving Loan. Each such prepayment will be applied by Administrative Agent and Lenders first to reduce the Base Rate Loans that are included in the Aggregate Revolving Loan (and consequently a ratable portion of each Lender's Revolving Loan) until they are reduced to zero and then to reduce the Eurodollar Loans that are included in the Aggregate Revolving Loan (and consequently a ratable portion of each Lender's Revolving Loan). In the case of such a prepayment, Borrower will pay any accrued interest on the amount prepaid at the time of such prepayment, and Borrower will pay any amount that is due under Section 19.4 as a consequence of the prepayment. 6.4. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS OF BORROWER. Borrower hereby unconditionally agrees to immediately pay to Letter of Credit Issuer on demand at the Letter of Credit Issuer's Applicable Lending Office all amounts required to pay all drafts drawn under Letters of Credit issued for the account of Borrower and all reasonable expenses incurred by Letter of Credit Issuer in connection with such Letters of Credit and in any event and without demand to remit to Letter of Credit Issuer (which may be through obtaining Revolving Advances if permitted under Section 3.1.2) sufficient funds to pay all debts and liabilities arising under any Letter of Credit issued for the account of Borrower. 6.5. MANNER OF PAYMENTS AND TIMING OF APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. 6.5.1. PAYMENT REQUIREMENT. Unless expressly provided to the contrary elsewhere herein, Borrower shall make each payment on the Loan Obligations to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders as required under the Loan Documents at the Applicable Lending Office of the Administrative Agent on the date when due, without deduction, setoff or counterclaim. All such payments will be distributed by Administrative Agent to Lenders as provided in Section 18.10 for application to the Loan Obligations as provided herein. 6.5.2. APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS AND PROCEEDS. All payments received by Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at or before 3:00 p.m. (Local Time) on a Business Day will be distributed by Administrative Agent to Lenders as provided in Section 18.10 on the same Business Day. Such payments received on a day that is not a Business Day or after 3:00 p.m. (Local Time) on a Business Day will be distributed by Administrative Agent to Lenders as provided in Section 18.10 on the next Business Day. The amount so distributed to a Lender will be applied by such Lender to the relevant Loan Obligation on the Business Day when received. 6.5.3. INTEREST CALCULATION. Section 6.5.2 notwithstanding, for purposes of interest calculation only, (i) a payment by check, draft, cash, by wire transfer, or other instrument received at or before 3:00 p.m. (Local Time) on a Business Day shall be deemed to have been applied to the relevant Loan Obligation on the 15 Business Day when it is received, (ii) a payment by check, draft, cash, by wire transfer, or other instrument received on a day that is not a Business Day or after 3:00 p.m. on a Business Day shall be deemed to have been applied to the relevant Loan Obligation on the next Business Day. 6.6. RETURNED INSTRUMENTS. If a payment is made by check, draft or other instrument and the check, draft or other instrument is returned unpaid, any application of the payment to the Loan Obligations will be reversed and will be treated as never having been made. 6.7. COMPELLED RETURN OF PAYMENTS. If Administrative Agent or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender any payment because such payment is for any reason invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, or determined to be void or voidable as a preference, an impermissible setoff, or a diversion of trust funds, then this Agreement and the Loan Obligations to which such payment was applied or intended to be applied shall be revived as if such application was never made; and Borrower shall be liable to pay to Administrative Agent or such Lender, and shall indemnify Administrative Agent or such Lender for and hold Administrative Agent or such Lender harmless from any loss with respect to, the amount of such payment surrendered. This Section shall be effective notwithstanding any contrary action that Administrative Agent or such Lender may take in reliance upon its receipt of any such payment. Any such contrary action so taken by Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be without prejudice to Administrative Agent's or such Lender's rights under this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been conditioned upon the application of such payment having become final and indefeasible. The provisions of this Section shall survive termination of the Commitments, the expiration of the Letters of Credit and the indefeasible full payment and satisfaction of all of the Loan Obligations. 6.8. DUE DATES NOT ON BUSINESS DAYS. If any payment required hereunder becomes due on a date that is not a Business Day, then such due date shall be deemed automatically extended to the next Business Day, and, in the case of principal, additional interest shall accrue and be payable for the period of any such extension. 7. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING ADVANCES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT. 7.1. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 7.2. LOAN ADVANCES. 7.2.1. BORROWER REQUESTS. From and after the Execution Date, Borrower may request Revolving Loan Advances from time to time, but not more often than once each Business Day, by submitting a request therefor to Administrative Agent as provided in Section 7.10. Administrative Agent may treat every request for an Advance as a request for a Base Rate Advance if Borrower does not specify that such Advance is to be a Eurodollar Advance in Borrower's request for an Advance. Every request for an Advance shall be irrevocable. A request for an Advance received by Administrative Agent on a day that is not a Business Day or 16 that is received by Administrative Agent after 12:00 noon (Local Time) on a Business Day shall be treated as having been received by Administrative Agent prior 12:00 noon (Local Time) on the next Business Day. 7.2.2. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S RIGHT TO MAKE REVOLVING LOAN ADVANCES TO PAY LOAN OBLIGATIONS. If Borrower has failed to timely pay any of the Loan Obligations, Administrative Agent shall have the right to make Revolving Loan Advances at any time and from time to time to cause timely payment of any of the Loan Obligations. Administrative Agent may select the Advance Date for any such Revolving Loan Advance, but such Advance Date may only be a Business Day. Administrative Agent will give notice to Borrower after any such Revolving Loan Advance is made. Any such Revolving Loan Advance will be a Base Rate Advance. 7.3. LETTERS OF CREDIT. Borrower may request the issuance of a Letter of Credit by submitting an issuance request to Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to the Letter of Credit Agreement required under Section 11 no less than five Business Days prior to the requested issue date for such Letter of Credit. 7.4. FUNDINGS. 7.4.1. REVOLVING ADVANCES. Not later than 1:00 p.m. (Local Time) on each Advance Date for an Advance, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of the Advance to be made on that Advance Date. Each Lender shall make immediately available to Administrative Agent by 3:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the Advance Date funds consisting solely of Dollars in the amount of its Pro-Rata Share of such Advance, in accordance with such remittance instructions as may be given by Administrative Agent to Lenders from time to time. 7.4.2. DRAWS ON LETTERS OF CREDIT. In the event that a draw is made on a Letter of Credit and Borrower does not reimburse the amount of such draw in full to Letter of Credit Issuer immediately on demand, Letter of Credit Issuer shall promptly notify Administrative Agent of such failure. Upon Administrative Agent's receipt of such notice from Letter of Credit Issuer, Administrative Agent may notify each Lender thereof and shall have the right to cause a Revolving Loan Advance to be made, regardless whether such Revolving Loan Advance would exceed the Maximum Available Amount, by notifying each Lender of the draw, the amount of the Revolving Loan Advance required to fund reimbursement of such draw, and the amount of such Lender's ratable share of such Revolving Loan Advance. The Advance Date and time for such Revolving Loan Advance shall not be later than 1:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the first Business Day following Administrative Agent's delivery of such notice to Lenders. By no later than such Advance Date and time, each Lender shall make immediately available to Administrative Agent funds consisting solely of Dollars in the amount of its Pro-Rata Share of such Revolving Loan Advance, rounded to the nearest penny, in accordance with such remittance instructions as may be given by Administrative 17 Agent to each Lender from time to time. Each Revolving Loan Advance made by Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 7.4.2 shall be deemed to be a Base Rate Advance. 7.4.3. ALL FUNDINGS RATABLE. All fundings of Advances shall be made by Lenders as provided herein in accordance with their Pro-Rata Shares of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, a Lender shall not be obligated to fund Revolving Loan Advances that would result in the sum of (a) such Lender's Revolving Loan, plus (b) such Lender's Pro-Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Exposure exceeding its Revolving Loan Commitment, or make available any more than its Pro-Rata Share of any Advance. 7.5. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S AVAILABILITY ASSUMPTION. 7.5.1. ASSUMPTION AS TO LENDERS. Unless Administrative Agent has been given written notice by a Lender prior to an Advance Date that such Lender does not intend to make immediately available to Administrative Agent such Lender's Pro-Rata Share of the Advance which Administrative Agent will be obligated to make on the Advance Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made the required amount available to Administrative Agent on the Advance Date and Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made immediately available to Administrative Agent by such Lender on the Advance Date, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount immediately upon Administrative Agent's demand therefor, then Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Borrower and the other Lenders, and Borrower shall pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent within two (2) Business Days of the date of delivery of such notice by Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover, either from such defaulting Lender (a Defaulting Lender) or Borrower, interest on such corresponding amount for each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by Administrative Agent to Borrower to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if paid by such Lender, the cost to Administrative Agent of funding such amount at the Federal Funds Rate, or (ii) if paid by Borrower, the applicable rate for the Advance in question determined from the request therefor. Each Lender shall be obligated only to fund its Pro-Rata Share of an Advance subject to the terms and conditions hereof, regardless of the failure of another Lender to fund its Pro-Rata Share thereof. In addition, the failure of any Lender to pay its Pro-Rata Share of any such Advance shall cause such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender and such Defaulting Lender shall, until such amount is paid to Administrative Agent (with interest at the Federal Funds Rate), (a) permit Administrative Agent the unconditional and irrevocable right of setoff against any amounts (including, without limitation, payments of principal, interest, and fees, as well as indemnity payments) received by Administrative Agent hereunder for 18 the benefit of any such Defaulting Lender, and (b) if such failure to pay shall continue for a period of two Business Days, result in any such Defaulting Lender forfeiting any right to vote on any matter that the Required Lenders or all Lenders are permitted to vote for hereunder (and the calculation of Required Lenders shall exclude such Defaulting Lender's interest in the Lenders' Exposure); provided, however, once such a failure is cured, then such Lender shall, subsequent thereto, have all rights hereunder; provided, further, however, if any Lender shall fail to make such a payment within the two Business Day period specified in clause (b) above (other than by reason of events beyond the reasonable control of such Lender) two or more times during the term hereof, such Lender shall permanently forfeit its right to vote hereunder (and the calculation of Required Lenders shall exclude such Defaulting Lender's interest in the Lenders' Exposure). 7.5.2. ASSUMPTION AS TO BORROWER. Unless Administrative Agent has been given written notice by Borrower prior to the date any payment to be made by it is due, that it does not intend to remit such payment, Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has timely remitted such payment and Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available a corresponding amount or pro-rata portion thereof to the Persons entitled thereto. If such payment was not in fact remitted to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, then, each Lender shall immediately on demand repay to Administrative Agent the corresponding amount or pro-rata portion thereof made available to such Lender, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from the date such amount was made available by Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. 7.6. DISBURSEMENT. Provided that all conditions precedent herein to a requested Advance have been satisfied, Administrative Agent will make the amount of such requested Advance available to Borrower on the applicable Advance Date in immediately available funds in Dollars at Administrative Agent's Applicable Lending Office. 7.7. RESTRICTIONS ON ADVANCES. No Advance will be made unless it is a whole multiple of $1,000.00 and not less than $100,000.00 in the case of a Eurodollar Advance, or a whole multiple of $1,000.00 and not less than $50,000.00 in the case of a Base Rate Advance. No more than one Revolving Loan Advance will be made on any one day pursuant to a request for a Revolving Loan Advance. Advances will only be made for the purposes permitted in Section 14.1. No Eurodollar Advance will be made so long as there is any Existing Default. 7.8. RESTRICTION ON NUMBER OF EURODOLLAR LOANS. No more than five (5) Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods may be outstanding at any one time. 7.9. EACH ADVANCE REQUEST AND LETTER OF CREDIT REQUEST A CERTIFICATION. Each submittal of a request for an Advance and each submittal of a request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit by a Borrowing Officer shall constitute a certification by Borrower that (i) there is no Existing Default, (ii) all conditions precedent hereunder to the making of 19 the requested Advance or issuance of the requested Letter of Credit have been satisfied, and (iii) the Representations and Warranties are then true in all material respects, with such exceptions as have been disclosed to Lenders in writing by Borrower or a Guarantor from time to time and are satisfactory to Lenders, and will be true on the Advance Date or issuance date, as applicable, as if then made with such exceptions. 7.10. REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY ADVANCE REQUEST. Only a Loan Request Certificate (which shall be in writing in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.10 and mailed, electronically delivered via e-mail, personally delivered or telecopied as provided in Section 21.1) from a Borrowing Officer to Administrative Agent that specifies the amount of the Advance to be made, the Advance Date for the requested Advance, the portion of the Advance which is requested to be a Eurodollar Advance and the portion of the Advance which is requested to be a Base Rate Advance, and the Interest Period to be applicable to the Eurodollar Loan that will result from a requested Eurodollar Advance, shall be treated as a request for an Advance. No Advance Date for any requested Advance may be other than a Business Day. A request for a Eurodollar Advance must be given prior to 11:00 a.m., Local Time, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Advance Date for such Eurodollar Advance. A request for a Base Rate Advance must be given prior to 11:00 a.m., Local Time, on the Advance Date for such Base Rate Advance. 7.11. REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY LETTER OF CREDIT REQUEST. Only a written request (which may be mailed, electronically delivered via e-mail, personally delivered or telecopied as provided in Section 21.1) from a Borrowing Officer to Administrative Agent or an electronic initiation over an online service provided by Letter of Credit Issuer that specifies the amount, requested issue date (which shall be a Business Day and in no event later than twenty-five days before the Revolving Loan Maturity Date) and beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit and other information necessary for its issuance shall be treated as a request for issuance of a Letter of Credit. The form of Letter of Credit application submitted by Borrower shall be in the form required by the Letter of Credit Agreement. 7.12. EXONERATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND LENDERS. Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to Borrower for treating a request that meets the express requirements of Section 7.10 or Section 7.11 as a request for an Advance or issuance of a Letter of Credit, as applicable, if Administrative Agent believes in good faith that the Person making the request is a Borrowing Officer or if, in the case of a request for a Letter of Credit, it is electronically initiated. Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to Borrower for failing to treat any such request as a request for an Advance or issuance of a Letter of Credit, as applicable, if Administrative Agent believes in good faith that the Person making the request is not a Borrowing Officer. 8. GUARANTIES. Borrower shall on the Execution Date cause to be executed and delivered to Administrative Agent an unconditional guaranty of the Loan Obligations to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders by each Covered Person (other than the Borrower) and every Subsidiary of each Covered Person. Furthermore, if any Subsidiary of any Covered Person is acquired or organized after the Execution Date, Borrower shall cause to be executed and 20 delivered to Administrative Agent by every such later acquired or organized Subsidiary of any Covered Person (which may only be acquired or organized if permitted elsewhere in this Agreement) an unconditional guaranty of the Loan Obligations or, at the option of Administrative Agent in Administrative Agent's absolute discretion, a joinder agreement in which such Subsidiary becomes a Borrower under this Agreement and assumes primary, joint and several liability for the Loan Obligations, each in form satisfactory to Lenders. 9. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 10. CONDITIONS OF EFFECTIVENESS; LENDING. 10.1. CONDITIONS TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall not be effective and no Lender will be obligated to fund any Advance unless: 10.1.1. LISTED DOCUMENTS AND OTHER ITEMS. Administrative Agent shall have received on or before the Execution Date all of the documents and other items listed or described in Exhibit 10.1.1 hereto, with each being satisfactory to Lenders and (as applicable) duly executed and (also as applicable) sealed, attested, acknowledged, certified, or authenticated, or Administrative Agent shall have received an agreement from Borrower to deliver any such documents and items within a certain number of days post-closing satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion. 10.1.2. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Lenders shall have determined to their satisfaction that the financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal year ended 3/31/05 and the fiscal quarter ended 12/31/05 and for the periods ending 3/31/06, 3/31/07, 3/31/08, 3/31/09, and 3/31/10 as furnished to Administrative Agent, and financial statements and other information furnished to Administrative Agent by Borrower (i) for the periods ended on or before the Execution Date, fairly and accurately reflect the business and financial condition of Borrower, its cash flows and the results of its operations for such periods, (ii) for the periods that will end after the Execution Date, fairly and accurately forecast the business and financial condition of Borrower, its cash flows, and the results of its operations for such periods, and (iii) with respect to Borrower's proforma financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006, the ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA as set forth therein does not exceed 2.75 to 1 as of March 31, 2006 and the minimum trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA as of March 31, 2006 is not less than $60,400,000.00. 10.1.3. NO DEFAULT. There shall be no Existing Default and no Default or Event of Default will occur as a result of such Advance being requested or made or the application of the proceeds thereof. 10.1.4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Representations and Warranties shall be true and correct. 10.1.5. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date of the Initial Financial Statements delivered to Administrative Agent, there shall not have been any 21 change which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person. 10.1.6. PENDING MATERIAL PROCEEDINGS. There shall be no pending Material Proceedings other than as disclosed in Section 12.8 of the Disclosure Schedule. 10.1.7. PAYMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES. Borrower shall have paid and reimbursed to Lenders all fees, costs and expenses and the attorneys' fees of the Administrative Agent. 10.1.8. INSURANCE. Administrative Agent shall be satisfied with the insurance maintained by Borrower (including the insurance carrier, the types of insurance maintained, and the levels of insurance maintained). 10.1.9. ENVIRONMENTAL. Administrative Agent shall be satisfied with the results of the environmental due diligence it has conducted, if any, with respect to any real property owned and/or leased by Borrower, including without limitation the Phase I Environmental Reports, if any, ordered by or on behalf of Administrative Agent. 10.1.10. PRINCIPAL PAYMENT. Administrative Agent shall have received a payment from Borrower to be applied in reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan such that after giving effect to such payment, the Aggregate Revolving Loan shall be less than or equal to $150,000,000.00. 10.1.11. OTHER ITEMS. Administrative Agent shall have received such other consents, approvals, opinions, certificates, documents or information as it reasonably deems necessary. 10.2. CONDITIONS TO SUBSEQUENT ADVANCES. Lenders will have no obligation to fund any Advance after the Execution Date unless: 10.2.1. GENERAL CONDITIONS. All of the conditions set forth in Section 10.1 (except the condition in Section 10.1.4) shall have been and shall remain satisfied. 10.2.2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Representations and Warranties are then true, with such exceptions as have been disclosed to Lenders in writing by Borrower or any Guarantor from time to time and are satisfactory to Lenders, and will be true as of the time of such Advance, as if then made with such exceptions. 10.2.3. NO DEFAULT. There shall be no Existing Default and no Default or Event of Default will occur as a result of such Advance being requested or made or the application of the proceeds thereof. 10.3. CONDITIONS TO ADVANCES FOR PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS. Further, prior to Lenders funding any Advance relating to a Permitted Acquisition: 22 10.3.1. PERMITTED ACQUISITION DELIVERABLES. The Administrative Agent shall have received: 10.3.1.1. copies, certified as true, complete and correct by the Responsible Officer of the Borrower, of the applicable Acquisition Documents; 10.3.1.2. all pro forma financial statements as described in Section 14.20; and 10.3.1.3. certified copies of the resolutions, in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders, duly adopted by the board of directors/members of the Borrower or the Subsidiary of Borrower, as applicable, authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of the applicable Acquisition Documents. 10.3.2. SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS TO PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS. Administrative Agent shall have received the applicable Acquisition Documents, which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that all requirements to close the applicable Permitted Acquisition have been completed or waived by the parties to the Acquisition Documents, except for the delivery of the purchase price with respect to the applicable Permitted Acquisition; and every other condition, if any, to the applicable Permitted Acquisition as described herein shall be satisfied, or waived by the Administrative Agent. 10.3.3. ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES. In the case a Permitted Acquisition is in the form of a purchase of stock or of membership interests of any limited liability company or in the case where a Covered Person creates a new Subsidiary to effect the purchase of assets, Borrower shall have complied with the requirements of Section 8 and delivered to the Administrative Agent certified resolutions, good standing certificates and other customary documents (including attorney opinion letters) as are reasonably requested by Administrative Agent. 10.3.4. AUTHORITY TO CONSUMMATE PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS. The Borrower (and any relevant Subsidiary) shall have the full right, power and authority to make the applicable Permitted Acquisition and to enter into the Acquisition Documents; and the performance or observance by the Borrower (or any relevant Subsidiary) of the Acquisition Documents shall neither (a) contravene any provision of law or any charter or by-law provision or judgment, order or decree applicable to or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary nor (b) contravene any covenant, indenture or agreement of Borrower or any Subsidiary which results, or is reasonably likely to result, in a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower or any Subsidiary; the Acquisition Documents when executed and delivered by the Borrower (and any relevant Subsidiary), shall be valid, binding and enforceable, except as may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws or judicial decisions for the relief of 23 debtors or the limitation of creditors' rights generally; and (ii) any equitable principles relating to or limiting the rights of creditors generally or any equitable remedy which may be granted to cure any defaults. 10.3.5. REQUEST TO FUND. Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Loan Request Certificate in the form(s) set forth in Section 7.10 from a Responsible Officer. 11. CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Borrower must have executed and delivered to Letter of Credit Issuer the Letter of Credit Issuer's letter of credit agreement in form satisfactory to Letter of Credit Issuer (each, a "Letter of Credit Agreement") under which Borrower evidences its obligation to reimburse to Letter of Credit Issuer on demand the amount of each draw on such Letter of Credit as provided in Section 6.4, together with interest from the date of the draw at the rate provided in Section 4.1 and (without duplication) all reasonable expenses incurred by Letter of Credit Issuer in connection with such Letter of Credit. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of any Letter of Credit Agreement, any Letter of Credit application and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control. As conditions precedent to the issuance of any Letter of Credit: 11.1. NO PROHIBITIONS. No order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall exist which purports by its terms to enjoin or restrain Letter of Credit Issuer or any other Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, and no Law or request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over Letter of Credit Issuer or any other Lender shall exist which prohibits, or requests that Letter of Credit Issuer or any other Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular, or imposes upon Letter of Credit Issuer or any other Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which Letter of Credit Issuer or any other Lender is not otherwise compensable by Borrower hereunder). 11.2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Representations and Warranties are then true, with such exceptions as have been disclosed to Lenders in writing by Borrower or such Guarantor from time to time and are satisfactory to Lenders, and will be true as of the time of the issuance of such Letter of Credit, as if then made with such exceptions. 11.3. NO DEFAULT. There shall be no Existing Default and no Default or Event of Default is reasonably likely to occur as a result of such Letter of Credit being issued or a draw thereon being made or paid. 11.4. OTHER CONDITIONS. All of the conditions set forth in Section 10.1 (except the condition in Section 10.1.4) shall have been and shall remain satisfied. 12. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Except as otherwise described in the Disclosure Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit 12, Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent, Lenders, and Letter of Credit Issuer, on its behalf and on behalf of each Covered Person, as follows (provided, however, that to the extent such representations and warranties apply to the 24 entity and assets acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition, such representations and warranties shall be to the best of Borrower's knowledge). 12.1. ORGANIZATION AND EXISTENCE. Each Covered Person is duly organized and existing in good standing under the Laws of the state of its organization, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in every state where the nature or extent of its business or properties require it to be qualified to do business, except where the failure to so qualify is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person. Each Covered Person has the power and authority to own its properties and carry on its business as now being conducted. 12.2. AUTHORIZATION. Each Covered Person is duly authorized to execute and perform every Loan Document to which such Covered Person is a party, and Borrower is duly authorized to borrow hereunder, and this Agreement and the other Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate, partnership or membership action (in the case of limited liability companies) of each Covered Person. No consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority, and no consent of any other Person, is required in connection with Borrower's execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, except for those already duly obtained. 12.3. DUE EXECUTION. Every Loan Document to which a Covered Person is a party has been executed on behalf of such Covered Person by a Person duly authorized to do so. 12.4. ENFORCEABILITY OF OBLIGATIONS. Each of the Loan Documents to which a Covered Person is a party constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Covered Person, enforceable against such Covered Person in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof against such Covered Person may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles of general application. 12.5. BURDENSOME OBLIGATIONS. No Covered Person is a party to or bound by any Contract or is subject to any provision in the Charter Documents of such Covered Person which would, if performed by such Covered Person, result in a Default or Event of Default either immediately or upon the elapsing of time. 12.6. LEGAL RESTRAINTS. The execution and performance of any Loan Document by a Covered Person will not violate or constitute a default under (i) the Charter Documents of such Covered Person, (ii) any Material Agreement of such Covered Person, (iii) any Note Purchase Document, or (iv) any Material Law, and will not, except as expressly contemplated or permitted in this Agreement, result in any Security Interest being imposed on any of such Covered Person's property. 12.7. LABOR CONTRACTS AND DISPUTES. There is no collective bargaining agreement or other labor contract covering employees of a Covered Person. No union or other labor organization is seeking to organize, or to be recognized as, a collective bargaining unit of employees of a Covered Person. There is no pending or, to Borrower's knowledge, 25 threatened, strike, work stoppage, material unfair labor practice claim or other material labor dispute against or affecting any Covered Person or its employees. 12.8. NO MATERIAL PROCEEDINGS. There are no Material Proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of Borrower, threatened, against any Covered Person. 12.9. MATERIAL LICENSES. All Material Licenses have been obtained or exist for each Covered Person. 12.10. COMPLIANCE WITH MATERIAL LAWS. Each Covered Person is in compliance in all material respects with all Material Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing: 12.10.1. GENERAL COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND EMPLOYMENT LAWS. The operations and employee compensation practices of every Covered Person comply in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and Employment Laws which are Material Laws. 12.10.2. PROCEEDINGS. None of the operations of any Covered Person are the subject of any judicial or administrative complaint, order or proceeding alleging the violation of any applicable Environmental Laws or Employment Laws which are Material Laws. 12.10.3. INVESTIGATIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. None of the operations of any Covered Person are, or in the past six years have been, the subject of investigation by any Governmental Authority regarding the improper transportation, storage, disposal, generation or release into the environment of any Hazardous Material, the results of which have or are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Covered Person, or reduce materially the value of such Covered Person's Personal Property. 12.10.4. NOTICES AND REPORTS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. No notice or report under any Environmental Law indicating a past or present spill or release into the environment of any Hazardous Material has been filed within the six years ending on the Execution Date, or is required to be filed, by any Covered Person. 12.10.5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROPERTY TRANSFER ACTS. No Environmental Property Transfer Acts are applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Acquisition Documents and each Covered Person has provided all notices and obtained all necessary environmental permit transfers and consents, if any, required in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Acquisition Documents, or to operate such Covered Person's business as presently or proposed to be operated. 12.11. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 12.12. CONSUMMATION OF PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS. When applicable, Borrower will have delivered to Administrative Agent complete and correct executed copies of the 26 Acquisition Documents for each Permitted Acquisition. Such Acquisition Documents have been duly authorized and executed and are the valid and binding obligation of Borrower and, to Borrower's knowledge, the other parties thereto and are enforceable in accordance with their terms except to the extent that the enforceability thereof against such Covered Person may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles of general application. All Covered Persons, and to the best of Borrower's knowledge, all other parties to such Acquisition Documents, have to date performed all obligations, covenants, and conditions required of it prior to or as a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such Acquisition Documents to which it is a party other than any such obligation, covenant, or condition that has been waived. Further, with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, Borrower is not in default of any of its obligations under the applicable Acquisition Documents for such Permitted Acquisition, and all representations and warranties of Borrower in such Acquisition Documents are complete and correct in all material respects as of the date the Administrative Agent makes any Advance to Borrower for its use in funding the purchase price of such Permitted Acquisition as if made on and as of such date. Further, to the knowledge of Borrower after due inquiry, all of the representations and warranties of the Sellers contained in any Acquisition Documents for any Permitted Acquisition or any instrument furnished in connection therewith or in reference thereto are true and correct in all material respects as of the date the Administrative Agent makes any Advance to Borrower for its use in funding the purchase price of such Permitted Acquisition as if made on and as of such date. 12.13. PRIOR TRANSACTIONS. Except as set forth in Section 12.13 of the Disclosure Schedule, within the past five (5) years, no Covered Person has been a party to any merger or consolidation, or acquired all or substantially all of the assets of any Person. 12.14. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 12.15. SOLVENCY. Borrower is Solvent on the Execution Date. 12.16. PROJECTIONS. The projections of Borrower's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow delivered to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to Section 10.1.2 represent Borrower's good faith best estimate of Borrower's future financial performance for the periods set forth therein. Such projections have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions set forth therein, which Borrower believes are fair and reasonable in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions. 12.17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Financial Statements are complete and correct in all material respects, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and reflect in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Persons covered thereby as of the dates and for the periods stated therein, subject in the case of interim Financial Statements to the absence of footnotes and normal year-end adjustments made in accordance with GAAP. 27 12.18. NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. Since the date of the Financial Statements delivered to Administrative Agent as required herein, there has been no change which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person. 12.19. INVESTMENTS. No Covered Person has any Investments in other Persons except existing Permitted Investments. 12.20. INDEBTEDNESS. No Covered Person has any Indebtedness except existing Permitted Indebtedness. 12.21. INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS. No Covered Person has any Indirect Obligations except existing Permitted Indirect Obligations. 12.22. LEASES. As of the Execution Date, all material leases of the Covered Persons are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects. 12.23. CAPITAL LEASES. No Covered Person has an interest as a lessee under any Capital Leases other than Capital Leases that are Permitted Indebtedness. 12.24. TAX LIABILITIES; GOVERNMENTAL CHARGES. Each Covered Person has filed or caused to be filed all tax reports and returns required to be filed by it with any Governmental Authority, except where extensions have been properly obtained. Each Covered Person has paid or made adequate provision for payment of all Taxes of such Covered Person, except Taxes which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which such Covered Person has established adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP. No Security Interest for any such Taxes has been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to any such Taxes which, if adversely determined, has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Covered Person. There are no material unresolved issues concerning any liability of a Covered Person for any Taxes which will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Covered Person. 12.25. PENSION BENEFIT PLANS. All Pension Benefit Plans maintained by each Covered Person or an ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person that are intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code are duly qualified under Section 401 of the Code. All Pension Benefit Plans maintained by each Covered Person on an ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person are in compliance with the provisions of ERISA and all other Material Laws. Except with respect to events or occurrences which do not have and are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person: 12.25.1. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS. None of such Pension Benefit Plans has participated in, engaged in or been a party to any non-exempt PROHIBITED TRANSACTION as defined in ERISA or the Code, and no officer, director or employee of such Covered Person or of an ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person has committed a breach of any of the responsibilities or obligations imposed upon fiduciaries by Title I of ERISA. 28 12.25.2. CLAIMS. There are no claims, pending or threatened, involving any such Pension Benefit Plan by a current or former employee (or beneficiary thereof) of such Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person, nor is there any reasonable basis to anticipate any claims involving any such Pension Benefit Plan which would likely be successfully maintained against such Covered Person or such ERISA Affiliate. 12.25.3. REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS. There are no violations of any reporting or disclosure requirements with respect to any such Pension Benefit Plan and none of such Pension Benefit Plans has violated any applicable Law, including ERISA and the Code. 12.25.4. ACCUMULATED FUNDING DEFICIENCY. No such Pension Benefit Plan has (i) incurred an accumulated funding deficiency (within the meaning of Section 412(a) of the Code), whether or not waived; (ii) been a Pension Benefit Plan with respect to which a Reportable Event (to the extent that the reporting of such events to the PBGC within thirty days of the occurrence has not been waived) has occurred and is continuing; or (iii) been a Pension Benefit Plan with respect to which there exist conditions or events which have occurred that present a significant risk of termination of such Pension Benefit Plan by the PBGC. 12.25.5. MULTI-EMPLOYER PLAN. All Multi-employer Plans to which any Covered Person contributes or is obligated to contribute are listed in Section 12.25.5 of the Disclosure Schedule. No Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person has received notice that any such Multi-employer Plan is in reorganization or has been terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and no such Multi-employer Plan is reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA. 12.26. WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. No Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of any Covered Person maintains a Welfare Benefit Plan that has a liability which, if enforced or collected, has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person. Each Covered Person and each ERISA Affiliate of any Covered Person has complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Section 4980B of the Code pertaining to continuation coverage as mandated by COBRA. 12.27. RETIREE BENEFITS. No Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person has an obligation to provide any Person with any medical, life insurance, or similar benefit following such Person's retirement or termination of employment (or to such Person's beneficiary subsequent to such Person's death) other than (i) such benefits provided to Persons at such Person's sole expense and (ii) obligations under COBRA. 12.28. DISTRIBUTIONS. No Distribution other than as allowed in Section 15.9 has been or shall be declared, paid or made upon or in respect of any capital stock of Borrower on and after the Execution Date, except as expressly permitted hereby. 12.29. REAL PROPERTY. No Covered Person owns any real property. 29 12.30. STATE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. Each Covered Person has good and marketable or merchantable title to all real and personal property purported to be owned by it or reflected in the Initial Financial Statements, except for personal property sold in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in accordance with the terms of Section 15.9 of this Agreement after the date of the Initial Financial Statements. There are no Security Interests on any of the property purported to be owned by any Covered Person, except Permitted Security Interests. Each material tangible item of Personal Property purported to be owned by a Covered Person is in generally good operating condition and repair and is suitable for the use to which it is customarily put by its owner. 12.31. NEGATIVE PLEDGES. No Covered Person is a party to or bound by any material Contract which prohibits the creation or existence of any Security Interest upon or assignment or conveyance of any Personal Property of such Covered Person, other than the Note Purchase Documents and as set forth in Section 12.31 of the Disclosure Schedule. In addition to the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no Covered Person is party to or bound by any Contract with the United States or any other department, agency, public corporation, or other instrumentality thereof which prohibits the creation or existence of any Security Interest upon or assignment or conveyance of any Personal Property of such Covered Person other than as set forth in Section 12.31 of the Disclosure Schedule. 12.32. PARITY DEBT UNSECURED. No Covered Person has granted a Security Interest in any of the assets of such Covered Person as security for the Parity Debt. 12.33. S CORPORATION. As of the Execution Date and thereafter, there is no election in effect under Section 1362(a) of the Code for any Covered Person to be treated as an S Corporation as defined in Section 1361 (a) of the Code. 12.34. SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES. Borrower has no Subsidiaries, except for those Subsidiaries listed in Section 12.34 of the Disclosure Schedule. 12.35. MARGIN STOCK. No Covered Person is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of PURCHASING or CARRYING MARGIN STOCK (within the meaning of Regulation U). Except for the Repurchases, no part of the proceeds of any Advance will be used to purchase or carry any such margin stock, or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock. No part of the proceeds of any Advance will be used for any purpose which violates, or which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation U. None of the transactions contemplated by any of the Acquisition Documents will violate Regulations T, U or X of the FRB. 12.36. SECURITIES MATTERS. No proceeds of any Advance will be used to acquire any security in any transaction which is subject to Sections 13 and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 12.37. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT, ETC. No Covered Person is an investment company registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or a 30 company CONTROLLED (within the meaning of such Investment Company Act) by such an INVESTMENT COMPANY or an AFFILIATED PERSON of, or PROMOTER or PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER for, an INVESTMENT COMPANY, as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. No Covered Person is subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act or any other Law limiting or regulating its ability to incur Indebtedness for money borrowed. 12.38. NO MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSIONS. Neither the Loan Documents, any of the Financial Statements nor any statement, list, certificate or other information furnished or to be furnished by Borrower or any other Covered Person to Administrative Agent or Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not materially misleading. Borrower has disclosed to Administrative Agent and Lenders everything of which Borrower has knowledge regarding the business, operations, property, financial condition, or business prospects or itself and every Covered Person that has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person. 12.39. FILINGS. All registration statements, reports, proxy statements and other documents, if any, required to be filed by any Covered Person with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, have been filed, and such filings are complete and accurate in all material respects and contain no untrue statements of material fact or omit to state any material facts required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and all capital stock of any covered Person that is issued and outstanding has been sold pursuant to transactions that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or that are exempt thereunder. 12.40. BROKER'S FEES. No broker or finder is entitled to compensation for services rendered with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Acquisition Documents. 12.41. NO HART-SCOTT RODINO FILING REQUIRED. None of the Covered Persons, any Guarantor, or Seller was required to file notification under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, or to notify or obtain the approval of any Governmental Authority in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, unless such notification was filed or such approval was obtained, as the case may be. 13. MODIFICATION AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower may at any time after the Execution Date, propose to Lenders in writing to modify the representations and warranties in Section 12, the representations and warranties in any other Loan Document and any other representation or warranty made in any certificate, report, opinion or other document delivered by Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents. If the proposed modifications are satisfactory to Required Lenders as evidenced by their written assent thereto, then such representations and warranties shall be deemed and treated as so modified, but only as of the date of Borrower's written modification proposal. If such proposed modifications are not satisfactory to Required 31 Lenders, then such proposed modifications shall not be deemed or treated as modifying such representations and warranties. All such representations and warranties, as made or deemed made as of a particular time, shall survive execution of each of the Loan Documents and the making of every Advance, and may be relied upon by Administrative Agent and Lenders as being true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made or deemed made until all of the Loan Obligations are fully and indefeasibly paid, no Letters of Credit are outstanding and the Letter of Credit Exposure is irreversibly zero. 14. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees that, while any of the Commitments remains in effect and until all of the Loan Obligations are fully and indefeasibly paid, no Letters of Credit are outstanding and the Letter of Credit Exposure is irreversibly zero, Borrower shall do, or cause to be done, the following: 14.1. USE OF PROCEEDS. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, (i) the existing Indebtedness of Borrower under the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement shall be deemed to be converted to and replaced by the proceeds of a Revolving Loan Advance funded under the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) the proceeds of any subsequent Revolving Loan Advance shall be used solely for working capital, capital expenditures permitted hereunder, as the source for payment of Borrower's reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, to pay the transaction costs for this Loan Agreement, to finance Permitted Acquisitions, and to finance Repurchases but only so long as (a) the cumulative aggregate amount of all Revolving Loan Advances utilized to effect the Repurchases after the Effective Date are not greater than Five Million and No/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00) in the aggregate; (b) there is no Default hereunder at the time of any such Repurchase; and (c) the Maximum Available Amount that is available to Borrower under the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment immediately following any Revolving Loan Advance made to finance Repurchases is not less than Five Million and No/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00). 14.2. CORPORATE EXISTENCE. Each Covered Person shall maintain its existence in good standing and shall maintain in good standing its right to transact business in those states in which it is now or hereafter doing business, except where the failure to so qualify will not have and will not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person. Each Covered Person shall obtain and maintain all Material Licenses for such Covered Person. 14.3. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY AND LEASES. Each Covered Person shall maintain in good condition and working order, and repair and replace as required, all buildings, equipment, machinery, fixtures and other real and personal property whose useful economic life has not elapsed and which is necessary for the ordinary conduct of the business of such Covered Person. Each Covered Person shall maintain in good standing and free of defaults all of its leases of buildings, equipment, machinery, fixtures and other real and personal property whose useful economic life has not elapsed and which is necessary for the ordinary conduct of the business of such Covered Person. 14.4. INVENTORY. Each Covered Person shall keep its Inventory in good and merchantable condition at its own expense and shall hold such Inventory for sale or lease, 32 or to be furnished in connection with the rendition of services, in the ordinary course of such Covered Person's business, on terms which do not include bill-and-hold, guarantied sale, sale and return, sale on approval, consignment or similar repurchase or return terms. All such Inventory shall be produced in accordance with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and all rules, regulations, and orders thereunder. 14.5. INSURANCE. Each Covered Person shall at all times keep insured or cause to be kept insured, in insurance companies having a rating of at least "A" by Best's Rating Service, all property owned by it of a character usually insured by others carrying on businesses similar to that of such Covered Person in such manner and to such extent and covering such risks as such properties are usually insured. Each Covered Person shall carry business interruption insurance in such amounts, in such manner and to such extent and covering such risks as businesses similar to that of such Covered Persons are usually insured. Each Covered Person shall at all times carry insurance, in insurance companies having a rating of at least "A" by Best's Rating Service, against liability on account of damage to persons or property (including product liability insurance and insurance required under all Laws pertaining to workers' compensation) and covering all other liabilities common to such Covered Person's business, in such manner and to such extent as such coverage is usually carried by others conducting businesses similar to that of such Covered Person (and each Covered Person shall maintain liability coverage, including tail coverage, in the amounts in effect for such Covered Person on the Execution Date). Borrower shall upon request of Administrative Agent at any time furnish to Administrative Agent updated evidence of insurance (in the form required as a condition to Administrative Agent's lending hereunder) for such insurance. 14.6. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Each Covered Person shall promptly pay and discharge or cause to be paid and discharged, as and when due, any and all income taxes, federal or otherwise, lawfully assessed and imposed upon it, and any and all lawful taxes, rates, levies, and assessments whatsoever upon its properties and every part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom and all claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other like Persons for labor, materials, supplies, storage or other items or services which if unpaid might be or become a Security Interest or charge upon any of its property; provided, however, that a Covered Person may diligently contest in good faith by appropriate proceedings the validity of any such taxes, rates, levies, or assessments, provided such Covered Person has established adequate reserves therefor in conformity with GAAP on the books of such Covered Person, and no Security Interest, other than a Permitted Security Interest, results from such non-payment. 14.7. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Each Covered Person shall comply in all material respects with all Material Laws and each Covered Person shall ensure, and cause each other Covered Person to ensure, that no Person who owns a controlling interest in or otherwise controls a Covered Person is or shall be (i) listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Department of the Treasury, and/or any other similar lists maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive Order or regulation or (ii) a person designated under Section 1(b), (c) or (d) of Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 33 2001), any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders, and each Covered Person shall comply, and cause each other Covered Person to comply, in all material respects with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") and anti-money laundering laws and regulations. 14.8. DISCOVERY AND CLEAN-UP OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. 14.8.1. IN GENERAL. Upon any Covered Person receiving notice of any violation of Environmental Laws or any similar notice described in Section 12.10.3, or upon any Covered Person otherwise discovering Hazardous Material on any property owned or leased by such Covered Person which is in violation of, or which would result in liability under, any Environmental Law, Borrower shall: (i) promptly take such reasonable acts as may be necessary to prevent danger or harm to the property or any person therein as a result of such Hazardous Material; (ii) at the request of Administrative Agent, and at Borrower's sole cost and expense, obtain and deliver to Administrative Agent promptly, but in no event later than 90 days after such request, a then currently dated environmental assessment of the property certified to Administrative Agent and any future holder of the Loan Obligations, a proposed plan for responding to any environmental problems described in such assessment, and an estimate of the costs thereof; and (iii) take all necessary steps to initiate and expeditiously complete all removal, remedial, response, corrective and other action to eliminate any such environmental problems, and keep Administrative Agent informed of such actions and the results thereof. 14.8.2. ASBESTOS CLEAN-UP. In the event that any property owned by any Covered Person contains Asbestos Material, Borrower shall develop and implement, as soon as reasonably possible, an Operations and Maintenance Program (as contemplated by EPA guidance document entitled Managing Asbestos in Place; A Building Owner's Guide to Operations and Maintenance Programs for Asbestos-Containing Materials) for managing in place the Asbestos Material, and deliver a true, correct and complete copy of such Operations and Maintenance Program to Administrative Agent. In the event that the asbestos survey done in connection with developing the Operations and Maintenance Program reveals Asbestos Material which, due to its condition, location or planned building renovation, is recommended to be encapsulated or removed, Borrower shall promptly cause the same to be encapsulated or removed and disposed of offsite, in either case by a licensed and experienced asbestos contractor, all in accordance with applicable state, federal and local Laws. Upon completion of any such encapsulation or removal, Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate in such form as is then customarily available signed by the consultant overseeing the activity certifying to Administrative Agent that the work has been completed in compliance with all applicable Laws regarding notification, encapsulation, removal and disposal and that no airborne fibers beyond permissible exposure limits remain on site. All costs of such inspection, testing and remedial actions shall be paid by Borrower. 34 14.9. TERMINATION OF PENSION BENEFIT PLAN. No Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person shall terminate or amend any Pension Benefit Plan maintained by such Covered Person or such ERISA Affiliate if such termination or amendment would result in any liability to such Covered Person or such ERISA Affiliate under ERISA or any increase in current liability for the plan year for which such Covered Person or such ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to such Pension Benefit Plan under the Code, which such liability could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Covered Person. 14.10. NOTICE TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OF MATERIAL EVENTS. Borrower shall, promptly upon any Responsible Officer of Borrower obtaining knowledge or notice thereof, give notice to Administrative Agent of (i) any breach of any of the covenants in Section 14, 15, or 16; (ii) any Default or Event of Default; and (iii) the commencement of any Material Proceeding. In addition, 14.10.1. Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent from time to time all information which Administrative Agent reasonably requests with respect to the status of any Material Proceeding. 14.10.2. Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent from time to time all information which Administrative Agent reasonably requests with respect to any Pension Benefit Plan established by a Covered Person or an ERISA Affiliate of any Covered Person. 14.10.3. Borrower shall deliver notice to Administrative Agent of the establishment of any Pension Benefit Plan by a Covered Person or an ERISA Affiliate of such Covered Person. 14.10.4. Borrower shall promptly deliver to Administrative Agent notice of any event of default with respect to any of the Permitted Indebtedness, the occurrence of which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. 14.10.5. Borrower shall promptly deliver notice to Administrative Agent of the assertion by the holder of any capital stock, membership interest, or any other equity interest in a Covered Person or any Indebtedness of a Covered Person in the outstanding principal amount in excess of $500,000.00 that a default exists with respect thereto or that such Covered Person is not in compliance with the terms thereof, or of the threat or commencement by such holder of any enforcement action because of such asserted default or noncompliance and such assertion, threat or commencement would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. 14.10.6. Borrower shall, promptly after becoming aware thereof, deliver notice to Administrative Agent of any pending or threatened strike, work stoppage, material unfair labor practice claim or other material labor dispute affecting a Covered Person. 35 14.10.7. Borrower shall, promptly after becoming aware thereof, deliver notice to Administrative Agent of any event that has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. 14.10.8. Borrower shall, promptly after becoming aware thereof, deliver notice to Administrative Agent of an actual, alleged, or potential violation of any Material Law applicable to a Covered Person or the property of a Covered Person if such violation would reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. 14.10.9. Borrower shall deliver notice to the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of any event of default or event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute an event of default under the Parity Debt or the Note Purchase Agreement. 14.10.10. Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent copies of all modifications, amendments, extensions, consolidations, restatements, alterations, changes or revisions to the Parity Debt or the Note Purchase Agreement (including, without limitation, any side letters, waivers or consents entered into with respect to the Parity Debt) within a reasonable time after any of such applicable instruments have been executed by Borrower. 14.10.11. Borrower shall promptly deliver to Administrative Agent, upon the Administrative Agent's request therefor, a statement as to the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Parity Debt as of the date of such request. 14.11. BORROWING OFFICER. Borrower shall keep on file with Administrative Agent at all times an appropriate instrument naming each Borrowing Officer. 14.12. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 14.13. ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. Each Covered Person shall maintain in all material respects a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing: 14.13.1. ACCOUNT RECORDS. Each Covered Person shall maintain a record of Accounts at its principal place of business that itemize each Account of such Covered Person and describe the names and addresses of the Account Debtors on such Accounts, all relevant invoice numbers, invoice dates, and shipping dates, and the due dates, collection histories, and aging of such Accounts. 14.13.2. TRACING OF PROCEEDS. Each Covered Person shall maintain detailed and accurate records of all transfers of any proceeds of the Loans from Borrower to such Covered Person. Borrower shall maintain reasonably detailed and accurate records of proceeds of the Loans and transfers of the proceeds of the Loans (i) received by it from the Lenders, (ii) transferred from it to any other Covered Person, (iii) received by it from another Covered Person, and (iv) transferred by it to Persons to effect the Repurchases which such record shall 36 include a schedule detailing the sale price paid per share to effect such Repurchases. 14.14. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent: 14.14.1. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of Borrower, year-end consolidated and consolidating financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, containing a balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows and an audit report without qualification by an independent certified public accounting firm selected by Borrower and satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and accompanied by (i) a Compliance Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower, (ii) a certificate of the independent certified public accounting firm that examined such financial statements to the effect that they have reviewed and are familiar with the financial covenants set forth in this Agreement and that, in examining such financial statements, they did not become aware of any fact or condition which then constituted a Default or Event of Default, except for those, if any, described in reasonable detail in such certificate, (iii) the management letter and report on internal controls delivered by such independent certified public accounting firm in connection with its audit, and (iv) if requested by Administrative Agent, any summary prepared by such independent certified public accounting firm of the adjustments proposed by the members of its audit team. 14.14.2. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of Borrower, unaudited consolidated and consolidating internally prepared financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the quarters not covered by the latest year-end financial statements, in each case containing a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows and accompanied by a Compliance Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower. Each Compliance Certificate shall be in the form of Exhibit 14.14, shall contain detailed calculations of the financial measurements referred to in Section 16 for the relevant periods, and shall contain statements by the signing officer to the effect that, except as explained in reasonable detail in such Compliance Certificate, (i) the attached Financial Statements are complete and correct in all material respects (subject, in the case of Financial Statements other than annual, to normal year-end audit adjustments) and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods covered thereby and with prior periods (except as disclosed therein) (ii) all of the Representations and Warranties are true and correct in all material respects as of the date such certification is given as if made on such date, and (iii) there is no Existing Default. If any Compliance Certificate delivered to Administrative Agent discloses that a representation or warranty is not true and correct in all material respects, or that there is an Existing Default that has not been cured or waived in writing by Required Lenders, such Compliance Certificate shall state what action Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto. 37 14.15. OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Borrower shall also deliver the following to Administrative Agent: 14.15.1. STOCKHOLDER REPORTS. Contemporaneously with their filing by or on behalf of Borrower or any other Covered Person, copies of any proxy statements, financial statements and reports which Borrower makes available to its stockholders. 14.15.2. PENSION BENEFIT PLAN REPORTS. Promptly upon the reasonable request of Administrative Agent at any time or from time to time, a copy of each annual report or other filing or notice filed with respect to each Pension Benefit Plan of a Covered Person or an ERISA Affiliate of a Covered Person. 14.15.3. TAX RETURNS. Promptly upon the reasonable request of Administrative Agent at any time or from time to time, a copy of each federal, state, or local tax return or report filed by Borrower. 14.16. ANNUAL PROJECTIONS. Within the 30 days after the first day of each fiscal year of Borrower, projected balance sheets, statements of income and expense for Borrower and every other Covered Person as of the end of and for each quarter of such fiscal year and each quarter through the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, in such detail as Administrative Agent may reasonably require, shall be delivered to Administrative Agent. 14.17. OTHER INFORMATION. Upon the request of Administrative Agent, Borrower shall promptly deliver to Administrative Agent such other information about the business, operations, revenues, financial condition, property, or business prospects of Borrower and every other Covered Person as Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request. 14.18. AUDITS BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Administrative Agent or Persons authorized by and acting on behalf of Administrative Agent or any Lender may at any time during normal business hours audit the books and records and inspect any of the property of each Covered Person from time to time upon reasonable notice to such Covered Person, and in the course thereof may make copies or abstracts of such books and records and discuss the affairs, finances and books and records of such Covered Person with its accountants and officers. Each Covered Person shall cooperate with Administrative Agent and such Persons in the conduct of such audits and shall deliver to Administrative Agent any instrument necessary for Administrative Agent to obtain records from any service bureau maintaining records for such Covered Person. Borrower shall reimburse Administrative Agent for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by it in conducting each audit. Provided there is no Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing, Administrative Agent shall not conduct an audit more than one (1) time per calendar year, and Borrower's obligation to reimburse Administrative Agent shall be capped at $5,000.00 per audit. However, neither limitation shall apply to audits at any time an Event of Default is in existence. 38 14.19. ACCESS TO OFFICERS AND AUDITORS. Each Covered Person shall permit any Lender and Administrative Agent and each of their representatives and agents to discuss the business, operations, revenues, financial condition, property, or business prospects of such Covered Person with its officers, accountants and independent auditors as often as Administrative Agent may request in its discretion, and such Covered Person shall direct such officers, accountants and independent auditors to cooperate with Administrative Agent, Lenders, and their representatives and agents, and make full disclosure to Administrative Agent, Lenders, and their representatives and agents, of those matters that they may deem relevant to the continuing ability of Borrower timely to pay and perform the Loan Obligations. Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees that it will not disclose to third Persons any information that it obtains about any Covered Person or its operations or finances that is reasonably considered non-public information. Administrative Agent and Lenders may, however, disclose such information to each other and all of their respective officers, attorneys, auditors, accountants, bank examiners, agents and representatives who have a need to know such information in connection with the administration, interpretation or enforcement of the Loan Documents or the lending and collection activity contemplated therein or to the extent required by Law or a Governmental Authority. Administrative Agent and Lenders shall advise such Persons that such information is to be treated as confidential. Administrative Agent and any Lender may also disclose such information in any documents that it files in any legal proceeding to pursue, enforce or preserve its rights under the Loan Documents to the extent that its counsel advises in writing that such disclosure is reasonably necessary. Administrative Agent's and Lenders' non-disclosure obligation shall not apply to any information that (i) is disclosed to Administrative Agent or any Lender by a third Person not affiliated with or employed by Borrower who does not have a commensurate duty of non-disclosure, or (ii) becomes publicly known other than as a result of disclosure by Administrative Agent or a Lender. 14.20. PROFORMAS FOR PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS. Borrower shall, no less than 20 days prior to making any Permitted Acquisition, prepare and furnish to Administrative Agent proforma financial statements described below for the Target Company (if such Permitted Acquisition is structured as a purchase of equity) or the Surviving Company (if such Permitted Acquisition is structured as a purchase of assets or a merger), demonstrating to the satisfaction of Administrative Agent that the Target Company, all Surviving Companies, and Borrower, as the case may be, will be Solvent upon consummation of such acquisition and upon the passage of time thereafter, and that none of the covenants in Section 16 will be violated as a consequence of such acquisition or with the passage of time thereafter and, if applicable, demonstrating that the Maximum Available Amount will be great enough to allow a Revolving Loan Advance to be made in the amount Borrower will request in connection with the closing of such Permitted Acquisition. Such proforma financial statements shall contain consolidated and consolidating balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flows and such other reports and disclosures of Borrower as well as the Target Company (if such Permitted Acquisition is structured as a purchase of equity) or the Surviving Company (if such Permitted Acquisition is structured as a purchase of assets or a merger) and shall cover such forecast periods, as Administrative Agent may in its discretion require. Borrower shall also provide to Administrative Agent copies of the audited financial statements (if 39 available, or unaudited financial statements if no audited financial statements exist) for the Target Company for the three fiscal years most recently ended and for each of the completed fiscal quarters in the then current fiscal year. 14.21. ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS. Borrower shall fully perform in all material respects all of its obligations under all Acquisition Documents, and shall enforce all of its rights and remedies thereunder as it deems appropriate in its reasonable business judgment; provided, however, that Borrower shall not take any action or fail to take any action which would result in a waiver or other loss of any material right or remedy of Borrower thereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower shall take all action necessary or appropriate to permit, and shall not take any action which would have a Material Adverse Effect upon, the full enforcement of all indemnification rights under all the Acquisition Documents. Borrower shall not, without Administrative Agent's prior written consent, modify, amend, supplement, compromise, satisfy, release or discharge any material provision of the Acquisition Documents, any material collateral securing the same, any Person liable directly or indirectly with respect thereto, or any material agreement relating to the Acquisition Documents or the collateral therefor. 14.22. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Borrower shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to Administrative Agent such documents and agreements, and shall take or cause to be taken such actions, as Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. 15. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees that, while any of the Commitments remains in effect and until all of the Loan Obligations are fully and indefeasibly paid, no Letters of Credit are outstanding and the Letter of Credit Exposure is zero, Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following, or permit any Covered Person to do any of the following, without the prior written consent of Required Lenders: 15.1. INVESTMENTS. Make any Investments in any other Person except the following: 15.1.1. Investments in (i) interest-bearing obligations of the United States government or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof; (ii) certificates of deposit issued by any Lender; (iii) prime commercial paper rated A1 or better by Standard and Poor's Corporation or Prime P1 or better by Moody's Investor Service, Inc.; (iv) agreements involving the sale to a Covered Person of United States government securities and their guarantied repurchase the next Business Day by a commercial bank chartered under the Laws of the United States or any state thereof which has capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000.00 (v) certificates of deposit issued by and time deposits with any commercial bank chartered under the Laws of the United States or any state thereof which has capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000.00; or (vi) municipal bonds that are rated in either of the two highest rating categories by a nationally recognized rating service. 40 15.1.2. Accounts arising in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with Borrower's or such Covered Person's customary trade terms. 15.1.3. Any Investments that constitute Permitted Acquisitions. 15.1.4. Investments existing on the Execution Date and disclosed in Section 12.19 of the Disclosure Schedule. 15.1.5. Notes received by a Covered Person in settlement of Indebtedness of other Persons to such Covered Person that was incurred in the ordinary course of such Covered Person's business. 15.1.6. Investments by any Covered Person in any other Covered Person. 15.1.7. Loans to employees of any Covered Person, provided that in no event shall all such loans exceed $500,000 in the aggregate. 15.1.8. Investments by any Covered Person in Johnson. 15.1.9. Investments in any new Subsidiary after the Effective Date so long as such new Subsidiary shall have been organized, created or acquired in accordance with Section 15.17. 15.2. INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume, or allow to exist any Indebtedness of any kind or description, except the following: 15.2.1. Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business, to the extent that it is not overdue past the original due date by more than 90 days, provided that Indebtedness that is overdue past its original due date by more than ninety (90) days will be considered Permitted Indebtedness if it is the subject of a good faith dispute and Borrower or such Covered Person has established appropriate reserves adequate to pay such items in accordance with GAAP. 15.2.2. The Loan Obligations. 15.2.3. Indebtedness secured by Permitted Security Interests. 15.2.4. Indebtedness under Capital Leases to the extent it does not exceed $3,500,000.00 in the aggregate at any time and is on terms approved in advance in writing by Administrative Agent. 15.2.5. Indebtedness owed by one Covered Person to another Covered Person. 15.2.6. Any Interest Hedge Obligation. 15.2.7. The Indebtedness set forth on Section 15.2.7 of the Disclosure Schedule. 15.2.8. Indebtedness incurred in connection with Permitted Acquisitions that does not exceed $2,500,000.00. 41 15.2.9. Indebtedness evidenced by the $75,000,000 Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement (such Indebtedness, the "Parity Debt") or the other Note Purchase Documents. 15.3. PREPAYMENTS. Voluntarily prepay any Indebtedness other than (a) the Loan Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, (b) trade payables in the ordinary course of business, (c) Operating and Capital Lease obligations, and (d) the Parity Debt in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement. 15.4. INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS. Create, incur, assume or allow to exist any Indirect Obligations except the Permitted Indebtedness and except Indirect Obligations existing on the Execution Date and disclosed on Section 12.21 of the Disclosure Schedule. 15.5. SECURITY INTERESTS. Create, incur, assume or allow to exist any Security Interest upon all or any part of its property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired, except the following: 15.5.1. Security Interests for taxes, assessments or governmental charges not delinquent or being diligently contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate book reserves in accordance with GAAP are maintained. 15.5.2. Security Interests arising out of deposits in connection with workers' compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits legislation. 15.5.3. Deposits or pledges to secure bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, and other obligations of like nature arising in the ordinary course of business. 15.5.4. Security Interests imposed by any Law, such as mechanics', workmen's, materialmen's, landlords', carriers', or other like Security Interests arising in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations which are not past due or which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are maintained on Borrower's books. 15.5.5. Purchase money Security Interests securing payment of the purchase price of capital assets acquired by a Covered Person after the Execution Date in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time that does not exceed $1,000,000.00. 15.5.6. Security Interests existing on the Execution Date that are disclosed in Section 12.30 of the Disclosure Schedule and are satisfactory to Lenders. 15.5.7. Security Interests arising in connection with Permitted Acquisitions to the extent of the limitations set forth in Section 15.2.8. 42 15.5.8. Security Interests granted under Capital Leases to the extent of the limitations set forth in Section 15.2.4 and security interests granted under Operating Leases. 15.6. NO AMENDMENTS TO ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS. Agree to, acquiesce to, or consent to any amendment, modification, supplement, restatement, replacement or change to any of the documents executed in connection with any of the Acquisition Documents if such change would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. 15.7. ACQUISITIONS. Acquire a controlling interest in the stock, membership interests, or any other equity interest in a Person, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of a Person (including without limitation assets comprising all or substantially all of an unincorporated business unit or division of any Person), except for Permitted Acquisitions. Permitted Acquisition means an acquisition of a controlling interest in the stock, membership interests, or any other equity interest in a Person, or the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person (including without limitation assets comprising all or substantially all of an unincorporated business unit or division of any Person), which satisfies each of the following conditions: (i) Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower is the Acquiring Company, (ii) if the acquisition is structured as a merger, Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower is the Surviving Company, (iii) Target Company is in a substantially similar line of business as Borrower or another Covered Person, (iv) Target Company has an EBITDA in excess of zero for the twelve month period ended on the date such acquisition is consummated, (v) there is no Existing Default, and no Default or Event of Default will occur or is reasonably likely to occur as a result of or due to such acquisition, (vi) Borrower has fully complied with Section 14.20 of this Agreement with respect to such acquisition, (vii) the Maximum Available Amount is at least $3,000,000.00 after giving effect to such acquisition, (viii) the purchase price (including without limitation any deferred purchase price, seller notes, assumed Indebtedness, or similar items) together with all expenses incurred in connection with such acquisition does not exceed $15,000,000.00 for any single acquisition or $30,000,000.00 in the aggregate during any fiscal year of Borrower, (ix) simultaneously with the closing of such acquisition, the Target Company (if such Permitted Acquisition is structured as a purchase of equity) or the Surviving Company (if such Permitted Acquisition is structured as a purchase of assets or a merger) executes and delivers to Administrative Agent an unlimited Guaranty of the Loan Obligations, or at the option of Administrative Agent in Administrative Agent's absolute discretion, a joinder agreement satisfactory to Administrative Agent in which such Target Company or Surviving Company becomes a Borrower under this Agreement and assumes primary, joint and several liability for the Loan Obligations, (x) prior to the closing of such acquisition, a Responsible Officer of Borrower delivers to Administrative Agent a certificate on behalf of Borrower certifying that such acquisition is a Permitted Acquisition, and (xi) such acquisition is friendly, rather than hostile, in nature. 15.8. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY. Sell, transfer, exchange, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its assets except (i) sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the sales of obsolete or unused assets, (iii) sales of assets that are replaced by comparable assets of 43 comparable or better quality; and (iv) sales of other assets that do not exceed $3,500,000.00 per year in the aggregate. 15.9. DISTRIBUTIONS. Directly or indirectly declare or make, or incur any liability to make, any Distribution to any Person other than Distributions from one Covered Person to another; provided that: (1) the payment of cash dividends in an amount not to exceed six cents per share per calendar quarter, up to a maximum of $7,500,000.00 per fiscal year and (2) the Repurchases shall be permitted so long as there is no Default hereunder at the time of declaration of such Distribution or Repurchases. For purposes of this Section, a Distribution means and includes (i) any cash dividend or payment, (ii) any retirement or prepayment of debt securities (other than the Loan Obligation, the Parity Debt or as otherwise permitted hereunder) before their regularly scheduled maturity dates, (iii) any loan or advance to a shareholder or partner (other than Permitted Investments), (iv) any direct or indirect purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of any class of its capital stock other than repurchases of Borrower's capital stock made in connection with the exercise by employees of stock options either by (x) the acquisition of shares from an employee in payment of the exercise price for options, or (y) the withholding of shares in payment of an employee's tax obligations in connection with such exercise. 15.10. CHANGE OF CONTROL. Merge or consolidate with or into another Person provided that a Covered Person shall be permitted to merge or consolidate with or into another Covered Person upon advance written notice to Administrative Agent, or permit any Person or Group (i) to become the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, on a fully diluted basis, of securities representing 49% or more of the voting power of Borrower's then outstanding securities having the power to vote or 49% or more of Borrower's then outstanding capital stock, or (ii) to acquire the power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of Borrower. 15.11. AMENDMENT TO CHARTER DOCUMENTS. Amend, modify, supplement, restate, replace, or change any of its Charter Documents, except to the extent such change could not reasonably be expected to adversely affect Administrative Agent or any Lender. 15.12. CAPITAL STRUCTURE; EQUITY SECURITIES. Make any change in capital structure which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or issue or create any stock, membership interest, or other equity interest (or class or series thereof, or non-equity interest that is convertible into stock, membership interests or other equity interest (or class or series thereof), in any Covered Person, except stock, membership interests, or other equity interests (or class or series thereof) that are subordinated in right of payment to all the Loan Obligations. 15.13. CHANGE OF BUSINESS. Engage in any business other than substantially as conducted on the Execution Date. 15.14. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Enter into or be a party to any transaction or arrangement, including the purchase, sale or exchange of property of any kind or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate other than a Covered Person, or make any 44 loans or advances to any Affiliate other than a Covered Person, except that each Covered Person may engage in such transactions in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of its business and on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to it as those which it could obtain in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a non-Affiliate. No Covered Person may pay any management or other fees to any Affiliate that is not a Covered Person; provided, however, that no such management fees may be paid while there is an Existing Default, and any such management fees which are not paid when due as a result of this sentence may be subsequently paid only at such time as (i) there is no Existing Default, and (ii) the payment of such management fee would not cause a Default to occur or result in a Default. 15.15. CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS. Enter into any agreement, that would, if fully complied with by it, result in a Default or Event of Default either immediately or upon the elapsing of time. 15.16. SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS. Enter into any agreement or arrangement with any Person providing for any Covered Person to lease or rent property that Borrower has sold or will sell or otherwise transfer to such Person. 15.17. NEW SUBSIDIARIES. Organize, create or acquire any Subsidiary unless it is part of a Permitted Acquisition or Borrower has obtained the prior written consent of Administrative Agent thereto (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and contemporaneously with the organization, creation or acquisition of such Subsidiary, the applicable Covered Person and such Subsidiary executes and delivers to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders the following additional documents: an unlimited guaranty of the Loan Obligations by such Subsidiary, together with an opinion letter from counsel for such Subsidiary. Such counsel shall be acceptable to Administrative Agent and such opinion letter shall be substantially similar to the opinion letter(s) received on the Execution Date. 15.18. FISCAL YEAR. Change its fiscal year (currently April 1 - March 31), without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. 15.19. LEASES. Enter into any Capital Leases except as permitted by Section 15.2. 15.20. TRANSACTIONS HAVING A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON COVERED PERSON. Enter into any transaction which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person; or enter into any transaction, or take or contemplate taking any other action, or omit or contemplate omitting to take any action, which any Responsible Officer knows, or reasonably should know is likely to cause a Default or Event of Default hereunder. 15.21. NEGATIVE PLEDGE. Enter into any agreement (other than the Note Purchase Documents and as described in Section 15.21 of the Disclosure Schedule) containing a provision which would prevent, hinder or impair Borrower or any other Covered Person 45 from creating, incurring, assuming or allowing to exist any Security Interest upon all or any part of its property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired. 16. FINANCIAL COVENANTS. 16.1. SPECIAL DEFINITIONS. As used in this Section 16 and elsewhere herein, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings: EBIT means, with respect to any fiscal period of Borrower, the consolidated net income of Borrower and each Covered Person for such fiscal period, as determined in accordance with GAAP and reported on the Financial Statements for such period, plus (i) Interest Expense in such period, (ii) income tax expense in such period, and (iii) the non-cash charges of any share-based compensation awards, to the extent such non-cash charges were expensed during such period in accordance with SFAS 123 or are required to be shown as an expense in any comparative financial statements for periods prior to the effective date of SFAS 123. For any period during which a Prior Acquisition or any Permitted Acquisition was consummated, EBIT shall be calculated on a proforma basis as if the entity acquired in connection with any such acquisition had been acquired on the first day of such period. From and after the Execution Date, EBIT shall be adjusted for the first four consecutive fiscal quarters thereafter by adding the following amounts to EBIT determined pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence: $2,700,000.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2006, $1,675,000.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2006, $650,000.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2006, and $325,000.00 for the quarter ending March 31, 2007. EBITDA means, with respect to any fiscal period of Borrower, the consolidated net income of Borrower and each Covered Person for such fiscal period, as determined in accordance with GAAP and reported on the Financial Statements for such period, plus (i) (A) Interest Expense in such period, (B) income tax expense in such period, (C) amortization of good will and depreciation expense taken in such period, (D) any extraordinary loss in such period, and (E) the non-cash charges of any share-based compensation awards, to the extent such non-cash charges were expensed during such period in accordance with SFAS 123 or are required to be shown as an expense in any comparative financial statements for periods prior to the effective date of SFAS 123, minus (ii) any extraordinary gain in such period. For any period during which a Prior Acquisition or any Permitted Acquisition was consummated, EBITDA shall be calculated on a proforma basis as if the entity acquired in connection with any such acquisition had been acquired on the first day of such period. From and after the Execution Date, EBITDA shall be adjusted for the first four consecutive fiscal quarters thereafter by adding the following amounts to EBITDA determined pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence: $2,700,000.00 for the quarter ending June 30, 2006, $1,675,000.00 for the quarter ending September 30, 2006, $650,000.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2006, and $325,000.00 for the quarter ending March 31, 2007. Interest Expense means for any period of calculation, all interest, whether paid in cash or accrued as a liability, but without duplication, on Indebtedness of Borrower and each Covered Person during such period. 46 Senior Indebtedness means the outstanding balance of the Loan Obligations at the time of calculation. SFAS 123 means Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004). Total Indebtedness means the sum of (i) Senior Indebtedness, (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Parity Debt, and (iii) the unamortized capitalized amount of all Capital Leases. All other capitalized terms used in this Section 16 shall have their meanings and shall be determined under GAAP. 16.2. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 16.3. MINIMUM INTEREST COVERAGE. The ratio of Borrower's: (i) EBIT minus dividends and income tax expense to (ii) Interest Expense for the four-quarter period then ended, calculated the last day of each fiscal quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 through the Revolving Loan Maturity Date shall not be less than 2.0 to 1. 16.4. MAXIMUM RATIO OF TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS TO EBITDA. The ratio of Borrower's Total Indebtedness to EBITDA for the four-quarter period then ended, calculated the last day of each fiscal quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 through the Revolving Loan Maturity Date shall not be greater than 2.50 to 1; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, the Borrower's ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA shall not be greater than 2.75 to 1. 16.5. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 16.6. MINIMUM EBITDA. Commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2006, Borrower's EBITDA for the four-quarter period then ended, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter ending June 30, September 30, December 31, and March 31 through the Revolving Loan Maturity Date shall be no less than (A) $60,400,000, plus (B) 75% of EBITDA of any entity acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition for the most recently-ended four fiscal quarters prior to the closing of such Permitted Acquisition, as such amount is mutually agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. 17. DEFAULT. 17.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Any one or more of the following shall constitute an event of default (an Event of Default) under this Agreement: 17.1.1. FAILURE TO PAY PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST. Failure of Borrower to pay any principal of the Loans or interest accrued thereon when due or within two (2) days 47 thereafter, or failure of Borrower to pay any of the other Loan Obligations when due, or within two (2) days thereafter. 17.1.2. FAILURE TO PAY AMOUNTS OWED TO OTHER PERSONS. Failure of any Covered Person to make any payment due on Indebtedness of such Covered Person over $500,000.00 to Persons (other than Lenders under the Loan Documents) which continues uncured or unwaived beyond any applicable grace period specified in the documents evidencing such Indebtedness. 17.1.3. REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Any of the Representations and Warranties is discovered to have been false in any material respect when made. 17.1.4. CERTAIN COVENANTS. Failure of any Covered Person to comply with the covenants in Sections 14.1, 14.5, 14.9, 14.10, 14.14, 14.18, 14.19, 14.20, 14.21, 15, or 16. 17.1.5. OTHER COVENANTS. Failure of any Covered Person to comply with any of the terms or provisions of any of the Loan Documents applicable to it (other than a failure which constitutes an immediate Event of Default under, or for which some other grace period is specified in any other Section of this 17.1) which is not remedied or waived in writing by Administrative Agent within 30 days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of such failure. 17.1.6. ACCELERATION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Any Obligation (other than a Loan Obligation) of a Covered Person for the repayment of $500,000.00 or more of borrowed money becomes or is declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid (other than by an originally scheduled prepayment) prior to the original maturity thereof. 17.1.7. DEFAULT UNDER OTHER AGREEMENTS. The occurrence of any default or event of default under any agreement to which a Covered Person is a party (other than the Loan Documents), which default or event of default continues uncured or unwaived beyond any applicable grace period provided therein and has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. 17.1.8. BANKRUPTCY; INSOLVENCY; ETC. A Covered Person (i) fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts generally as they become due, or otherwise becomes insolvent (however evidenced); (ii) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; (iii) files a petition in bankruptcy, is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt, petitions or applies to any tribunal for any receiver or any trustee of such Covered Person or any substantial part of its property; (iv) commences any proceeding relating to such Covered Person under any reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation Law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect; (v) has commenced against it any such proceeding which remains undismissed for a period of 60 days, or by any act indicates its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in any such proceeding or the appointment of any receiver of or any trustee for it or of any substantial part of 48 its property, or allows any such receivership or trusteeship to continue undischarged for a period of 60 days; or (vi) takes any action to authorize any of the foregoing. 17.1.9. JUDGMENTS; ATTACHMENT; SETTLEMENT; ETC. Any one or more judgments or orders is entered against a Covered Person or any attachment or other levy is made against the property of a Covered Person with respect to a claim or claims involving in the aggregate liabilities (not paid or fully covered by insurance, less the amount of reasonable deductibles in effect on the Execution Date) in excess of $500,000.00 and such judgment or order becomes final and non-appealable or if timely appealed is not fully bonded and collection thereof stayed pending the appeal. 17.1.10. PENSION BENEFIT PLAN TERMINATION, ETC. Any Pension Benefit Plan termination by the PBGC or the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to administer any Pension Benefit Plan or to liquidate any Pension Benefit Plan; or any event which constitutes grounds either for the termination of any Pension Benefit Plan by PBGC or for the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to administer or liquidate any Pension Benefit Plan shall have occurred and be continuing for thirty (30) days after Borrower has notice of any such event; or any voluntary termination of any Pension Benefit Plan which is a DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA while such defined benefit pension plan has an ACCUMULATED FUNDING DEFICIENCY, unless Administrative Agent has been notified of such intent to voluntarily terminate such plan and Required Lenders have given their consent and agreed that such event shall not constitute a Default; or the plan administrator of any Pension Benefit Plan applies under Section 412(d) of the Code for a waiver of the minimum funding standards of Section 412(1) of the Code and Required Lenders determine that the substantial business hardship upon which the application for such waiver is based could subject any Covered Person or ERISA Affiliate of any Covered Person to a liability in excess of $200,000.00. 17.1.11. LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION. A Covered Person files a certificate of dissolution under applicable state Law or is liquidated or dissolved or suspends or terminates the operation of its business, or has commenced against it any action or proceeding for its liquidation or dissolution or the winding up of its business, or takes any corporate action in furtherance thereof, except in connection with the consolidation of such a Covered Person and its assets with another Covered Person and its assets. 17.1.12. SEIZURE OF ASSETS. All or any material part of the property of any Covered Person is nationalized, expropriated, seized or otherwise appropriated, or custody or control of such property or of any Covered Person shall be assumed by any Governmental Authority or any court of competent jurisdiction at the instance of any Governmental Authority, unless the same is being contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued and a stay of enforcement is in effect. 49 17.1.13. RACKETEERING PROCEEDING. There is filed against any Covered Person any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding under any federal or state racketeering statute (including, without limitation, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act of 1970), which action, suit or proceeding is not dismissed within 120 days and would be reasonably likely to result in the confiscation or forfeiture of a material portion of the assets of the Covered Persons, taken as a whole. 17.1.14. LOAN DOCUMENTS. For any reason other than the failure of Administrative Agent to take any required action, any Loan Document ceases to be in full force and effect or is terminated, revoked or declared void or invalid other than in accordance with this Agreement. 17.1.15. GUARANTY; GUARANTOR. Any Guaranty ceases to be in full force and effect or any action is taken to discontinue or assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Guaranty, or any representation or warranty of any Guarantor therein is false in any material respects, or any Guarantor denies that it has any further liability under any Guaranty or gives notice to Administrative Agent to such effect. 17.2. CROSS DEFAULT. An Event of Default under this Agreement will automatically and immediately constitute a default under all other Loan Documents without regard to any requirement therein for the giving of notice or the passing of time. 17.3. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. 17.3.1. TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS. Upon an Event of Default described in Section 17.1.8, the Commitments shall be deemed canceled. Upon any other Event of Default, and at any time thereafter, Required Lenders may cancel the Commitments. Such cancellation may be, in either case, without presentment, demand or notice of any kind, which Borrower expressly waives. 17.3.2. ACCELERATION. Upon an Event of Default described in Section 17.1.8, all of the outstanding Loan Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable. Upon any other Event of Default, and at any time thereafter, Required Lenders may declare all of the outstanding Loan Obligations immediately due and payable. Such acceleration may be, in either case, without presentment, demand or notice of any kind, which Borrower expressly waives. 17.3.3. RIGHT OF SETOFF. So long as there is any Event of Default in existence, each Lender is hereby authorized, without notice to Borrower (any such notice being expressly waived by Borrower), to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply against the Loan Obligations any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held, or any other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender (or its Affiliate) to or for the credit or the account of Borrower, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or the Notes or any Guaranty and 50 although such Loan Obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of setoff) which such Lender may otherwise have. All amounts received by each Lender on account of the Loan Obligations pursuant to this Section shall be paid over promptly to Administrative Agent for distribution to Lenders as provided in this Agreement and shall be applied as provided in this Agreement. 17.3.4. JOINT AND SEVERAL. Each Obligation and liability to the Letter of Credit Issuer, Administrative Agent and each Lender of Borrower, including, without limitation, the Loan Obligations, are the joint and several obligations of Borrower, and each Guarantor and Administrative Agent may proceed directly against Borrower, any Guarantor, all of the foregoing, or any one of the foregoing or any combination of the foregoing, without first proceeding against Borrower, or without joining all Persons liable or potentially liable for any portion of the Loan Obligations in one action. 17.3.5. MISCELLANEOUS. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and at any time thereafter so long as such Event of Default is continuing, Lenders may exercise any other rights and remedies available to Lenders under the Loan Documents or otherwise available to Lenders at law or in equity. 17.4. APPLICATION OF FUNDS. Any funds received by Lenders or Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders with respect to any Loan Obligation after its Maturity, shall be applied as follows: (i) first, to reimburse Lenders pro-rata for any amounts due to Lenders under Section 20.9; (ii) second, to reimburse to Administrative Agent all unreimbursed costs and expenses paid or incurred by Administrative Agent that are payable or reimbursable by Borrower hereunder; (iii) third, to reimburse to Lenders pro-rata all unreimbursed costs and expenses paid or incurred by Lenders (including costs and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent as a Lender that are not reimbursable as provided in the preceding clause) that are payable or reimbursable by Borrower hereunder; (iv) fourth, to the payment of accrued and unpaid fees due hereunder and all other amounts due hereunder (other than the Loans and interest accrued thereon); (v) fifth, to the payment of the Loans of each of the Lenders and interest accrued thereon (which payments shall be pro rata to each of the Lenders in accordance with the amount of the Loans outstanding) and to the payment (pari passu with the foregoing) of any Interest Hedge Obligations (vi) sixth, to the payment of the other Loan Obligations. Any remaining amounts shall be applied to payment of all the Obligations to Administrative Agent. Any further remaining amounts shall be paid to Borrower or such other Persons as shall be legally entitled thereto. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, Lenders may apply and reverse and reapply, payments to the Loan Obligations in such order and manner as Lenders determine in their absolute discretion. Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of payments. 18. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND LENDERS. 51 18.1. APPOINTMENT, POWERS, AND IMMUNITIES. LaSalle is hereby appointed Administrative Agent hereunder and under each of the other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Administrative Agent to act as its agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with such powers and discretion as are specifically delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Administrative Agent (which term as used in this sentence and in Section 18.5 and the first sentence of Section 18.6 hereof shall include its affiliates and its own and its affiliates' officers, directors, employees, and agents): (a) shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and shall not be a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender; (b) shall not be responsible to the Lenders for any recital, statement, representation, or warranty (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Loan Document or any certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any of them under, any Loan Document, or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability, or sufficiency of any Loan Document, or any other document referred to or provided for therein or for any failure by any Covered Person or any other Person to perform any of its obligations thereunder; (c) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, or verify the performance or observance of any covenants or agreements by any Covered Person or the satisfaction of any condition or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of any Covered Person or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates; (d) shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings under any Loan Document; and (e) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with any Loan Document, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Administrative Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. Each Lender hereby authorizes LaSalle, in its capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, to execute the Intercreditor Agreement in connection with the issuance by Borrower of Parity Debt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to execute the Intercreditor Agreement or any other document or instrument related to the Parity Debt on behalf of the other Lenders. 18.2. RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, notice, instrument, writing, or other communication (including, without limitation, any thereof by telephone or telecopy) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel for any Covered Person), independent accountants, and other experts selected by Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until Administrative Agent receives and accepts an Assignment and Acceptance executed in accordance with Section 20.4 hereof. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding on all of the Lenders; provided, however, that 52 Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that exposes Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law or unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking any such action. 18.3. EMPLOYMENT OF AGENTS AND COUNSEL. Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties hereunder by or through employees, agents, and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be liable to any Lender, except with respect to money or securities received by it or such agents or attorneys-in-fact, for the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. Administrative Agent shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to the agency hereby created and its duties hereunder and shall not be liable to any Lender for acting or failing to act as advised by such counsel, except where doing so violates an express obligation of Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents. 18.4. DEFAULTS. Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless Administrative Agent has received written notice from a Lender or the Borrower specifying such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a Notice of Default. In the event that Administrative Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 18.2 hereof) take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall reasonably be directed by the Required Lenders, provided that, unless and until Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Lenders. 18.5. RIGHTS AS LENDER. With respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, LaSalle (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in its capacity as a Lender hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as Administrative Agent, and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. LaSalle (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept deposits from, lend money to, make investments in, provide services to, and generally engage in any kind of lending, trust, or other business with any Covered Person or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates as if it were not acting as Administrative Agent, and LaSalle (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from any Covered Person or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Administrative Agent or its Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrower or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of Borrower or such Affiliates) and acknowledge that Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to the Lenders. 53 18.6. INDEMNIFICATION. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, Lenders agree to reimburse and indemnify Administrative Agent upon demand (to the extent not reimbursed under Section 20.8, but without limiting the obligations of Borrower under Section 20.8) ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments, for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees), or disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Administrative Agent (including by any Lender) in any way relating to or arising out of any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated thereby or any action taken or omitted by Administrative Agent under any Loan Document; provided that no Lender shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be indemnified. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or expenses payable by Borrower under Section 20.8, to the extent that Administrative Agent is not promptly reimbursed for such costs and expenses by Borrower. The agreements contained in this Section shall survive payment in full of the Loans and all other amounts payable under this Agreement. 18.7. NOTIFICATION OF LENDERS. Each Lender agrees to use its good faith efforts, upon becoming aware of anything which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person, to promptly notify Administrative Agent thereof. Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver to each Lender copies of every written notice, demand, report (including any financial report), or other writing which Administrative Agent gives to or receives from Borrower and which itself (a) constitutes, or which contains information about, something that has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on any Covered Person, or (b) is otherwise delivered to Administrative Agent by Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents and is deemed material information by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion. Administrative Agent and its directors, officers, agents, and employees shall have no liability to any Lender for failure to deliver any such item to such Lender unless the failure constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct. 18.8. NON-RELIANCE ON AGENT AND OTHER LENDERS. Each Lender acknowledges that Administrative Agent has not made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of Borrower and its Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the Covered Persons and their Subsidiaries and decision to enter into this Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents. Except for notices, reports, and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to Lenders by Administrative Agent hereunder, Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition, or 54 business of any Covered Person or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that may come into the possession of Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates. 18.9. RESIGNATION. Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Lenders and Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America having a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000.00. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America having combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000.00. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, discretion, privileges, and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. If no successor has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent within thirty (30) days after the date on which Administrative Agent first attempts to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, the resigning Administrative Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor which accepts such appointment. After any retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 18.9 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Administrative Agent. 18.10. COLLECTIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO LENDERS BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all payments of interest, fees, principal and other amounts received by Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders shall be distributed by Administrative Agent to Lenders in accordance with their Pro-Rata Shares of the outstanding Loan Obligations at the time of such distribution on the same Business Day when received, unless received after 1:00 p.m. (Local Time) in which case they shall be so distributed by 1:00 p.m. (Local Time) on the next Business Day. All amounts received by any Lender on account of the Loan Obligations, including amounts received by way of setoff, shall be paid over promptly to Administrative Agent for distribution to Lenders as provided above in this Section. Such distributions shall be made according to instructions that each Lender may give to Administrative Agent from time to time. 18.11. LENDER AS NON-U.S. PARTICIPANT. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each lender that is not a United States person within the meaning of Code Section 7701(a)(30) (a "Non-U.S. Participant") shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the initial Advance (or in the case of a Lender that is an Assignee, on the date of such assignment to such Lender) two accurate and complete original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI, or W-8IMY (or any successor or other applicable form prescribed by the IRS) certifying to such Lender's entitlement to a 55 complete exemption from, or a reduced rate in, United States withholding tax on interest p0ayments to be made hereunder or any Loan. If a Lender that is a Non-U.S. Participant is claiming a complete exemption from withholding on interest pursuant to Code Sections 871(h) or 881(c), the Lender shall deliver (along with two accurate and complete original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN) a certificate in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent (any such certificate, a "Withholding Certificate"). In addition, each Lender that is a Non-U.S. Participant agrees that from time to time after the date hereof (or in the case of a Lender that is an Assignee, after the date of the assignment to such Lender), when a lapse in time (or change in circumstances occurs) renders the prior certificates hereunder obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, such Lender shall, to the extent permitted under applicable law, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent two new and accurate and complete original signed copies of an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI, or W-8IMY (or any successor or other applicable forms prescribed by the IRS), and if applicable, a new Withholding Certificate, to confirm or establish the entitlement of such Lender or the Administrative Agent to an exemption form, or reduction in, United States withholding tax on interest payments to be made hereunder or any Loan. Each Lender that is not a Non-U.S. Participant (other than any such Lender which is taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) shall provide two properly completed and duly executed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor or other applicable form) to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certifying that such Lender is exempt from United States backup withholding tax. To the extent that a form provided pursuant to this Section is rendered obsolete or inaccurate in any material respects as result of change in circumstances with respect to the status of a Lender, such Lender shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent revised forms necessary to confirm or establish the entitlement to such Lender's or Agent's exemption from United States backup withholding tax. The Borrower shall not be required to pay additional amounts to a Lender, or indemnify any lender, under this Section, to the extent that such obligations would not have arisen but for the failure of such Lender to comply with this Section. Each Lender agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and hold the Administrative Agent harmless for the full amount of any and all present or future Taxes and related liabilities (including penalties, interest, additions to tax and expenses, and any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable to the Administrative Agent under this Section) which are imposed on or with respect to principal, interest or fees payable to such Lender hereunder and which are not paid by the Borrower pursuant to this Section, whether or not such Taxes or related liabilities were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the date the Administrative Agent makes written demand therefor. 19. CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. 19.1. COMPENSATION FOR INCREASED COSTS AND REDUCED RETURNS. 56 19.1.1. LAW CHANGES OR TAX IMPOSITIONS. If, after the Execution Date, the adoption of any applicable Law or any change in any applicable Law or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency: 19.1.1.1. Subjects such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) to any Tax with respect to any Eurodollar Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or change the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement in respect of any Eurodollar Loans (other than Taxes imposed on the overall net income of such Lender by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office or such Applicable Lending Office); 19.1.1.2. Imposes, modifies, or deems applicable any reserve, special deposit, assessment or similar requirement (other than the reserve requirement utilized in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or commitments of, such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office), including the Commitment of such Lender hereunder; or 19.1.1.3. Imposes on such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or on the United States market for certificates of deposit or the London Interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement, its Commitments or its Note or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities or commitments; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, converting into, continuing, or maintaining any Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement or any of its Notes with respect to any Loans, then Borrower shall pay to such Lender on demand such amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction. If any Lender requests compensation by Borrower under this Section 19.1.1, Borrower may, by notice to such Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender to make or continue Loans of the type with respect to which such compensation is requested, or to convert Loans of any other type into Loans of such type, until the event or condition giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 19.5 shall be applicable); provided, however, that such suspension shall not affect the right of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested. 19.1.2. CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If, after the Execution Date, any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of any applicable Law regarding capital adequacy or 57 any change therein or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such governmental authority, central bank, or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of such Lender's obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change, request, or directive (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time upon demand Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction. 19.1.3. NOTICE TO BORROWER. Each Lender shall promptly notify Borrower and Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section 19.1 and will designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to it. Any Lender claiming compensation under this Section 19.1 shall furnish to Borrower and Administrative Agent a statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods. 19.2. MARKET FAILURE. If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan: 19.2.1. Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period; or 19.2.2. the Required Lenders determine (which determination shall be conclusive) and notify Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period; then Administrative Agent shall give Borrower prompt notice thereof, and so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans, or to convert Eurodollar Loans and Borrower shall, on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for the outstanding Eurodollar Loans either prepay such Loans or convert such Loans into Base Rate Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. 19.3. ILLEGALITY. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its Applicable Lending Office to make, 58 maintain, or fund Eurodollar Loans hereunder, then such Lender shall promptly notify Borrower thereof and such Lender's obligation to make, continue Eurodollar Loans or convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make, maintain, and fund Eurodollar Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 19.5 shall be applicable). 19.4. COMPENSATION. Upon the request of any Lender, Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of such Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense (including loss of anticipated profits) incurred by it as a result of: 19.4.1. any payment, prepayment, or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan for any reason (including, without limitation, the acceleration of the Loans pursuant to the terms hereof) on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan; or 19.4.2. any failure by Borrower for any reason to borrow, convert, continue, or prepay a Eurodollar Loan on the date for such borrowing, conversion, continuation, or prepayment specified in the relevant notice of borrowing, prepayment, continuation, or conversion under this Agreement. If a Lender claims compensation under this Section 19.4, such Lender shall furnish a certificate to Borrower that states the amount to be paid to it hereunder and includes a description of the method used by such Lender in calculating such amount. Borrower shall have the burden of proving that the amount of any such compensation calculated by a Lender is not correct. Any compensation payable by Borrower to a Lender under this Section 19.4 shall be payable without regard to whether such Lender has funded its Pro-Rata Share of any Eurodollar Advance or Eurodollar Loan through the purchase of deposits in an amount or of a maturity corresponding to the deposits used as a reference in determining the Eurodollar Rate. 19.5. TREATMENT OF AFFECTED LOANS. If the obligation of any Lender to make Eurodollar Loans or to continue any Eurodollar Loans, or to convert any Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan shall be suspended pursuant to Section 19.1, 19.2, or 19.3 (such Loans being herein called Affected Loans), such Lender's Affected Loans shall be automatically and immediately converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for Affected Loans (or, in the case of a conversion required by Section 19.3, on such earlier date as such Lender may specify to Borrower with a copy to Administrative Agent) and, unless and until such Lender gives notice as provided below that the circumstances specified in Section 19.1, 19.2, or 19.3 that gave rise to such conversion no longer exist: 19.5.1. to the extent that such Lender's Affected Loans have been so converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise be applied to such Lender's Affected Loans shall continue to be made and applied as provided for herein; and 59 19.5.2. all Loans that would otherwise be made or continued by such Lender as Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued instead as Base Rate Loans, and all Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be converted into Eurodollar Loans shall be converted instead into (or shall remain as) Base Rate Loans. If such Lender gives notice to Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 19.1, 19.2, or 19.3 hereof that gave rise to the conversion of such Lender's Affected Loans pursuant to this Section 19.5 no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Loans of the type of the Affected Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, such Lender's Base Rate Loans shall be automatically converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding Loans of the type of the Affected Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans held by the Lenders holding Loans of the type of the Affected Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, type of interest, and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Commitments. 19.6. TAXES. 19.6.1. GROSS-UP. Any and all payments by Borrower to or for the account of any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all Taxes, whether imposed now or in the future, excluding, in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, Taxes imposed on its income, and franchise Taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction under the Laws of which such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political subdivision thereof. If Borrower is required by Law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, (i) the sum payable will be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 19.6) such Lender or the Administrative Agent receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrower shall make such deductions, (iii) Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Law, and (iv) Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent, at its address referred to herein, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof. In addition, Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes or charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or from the execution or delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as Impositions). Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and the Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Impositions (including, without limitation, any Taxes or Impositions imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 19.6) paid by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) 60 arising therefrom or with respect thereto. Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes, Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of the receipt evidencing such payment. 19.6.2. LENDERS' UNDERTAKINGS. 19.6.2.1. Each Lender organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, on or prior to the date of its execution and delivery of this Agreement in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof and on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing by Borrower or Administrative Agent (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so), shall provide Borrower and Administrative Agent with (i) Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224, as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, certifying that such Lender is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party which reduces the rate of withholding Tax on payments of interest or certifying that the income receivable pursuant to this Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, (ii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, and (iii) any other form or certificate required by any Governmental Authority (including any certificate required by Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code), certifying that such Lender is entitled to an exemption from or a reduced rate of Tax on payments pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed to provide Borrower and Administrative Agent with the appropriate form pursuant to this Section 19.6.2 (unless such failure is due to a change in treaty or Law occurring subsequent to the date on which a form originally was required to be provided), such Lender shall not be entitled to indemnification under Section 19.6.1 with respect to Taxes imposed by the United States; provided, however, that should a Lender, which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of withholding tax, become subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form required hereunder, Borrower shall take such steps as such Lender shall reasonably request to assist such Lender to recover such Taxes. 19.6.2.2. If Borrower is required to pay additional amounts to or for the account of any Lender or Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 19.6.2, then such Lender or the Administrative Agent will agree to use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in the judgment of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is not otherwise 61 disadvantageous to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be. 19.6.3. SURVIVAL OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of Borrower contained in this Section 19.6 shall survive the termination of the Commitments, the expiration of the Letters of Credit, and the indefeasible full payment and satisfaction of all of the Loan Obligations. 19.7. USURY. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in Section 4 or elsewhere in any of the Loan Documents, Borrower shall not be obligated to pay interest at a rate which exceeds the maximum rate permitted by Law. If, but for this Section 19.7, Borrower would be deemed obligated to pay interest at a rate which exceeds the maximum rate permitted by Law, or if any of the Loan Obligations is paid or becomes payable before its originally scheduled Maturity and as a result Borrower has paid or would be obligated to pay interest at such an excessive rate, then (i) Borrower shall not be obligated to pay interest to the extent it exceeds the interest that would be payable at the maximum rate permitted by Law; (ii) if the outstanding Loan Obligations have not been accelerated as provided in Section 17.3.2, any such excess interest that has been paid by Borrower shall be refunded; (iii) if the outstanding Loan Obligations have been accelerated as provided in Section 17.3.2, any such excess that has been paid by Borrower shall be applied to the Loan Obligations as provided in Section 17.4; and (iv) the effective rate of interest shall be deemed automatically reduced to the maximum rate permitted by Law. 20. GENERAL. 20.1. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 20.2. RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE. Every right granted to Administrative Agent and Lenders hereunder or under any other Loan Document or allowed to it at law or in equity shall be deemed cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. 20.3. SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENTS. All covenants and agreements made herein and in the other Loan Documents shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and other Loan Documents and the making of every Advance. All agreements, obligations and liabilities of Borrower under this Agreement concerning the payment of money to Administrative Agent and Lenders, including Borrower's obligations under Sections 20.8 and 20.9, but excluding the obligation to repay the Loans and interest accrued thereon, shall survive the repayment in full of the Loans and interest accrued thereon, whether or not indefeasible, the return of the Notes to Borrower, the termination of the Commitments and the expiration of all Letters of Credit. 20.4. ASSIGNMENTS. 20.4.1. PERMITTED ASSIGNMENTS. At any time after the Execution Date, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Notes 62 payable to it, its Commitments and its Loans), provided that the terms of assignment satisfy the following requirements: 20.4.1.1. Administrative Agent shall have accepted the assignment, which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld. 20.4.1.2. Each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement. 20.4.1.3. For each assignment involving the issuance and transfer of Notes, the assigning Lender shall execute an Assignment and Acceptance in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 20.4.1 together with any Note subject to such assignment and a processing fee of $3,500.00. 20.4.1.4. The minimum Commitment which may be assigned (which must include the applicable portion of the assigning Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment and Letter of Credit Commitment) is $5,000,000.00, or such lesser amount which constitutes such Lender's entire Commitment; provided, however, that no such minimum shall apply between a Lender and its Affiliates, or between one Lender and another Lender or an assignment of all of a Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement. 20.4.1.5. The assignee shall have an office located in the United States and is otherwise an Eligible Assignee. 20.4.1.6. If there is no Event of Default in existence as of the date of such assignment, Borrower shall have consented to the assignment, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. 20.4.2. CONSEQUENCES AND EFFECT OF ASSIGNMENTS. From and after the effective date specified in any Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee shall be deemed and treated as a party to this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the Notes held by the assignor have been assigned or negotiated to the assignee pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, to have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder as fully as if such assignee had been named as a Lender in this Agreement and of a holder of such Notes, and the assignor shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder or under such Notes have been assigned or negotiated by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its future obligations under this Agreement. If the assignee is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof, it shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent certification as to the exemption from deduction or withholding of Taxes in accordance with Section 19.6. 63 20.4.3. AGREEMENTS UPON ASSIGNMENT. By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assignor thereunder and the assignee confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto substantially as follows: (i) the assignment made under such Assignment and Acceptance is made under such Assignment and Acceptance without recourse; (ii) such assignor makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Covered Person or the performance or observance by any Covered Person of any of its Loan Obligations; (iii) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Financial Statements and such other Loan Documents and other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent, such assignor, or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it deems appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (v) such assignee appoints and authorizes Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vi) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender and a holder of a Note. 20.4.4. REGISTER. Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address referred to herein a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of and principal amount of Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time (the Register). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by the parties thereto, together with any Note subject to such assignment and payment of the processing fee, Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance has been completed and is in substantially the form of Exhibit 20.4.1 hereto, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the parties thereto. 20.4.5. NOTICE TO BORROWER OF ASSIGNMENT. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender, if Administrative Agent accepts the assignment contemplated thereby, Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to Borrower. Borrower shall execute and deliver replacement Notes to the assignor and assignee as requested by Administrative Agent and necessary to give effect to the assignment. If Borrower fails or refuses to execute and deliver 64 such replacement Notes, Administrative Agent may, as agent and attorney-in-fact for Borrower, execute and deliver such replacement Notes on behalf of Borrower. Borrower hereby appoints Administrative Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact for such purpose and acknowledges that such power is coupled with an interest and therefore irrevocable. Administrative Agent shall not have any liability to Borrower or anyone else, including any Lender, as a consequence of exercising such power in any instance. 20.4.6. ASSIGNMENT TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK. Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Agreement, any Lender may at any time assign and pledge all or any portion of its Loans and its Note to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A and any Operating Circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall release the assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder. 20.5. SALE OF PARTICIPATIONS. Each Lender may sell participations to one or more Persons (other than Borrower or an Affiliate of Borrower) in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and its Loans); provided, however, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the yield protection provisions contained in Section 19 and the right of setoff contained in Section 17.3.3, (iv) the amount of the participation shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000.00 or such lesser amount which constitutes such Lender's entire Commitment, provided, however, that no such minimum amount shall apply to participations between any of Lenders or between any Lender and any of its Affiliates; and (v) Borrower, the other Lenders and Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the obligations of Borrower relating to its Loans, its Notes and its funding of Advances and to approve any amendment, modification, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement (other than amendments, modifications, or waivers that (a) decrease the amount of principal of the Loans, (b) reduce the rate at which interest is payable on the Loans, (c) extend the final maturity of the Notes, (d) increase its Commitment (if such increase is to be shared by any such Participant), or (e) release any Guarantor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale of any such participations which require Borrower to file a registration statement with the SEC or under the securities Laws of any state shall not be permitted. 20.6. INTENTIONALLY DELETED. 20.7. INFORMATION. Any Lender or Administrative Agent may furnish any information concerning Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the possession of such Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, from time to time to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and participants), provided such assignees and participants shall agree to keep such information confidential. 65 20.8. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse to Administrative Agent all of Administrative Agent's out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with Administrative Agent's due diligence review before execution of the Loan Documents; the negotiation and preparation of proposals, a commitment letter and the Loan Documents; the syndication of the Loans; the administration of this Agreement, the Loan Documents and the Loans; the interpretation of any of the Loan Documents; any amendment of or supplementation to any of the Loan Documents; and any waiver, consent or forbearance with respect to any Default or Event of Default. Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse to each Lender all of such Lender's out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with the enforcement of such Lender's rights and remedies under the Loan Documents after a Default or Event of Default. Administrative Agent's out-of-pocket costs may include but are not limited to the following, to the extent they are actually paid or incurred by Administrative Agent: the cost of searches for Security Interests existing against Covered Persons; recording and filing fees; appraisal fees; environmental consultant fees; litigation costs; and all attorneys' and paralegals' expenses and reasonable fees. Each Lender's out-of-pocket costs may include but are not limited to the following, to the extent they are actually paid or incurred by a Lender: litigation costs and all attorneys' and paralegals' expenses and reasonable fees. Attorneys' and paralegals' expenses may include but are not limited to filing charges; telephone, data transmission, facsimile and other communication costs; courier and other delivery charges; and photocopying charges. Litigation costs may include but are not limited to filing fees, deposition costs, expert witness fees, expenses of service of process, and other such costs paid or incurred in any administrative, arbitration, or court proceedings involving a Lender and any Covered Person, including proceedings under the Federal Bankruptcy Code. All costs which Borrower is obligated to pay or reimburse Administrative Agent or the Lenders are Loan Obligations payable to Administrative Agent or Lender, as applicable, and are payable on demand by Administrative Agent or such Lender. 20.9. GENERAL INDEMNITY. 20.9.1. Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Administrative Agent and each Lender and each of their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and advisors (each, an Indemnified Party) from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or by reason of (including, without limitation, in connection with any investigation, litigation, or proceeding or preparation of defense in connection therewith) the Loan Documents, the Acquisition Documents, any of the transactions contemplated herein or therein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans, or the manufacture, storage, transportation, release or disposal of any Hazardous Material on, from, over or affecting any of the assets, properties, or operations of any Covered Person or any predecessor in interest, directly or indirectly, except to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability, cost, or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding 66 to which the indemnity in this Section 20.9 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by Borrower, its directors, shareholders or creditors or an Indemnified Party or any other Person or any Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated. Borrower agrees not to assert any claim against Administrative Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and advisers, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Loan Documents, the Acquisition Documents, any of the transactions contemplated herein or therein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans. Borrower shall pay, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties for, from and against, and shall promptly reimburse the Indemnified Parties for, any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and amounts paid in settlement) incurred, paid or sustained by the Indemnified Parties, arising out of or relating to the Acquisition Documents or enforcement by Administrative Agent of any of its rights with respect thereto. 20.9.2. The obligations of Borrower under this Section 20.9 shall survive the termination of the Commitments, the expiration of the Letters of Credit, and the indefeasible full payment and satisfaction of all of the Loan Obligations. 20.9.3. To the extent that any of the indemnities required from Borrower under this Section are unenforceable because they violate any Law or public policy, Borrower shall pay the maximum amount which it is permitted to pay under applicable Law. 20.10. LETTERS OF CREDIT. Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary of any of the Letters of Credit. Neither Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or representatives shall be liable or responsible for: (a) the use which may be made of any of the Letters of Credit or for any acts or omissions of beneficiary in connection therewith; (b) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement(s) thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (c) payment by Administrative Agent against presentation of documents which, on their face, appear to comply with the terms of any Letter of Credit, even though such documents may fail to bear any reference or adequate reference to any such Letter of Credit; or (d) any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit in connection with which Administrative Agent would, pursuant to the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500 (as amended from time to time), be absolved from liability. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Letter of Credit Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary. 20.11. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES. If any Covered Person, at the end of its fiscal year and with the concurrence of its independent certified public accountants, 67 changes the method of valuing the Inventory of such Covered Person, or if any other changes in accounting principles from those used in the preparation of any of the Financial Statements are required by or result from the promulgation of principles, rules, regulations, guidelines, pronouncements or opinions by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successors thereto or bodies with similar functions), and any of such changes result in a change in the method of calculation of, or affect the results of such calculation of, any of the financial covenants, standards or terms found herein, then the parties hereto agree to enter into and diligently pursue negotiations in order to amend such financial covenants, standards or terms so as to equitably reflect such changes, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the financial condition and results of operations of such Covered Person shall be the same after such changes as if such changes had not been made; provided, however, that until such changes are made, all financial covenants herein and all the provisions hereof which contemplate financial calculation hereunder shall remain in full force and effect. 20.12. LOAN RECORDS. The date and amount of all Advances to Borrower and payments of amounts due from Borrower under the Loan Documents will be recorded in the records that Administrative Agent normally maintains for such types of transactions. The failure to record, or any error in recording, any of the foregoing shall not, however, affect the obligation of Borrower to repay the Loans and other amounts payable under the Loan Documents. Borrower shall have the burden of proving that such records are not correct. Borrower agrees that Administrative Agent's and any Lender's books and records showing the Loan Obligations and the transactions pursuant to this Agreement shall be admissible in any action or proceeding arising therefrom, and shall constitute prima facie proof thereof, irrespective of whether any Loan Obligation is also evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument. Administrative Agent will provide to Borrower a monthly statement of Advances, payments, and other transactions pursuant to this Agreement. Such statement shall be deemed correct, accurate and binding on Borrower and an account stated (except for reversals and reapplications of payments as provided in Section 6.7 and corrections of errors discovered by Administrative Agent or a Lender), unless Borrower notifies Administrative Agent in writing to the contrary within 60 days after such statement is rendered. In the event a timely written notice of objections is given by Borrower, only the items to which exception is expressly made will be considered to be disputed by Borrower. 20.13. OTHER GUARANTIES. Administrative Agent or any Lender may, without notice or demand and without affecting Borrower's obligations hereunder, from time to time: accept and hold any endorsement or guaranty of payment of all or any part of the Loan Obligations and release or substitute any such endorser or guarantor or any other Person in any way obligated to pay all or any part of the Loan Obligations. 20.14. LOAN OBLIGATIONS PAYABLE IN DOLLARS. All Loan Obligations that are payable in Dollars under the terms of the Loan Documents shall be payable only in Dollars. If, however, to obtain a judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a Loan Obligation payable in Dollars into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which Administrative Agent, using its customary procedures, could purchase Dollars with such 68 other currency in New York, New York on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which such judgment is rendered. If any sum in another currency is paid to a Lender or received by a Lender and applied to a Loan Obligation payable in Dollars, such Loan Obligation shall be deemed paid and discharged only to the extent of the amount of Dollars that Administrative Agent, using its customary procedures, is able to purchase in New York, New York with such sum on the Business Day immediately following receipt thereof. Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender against any loss in Dollars that it may incur on such Loan Obligation as a result of such payment or receipt and application to such Loan Obligation. 21. MISCELLANEOUS. 21.1. NOTICES. All notices, consents, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been given or made when delivered in person to those Persons listed on the signature pages hereof or three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, in the case of overnight courier services, one (1) day after delivery to the overnight courier service, or in the case of telecopy notice, when sent, verification received, in each case addressed as set forth on the signature pages hereof, or such other address as either party may designate by notice to the other in accordance with the terms of this Section, or, in the case of electronic delivery by e-mail, when received at the e-mail address listed on the signature pages hereto or at such other e-mail address as any party may designate by notice to the other parties in accordance with the terms of this Section. No notice given to or demand made on Borrower by Administrative Agent or any Lender in any instance shall entitle Borrower to notice or demand in any other instance. 21.2. AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS; WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. Unless otherwise provided herein, no amendment to or modification of any provision of this Agreement, or of any of the other Loan Documents shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by authorized officers of Borrower and Required Lenders. Unless otherwise provided herein, no waiver of, or consent to any departure by Borrower from, the requirements of any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by authorized officers of Required Lenders. Any such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. The foregoing notwithstanding, no such amendment, modification or consent shall, unless signed by authorized officers of Borrower and of all Lenders: (i) extend or increase any Commitment or subject any Lender or the Letter of Credit Issuer to a greater obligation than expressly provided for in this Agreement, (ii) reduce or forgive the repayment of principal of any Advance or the reimbursement of any draw on a Letter of Credit or change the rate, or mechanism for determining the rate, of interest on any Advance or any fees or other amounts payable by Borrower hereunder, (iii) change the regularly scheduled dates for payments of principal or interest of any Advance or other fees or amounts payable to any Lender under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Revolving Loan Maturity Date), (iv) change the provisions of Section 18 to the detriment of any Lender, (v) change the definition of Required Lenders herein, (vi) change any requirement herein that any particular action be taken by all Lenders or by Required Lenders, (vii) change the 69 provisions of this Section, (viii) release any Covered Person or any Guarantor from its obligations under the Loan Documents, or (ix) change any provisions of this Agreement requiring ratable distributions to Lenders. No failure by Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise, and no delay by Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege existing under any Law or otherwise. 21.3. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE. Each of the rights and remedies of Administrative Agent and Lenders under this Agreement shall be in addition to all of its other rights and remedies under applicable Law, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as limiting any such rights or remedies. 21.4. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and all future holders of the Notes and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower may not assign, delegate or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and Required Lenders. With respect to Borrower's successors and assigns, such successors and assigns shall include any receiver, trustee or debtor-in-possession of or for Borrower. 21.5. SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition, unenforceability or lack of authorization without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction unless the ineffectiveness of such provision would result in such a material change as to cause completion of the transactions contemplated hereby to be unreasonable. 21.6. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by the party to be charged. 21.7. GOVERNING LAW; NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. This Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder and thereunder shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within such state, without regard to choice or conflicts of law principles. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and no other Person shall have any right, benefit, priority or interest under, or because of the existence of, this Agreement. 21.8. COUNTERPART FACSIMILE EXECUTION. For purposes of this Agreement, a document (or signature page thereto) signed and transmitted by facsimile machine or telecopier is to be treated as an original document. The signature of any Person thereon, for purposes 70 hereof, is to be considered as an original signature, and the document transmitted is to be considered to have the same binding effect as an original signature on an original document. At the request of any party hereto, any facsimile or telecopy document is to be re-executed in original form by the Persons who executed the facsimile or telecopy document. No party hereto may raise the use of a facsimile machine or telecopier or the fact that any signature was transmitted through the use of a facsimile or telecopier machine as a defense to the enforcement of this Agreement or any amendment or other document executed in compliance with this Section. 21.9. EFFECT OF MERGER OF BANK. Effective immediately upon the merger of Administrative Agent or a Lender with or into another financial institution, all references to Administrative Agent or such Lender under every Loan Document shall be deemed to be references to the surviving institution. If the surviving institution does not have a "Prime Rate," references in the Loan Documents to Prime Rate shall be deemed to be references to the reference rate (however it is designated) established from time to time by the surviving institution that is most similar to the Prime Rate. 21.10. NEGOTIATED TRANSACTION. Borrower, Administrative Agent and each Lender represent each to the others that in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents they have been represented by and have relied upon the advice of counsel of their choice. Borrower and Administrative Agent affirm that their counsel have both had substantial roles in the drafting and negotiation of this Agreement and each Lender affirms that its counsel has participated in the drafting and negotiation of this Agreement; therefore, this Agreement will be deemed drafted by all of Borrower, Administrative Agent and Lenders, and the rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafter will not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. 21.11. CHOICE OF FORUM. SUBJECT ONLY TO THE EXCEPTION IN THE NEXT SENTENCE, BORROWER, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AND EACH LENDER HEREBY AGREES TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS AND THE STATE COURTS OF ILLINOIS LOCATED IN COOK COUNTY AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION INSTITUTED THEREIN, AND AGREES THAT ANY DISPUTE CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, LENDERS, AND BORROWER OR THE CONDUCT OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE HEARD ONLY IN THE COURTS DESCRIBED ABOVE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING: (1) ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTY IN ANY COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER DEEM NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE, AND (2) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THE COURTS DESCRIBED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE 71 MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE THOSE JURISDICTIONS. 21.12. SERVICE OF PROCESS. BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL (RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) DIRECTED TO BORROWER AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF, AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED FIVE (5) DAYS AFTER THE SAME SHALL HAVE BEEN SO DEPOSITED IN THE U.S. MAILS; OR AT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S OR ANY LENDER'S OPTION, BY SERVICE UPON CT CORPORATION, WHICH BORROWER IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS AS BORROWER'S AGENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCEPTING SERVICE OF PROCESS WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR SUCH LENDER SHALL PROMPTLY FORWARD BY REGISTERED MAIL ANY PROCESS SO SERVED UPON SAID AGENT TO BORROWER AT ITS ADDRESS ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW. 21.13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. BORROWER, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (1) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR (2) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR EITHER OF THEM IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE. BORROWER, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AND EACH LENDER AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT EITHER MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. 21.14. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE. Each attachment, exhibit and schedule hereto and all of the terms of the other Loan Documents are incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement by this reference. 21.15. PATRIOT ACT NOTIFICATION. As required by federal law and LaSalle's policies and practices, LaSalle may need to collect certain customer identification information and documentation in connection with opening or maintaining accounts, or establishing or continuing to provide services. 72 21.16. STATUTORY NOTICE - ORAL COMMITMENTS. Nothing contained in the following notice shall be deemed to limit or modify the terms of the Loan Documents: ORAL AGREEMENTS OR COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT INCLUDING PROMISES TO EXTEND OR RENEW SUCH DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY UPON WHICH IT IS BASED THAT IS IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. TO PROTECT YOU (BORROWER) AND US (CREDITOR) FROM MISUNDERSTANDING OR DISAPPOINTMENT, ANY AGREEMENTS WE REACH COVERING SUCH MATTERS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS WRITING, WHICH IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN US, EXCEPT AS WE MAY LATER AGREE IN WRITING TO MODIFY IT. Borrower acknowledges that there are no other agreements between Administrative Agent, Lenders, and Borrower, oral or written, concerning the subject matter of the Loan Documents, and, except as expressly described herein, that all prior agreements concerning the same subject matter, including any proposal or commitment letter, are merged into the Loan Documents and thereby extinguished. [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW] 73 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the Execution Date. TALX CORPORATION, A MISSOURI CORPORATION AS BORROWER By: /s/ L. Keith Graves ------------------------------------------------ L. Keith Graves, Chief Financial Officer NOTICE ADDRESS FOR BORROWER: 11432 Lackland Road St. Louis, Missouri 63146 Attention: William Canfield and L. Keith Graves E-Mail: wwc@talx.com; lkg@talx.com WITH A COPY TO: Bryan Cave LLP One Metropolitan Square Suite 3600 St. Louis, Missouri 63102 Attention: R. Randall Wang and Karen W. Fries E-Mail: rrwang@bryancave.com; kwfries@bryancave.com [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the Execution Date. LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND A LENDER By: /s/ Tom Harmon --------------------------------------- Name: Tom Harmon Title: Senior Vice President NOTICE ADDRESS: LaSalle Bank National Association 135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1425 Chicago, IL 60603 Attention: Israel Balaguer E-Mail: israel.balaguer@abnamro.com With copies to: LaSalle Bank National Association One North Brentwood, Suite 950 Clayton, Missouri 63105 Attention: Tom Harmon E-Mail: tom.harmon@abnamro.com And Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin 720 Olive Street, Suite 2400 St. Louis, Missouri 63101 Attention: John P. McNearney E-Mail: jmcnearney@blackwellsanders.com APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE: LaSalle Bank National Association 135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1425 Chicago, IL 60603 Attention: Israel Balaguer [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the Execution Date. SOUTHWEST BANK OF ST. LOUIS, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Robert W. Sellers ------------------------------------- Name: Robert W. Sellers Title: Senior Vice President NOTICE ADDRESS AND APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE: Southwest Bank of St. Louis 13205 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO 63101 Attn: Robert W. Sellers E-Mail: rsellers@swbank-stl.com With a copy to: Armstrong Teasdale LLP One Metropolitan Square 211 N. Broadway, Suite 2600 St. Louis, Missouri 63102 Attention: John Sullivan E-Mail: jsullivan@armstrongteasdale.com [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the Execution Date. NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Eric Hartman --------------------------------------- Name: Eric Hartman Title: Vice President NOTICE ADDRESS AND APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE: National City Bank 10401 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63131 Attention: Eric Hartman E-Mail: eric.hartman@nationalcity.com [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the Execution Date. FIFTH THIRD BANK, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Shawn Hagan ------------------------------- Name: Shawn Hagan Title: Vice President NOTICE ADDRESS AND APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE: Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Center 8000 Maryland Avenue, Suite 1400 St. Louis, Missouri 63105 Attn.: Shawn Hagan E-Mail: shawn.hagan@53.com [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the Execution Date. MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., AS A LENDER By: /s/ Phillip J. Salter --------------------------------------- Name: Phillip J. Salter Title: Vice President NOTICE ADDRESS AND APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE: Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services 222 North LaSalle Street, 17th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60601 Attn: Phillip Salter, Vice President E-Mail: phillip_salter@ml.com With a copy to: Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP 156 West 56th Street New York, New York 10019 Attn.: Eric W. Bruenner, Esq. E-Mail: ebruenner@windelsmarx.com [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by appropriate duly authorized officers as of the Execution Date. FIRST BANK, AS A LENDER By: /s/ Keith Schmelder -------------------------------------- Name: Keith Schmelder Title: Senior Vice President NOTICE ADDRESS AND APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE: First Bank 135 North Meramec Clayton, Missouri 63105 Attn.: Keith Schmelder, Sr. Vice President E-Mail: keith.schmelder@fbol.com [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] EXHIBIT 2.1 GLOSSARY ACCOUNT -- as to any Person, the right of such Person to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered by such Person. ACCOUNT DEBTOR -- the obligor on any Account. ACQUIRING COMPANY -- the Person obligated to pay or provide the consideration payable in connection with a Permitted Acquisition upon the consummation thereof. ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS -- means the documents to which Borrower or any other Covered Person is a party and under which any Permitted Acquisition is contemplated. ADJUSTED BASE RATE -- is defined in Section 4.3. ADJUSTED EURODOLLAR RATE -- is defined in Section 4.4. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT -- LaSalle in its capacity as Administrative Agent under this Agreement, and its successors and assigns in such capacity. ADVANCE -- a Revolving Loan Advance or Swingline Loan. ADVANCE DATE -- the date on which an Advance is requested by Borrower to be made, or is otherwise contemplated or intended to be made, as provided herein. AFFECTED LOAN -- is defined in Section 19.5. AFFILIATE -- with respect to any Person, (a) any other Person who is a partner, director, officer, stockholder, member, partner or other equity holder of such Person; and (b) any other Person which, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, and any partner, director, officer or stockholder, member, partner or other equity holder of such other Person described. For purposes of this Agreement, control of a Person by another Person shall be deemed to exist if such other Person has the power, directly or indirectly, either to (i) vote twenty percent (20%) or more of the securities, membership interests or other equity interest having the power to vote in an election of directors or managers of such Person, or (ii) direct the management of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise and whether alone or in combination with others. AGENCY FEE -- is specified in Section 5.6. AGENCY FEE LETTER -- means that certain fee letter dated March 4, 2004 between the Borrower and the Agent, which is incorporated herein by reference. AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN -- the from time to time outstanding principal balance of all Revolving Loan Advances. 81 AGGREGATE REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT -- the aggregate commitments of Lenders as stated in Section 3.1.1 to fund Revolving Loan Advances, as it may be changed as provided herein. AGREEMENT -- this document (including every document that is stated herein to be an appendix, exhibit or schedule hereto, whether or not physically attached to this document). APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE -- means, for Administrative Agent and each Lender and for each Loan, the Applicable Lending Office of Administrative Agent or such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Loan on the signature pages hereof or such other office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of Administrative Agent or such Lender) as Administrative Agent or such Lender may from time to time specify to Administrative Agent (in the case of another Lender) and Borrower by written notice in accordance with the terms hereof as the office by which its Loans are to be made and maintained. ASBESTOS MATERIAL -- either asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. BASE RATE -- for any day, the rate per annum equal to the higher of: (i) the Prime Rate (as such rate may fluctuate from time to time as provided for herein) for such day; or (ii) the Federal Funds Rates plus 0.5%. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in either the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or Federal Funds Rate. The interest rate so designated from time to time as the Base Rate by Administrative Agent is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate charged to any customer of Administrative Agent or any other Lender. BASE RATE ADVANCE -- an Advance that will become a Base Rate Loan. BASE RATE MARGIN -- is specified in Section 4.5. BASE RATE LOAN -- any portion of a Loan on which interest accrues at the Base Rate. BENEFICIAL OWNER -- as defined in Rule 13-D-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. BORROWER -- TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation. BORROWING OFFICER -- each officer of Borrower who is authorized to submit a request for an Advance or the issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of Borrower. BUSINESS DAY -- a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to close under the Laws of either the United States or the State of Illinois and when used in connection with Eurodollar Loans, also a day other than any day on which dealings in U.S. Dollar deposits are not carried on in the London interbank market. BUYING LENDER(S) -- is defined in Section 3.4.4. CAPITAL LEASE -- any lease that has been or should be capitalized under GAAP. CHARTER DOCUMENTS -- the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of a corporation; the certificate of limited partnership and partnership agreement of a limited partnership; the 82 partnership agreement of a general partnership; the articles of organization and operating agreement of a limited liability company; or the indenture of a trust. COBRA -- the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. CODE -- the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and all regulations thereunder of the IRS. COMMITMENT - means, as to any Lender, such Lender's commitment to make Loans and to issue or participate in Letters of Credit under this Agreement. COMMITMENT AND ACCEPTANCE -- is defined in Section 3.4.1. COMMITMENT INCREASE NOTICE --is defined in Section 3.4.2. COMMONLY CONTROLLED ENTITY -- a Person which is under common control with another Person within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE -- defined in Section 14.14 CONTRACT -- any contract, note, bond, indenture, lease, deed, mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, pledge, hypothecation agreement, assignment, or other agreement or undertaking, or any security. COVERED PERSON -- defined in Section 2.3. DEFAULT -- any of the events listed in Section 17.1 of this Agreement, without giving effect to any requirement for the giving of notice, for the lapse of time, or both, or for the happening of any other condition, event or act. DEFAULT RATE -- the rate of interest payable on each Loan after its Maturity and in certain other circumstances as provided in Section 4.10. DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE -- the disclosure schedule of Borrower attached hereto as Exhibit 12. DOL -- the United States Department of Labor. DOLLARS and the sign $ -- lawful money of the United States. DEFAULTING LENDER -- is defined in Section 7.5. EBIT -- is defined in Section 16.1. EBITDA -- is defined in Section 16.1. EFFECTIVE COMMITMENT AMOUNT -- is defined in Section 3.4.3. EFFECTIVE DATE -- the date on which all of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 10.1 have been satisfied. 83 ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE -- means (i) a Lender; (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender; and (iii) any other Person approved by Administrative Agent; provided, however, that neither Borrower, any Covered Person, any Guarantor nor an Affiliate of Borrower or Guarantor shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee. EMPLOYMENT LAW -- ERISA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, or any other Law pertaining to the terms or conditions of labor or safety in the workplace or discrimination or sexual harassment in the workplace. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW -- the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, or any other Law pertaining to environmental quality or remediation of Hazardous Material. ENVIRONMENTAL PROPERTY TRANSFER ACTS -- any law pertaining to the provision of notices or obtaining of environmental permit transfers or consents, required in order to consummate the transfer of real or personal property or the perfection of Security Interests. EPA -- the United States Environmental Protection Agency. ERISA -- the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. ERISA AFFILIATE -- as to any Person, any trade or business (irrespective of whether incorporated) which is a member of a group of which such Person is a member and thereafter treated as a single employer under 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or applicable Treasury Regulations. EURODOLLAR ADVANCE -- an Advance that will become a Eurodollar Loan. EURODOLLAR MARGIN-- is defined in Section 4.5. EURODOLLAR LOAN -- any portion of an Aggregate Loan on which interest accrues at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate. EURODOLLAR RATE -- for the applicable Interest Period therefor, means a rate of interest equal to (a) the per annum rate of interest at which United States dollar deposits in an amount comparable to the amount of the relevant Eurodollar Loan and for a period equal to the relevant Interest Period are offered in the London Interbank Eurodollar market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or three (3) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period if banks in London, England were not open and dealing in offshore United States dollars on such second preceding Business Day), as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets system (or other authoritative source selected by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) or, if the Bloomberg Financial Markets system or another authoritative source is not available, as the Eurodollar Rate is otherwise determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion, divided by (b) a number determined by subtracting from 1.00 the then stated maximum reserve percentage for determining reserves to be maintained by member banks of the Federal Reserve System for Eurocurrency funding or liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under Regulation D), such rate to remain fixed for such Interest Period. Without limiting the effect of the 84 foregoing, the reserve requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by any Lender with respect to any category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the Eurodollar Rate is to be determined, or any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include Eurodollar Loans. (The entire amount of a Eurodollar Loan shall be deemed to constitute a Eurocurrency liability and as such shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of credits for proration, exceptions or setoffs which may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D.) The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any such reserve requirements. The Administrative Agent's determination of the Eurodollar Rate shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. EVENT OF DEFAULT -- any of the events listed in Section 17.1 of this Agreement as to which any requirement for the giving of notice, for the lapse of time, or both, or for the happening of any further condition, event or act has been satisfied. EXECUTION DATE -- the date when this Agreement has been executed. EXISTING DEFAULT -- a Default which has occurred and is continuing, or an Event of Default which has occurred, and which has not been waived in writing by the Required Lenders, or all of the Lenders if required by Section 21.2. FEDERAL FUNDS RATE -- for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to Administrative Agent (in its individual capacity) on such day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent. FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT -- is defined in the preamble to this Agreement. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- the most recent of the Initial Financial Statements and the financial statements of Borrower required to be furnished to Administrative Agent under Section 14.14 of this Agreement. FRB -- the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any successor thereto or to the functions thereof. FRONTING FEE -- the fee payable to Letter of Credit Issuer as required in Section 5.4. GAAP -- those generally accepted accounting principles set forth in Statements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and in Opinions of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or which have other substantial authoritative 85 support in the United States and are applicable in the circumstances, as applied on a consistent basis. GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY -- the federal government of the United States; the government of any foreign country that is recognized by the United States or is a member of the United Nations; any state of the United States; any local Government or municipality within the territory or under the jurisdiction of any of the foregoing; any department, agency, division, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing; and any court, arbitrator, or board of arbitrators whose orders or judgements are enforceable by or within the territory of any of the foregoing. GROUP -- as used in Regulation 13-D issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. GUARANTOR -- each of the Persons required under this Agreement to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders a guaranty of part or all of the Loan Obligations. GUARANTY -- each guaranty of part or all of the Loan Obligations executed and delivered to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders by any Guarantor. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL -- any hazardous, radioactive, toxic, solid or special waste, material, substance or constituent thereof, or any other such substance (as defined under any applicable Law or regulation), including Asbestos Material. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL does not include materials or products containing hazardous constituents which are not considered to be waste under the applicable Environmental Law or which are considered to be waste but are transported, handled or disposed of in accordance with the applicable Environmental Law, or Asbestos Material which is not friable. IMPOSITIONS -- is defined in Section 19.6.1. INDEBTEDNESS -- as to any Person at any particular date, any contractual obligation enforceable against such Person (i) to repay borrowed money; (ii) to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services; (iii) to make payments or reimbursements with respect to bank acceptances or to a factor; (iv) to make payments or reimbursements with respect to letters of credit whether or not there have been drawings thereunder; (v) with respect to which there is any Security Interest in any property of such Person; (vi) to make any payment or contribution to a Multi-Employer Plan; (vii) that is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument; (viii) under any conditional sale agreement or title retention agreement; or (ix) to pay interest or fees with respect to any of the foregoing. INDEBTEDNESS also includes any other Obligation that either (i) is non-contingent and liquidated in amount or (ii) should under GAAP be included in liabilities and not just as a footnote on a balance sheet. INDIRECT OBLIGATION -- as to any Person, (a) any guaranty by such Person of any Obligation of another Person; (b) any Security Interest in any property of such Person that secures any Obligation of another Person; (c) any enforceable contractual requirement that such Person (i) purchase an Obligation of another Person or any property that is security for such Obligation, (ii) advance or contribute funds to another Person for the payment of an Obligation of such other Person or to maintain the working capital, net worth or solvency of such other Person as required in any documents evidencing an Obligation of such other Person, (iii) purchase property, securities or services from another Person for the purpose of assuring the beneficiary of any 86 Obligation of such other Person that such other Person has the ability to timely pay or discharge such Obligation, (iv) grant a Security Interest in any property of such Person to secure any Obligation of another Person, (v) otherwise assure or hold harmless the beneficiary of any Obligation of another Person against loss in respect thereof; (d) any Obligation arising from the endorsement by such Person of an instrument; (e) any Obligation of such Person as a surety; and (f) any other contractual requirement enforceable against such Person that has the same substantive effect as any of the foregoing. The term INDIRECT OBLIGATION does not, however, include the endorsement by a Person of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or the liability of a general partner of a partnership for Obligations of such partnership. The amount of any Indirect Obligation of a Person shall be deemed to be the stated or determinable amount of the Obligation in respect of which such Indirect Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith. INITIAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- the financial statements (not including the proforma financial statements) of Borrower referred to in Section 10.1.2. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY -- as to any Person, any domestic or foreign patents or patent applications of such Person, any inventions made or owned by such Person upon which either domestic or foreign patent applications have not yet been filed, any domestic or foreign trade names or trademarks of such Person, any domestic or foreign trademark registrations or applications filed by such Person, any domestic or foreign service marks of such Person, any domestic or foreign service mark registrations and applications by such Person, any domestic or foreign copyrights of such Person, and any domestic or foreign copyright registrations or applications by such Person. INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT - means that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, Prudential Retirement Insurance And Annuity Company, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, MTL Insurance Company, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, American Investors Life Insurance Company, and AmerUs Life Insurance Company, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. INTEREST EXPENSE -- is defined in Section 16.1. INTEREST HEDGE OBLIGATION -- any obligations of Borrower to Administrative Agent or any Affiliate of Administrative Agent under an agreement or agreements between Borrower and Administrative Agent or any Affiliate of Administrative Agent under which the exposure of Borrower to fluctuations in interest rates is effectively limited, whether in the form of one or more interest rate cap, collar, or corridor agreements, interest rate swaps, or the like, or options therefor. INTEREST PERIOD -- the period during which a particular Adjusted Eurodollar Rate applies to a Eurodollar Loan, as selected by Borrower as provided in Section 4.7. 87 INVENTORY -- goods owned and held by a Person for sale, lease or resale or furnished or to be furnished under contracts for services, and raw materials, goods in process, materials, component parts and supplies used or consumed, or held for use or consumption in such Person's business. INVESTMENT -- (a) a loan or advance of money or property to a Person, (b) stock, membership interest, or other equity interest in a Person, (c) a debt instrument issued by a Person, whether or not convertible to stock, membership interest, or other equity interest in such Person, or (d) any other interest in or rights with respect to a Person which include, in whole or in part, a right to share, with or without conditions or restrictions, some or all of the revenues or net income of such Person. IRS -- the Internal Revenue Service. JOHNSON - means Johnson & Associates, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company. LASALLE -- LaSalle Bank National Association. LAW -- any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment, award or decree of any Governmental Authority. LENDER -- any one of the lenders listed on Exhibit 3 to this Agreement, including Administrative Agent in its capacity as a lender, or any Person who takes an assignment from any of such lenders of all or a portion of its rights and obligations as a lender under this Agreement pursuant to Section 20.4.1 and an Assignment and Acceptance as provided therein. LENDER INCREASE NOTICE -- is defined in Section 3.4.2. LENDERS' EXPOSURE -- the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment and the Letter of Credit Exposure. LETTER OF CREDIT -- any standby or commercial (documentary) letter of credit issued by Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to the Letter of Credit Commitment. LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT -- defined in Section 11 LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT -- the commitment of the Letter of Credit Issuer to issue Letters of Credit as provided in Section 3.3. LETTER OF CREDIT EXPOSURE -- the undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued under the Letter of Credit Commitment plus all amounts drawn on such letters of credit and not yet reimbursed by Borrower. LETTER OF CREDIT FEE -- the fee payable to Administrative Agent and Lenders as required in Section 5.3. LETTER OF CREDIT ISSUER -- LaSalle, or any other Lender succeeding to LaSalle's commitment to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 3.3. 88 LOAN -- a Revolving Loan or a Swingline Loan. LOAN AGREEMENT -- this Agreement. LOAN DOCUMENTS -- this Agreement, the Notes, each Guaranty, any Rate Agreement, any reimbursement agreement between Borrower and the Letter of Credit Issuer and all other agreements, certificates, documents, instruments and other writings executed from time to time in connection herewith or related hereto. LOAN OBLIGATIONS -- all of Borrower's Indebtedness owing to Letter of Credit Issuer, Administrative Agent or Lenders under the Loan Documents, whether as principal, interest, fees or otherwise, including, without limitation, the Borrower's Indebtedness under this Agreement, all reimbursement obligations of Borrower to Letter of Credit Issuer or Lenders with respect to the Letter of Credit Exposure, all Obligations to Administrative Agent, and all other obligations and liabilities of Borrower to Administrative Agent or Lenders under the Loan Documents and all Interest Hedge Obligations (in each case including all extensions, renewals, modifications, rearrangements, restructures, replacements and refinancings of the foregoing, whether or not the same involve modifications to interest rates or other payment terms), whether now existing or hereafter created, absolute or contingent, direct or indirect, joint or several, secured or unsecured, due or not due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, arising by operation of law or otherwise, including but not limited to the obligation of Borrower to repay future advances by Administrative Agent or Lenders hereunder, whether or not made pursuant to commitment and whether or not presently contemplated by Borrower, Administrative Agent or Lenders in the Loan Documents. LOCAL TIME -- the local time in the city in which Administrative Agent's address is located, as set forth on the signature page hereto (as changed from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof). MARGIN -- the Base Rate Margin or Eurodollar Margin. MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT -- as to any Covered Person and with respect to any event or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration, investigation or proceeding), a material adverse effect on (i) the business, operations, revenues, financial condition, property, or business prospects of the Borrower specifically or of the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents, (iii) the ability of such Person to timely pay or perform such Covered Person's Obligations generally, (iv) in the case of Borrower specifically, the ability of Borrower to pay or perform any of Borrower's Obligations to Lender, or (v) in the case of a Guarantor specifically, the ability of such Guarantor to pay or perform any of its Obligations under the terms of its Guaranty. MATERIAL AGREEMENT -- as to any Person, any Contract to which such Person is a party or by which such Person is bound which, if violated or breached, has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower specifically or the Subsidiaries taken as a whole including without limitation all Acquisition Documents. 89 MATERIAL LAW -- any separately enforceable provision of a Law whose violation by a Person has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower specifically or the Subsidiaries taken as a whole. MATERIAL LICENSE -- (i) as to any Covered Person, any license, permit or consent from a Governmental Authority or other Person and any registration and filing with a Governmental Authority or other Person which if not obtained, held or made by such Covered Person has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower specifically or the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (ii) as to any Person who is a party to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any license, permit or consent from a Governmental Authority or other Person and any registration or filing with a Governmental Authority or other Person that is necessary for the execution or performance by such party, or the validity or enforceability against such party, of this Agreement or such other Loan Document. MATERIAL OBLIGATION -- as to any Person, an Obligation of such Person which if not fully and timely paid or performed has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower specifically or the Subsidiaries taken as a whole. MATERIAL PROCEEDING -- any litigation, investigation or other proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority (i) which involves any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby, or involves a Covered Person or a Guarantor as a party or any property of Covered Person or a Guarantor, and has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower specifically or the Subsidiaries taken as a whole if adversely determined, (ii) in which there has been issued an injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any other order of any nature which purports to restrain or enjoin the making of any Advance, the consummation of any other transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents, or the enforceability of any provision of any of the Loan Documents, (iii) which involves the actual or alleged breach or violation by a Covered Person of, or default by a Covered Person under, any Material Agreement, or (iv) which involves the actual or alleged violation by a Covered Person or any Guarantor of any Material Law. MATURITY -- as to any Indebtedness, the time when it becomes payable in full, whether at a regularly scheduled time, because of acceleration or otherwise. MAXIMUM AVAILABLE AMOUNT -- the maximum Dollar amount available for Revolving Loan Advances on any date as limited in Section 3.1.2, as it may be changed as provided herein. MULTI-EMPLOYER PLAN -- a Pension Benefit Plan which is a multi-employer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. NOTE -- any Revolving Note or Swingline Note. NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT - that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006, among the Borrower, Prudential Retirement Insurance And Annuity Company, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, MTL Insurance Company, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, American Investors Life Insurance Company, and AmerUs Life Insurance Company, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. 90 NOTE PURCHASE DOCUMENTS - means the Note Purchase Agreement, the senior guaranteed notes issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, and any guaranty agreement executed by a Covered Person pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, in each case, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. NOTICE OF DEFAULT -- is specified in Section 18.4. OBLIGATION -- as to any Person, any Indebtedness of such Person, any guaranty by such Person of any Indebtedness of another Person, and any contractual requirement enforceable against such Person that does not constitute Indebtedness of such Person or a guaranty by such Person but which would involve the expenditure of money by such Person if complied with or enforced. OBLIGATIONS TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT -- exclusive of all the Loan Obligations, all of Borrower's Indebtedness owing to Administrative Agent (whether as principal, interest, fees or otherwise), all obligations of Borrower under agreements between Borrower and Administrative Agent under which the exposure of Borrower to fluctuations in interest rates is effectively limited, whether in the form of interest rate cap, collar or corridor agreements, interest rate swaps, or the like, or options therefor, all Indirect Obligations of Borrower owing to Administrative Agent, all reimbursement obligations of Borrower to Administrative Agent with respect to letters of credit, and all other obligations and liabilities of Borrower to Administrative Agent including all extensions, renewals, modifications, rearrangements, restructures, replacements and refinancings of the foregoing, whether or not the same involve modifications to interest rates or other payment terms), whether now existing or hereafter created, absolute or contingent, direct or indirect, joint or several, secured or unsecured, due or not due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, arising by operation of law or otherwise, or acquired by Administrative Agent outright, conditionally or as collateral security from another, including the obligation of Borrower to repay future advances by Administrative Agent, whether or not made pursuant to commitment and whether or not presently contemplated by Borrower and Administrative Agent. OPERATING LEASE -- any lease that is not a Capital Lease. ORIGINAL LOAN AGREEMENT -- is defined in the preamble to this Agreement. PARITY DEBT -- is defined in Section 15.2.9. PBGC -- the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. PENSION BENEFIT PLAN -- any pension or profit-sharing plan which is covered by Title I of ERISA and all other benefit plans, in each case in respect of which a Covered Person or a Commonly Controlled Entity of such Covered Person is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA. PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS -- any acquisition by Borrower or a Covered Person of stock, membership interests, or other equity interests of another Person or the assets of another Person permitted under Section 15.7. PERMITTED DISTRIBUTIONS -- any Distributions permitted under Section 15.9. 91 PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS -- Indebtedness that Borrower is permitted under Section 15.2 to incur, assume, or allow to exist. PERMITTED INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS -- Indirect Obligations that Borrower is permitted under Section 15.4 to create, incur, assume, or allow to exist. PERMITTED INVESTMENTS -- Investments that Borrower is permitted under Section 15.1 to make in other Persons. PERMITTED SECURITY INTERESTS -- Security Interests that Borrower is permitted under Section 15.5 to create, incur, assume, or allow to exist. PERSON -- any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, Governmental Authority, or other organization in any form that has the legal capacity to sue or be sued. If the context so implies or requires, the term Person includes Borrower. PERSONAL PROPERTY -- all of the Goods, Equipment, Accounts, Inventory, Instruments, Documents, Chattel Paper, General Intangibles and other personal property of Borrower or any other Covered Person, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and all proceeds thereof. PLEDGE AGREEMENTS -- means, collectively, the following agreements: the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest dated March 31, 2004, executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of Ti3 stock dated March 27, 2002 executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of TALX UCM Services, Inc. stock dated March 26, 2003 executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of UI Advantage, Inc., a Maryland corporation dated October 15, 2004, executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of TBT Enterprises, Incorporated dated October 15, 2004, executed by Borrower, the Stock Pledge of Net Profit, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, dated October 25, 2004, by Borrower; the Stock pledge of Jon-Jay Associates, Inc. Stock dated April 20, 2005; the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest by TALX UCM Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation, dated April 26, 2005; the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest in Unemployment Services, LLC by TALX UCM Services, Inc. dated November 1, 2005; the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest in TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC by TALX Corporation dated December 15, 2005; the Collateral Assignment of Membership Interest in Management Insight Incentives, LLC by TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC dated December 15, 2005; and the Stock Pledge of the Stock of Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation, dated April 6, 2006. PRIME RATE --on any day, the rate of interest per annum then most recently established by Administrative Agent as its Prime Rate. Such rate is a general reference rate of interest, may not be related to any other rate, and may not be the lowest or best rate actually charged by Administrative Agent to any customer or a favored rate and may not correspond with future increases or decreases in interest rates charged by other lenders or market interest rates in general. PRIOR ACQUISITION - means the acquisition of the assets or stock or Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC, Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., Employers Unity, Inc., Business Incentives, Inc. and Performance Assessment Network, Inc. 92 PROFORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- the proforma financial statements referred to in Section 10.1.2. PROPOSED NEW LENDER -- is defined in Section 3.4.3. PRO-RATA SHARE -- with respect to each Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans, participate in Letters of Credit, reimburse the Letter of Credit Issuer, and receive payments of principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses with respect thereto, (x) prior to the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment being terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment, by (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment of all Lenders; and (y) from and after the time the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment has been terminated or reduced to zero, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Lender's Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and such Lender's Letter of Credit Exposure, by (ii) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amounts of all Revolving Loans (after settlement and repayment of all Swingline Loans by the Lenders) and the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure. RATE AGREEMENT -- (a) any and all agreements, devices or arrangements (including all schedules, amendments and supplements thereto and all documents and confirming evidence now or hereafter exchanged between the counterparties confirming the transactions governed by such agreements devices or arrangements) designed to protect at least one of the parties thereto from the fluctuations of interest rates, exchange rates or forward rates applicable to such party's assets, liabilities or exchange transactions, including, but not limited to, Dollar-denominated or cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, forward currency exchange agreements, interest rate cap or collar protection agreements, forward rate currency or interest rate options, puts, warrants and those commonly known as interest rate "swap" agreements; and (b) any and all cancellations, buybacks, reversals, terminations or assignments of any of the foregoing. REGULATION D, REGULATION T, REGULATION U and REGULATION X -- respectively, Regulation D issued by the FRB, Regulation T issued by the FRB, Regulation U issued by the FRB and Regulation X issued by the FRB. REPORTABLE EVENT -- a reportable event as defined in Title IV of ERISA or the regulations thereunder. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES -- The representations and warranties made by any Covered Person with respect to itself and any other Covered Persons in Section 12, and the representations and warranties made in any other Loan Document or certificate, report or opinion delivered by Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Covered Person pursuant to the Loan Documents, as such representations and warranties are modified from time to time as provided in Section 13. REPURCHASES -- Borrower's repurchase, from time to time, of its issued and outstanding capital stock which was sold pursuant to transactions that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or that are exempt therefrom. REQUIRED LENDERS -- defined in Section 2.4. 93 RESPONSIBLE OFFICER -- as to any Person that is not an individual, partnership, limited liability company or trust, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant to the Treasurer, or any Vice President in charge of a principal business unit; as to any partnership, any individual who is a general partner thereof or any individual who has general management or administrative authority over all or any principal unit of the partnership's business; as to any limited liability company, any managing member, or manager, any individual who has general management or administrative authority over all or any principal unit of the limited liability company's business; and as to any trust, any individual who is a trustee. REVOLVING LOAN -- any Lender's Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Loan. REVOLVING LOAN ADVANCE -- an Advance by Administrative Agent that is to be funded by Lenders under the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment. REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT -- the commitment of each Lender as stated in Section 3.1.1. to fund Revolving Loan Advances. REVOLVING LOAN MATURITY DATE - April 14, 2010, unless sooner accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. REVOLVING LOAN UNUSED FEE -- the fee described in Section 5.2. REVOLVING NOTE -- any note delivered to a Lender as required by Section 3.1.3 to evidence Borrower's obligation to repay such Lender's Revolving Loan. SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT -- is defined in the preamble to this Agreement. SECURITY AGREEMENTS - means, collectively, the following documents: the Security Agreement dated March 27, 2002 executed by Borrower; the Security Agreement dated March 27, 2002 executed by TALX UCM Services, Inc. (f/k/a James E. Frick, Inc.), a Missouri corporation; the Security Agreement dated March 27, 2002 executed by TALX FasTime Services, Inc (f/k/a Ti3,Inc.) a Texas Corporation; the Security Agreement dated March 31, 2004, executed by TALX Employer Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Security Agreement dated October 15, 2004, executed by UI Advantage, Inc., a Maryland corporation; the Security Agreement dated October 15, 2004, executed by TBT Enterprises, Incorporated, a Maryland corporation; the Security Agreement dated October 25, 2004, by Net Profit, Inc., a South Carolina Corporation; the Collateral Assignment of, and Security Interest in, Lessee's Interest in Lease, dated May 28, 2004, executed by TALX UCM Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation; the Collateral Assignment of, and Security Interest in, Lessee's Interest in Lease dated May 28, 2004, executed by Borrower, the Stock Pledge of Ti3 stock dated March 27, 2002 executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of TALX UCM Services, Inc. stock dated March 26, 2003 executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of UI Advantage, Inc., a Maryland corporation dated October 15, 2004, executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of TBT Enterprises, Incorporated dated October 15, 2004, executed by Borrower; the Stock Pledge of Net Profit, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, dated October 25, 2004, by Borrower; the Grant of Security Interest in Intellectual Property dated March 27, 2002 by Borrower; the Grant of 94 Security Interest in Intellectual Property dated March 27, 2002 by TALX UCM Services, Inc. (f/k/a James E. Frick, Inc.), a Missouri corporation; the Grant of Security Interest in Intellectual Property dated March 31, 2004 executed by Borrower; the Grant of Security Interest in Intellectual Property dated March 31, 2004, by TALX FasTime Services, Inc., a Texas corporation; the Grant of Security Interest dated March 31, 2004, by TALX UCM Services, Inc. (f/k/a James E. Frick, Inc.), a Missouri corporation; the Grant of Security Interest in Intellectual Property dated October 25, 2004, by Net Profit, Inc., a South Carolina corporation; and the Trademark Assignment by Net Profit Inc., a South Carolina corporation, dated October 25, 2004; and Security Agreement dated April 20, 2005, executed by Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation; Security Agreement dated April 26, 2005, by TALX Tax Incentive Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; and Security Agreement dated November 1, 2005, executed by Unemployment Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Security Agreement dated December 15, 2005, by TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Security Agreement dated December 15, 2005, by Management Insight Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company; the Security Agreement dated April 6, 2006 by Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation; and the Grant of Security Interest in Intellectual Property dated April 6, 2006 by Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation. SECURITY INTEREST -- as to any item of tangible or intangible property, any interest therein or right with respect thereto that secures an Obligation or Indirect Obligation, whether such interest or right is created under a Contract, or by operation of law or statute (such as but not limited to a statutory lien for work or materials), or as a result of a judgment, or which arises under any form of preferential or title retention agreement or arrangement (including a conditional sale agreement or a lease) that has substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing. SELLER -- any Person who is a party to any Permitted Acquisition other than Borrower or a Covered Person. SELLING LENDER(S) -- is defined in Section 3.4.4. SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS -- is defined in Section 16.1. SOLVENT -- as to any Person, such Person not being "insolvent" within the meaning of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (the "UFTA") or Section 3 of the Illinois Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act set forth in Section 160/3 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (1996) (the "Illinois UFTA"), (ii) such Person not having unreasonably small capital, within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the Illinois UFTA, and (iii) such Person not being unable to pay such Person's debts as they become due within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the Illinois UFTA. SUBSIDIARY -- as to any Person, another Person with respect to which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of stock or other equity interests of each class having ordinary voting power (other than stock having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) is at the time owned by such Person or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; provided, that Johnson shall not be considered a Subsidiary of any Person for purposes of this Agreement so 95 long as the book value of Johnson's total assets reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP (other than goodwill and related intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition of Johnson) does not exceed two million five hundred thousand and 00/100 ($2,500,000.00); provided, further that TALX Limited, a company organized under the laws of England, shall not be considered a Subsidiary of any Person for purposes of this Agreement so long as it is not conducting any business. SURVIVING COMPANY -- as applicable, either (i) the Person that will own the assets to be acquired from a Target Company in a Permitted Acquisition upon the consummation thereof, or (ii) the survivor of the merger of an Acquiring Company with the Target Company in a Permitted Acquisition upon the consummation thereof. SWINGLINE -- is defined in Section 3.5. SWINGLINE FACILITY -- is defined in Section 3.5. SWINGLINE LOAN -- is defined in Section 3.5. SWINGLINE LOAN EXPOSURE -- the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans issued under the Swingline Facility. SWINGLINE NOTE -- is defined in Section 3.5. TARGET COMPANY -- the Person whose assets or stock, membership interests, or other equity interests will be acquired in a Permitted Acquisition upon the consummation thereof, or if applicable, with which an Acquiring Company will merge in a Permitted Acquisition upon the consummation thereof. TAX -- as to any Person, any tax, duty, impost, deduction, charges, withholdings, assessment, fee, or other charge 1evied by a Governmental Authority (and all liabilities associated therewith) on the income or property of such Person, including any interest or penalties thereon, and which is payable by such Person. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS -- is defined in Section 16.1. UCC -- the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of Illinois or such other similar statute as in effect from time to time in Illinois or any other appropriate jurisdiction. UNITED STATES -- when used in a geographical sense, all the states of the United States of America and the District of Columbia; and when used in a legal jurisdictional sense, the government of the country that is the United States of America. WAGE AND HOUR LAWS -- the Davis-Bacon Act, the Service Contract Act, the Contract Work Hours & Safety Standards Act and any other federal Law governing wage compensation or hours of work. WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN -- any plan described by Section 3(1) of ERISA. 96 EXHIBIT 3 LENDERS, LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO-RATA SHARES
LENDER REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS - ------------------------------------------------ -------------------------- LaSalle Bank National Association $ 45,000,000 Southwest Bank of St. Louis $ 35,000,000 National City Bank of the Midwest $ 25,000,000 Fifth Third Bank $ 17,500,000 Merrill Lynch Capital, a Division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. $ 17,500,000 First Bank $ 10,000,000 AGGREGATE COMMITMENT $ 150,000,000.00
EXHIBIT 3.4.1 COMMITMENT AND ACCEPTANCE Date LaSalle Bank National Association One North Brentwood, Suite 950 St. Louis, Missouri 63105 Attention: [____________] Ladies and Gentlemen: Reference is hereby made to that certain Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated May 25, 2006 by and among TALX Corporation, as Borrower, the financial institutions party thereto as Lenders and LaSalle Bank National Association, in its individual capacity as a Lender and as Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Loan Agreement"). Defined terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement. Pursuant to Section 3.4.1 of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower has requested an increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment in the amount of $__________ from $____________ to $____________. Such increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment is to become effective on the date (the "Effective Date") which is the later of (i) __________, _____ and (ii) the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.4.1 in respect of such increase have been satisfied. In connection with such requested increase in the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, the Administrative Agent and _______________ (the "Accepting Bank") hereby agree as follows: 1. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Accepting Bank shall become a party to the Loan Agreement as a Lender and shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and shall thereupon have a [Revolving Loan Commitment under and for purposes of the Loan Agreement in an amount equal to the] or [the Revolving Loan Commitment of the Accepting Bank under the Loan Agreement shall be increased from $_________ to the] amount set forth opposite the Accepting Bank's name on the signature page hereof. 2. The Accepting Bank hereby (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, together with copies of such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Commitment and Acceptance agreement; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deemed appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Agreement; (iii) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as contractual representative on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender. Revolving Loan Commitment: [Name of Lender] $______________ By: ____________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title:______________________________ LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent By: ____________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title:______________________________ TALX CORPORATION, as Borrower By: ____________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title:______________________________ EXHIBIT 7.10 LOAN REQUEST CERTIFICATE (REVOLVING LOAN) To: LaSalle Bank Nation Association From: TALX Corporation (the "Company") This Loan Request Certificate is delivered pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") dated May 25, 2006 by and among LaSalle Bank National Association, as a Lender and as Administrative Agent ("Agent"), and the other lender parties thereto and TALX Corporation ("Borrower"). All terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement. The undersigned hereby gives irrevocable notice of a request for a borrowing as follows: 1. New Loan Request: The undersigned hereby requests Lender to make and disburse a Loan to Borrower in the amount of: $_________________________________ 2. INTEREST RATE REQUESTED: The undersigned hereby elects (1) _______ Adjusted Base Rate for interest to accrue on the Revolving Loan requested herein on (2) _______ One-month Eurodollar the basis of (Select One): (3) _______ Two-month Eurodollar (4) _______ Three-month Eurodollar (5) _______ Six-month Eurodollar 3. ADVANCE DATE REQUESTED: ________________________________
The undersigned hereby represents, warrants, ratifies and confirms that, on the date hereof and as of the date of the advance as set forth above, all representations and warranties of Borrower contained in the Loan Agreement are true and correct, that Borrower is in compliance with all covenants of Borrower contained in the Loan Agreement, that no Event of Default under the Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing and no event that but for the passage of time or the giving of notice would be an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing, that all information contained in this Loan Request Certificate is true and correct and that the new loan request amount set forth above does not exceed the Maximum Available Amount. EXECUTED this _____ day of ______________________, 200__. TALX CORPORATION, a Missouri corporation By: ________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________ EXHIBIT 10.1.1 DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS LIST Closing Checklist EXHIBIT 12 DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE OF BORROWER EXHIBIT 14.14 FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE TO: LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent This Compliance Certificate is furnished pursuant to that certain Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006 (as it may be amended, modified, restated or replaced from time to time, the Loan Agreement), among TALX Corporation (referred to herein both collectively and individually as Borrower), LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (Administrative Agent) and the Lenders as defined in the Loan Agreement (Lenders). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Compliance Certificate have the meanings defined in the Loan Agreement. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT: 1. I am the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower. 2. I have reviewed the terms of the Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of Borrower and each other Covered Person during the accounting period covered by the attached Financial Statements. 3. The examinations described in paragraph 2 did not disclose, and I have no knowledge of, the existence of any condition or event which constitutes an Default or Event of Default as of the date of this Compliance Certificate; and to my knowledge all of the Representations and Warranties (including those of each Guarantor in its Guaranty) are true in all material respects. 4. ended _____, which are complete and correct in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments) and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period and with prior periods (except as disclosed therein).> 5. Borrower and every other Covered Person is in compliance with all of the covenants in the Loan Agreement, including the financial covenants in Section 16, and Schedule II attached hereto contains calculations based on Borrower's financial statements and other financial records that show Borrower's compliance with such financial covenants. The calculations and the data upon which they are based are believed by me to be complete and correct. This Compliance Certificate, together with the Schedules hereto, is executed and delivered this day of _____________________. By: _______________________________________ Print Name: _______________________________ Title: ____________________________________ SCHEDULE I TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE SEE CURRENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. SCHEDULE II TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE All calculations done in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and based on the period ended __________________. Any inconsistencies between the descriptions of the items set forth in this Schedule II and the terms of any of Sections 16.1 through 16.6 shall be resolved in favor of the terms set forth in Sections 16.1 through 16.6. Reference should be made to Sections 16.1 through 16.6 of the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement for more specific instructions regarding the calculation periods and how the components of the financial covenants should be calculated. I. EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.1): (i) Net Income $_________ (ii) Interest Expense $_________ (iii) Federal, State and Local Income Tax expense accrued for as a liability $_________ (iv) Amortization of good will and other intangible assets and depreciation expense taken or accrued for in such period, without duplication $_________ (v) Extraordinary losses in such period incurred or accrued for in such period, without duplication $_________ (vi) Share based compensation expense $_________ (vii) Sums related to consummation of Prior Acquisitions ($2,700,000.00, $1,675,000.00, $650,000.00, or $325,000.00, if applicable) $_________ (viii) Sum of Items (i) through (vii) $_________ (ix) Extraordinary income/gain in such period incurred or accrued for in such period, without duplication $_________ (x) Items (viii) minus Item (ix) -- EBITDA $_________ II. EBIT (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.1): (i) Net Income $_________ (ii) Interest Expense $_________
(iii) Federal, State and Local Income Tax expense accrued for as a liability $_________ (iv) Share based compensation expense $_________ (v) Sums related to consummation of Prior Acquisitions ($2,700,000.00, $1,675,000.00, $650,000.00, or $325,000.00, if applicable) $_________ (vi) Sum of Items (i) through (v) - EBIT $_________ III. MINIMUM INTEREST COVERAGE (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.3) A. EBIT (for preceding four fiscal quarters per Item II (vi)) $_________ Less: (i) Dividends $_________ (ii) Federal, State and Local Income Tax expense accrued for as a liability $_________ B. Subtotal (EBIT minus (i) and (ii)) $_________ C. Interest Expense $_________ D. Ratio of Item B to Item C ______: 1.0 E. Minimum ratio required by Section 16.3: 2.0 to 1. IV. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS TO EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.4) A. Total Indebtedness $_________ B. EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters per Item I (xiii)) $_________ C. Ratio of Item A to Item B ______: 1.0 D. Maximum Ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA permitted by Section 16.4: 2.50 to 1; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006, the Borrower's ratio of Total Indebtedness to EBITDA shall not be greater than 2.75 to 1. V. MINIMUM EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters) (Section 16.6) A. EBITDA (for preceding four fiscal quarters per Item 1 (xiii)) $_________ B. 75% EBITDA of Permitted Acquisitions $_________ C. Minimum EBITDA required by Section 16.6: commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2006, $60,400,000 plus 75% EBITDA of Permitted Acquisitions $_________
EXHIBIT 20.4.1 FORM ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE DATED: ___________, ______ Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006 (as it may be amended, modified, restated or replaced from time to time, the Loan Agreement) among TALX Corporation (referred to herein both collectively and individually as Borrower), LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (Administrative Agent) and the Lenders as defined in the Loan Agreement (Lenders). Terms defined in the Loan Agreement are used herein with the same meaning. The Assignor and the Assignee referred to on Schedule 1 agree as follows: 1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, without recourse and without representation or warranty except as expressly set forth herein, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, an interest in and to the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents as of the date hereof equal to the percentage interest specified on Schedule 1 of all outstanding rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents. After giving effect to such sale and assignment, the Assignee's Commitment and the amount of the Loans owing to the Assignee will be as set forth on Schedule 1. 2. The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (ii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; (iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Covered Person or the performance or observance by any Covered Person of any of its obligations under the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; and (iv) attaches the Note(s) held by the Assignor and requests that Administrative Agent exchange such Note(s) for new Note(s) payable to the order of the Assignee in an amount equal to the Commitment assumed by the Assignee pursuant hereto and to the Assignor in an amount equal to the Commitment retained by the Assignor, if any, as specified on Schedule 1. 3. The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred to in Section thereof and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Agreement; (iii) confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee; (iv) appoints and authorizes Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Loan Agreement as are delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto; (v) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the Loan Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender; and (vi) attaches any U.S. Internal Revenue Service or other forms required under Section 4. Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, it will be delivered to Administrative Agent for acceptance and recording by Administrative Agent. The effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance (the Effective Date) shall be the date of acceptance hereof by Administrative Agent, unless otherwise specified on Schedule 1. 5. Upon such acceptance and recording by Administrative Agent, as of the Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Loan Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Loan Agreement. 6. Upon such acceptance and recording by Administrative Agent, from and after the Effective Date, Administrative Agent shall make all payments under the Loan Agreement and the Notes in respect of the interest assigned hereby (including, without limitation, all payments of principal, interest and commitment fees with respect thereto) to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under the Loan Agreement and the Notes for periods prior to the Effective Date directly between themselves. 7. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois. 8. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of Schedule 1 to this Assignment and Acceptance by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused Schedule 1 to this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date specified thereon. EXHIBIT 10.45 SCHEDULE 1 to ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE Percentage interest assigned: ___________% Assignee's Commitment: $___________ Aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans assigned: $___________ Principal amount of Note payable to Assignee: $___________ Principal amount of Note payable to Assignor: $___________ Effective Date (if other than date of acceptance by Administrative Agent): * __________, ______
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR], as Assignor By: _____________________________________ Title: __________________________________ Dated: _____________________________, ___ [NAME OF ASSIGNEE], as Assignee By: _____________________________________ Title: __________________________________ Applicable Lending Office: *This date should be no earlier than five Business Days after the delivery of this Assignment and Acceptance to Administrative Agent. Accepted [and Approved] This __________ day of _______________, _____ LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent By: __________________________________ Title: __________________________________ Accepted [and Approved]** This __________ day of _______________, _____ TALX Corporation, By: __________________________________ Title: __________________________________ **Approval of Borrower required only if there is no Existing Default
EX-10.46 6 c05630exv10w46.txt NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT EXHIBIT 10.46 ================================================================================ TALX CORPORATION $75,000,000 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 ----------------------- NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT ----------------------- Dated as of May 25, 2006 ================================================================================ TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION HEADING PAGE SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES.................................................... 1 SECTION 2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES................................................ 1 SECTION 3. CLOSING................................................................... 2 SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING..................................................... 2 Section 4.1. Representations and Warranties............................................ 2 Section 4.2. Performance; No Default................................................... 2 Section 4.3. Compliance Certificates................................................... 2 Section 4.4. Opinions of Counsel....................................................... 3 Section 4.5. Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc................................. 3 Section 4.6. Sale of Other Notes....................................................... 3 Section 4.7. Payment of Special Counsel Fees........................................... 3 Section 4.8. Private Placement Number.................................................. 3 Section 4.9. Changes in Limited Liability Company or Corporate Structure............... 3 Section 4.10. Funding Instructions...................................................... 4 Section 4.11. Proceedings and Documents................................................. 4 Section 4.12. Bank Credit Agreement..................................................... 4 Section 4.13. Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement............................................ 4 Section 4.14. Intercreditor Agreement................................................... 4 SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY............................. 4 Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority......................................... 4 Section 5.2. Authorization, Etc........................................................ 4 Section 5.3. Disclosure................................................................ 5 Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries...................... 5 Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities................................ 6 Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc.............................. 6 Section 5.7. Governmental Authorizations, Etc.......................................... 6 Section 5.8. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders................. 6 Section 5.9. Taxes..................................................................... 7 Section 5.10. Title to Property; Leases................................................. 7 Section 5.11. Licenses, Permits, Etc.................................................... 7 Section 5.12. Compliance with ERISA..................................................... 8 Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Company........................................... 8 Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations....................................... 9 Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness; Future Lien........................................ 9
Section 5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc................................... 10 Section 5.17. Status under Certain Statutes............................................. 10 Section 5.18. Environmental Matters..................................................... 10 Section 5.19. Pari Passu Ranking........................................................ 11 SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER.......................................... 11 Section 6.1. Purchase for Investment................................................... 11 Section 6.2. Source of Funds........................................................... 11 SECTION 7. INFORMATION AS TO COMPANY................................................. 13 Section 7.1. Financial and Business Information........................................ 13 Section 7.2. Officer's Certificate..................................................... 16 Section 7.3. Visitation................................................................ 16 Section 7.4. Limitation on Disclosure Obligation....................................... 17 SECTION 8. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES....................................... 17 Section 8.1. Required Prepayments...................................................... 17 Section 8.2. Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount............................... 17 Section 8.3. Prepayment of Notes Upon Change of Control................................ 18 Section 8.4. Allocation of Partial Prepayments......................................... 19 Section 8.5. Maturity; Surrender, Etc.................................................. 19 Section 8.6. Purchase of Notes......................................................... 19 Section 8.7. Make-Whole Amount......................................................... 19 Section 8.8. Prepayment in Connection with Sales of Assets............................. 20 SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..................................................... 21 Section 9.1. Compliance with Law....................................................... 21 Section 9.2. Insurance................................................................. 21 Section 9.3. Maintenance of Properties................................................. 21 Section 9.4. Payment of Taxes and Claims............................................... 22 Section 9.5. Limited Liability Company and Corporate Existence, Etc.................... 22 Section 9.6. Books and Records......................................................... 22 Section 9.7. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors.......................................... 22 Section 9.8. Release of Subsidiary Guarantors.......................................... 23 Section 9.9. Pari Passu Ranking........................................................ 23 Section 9.10. Additional Interest....................................................... 23 SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS........................................................ 24 Section 10.1. Transactions with Affiliates.............................................. 24 Section 10.2. Consolidated Net Worth.................................................... 24 Section 10.3. Consolidated Debt Coverage................................................ 24 Section 10.4. Fixed Charge Coverage..................................................... 24 Section 10.5. Priority Debt............................................................. 24 Section 10.6. Liens..................................................................... 25
-ii- Section 10.7. Merger, Consolidation, Etc................................................ 27 Section 10.8. Sale of Assets............................................................ 28 Section 10.9. Subsidiary Indebtedness................................................... 29 Section 10.10. Nature of Business........................................................ 29 Section 10.11. Terrorism Sanctions Regulations........................................... 30 SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT......................................................... 30 SECTION 12. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.................................................. 32 Section 12.1. Acceleration.............................................................. 32 Section 12.2. Other Remedies............................................................ 33 Section 12.3. Rescission................................................................ 33 Section 12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc......................... 33 SECTION 13. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES............................. 33 Section 13.1. Registration of Notes..................................................... 33 Section 13.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes............................................ 34 Section 13.3. Replacement of Notes...................................................... 34 SECTION 14. PAYMENTS ON NOTES......................................................... 35 Section 14.1. Place of Payment.......................................................... 35 Section 14.2. Home Office Payment....................................................... 35 SECTION 15. EXPENSES, ETC............................................................. 35 Section 15.1. Transaction Expenses...................................................... 35 Section 15.2. Survival.................................................................. 36 SECTION 16. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.............. 36 SECTION 17. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER...................................................... 36 Section 17.1. Requirements.............................................................. 36 Section 17.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes.......................................... 37 Section 17.3. Binding Effect, etc....................................................... 37 Section 17.4. Notes Held by Company, Etc................................................ 37 SECTION 18. NOTICES................................................................... 38 SECTION 19. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS................................................. 38 SECTION 20. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.................................................. 38
-iii- SECTION 21. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER................................................. 40 SECTION 22. MISCELLANEOUS............................................................. 40 Section 22.1. Successors and Assigns.................................................... 40 Section 22.2. Payments Due on Non-Business Days......................................... 40 Section 22.3. Accounting Terms.......................................................... 40 Section 22.4. Severability.............................................................. 41 Section 22.5. Construction, Etc......................................................... 41 Section 22.6. Counterparts.............................................................. 41 Section 22.7. Governing Law............................................................. 41 Section 22.8. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial............................ 41 Signature......................................................................................... 43
-iv- SCHEDULE A -- INFORMATION RELATING TO PURCHASERS SCHEDULE B -- DEFINED TERMS SCHEDULE 4.9 -- Changes in Corporate Structure SCHEDULE 5.3 -- Disclosure Materials SCHEDULE 5.4 -- Subsidiaries of the Company and Ownership of Subsidiary Stock SCHEDULE 5.5 -- Financial Statements SCHEDULE 5.15 -- Existing Indebtedness EXHIBIT 1 -- Form of 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Note due May 25, 2014 EXHIBIT 4.4(a) -- Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Obligors EXHIBIT 4.4(b) -- Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Purchasers EXHIBIT 4.13 -- Form of Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement EXHIBIT 4.14 -- Form of Intercreditor Agreement
-v- TALX CORPORATION 11432 LACKLAND ROAD ST. LOUIS, MO 63146 $75,000,000 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 As of May 25, 2006 TO EACH OF THE PURCHASERS LISTED IN SCHEDULE A HERETO: Ladies and Gentlemen: TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation (the "Company") agrees with each of the purchasers whose names appear at the end hereof (each, a "Purchaser" and, collectively, the "Purchasers") as follows: SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES. The Company will authorize the issue and sale of $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 (the "Notes," such term to include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13). The Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Exhibit 1. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B; and references to a "Schedule" or an "Exhibit" are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement. SECTION 2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from the Company, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes in the principal amount specified opposite such Purchaser's name in Schedule A at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers' obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder. Payment of the principal of or Make-Whole Amount if any and interest on the Notes and the other amounts owing hereunder and under the other Financing Agreements shall be unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement. TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement SECTION 3. CLOSING. The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, at 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, at a closing (the "Closing") on May 25, 2006 or on such other Business Day thereafter as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Purchasers. At the Closing the Company will deliver to each Purchaser the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Note (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser's name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Company or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Company to account number 5800404260 at LaSalle Bank National Association, ABA number 071000505. If at the Closing the Company shall fail to tender such Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchaser's satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment. SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. Each Purchaser's obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser's satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions: Section 4.1. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Obligors in the Financing Agreements to which they are a party shall be correct when made and at the time of the Closing. Section 4.2. Performance; No Default. The Obligors shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements to which they are a party required to be performed or complied with by each of them prior to or at the Closing and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Neither any Obligor nor any Subsidiary shall have entered into any transaction since the date of the Memorandum that would have been prohibited by Section 10 had such Section applied since such date. Section 4.3. Compliance Certificates. (a) Officer's Certificate. Each Obligor shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officer's Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled. (b) Secretary's Certificate. Each Obligor shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, dated the date of Closing, certifying as to the -2- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement resolutions attached thereto and other limited liability company or corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Financing Agreements to which it is a party. Section 4.4. Opinions of Counsel. Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Bryan Cave LLP, special counsel for the Obligors, covering the matters set forth in Exhibit 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request (and the Obligors hereby instruct such counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers) and (b) from Chapman and Cutler LLP, the Purchasers' special counsel in connection with such transactions, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 4.4(b) and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request. Section 4.5. Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc. On the date of the Closing the Purchaser's purchase of Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officer's Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted. Section 4.6. Sale of Other Notes. Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Company shall sell to each other Purchaser, and each other Purchaser shall purchase, the Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in Schedule A. Section 4.7. Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting the provisions of Section 15.1, the Company shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchasers' special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least one Business Day prior to the Closing. Section 4.8. Private Placement Number. A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poor's CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) shall have been obtained for the Notes. Section 4.9. Changes in Limited Liability Company or Corporate Structure. Except as specified in Schedule 4.9, no Obligor shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity, at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5. -3- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement Section 4.10. Funding Instructions. At least three Business Days prior to the date of such Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the Company confirming the information specified in Section 3 including (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee bank's ABA number and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Notes is to be deposited. Section 4.11. Proceedings and Documents. All limited liability company or corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Financing Agreements and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request. Section 4.12. Bank Credit Agreement. The Company shall have delivered evidence reasonably satisfactory to each of the Purchasers that all security interests in the property of the Obligors securing the Bank Credit Agreement shall have been released and, after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of the Notes, the availability under the Bank Credit Agreement shall have been reduced to $150,000,000 or less. Section 4.13. Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement. Each Subsidiary Guarantor shall have executed and delivered (and each Purchaser shall have received an original copy thereof) a Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement shall be in full force and effect. Section 4.14. Intercreditor Agreement. The Intercreditor Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto. SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents and warrants to each Purchaser that: Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has the corporate power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver the Financing Agreements to which it is a party, and to perform the provisions thereof. Section 5.2. Authorization, Etc. The Financing Agreements to which the Company is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and this Agreement, and upon execution and delivery thereof each Note and other Financing Agreement to which the Company is a party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such -4- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Section 5.3. Disclosure. The Company, through its agent, LaSalle Debt Capital Markets has delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Memorandum, dated April, 2006 (including the documents incorporated by reference therein, the "Memorandum"), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Memorandum fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.3, this Agreement, the Memorandum, the documents, certificates or other writings identified in Schedule 5.3 by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5, in each case, delivered to the Purchasers prior to May 8, 2006 (this Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements being referred to, collectively, as the "Disclosure Documents"), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.3 and the Disclosure Documents, since March 31, 2005, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company or any Subsidiary except changes that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to the Company that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents. Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries. (a) Schedule 5.4 contains (except as noted therein) a complete and correct list of the Company's Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof, the jurisdiction of its organization, and the percentage of shares of each class of its capital stock or similar equity interests outstanding owned by the Company and each other Subsidiary and whether such Subsidiary will on the date of the Closing be a Subsidiary Guarantor. (b) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of each Subsidiary shown in Schedule 5.4 as being owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company or another Subsidiary free and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 5.4). (c) Each Subsidiary identified in Schedule 5.4 is a limited liability company, corporation or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign limited liability company, corporation or other legal entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each such Subsidiary has the limited liability company, corporate or other power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it -5- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement purports to own or hold under lease and to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact. (d) No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than the Financing Agreements and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary. Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities. The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents. Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Financing Agreements to which it is a party will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Company or any Subsidiary under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, Material lease, limited liability company or corporate charter or operating agreement or by-laws, or any other Material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or by which the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary. Section 5.7. Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of the Financing Agreements to which it is a party (other than the filing of a form 8-K with the SEC disclosing the Company's entry into this Agreement). Section 5.8. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders. (a) There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or any property of the Company or any Subsidiary in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any -6- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under any term of any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or is in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation (including without limitation Environmental Laws or the USA Patriot Act) of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 5.9. Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all tax returns that are required to have been filed in any jurisdiction, and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments levied upon them or their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, except for any taxes and assessments (i) the amount of which is not individually or in the aggregate Material or (ii) the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. The Company does not know of any basis for any other tax or assessment that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of Federal, state or other taxes for all fiscal periods are adequate in all Material respects. The Federal income tax liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been finally determined (whether by reason of completed audits or the statute of limitations having run) for all fiscal years up to and including the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001. Section 5.10. Title to Property; Leases. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and sufficient title to their respective properties that individually or in the aggregate are Material, including all such properties reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to in Section 5.5 or purported to have been acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary after said date (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business), in each case free and clear of Liens prohibited by the Financing Agreements. All Material leases are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects. Section 5.11. Licenses, Permits, Etc. (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.11, the Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess all licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, proprietary software, service marks, trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, that individually or in the aggregate are Material, without known conflict with the rights of others. (b) To the best knowledge of the Company, no product of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries infringes in any material respect any license, permit, franchise, authorization, patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned by any other Person. -7- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement (c) To the best knowledge of the Company, there is no Material violation by any Person of any right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Section 5.12. Compliance with ERISA. (a) The Company and each ERISA Affiliate have operated and administered each Plan in compliance with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise tax provisions or to section 401(a)(29) or 412 of the Code or section 4068 of ERISA, other than such liabilities or Liens as would not be individually or in the aggregate Material. (b) The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each of the Plans (other than Multiemployer Plans), determined as of the end of such Plan's most recently ended plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in such Plan's most recent actuarial valuation report, did not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities by more than $1,000,000 in the case of any single Plan and by more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all Plans. The term "benefit liabilities" has the meaning specified in section 4001 of ERISA and the terms "current value" and "present value" have the meaning specified in section 3 of ERISA. (c) The Company and its ERISA Affiliates have not incurred withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of Multiemployer Plans that individually or in the aggregate are Material. (d) The expected postretirement benefit obligation (determined as of the last day of the Company's most recently ended fiscal year in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 106, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not Material. (e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Company to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(e) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchaser's representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser. Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Company. Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement or any similar -8- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers and not more than twenty-six (26) other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement at a private sale for investment. Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction. Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The Company will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Notes to repay amounts outstanding under the Bank Credit Agreement and for other general corporate purposes of the Company and its Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock in violation of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than 1.0% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5.0% of the value of such assets. As used in this Section, the terms "margin stock" and "purpose of buying or carrying" shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U. Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens. (a) Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date of Closing (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary that would permit (or that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment. (b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.6. (c) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes -9- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Company, except as specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15. Section 5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. (a) Neither the sale of the Notes by the Company hereunder nor the guaranty of the obligations of the Company thereunder by the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement nor their use of the proceeds thereof will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. (b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (i) is a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) engages in any dealings or transactions with any such Person. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance, in all material respects, with the USA Patriot Act. (c) No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, assuming in all cases that such Act applies to the Company. Section 5.17. Status under Certain Statutes. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, as amended, the ICC Termination Act of 1995, as amended, or the Federal Power Act, as amended. Section 5.18. Environmental Matters. (a) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has knowledge of any claim or has received any notice of any claim, and no proceeding has been instituted raising any claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or other assets, alleging any damage to the environment or violation of any Environmental Laws, except, in each case, such as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has knowledge of any facts which would give rise to any claim, public or private, of violation of Environmental Laws or damage to the environment emanating from, occurring on or in any way related to real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or to other assets or their use, except, in each case, such as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (c) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has stored any Hazardous Materials on real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them and has not disposed of any Hazardous Materials in a manner contrary to any Environmental Laws in each case in any manner that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and -10- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement (d) All buildings on all real properties now owned, leased or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary are in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Section 5.19. Pari Passu Ranking. The Company's obligations under the Financing Agreements will, upon issuance of the Notes, rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all of its other outstanding unsecured Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Bank Credit Agreement). Each Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement will, upon issuance of the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all of its other outstanding unsecured Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any obligation under or relating to the Bank Credit Agreement). Each Person (other than the Company) which is a borrower, guarantor or other obligor under or pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement is a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement. SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER. Section 6.1. Purchase for Investment. Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchaser's or their property shall at all times be within such Purchaser's or their control. Each Purchaser understands that the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Obligors are not required to register the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement. Each Purchaser severally represents that it (i) is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (ii) has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Obligors and has received answers regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated hereby. Section 6.2. Source of Funds. Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a "Source") to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser hereunder: (a) the Source is an "insurance company general account" (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor's Prohibited Transaction Exemption ("PTE") 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the "NAIC Annual Statement")) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of -11- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser's state of domicile; or (b) the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser's fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or (c) the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (c), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or (d) the Source constitutes assets of an "investment fund" (within the meaning of Part V of PTE 84-14 (the "QPAM Exemption")) managed by a "qualified professional asset manager" or "QPAM" (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan's assets that are included in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Section V(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, exceed 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM (applying the definition of "control" in Section V(e) of the QPAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of all employee benefit plans whose assets are included in such investment fund have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or (e) the Source constitutes assets of a "plan(s)" (within the meaning of Section IV of PTE 96-23 (the "INHAM Exemption")) managed by an "in-house asset manager" or "INHAM" (within the meaning of Part IV of the INHAM exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of "control" in Section IV(d) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or (f) the Source is a governmental plan; or -12- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement (g) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or (h) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA. As used in this Section 6.2, the terms "employee benefit plan," "governmental plan," and "separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA. SECTION 7. INFORMATION AS TO COMPANY. Section 7.1. Financial and Business Information. The Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor: (a) Quarterly Statements -- within 60 days (or such shorter period as is 15 days greater than the period applicable to the filing of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the "Form 10-Q") with the SEC regardless of whether the Company is subject to the filing requirements thereof) after the end of each quarterly fiscal period in each fiscal year of the Company (other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year), duplicate copies of, (i) a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and (ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments; provided that delivery within the time period specified above of copies of the Company's Form 10 Q prepared in compliance with the requirements therefor and filed with the SEC shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(a), and provided, further, that the Company shall be deemed to have made such delivery of such Form 10-Q if it shall have timely made such Form 10-Q available on "EDGAR" and on its home page on the worldwide web (at the date of this Agreement located at: http//www.talx.com) and shall have given or caused to be given each Purchaser notice of such availability on EDGAR and on its home page in connection with each delivery (such availability and notice thereof being referred to as "Electronic Delivery"), in which event, the Company shall separately deliver, -13- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement concurrently with such Electronic Delivery, the certificate of the Senior Financial Officer. (b) Annual Statements -- within 105 days (or such shorter period as is 15 days greater than the period applicable to the filing of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") with the SEC regardless of whether the Company is subject to the filing requirements thereof) after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, duplicate copies of (i) a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and (ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon of independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported upon and their results of operations and cash flows and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable basis for such opinion in the circumstances; provided that the delivery within the time period specified above of the Company's Form 10 K for such fiscal year (together with the Company's annual report to shareholders, if any, prepared pursuant to Rule 14a-3 under the Exchange Act) prepared in accordance with the requirements thereof and filed with the SEC shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(b) and provided, further, that the Company shall be deemed to have made delivery of such Form 10-K if it shall have timely made Electronic Delivery thereof; (c) SEC and Other Reports -- promptly upon their becoming available, one copy of (i) each financial statement, report, notice or proxy statement sent by the Company or any Subsidiary to its principal lending banks as a whole (excluding information sent to such banks in the ordinary course of administration of a bank facility, such as information relating to pricing and borrowing availability) or to its public securities holders generally, and (ii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement that shall have become effective other than registration statements on Form S-8 (without exhibits except as expressly requested by such holder), and each prospectus (other than one relating solely to employee benefit plans) and all amendments thereto filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC and of all press releases and other statements made available generally by the Company or any Subsidiary to the public concerning developments that are Material, provided, that the Company shall be deemed to have made such delivery (including with respect to any exhibits thereto) if it shall have timely made Electronic Delivery thereof; -14- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement (d) Notice of Default or Event of Default -- promptly, and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; (e) ERISA Matters -- promptly, and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of any of the following, a written notice setting forth the nature thereof and the action, if any, that the Company or an ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto: (i) with respect to any Plan, any reportable event, as defined in section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, for which notice thereof has not been waived pursuant to such regulations as in effect on the date hereof; or (ii) the taking by the PBGC of steps to institute, or the threatening by the PBGC of the institution of, proceedings under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multi-employer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC with respect to such Multi-employer Plan; or (iii) any event, transaction or condition that could result in the incurrence of any liability by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or such penalty or excise tax provisions, if such liability or Lien, taken together with any other such liabilities or Liens then existing, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (f) Notices from Governmental Authority -- promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any written notice to the Company or any Subsidiary from any Federal or state Governmental Authority relating to (i) non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation or (ii) any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation outside of the ordinary course of business that, in either case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (g) Requested Information -- with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or relating to the ability of any -15- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement Obligor to perform its obligations under the Financing Agreements to which it is a party as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such holder of Notes. Section 7.2. Officer's Certificate. Each set of financial statements delivered to a holder of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer setting forth (which, in the case of Electronic Delivery of any such financial statements, shall be by separate substantially concurrent delivery of such certificate to each holder of Notes): (a) Covenant Compliance -- the information (including detailed calculations) required in order to establish whether the Company was in compliance with the requirements of Section 10.2 through Section 10.9, inclusive, during the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such Section, where applicable, the calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Sections, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence); and (b) Event of Default -- a statement that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed (or caused a Responsible Officer to review) the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including, without limitation, any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto. Section 7.3. Visitation. The Company shall permit the representatives of each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor: (a) No Default -- if no Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Company, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with the Company's officers, and (with the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) its independent public accountants, and (with the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) to visit the other offices and properties of the Company and each Subsidiary, all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested in writing; and (b) Default -- if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Company to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, to examine all their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, -16- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement finances and accounts with their respective officers and independent public accountants (and by this provision the Company authorizes said accountants to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries), all at such times and as often as may be requested. Section 7.4. Limitation on Disclosure Obligation. The Company shall not be required to disclose the following information pursuant to Section 7.1(c), 7.1(g) or 7.3: (a) information that the Company determines after consultation with counsel qualified to advise on such matters that, notwithstanding the confidentiality requirements of Section 20, it would be prohibited from disclosing by applicable law or regulations without making public disclosure thereof; or (b) information that, notwithstanding the confidentiality requirements of Section 20, the Company is prohibited from disclosing by the terms of an obligation of confidentiality contained in any agreement with any non-Affiliate binding upon the Company and not entered into in contemplation of this clause (b), provided that the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain consent from the party in whose favor the obligation of confidentiality was made to permit the disclosure of the relevant information and provided further that the Company has received a written opinion of counsel confirming that disclosure of such information without consent from such other contractual party would constitute a breach of such agreement. Promptly after a request therefor from any holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor, the Company will provide such holder with a written opinion of counsel (which may be addressed to the Company) relied upon as to any requested information that the Company is prohibited from disclosing to such holder under circumstances described in this Section 7.4. SECTION 8. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES. Section 8.1. Required Prepayments. On May 25, 2010 and on each May 25 thereafter to and including May 25, 2013 the Company will prepay $15,000,000 principal amount (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding) of the Notes at par and without payment of the Make-Whole Amount or any premium, provided that upon any partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3 or 8.8, the principal amount of each required prepayment of the Notes becoming due under this Section 8.1 on and after the date of such prepayment shall be reduced in the same proportion as the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Notes is reduced as a result of such prepayment. The entire remaining unpaid principal amount of the outstanding Notes will be due and payable on May 25, 2014. Section 8.2. Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount. The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, together with interest accrued on the principal amount so prepaid to the date of such prepayment and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal -17- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement amount. The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.4), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date. Section 8.3. Prepayment of Notes Upon Change of Control. (a) Condition to Company Action. Within fifteen (15) Business Days of a Responsible Officer obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall have given to each holder of Notes written notice containing and constituting an offer to prepay Notes as described in subparagraph (b) of this Section 8.3, accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (e) of this Section 8.3. (b) Offer to Prepay Notes. The offer to prepay Notes contemplated by subparagraph (a) of this Section 8.3 shall be an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this Section 8.3, all, but not less than all, the Notes held by each holder (in this case only, "holder" in respect of any Note registered in the name of a nominee for a disclosed beneficial owner shall mean such beneficial owner) on the date specified in such offer (the "Proposed Prepayment Date") that is not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date of such offer (if the Proposed Prepayment Date shall not be specified in such offer, the Proposed Prepayment Date shall be the first Business Day which is at least 45 days after the date of such offer). (c) Acceptance; Rejection. A holder of Notes may accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.3 by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the Company at least 15 days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.3, or to accept an offer as to all of the Notes held by such holder, within such time period shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder. (d) Prepayment. Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall be at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, together with interest on such Notes accrued to the date of prepayment, and shall not require the payment of any Make-Whole Amount. The prepayment shall be made on the Proposed Prepayment Date. (e) Officer's Certificate. Each offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall be accompanied by a certificate, executed by a Senior Financial Officer of the Company and dated the date of such offer, specifying: (i) the Proposed Prepayment Date; (ii) that such offer is made pursuant to this Section 8.3; (iii) the principal amount of each Note offered to be -18- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement prepaid; (iv) the interest that would be due on each Note offered to be prepaid, accrued to the Proposed Prepayment Date; (v) that the conditions of this Section 8.3 have been fulfilled; and (vi) in reasonable detail, the nature and date of the Change of Control. Section 8.4. Allocation of Partial Prepayments. In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment. Section 8.5. Maturity; Surrender, Etc. In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any. From and after such date, unless the Company shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note. Section 8.6. Purchase of Notes. The Company will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment or prepayment of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes. Section 8.7. Make-Whole Amount. "Make-Whole Amount" means, with respect to any Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings: "Called Principal" means, with respect to any Note, the principal of such Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires. "Discounted Value" means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal. -19- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement "Reinvestment Yield" means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, .50% over the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as "Page PX1" (or such other display as may replace Page PX1 on Bloomberg Financial Markets ("Bloomberg")) or, if Page PX1 (or its successor screen on Bloomberg) is unavailable, the Telerate Access Service screen which corresponds most closely to Page PX1 for the most recently issued actively traded on the run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. In the case of each determination under clause (i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, of the preceding paragraph, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Note. "Remaining Average Life" means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment. "Remaining Scheduled Payments" means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 9.10, that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 12.1. "Settlement Date" means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires. Section 8.8. Prepayment in Connection with Sales of Assets. If the Company chooses to make an offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to Section 10.8, the Company will give written notice -20- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement thereof to the holders of all outstanding Notes, which notice shall (i) refer specifically to this Section 8.8 and describe in reasonable detail the Disposition giving rise to such offer to prepay the Notes, (ii) specify the principal amount of each Note being offered to be prepaid, without any requirement to pay any Make-Whole Amount, which amount shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts not theretofore called for prepayment, (iii) specify a date not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date of such notice (the "Disposition Prepayment Date") and specify the Disposition Response Date (as defined below), and (iv) offer to prepay on the Disposition Prepayment Date the amount specified in (ii) above with respect to each Note together with interest accrued thereon to the Disposition Prepayment Date. Each holder of a Note shall notify the Company of such holder's acceptance or rejection of such offer by giving written notice of such acceptance or rejection to the Company (provided, however, that any holder who fails to so notify the Company shall be deemed to have rejected such offer) on a date at least 10 days prior to the Disposition Prepayment Date (such date 10 days prior to the Disposition Prepayment Date being the "Disposition Response Date"), provided, that if any holder of Notes declines such offer, the proceeds that would have been paid to such holder shall be offered pro rata to the other holders of the Notes that have accepted the offer. The Company shall prepay on the Disposition Prepayment Date the amount specified in (ii) above with respect to each Note held by the holders who have accepted such offer in accordance with this Section 8.8. SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding: Section 9.1. Compliance with Law. Without limiting Section 10.9, the Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations to which each of them is subject, including, without limitation, ERISA, the USA Patriot Act and Environmental Laws, and will obtain and maintain in effect all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of their respective properties or to the conduct of their respective businesses, in each case to the extent necessary to ensure that non-compliance with such laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations or failures to obtain or maintain in effect such licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 9.2. Insurance. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to their respective properties and businesses against such casualties and contingencies, of such types, on such terms and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto) as is customary in the case of entities of established reputations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated. Section 9.3. Maintenance of Properties. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and kept, their respective properties in good repair, working order and condition (other than ordinary wear and tear), so -21- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times, provided that this Section shall not prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from discontinuing the operation and the maintenance of any of its properties if the Company or such Subsidiary has concluded that such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of its business and the Company has concluded that such discontinuance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 9.4. Payment of Taxes and Claims. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, file all tax returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction and to pay and discharge all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes, assessments, governmental charges, or levies imposed on them or any of their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent such taxes, assessments, charges and levies have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent and all claims for which sums have become due and payable that have or might become a Lien on properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary need file any such return or pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim if (i) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by the Company or such Subsidiary on a timely basis in good faith and in appropriate proceedings, and the Company or a Subsidiary has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP on the books of the Company or such Subsidiary or (ii) the non-filing of all such returns or the nonpayment of all such taxes, assessments, charges, levies and claims in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 9.5. Limited Liability Company and Corporate Existence, Etc. Subject to Sections 10.7 and 10.8, the Company will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence. Subject to Sections 10.7 and 10.8, the Company will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect the limited liability company, corporate or other applicable existence of each of its Subsidiaries (unless merged or consolidated into or with, or substantially all of its assets are transferred to, the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) and all rights and franchises of the Company and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries unless, in the good faith judgment of the Company, the termination of or failure to preserve and keep in full force and effect such limited liability company, corporate or other applicable existence, right or franchise could not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 9.6. Books and Records. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain proper books of record and account in conformity with GAAP and all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having legal or regulatory jurisdiction over the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be. Section 9.7. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that, if any Subsidiary which is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (i) guarantees the Company's obligations under the Bank Credit Agreement, (ii) directly or indirectly becomes an obligor under the Bank Credit Agreement or (iii) directly or indirectly guarantees any Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company, it will cause such Subsidiary to, concurrently therewith, (a) enter into a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Annex I to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement or otherwise deliver another Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement reasonably -22- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement acceptable to the Required Holders, in each case, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, (b) deliver a favorable legal opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel, or other independent counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, as to the good standing, due authorization, execution, delivery, validity and enforceability thereof, and that the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement does not violate or conflict with any law, agreement or governing document relating to such Subsidiary and such other opinions as are reasonably requested by the Required Holders and their counsel and (c) deliver appropriate limited liability company or corporate resolutions and other limited liability company or corporate documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders and their counsel. Section 9.8. Release of Subsidiary Guarantors. If any Subsidiary is released as a borrower, guarantor or other obligor under the Bank Credit Agreement (and is not then designated as a borrower, guarantor or other obligor under any other credit facility of the Company or any Subsidiary), such Subsidiary shall be deemed released as a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with the Company providing you with an Officer's Certificate. Such Officer's Certificate shall be accompanied by evidence of such release under the Credit Agreement and shall certify that (i) at the time of such release and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default existed or shall exist hereunder (ii) such Subsidiary then being released is not then a borrower or obligor under any other credit facility, and (iii) other than the payment of reasonable legal fees, no consideration was granted to any agent or lender under the Bank Credit Agreement, directly or indirectly in connection with such release including, but not limited to, any payment of any fees, any increase in pricing, any additional Guaranty, any participation in other transactions or any other credit enhancement or other benefit. Section 9.9. Pari Passu Ranking. The Company's obligations under the Financing Agreements will, at all times, rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all of its other outstanding unsecured Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the Bank Credit Agreement). Each Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement will, at all times, rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all of its other outstanding unsecured Senior Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any obligation under or relating to the Bank Credit Agreement). Section 9.10. Additional Interest. If the Company fails to make an Equity Issuance resulting in the Company receiving new net cash proceeds in an amount not less than $75,000,000 on or before September 30, 2006, then in addition to all other interest accruing on the Notes (including, without limitation, the Default Rate), additional interest in the amount of 0.45% per annum shall accrue on the Notes commencing on September 30, 2006 and continuing through maturity and payment in full of the Notes (and the Company will pay such additional interest concurrently with all other interest becoming due and payable on the Notes), provided that if the Company makes an Equity Issuance resulting in the Company receiving new net cash proceeds in an amount not less than $75,000,000 at any time after September 30, 2006 but prior to September 30, 2007, then on and after the first day of the next fiscal quarter beginning after the date of such Equity Issuance, such additional interest shall cease to accrue and shall no longer be payable on the Notes. -23- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding: Section 10.1. Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into directly or indirectly any transaction or group of related transactions (including without limitation the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate (other than the Company or another Subsidiary), except in the ordinary course and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Company's or such Subsidiary's business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than would be obtainable in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate. Section 10.2. Consolidated Net Worth. The Company will not, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, permit Consolidated Net Worth to be less than the sum of (a) $150,000,000, plus (b) an aggregate amount equal to 25% of Consolidated Net Income (but, in each case, only if a positive number) for each completed fiscal quarter beginning with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2006 plus (c) an aggregate amount equal to 50% of the net proceeds of all Equity Issuances after the date of Closing. Section 10.3. Consolidated Debt Coverage. The Company will not, as of the end of each fiscal quarter, permit the ratio of Consolidated Debt outstanding on such date to Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for the immediately preceding four quarter period, taken as a single accounting period ending on the date of calculation, to exceed (i) 3.00 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter prior to December 31, 2006 and (ii) 2.75 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter thereafter. If, during the period for which Consolidated Operating Cash Flow is being calculated, the Company or a Subsidiary has (i) acquired one or more Persons (or the assets thereof) or (ii) disposed of one or more Subsidiaries (or substantially all of the assets thereof), Consolidated Operating Cash Flow shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if all of such acquisitions and all such dispositions had occurred on the first day of such period. Section 10.4. Fixed Charge Coverage. The Company will not permit, as at the end of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges to Consolidated Fixed Charges, in each case for the immediately preceding four quarter period, taken as a single accounting period ending on the date of calculation, to be less than 1.75 to 1.00. If, during the period for which the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges to Consolidated Fix Charges is being calculated, the Company or a Subsidiary has (i) acquired one or more Persons (or the assets thereof) or (ii) disposed of one or more Subsidiaries (or substantially all of the assets thereof), Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges and Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if all of such acquisitions and all such dispositions had occurred on the first day of such period. Section 10.5. Priority Debt. The Company will not, at any time, permit Priority Debt to exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Worth determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter. -24- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement Section 10.6. Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or permit to exist (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset (including, without limitation, any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of the Company or any such Subsidiary, whether now owned or held or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income or profits (unless it makes, or causes to be made, effective provision whereby the Notes will be equally and ratably secured with any and all other obligations thereby secured, such security to be pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders and, in any such case, the Notes shall have the benefit, to the fullest extent that, and with such priority as, the holders of the Notes may be entitled under applicable law, of an equitable Lien on such property), except: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not yet due and payable or the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 9.4; (b) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement and securing the Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries referred to in Schedule 5.15; (c) (i) Liens incidental to the conduct of business or the ownership of properties and assets (including landlords', lessors', carriers', operators', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's and other similar Liens) and Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (i) in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security or retirement benefits, or (ii) to secure (or to obtain letters of credit that secure) the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety bonds, appeal bonds, bids, leases (other than Capital Leases), performance bonds, purchase, construction or sales contracts and other similar obligations, in each case not incurred or made in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property and (ii) Liens of commercial depositary institutions constituting a right of setoff against amounts on deposit with any such institution, provided, that such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company or its Subsidiaries; (d) any attachment or judgment Lien, unless the judgment it secures shall not, within 60 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall not have been discharged within 60 days after the expiration of any such stay; (e) leases or subleases granted to others, easements, rights-of-way, minor survey exceptions, restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances, in each case incidental to, and not interfering with, the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that such Liens do not, in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of such property or which relate only to assets that in the aggregate are not Material; -25- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement (f) any Lien (i) created contemporaneously with its acquisition or within 365 days of the acquisition or construction or development thereof to secure all or any part of the purchase price, or to secure Indebtedness incurred or assumed to pay all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction, of property (or any improvement thereon) acquired or constructed by the Company or a Subsidiary after the date of the Closing or (ii) any Lien existing on property of a Person immediately prior to its being consolidated or amalgamated with or merged into the Company or any Subsidiary or its becoming a Subsidiary, or any Lien existing on any property acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary at the time such property is so acquired (whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed), provided that (A) any such Lien shall extend solely to the item or items of such property (or improvement thereon) so acquired or constructed and, if required by the terms of the instrument originally creating such Lien, other property (or improvement thereon) which is an improvement to or is acquired for specific use in connection with such acquired or constructed property (or improvement thereon) or which is real property being improved by such acquired or constructed property (or improvement thereon), and (B) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien shall at no time exceed an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the cost to the Company or such Subsidiary of the property (or improvement thereon) so acquired or constructed and (2) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by one or more of the officers of the Company to whom authority to enter into such transaction has been delegated by the board of directors of the Company) of such property (or improvement thereon) at the time of such acquisition or construction; (g) any Lien renewing, extending or refunding any Lien permitted by paragraphs (b) or (f) of this Section 10.6, provided that (i) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Lien immediately prior to such extension, renewal or refunding is not increased or the maturity thereof reduced, (ii) such Lien is not extended to any other property, and (iii) immediately after such extension, renewal or refunding no Default or Event of Default would exist; (h) Liens securing obligations of a Subsidiary to the Company or to another Subsidiary; and (i) if and so long as no Default or Event of Default exists hereunder, including, without limitation, under Section 10.5, Liens on assets securing Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary in addition to those described in clauses (a) through (h) above. For the purposes of this Section 10.6, any Person becoming a Subsidiary after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to have incurred all of its then outstanding Liens at the time it becomes a Subsidiary, and any Person extending, renewing or refunding any Indebtedness -26- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement secured by any Lien shall be deemed to have incurred such Lien at the time of such extension, renewal or refunding. Section 10.7. Merger, Consolidation, Etc. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, consolidate with or merge with any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets in a single transaction or series of transactions to any Person (except that any Subsidiary may (A) merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets to, the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary if (1) in any such merger or consolidation involving the Company, the Company is the survivor and (2) immediately after giving effect to any such merger, consolidation or conveyance, transfer or lease, no Default or Event of Default would exist, including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 10.3 and 10.4, treating such transaction, for determining compliance with Sections 10.3 and 10.4, as having been consummated as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter or (B) convey, transfer or lease all of its assets in compliance with the provisions of Section 10.8) unless: (a) in the case of the Company, the successor formed by such consolidation or the survivor of such merger or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety, as the case may be, shall be a solvent corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof (including the District of Columbia), and, if the Company is not such surviving corporation or limited liability company, (i) such corporation or limited liability company shall have executed and delivered to each holder of any Notes its assumption of the due and punctual performance and observance of each covenant and condition of the Financing Agreements to which the Company is a party, (ii) such corporation or limited liability company shall have caused to be delivered to each holder of any Notes an opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel, or other independent counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, to the effect that all agreements or instruments effecting such assumption are enforceable in accordance with their terms and comply with the terms hereof, and (iii) each other Obligor shall have executed and delivered an acknowledgement that the Financing Agreements to which they are a party continue in full force and effect; and (b) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Company would have been in compliance with Sections 10.3 and 10.4 as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter treating such transaction as having been consummated as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. No such conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Subsidiary shall have the effect of releasing the Company or such Subsidiary or any successor limited liability company or corporation that shall theretofore have become such in the manner prescribed in this Section 10.7 from its liability under the Financing Agreements to which it is a party. -27- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement Section 10.8. Sale of Assets. Except as permitted by Section 10.7, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, including by way of merger (collectively, a "Disposition"), any assets, including capital stock of Subsidiaries, in one or a series of transactions, to any Person, other than: (a) Dispositions in the ordinary course of business; (b) Dispositions by a Subsidiary to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; or (c) Dispositions not otherwise permitted by clause (a) or (b) of this Section 10.8, provided that (i) the aggregate net book value of all assets so disposed of in any twelve-month period pursuant to this Section 10.8(c) does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter, (ii) the aggregate net book value of all assets so disposed of on or after the date of Closing would not exceed 25% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter and (iii) after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall exist. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, or may permit a Subsidiary to, make a Disposition and the assets subject to such Disposition shall not be subject to or included in the foregoing limitation and computation contained in clause (c) of the preceding sentence: (A) to the extent the net proceeds from such Disposition are reinvested in productive assets to be used in the existing business of the Company or a Subsidiary within 365 days of such Disposition; or (B) if such assets are leased back by the Company or any Subsidiary, as lessee, within 365 days of the original acquisition or construction thereof by the Company or such Subsidiary; or (C) to the extent the net proceeds from such Disposition are applied to the payment or prepayment of the Notes or any other outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary ranking pari passu with or senior to the Notes (other than Indebtedness in respect of any revolving credit or similar credit facility providing the Company or any Subsidiary with the right to obtain loans or other extensions of credit from time to time, except to the extent that in connection with such payment of Indebtedness the available credit under such credit facility is permanently reduced by an amount not less than the amount of such proceeds applied to the payment of Indebtedness), provided that in connection with any such Disposition and payment of Indebtedness, the Company shall have offered to prepay at least the Ratable Portion in respect of each outstanding Note in accordance with Section 8.8 and shall have prepaid each holder of each such Note that shall have accepted such offer of prepayment in accordance with said Section 8.8 in a principal amount which at least equals the Ratable Portion for such Note. The Notes and such other outstanding Indebtedness shall be herein referred to as "Senior Disposition Indebtedness." -28- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement For purposes of foregoing clause (C), in the event that the Company shall choose to offer to prepay the Notes, such offer shall be made in accordance with Section 8.8 hereof. Section 10.9. Subsidiary Indebtedness. In addition to and not in limitation of any other applicable restrictions herein, including Sections 10.3 and 10.5, the Company will not, at any time, permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee, have outstanding, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness other than: (a) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary outstanding on the date of Closing and identified on Schedule 5.15 provided that such Indebtedness shall not be extended, renewed, refinanced or refunded except as otherwise provided herein; (b) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary owed to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (c) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary outstanding at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, provided that (i) such Indebtedness shall not have been incurred in contemplation of such Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary and (ii) immediately after such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, no Default or Event of Default shall exist, and provided, further, that such Indebtedness shall not be extended, renewed, refinanced or refunded except as otherwise provided herein; (d) Indebtedness under the Bank Credit Agreement of any Subsidiary Guarantor which as of the date of any determination thereof is party to a Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement so long as the Intercreditor Agreement continues to be in full force and effect and such Subsidiary is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement or has executed a joinder agreement pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the provisions of such Intercreditor Agreement; and (e) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary in addition to that otherwise permitted by the foregoing provisions, provided that on the date such Subsidiary incurs or otherwise becomes liable with respect to any such Indebtedness, and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence thereof, no Default or Event of Default exists hereunder including, without limitation, under Section 10.5. For the purpose of this Section 10.9, any Person becoming a Subsidiary after the date of the Closing shall be deemed, at the time it becomes such a Subsidiary, to have incurred all of its then outstanding Indebtedness. Section 10.10. Nature of Business. Except for acquisitions in the business services industry, the Company will not and will not permit any Subsidiary to engage in any business if, as a result, the general nature of the business in which the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would then be engaged would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business in which the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are engaged on the date of this Agreement as described in the Memorandum. -29- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement Section 10.11. Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. The Company will not and will not permit any Subsidiary to (a) become a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (b) engage in any dealings or transactions with any such Person. SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. An "Event of Default" shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing: (a) the Company defaults in the payment of any principal or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or (b) the Company defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or (c) the Company defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Section 7.1(d) or Sections 10.2 through 10.9; or (d) (i) the Company defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)), or (ii) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in the Financing Agreements (other than this Agreement), and in each case, such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) any Obligor receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a "notice of default" and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); or (e) any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Obligor or by any officer of any Obligor in any Financing Agreement or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or (f) (i) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of at least $10,000,000 beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $10,000,000 or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating thereto or any other condition exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition such Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more persons are entitled to declare such Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or -30- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement continuation of any event or condition (other than the passage of time or the right of the holder of Indebtedness to convert such Indebtedness into equity interests), (x) the Company or any Subsidiary has become obligated to purchase or repay Indebtedness before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $10,000,000 or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require the Company or any Subsidiary so to purchase or repay such Indebtedness; or (g) the Company or any Subsidiary (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (vi) takes limited liability company or corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or (h) a court or Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any such petition shall be filed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or (i) a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money aggregating in excess of an amount equal to 5% of Consolidated Net Worth as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage) are rendered against one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within 60 days after the expiration of such stay; or (j) if (i) any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards of ERISA or the Code for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under section 412 of the Code, (ii) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan or the PBGC shall have notified the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) the aggregate "amount of unfunded benefit liabilities" (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under all Plans, determined in accordance -31- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement with Title IV of ERISA, shall exceed $10,000,000, (iv) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, (v) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan, or (vi) the Company or any Subsidiary establishes or amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of the Company or any Subsidiary thereunder; and any such event or events described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, either individually or together with any other such event or events, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (k) any Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement shall at any time after its execution and delivery for any reason cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with Section 9.8), or shall be declared null and void, or the enforceability thereof shall be contested by any Obligor thereunder. As used in Section 11(j), the terms "employee benefit plan" and "employee welfare benefit plan" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA. SECTION 12. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC. Section 12.1. Acceleration. (a) If an Event of Default with respect to any Obligor described in Section 11(g) or (h) (other than an Event of Default described in clause (i) of Section 11(g) or described in clause (vi) of Section 11(g) by virtue of the fact that such clause encompasses clause (i) of Section 11(g)) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable. (b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. (c) If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable. Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, but not limited to, interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate) and (y) the Make-Whole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount (to the full extent permitted by applicable law), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Company acknowledges, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Company (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the -32- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount by the Company in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances. Section 12.2. Other Remedies. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein, in any Note or in any other Financing Agreement, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise. Section 12.3. Rescission. At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) neither the Company nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Section 12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holder's rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement, any Note or any other Financing Agreement upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 15, the Company will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses and disbursements. SECTION 13. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES. Section 13.1. Registration of Notes. The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for -33- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes. Section 13.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes. Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iii)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within ten Business Days thereafter, the Company shall execute and deliver, at the Company's expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $100,000. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representation set forth in Section 6.2. Section 13.3. Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iii)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, a certificate from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and (a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $100,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Person's own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or (b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof, within ten Business Days thereafter, the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. -34- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement Section 13.4. Legend. Each Note issued on the date of the Closing and each Note issued pursuant to this Section 13 shall bear a legend substantially as follows (until such time as the Obligors shall reasonably agree that such legend is no longer necessary or advisable): "THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SAID ACT OR SUCH OTHER LAWS." SECTION 14. PAYMENTS ON NOTES. Section 14.1. Place of Payment. Subject to Section 14.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in Chicago, Illinois at the principal office of LaSalle Bank National Association, in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction. Section 14.2. Home Office Payment. So long as any Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Company will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchaser's name in Schedule A, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee, such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 13.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 14.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 14.2. SECTION 15. EXPENSES, ETC. Section 15.1. Transaction Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Company will pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees of a special counsel and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, local or other counsel) incurred by the Purchasers and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of any Financing Agreement (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent -35- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement becomes effective), including, without limitation: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under any Financing Agreement or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with any Financing Agreements, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including financial advisors' fees, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Obligor or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated by the Financing Agreements and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided, that such costs and expenses shall not exceed $3,000. The Obligors shall only be liable under this Section 15.1 for the reasonable attorneys' fees of a single special counsel and, if reasonably required, a single local counsel in each jurisdiction where any Obligor or other Subsidiary conducts business, in each case acting on behalf of the holders of the Notes as a group, unless, in the reasonable judgment of any holder of Notes a conflict exists between such holder of Notes and any other holder of Notes, in which event the Obligors shall be obligated to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels as shall be necessary to eliminate such conflict. The Company will pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes). Section 15.2. Survival. The obligations of the Company under this Section 15 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of any Financing Agreement, and the termination of any Financing Agreement. SECTION 16. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT. All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Financing Agreements, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor pursuant to any Financing Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Obligor under such Financing Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement, the Notes and the other Financing Agreements embody the entire agreement and understanding between each Purchaser and the Obligors and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. SECTION 17. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. Section 17.1. Requirements. This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders, except that (a) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 21 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser -36- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing, and (b) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (i) subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest or of the Make-Whole Amount on, the Notes, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8, 11(a), 11(b), 12, 17 or 20. Section 17.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes. (a) Solicitation. The Company will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes. (b) Payment. The Company will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment. Section 17.3. Binding Effect, etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Obligors without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Obligors and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note. As used herein, the term "this Agreement" and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented. Section 17.4. Notes Held by Company, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Financing Agreement, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein, in the Notes or any other Financing Agreement to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then -37- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding. SECTION 18. NOTICES. All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent: (i) if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing, (ii) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, or (iii) if to the Company, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing. Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received. SECTION 19. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital, or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Company agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Company or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction. SECTION 20. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. For the purposes of this Section 20, "Confidential Information" means information delivered to any Purchaser by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with -38- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of the Company or such Subsidiary, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any person acting on such Purchaser's behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Company or such Subsidiary or by any Person known by you to be acting in breach of any duty of confidentiality owed to the Company or such Subsidiary or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any security of the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser provided you advise such authority of the confidential nature of such information, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchaser's investment portfolio provided you advise such authority of the confidential nature of such information, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate provided you advise such Person of the confidential nature of such information, (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchaser's Notes, this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements. If you or any other receiving party becomes legally required to disclose any confidential information by order, request or demand as provided in this paragraph or otherwise, you or the other receiving party shall provide the Company with prior prompt written notice of such disclosure requirement, to the extent permitted by applicable law, so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with respect to that disclosure and shall cooperate in connection with such effort. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company -39- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement embodying the provisions of this Section 20. You agree that for purposes of Regulation FD of the SEC, the provisions of Section 20 shall constitute a confidentiality agreement within the meaning of Rule 100(b)(2) of Regulation FD. SECTION 21. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER. Each Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Company, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser and such Affiliate, shall contain such Affiliate's agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Affiliate of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Such substituted purchaser shall provide to the Company in such notice of transfer information reasonably requested by the Company in order to facilitate delivery of notices to such substituted purchaser, including wire transfer information similar to the information provided by you in Schedule A. Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall be deemed to refer to such Affiliate in lieu of such original Purchaser. In the event that such Affiliate is so substituted as a Purchaser hereunder and such Affiliate thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Affiliate, upon receipt by the Company of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Affiliate as a "Purchaser" in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Affiliate, but shall refer to such original Purchaser, and such original Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement. SECTION 22. MISCELLANEOUS. Section 22.1. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement and in the other Financing Agreements by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto or thereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not. Section 22.2. Payments Due on Non-Business Days. Anything in this Agreement, the Notes or in any other Financing Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding (but without limiting the requirement in Section 8.5 that the notice of any optional prepayment specify a Business Day as the date fixed for such prepayment), any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; provided that if the maturity date of any Note is a date other than a Business Day, the payment otherwise due on such maturity date shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day. Section 22.3. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms used herein or in any other Financing Agreement which are not expressly defined in this Agreement or such other Financing Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement or -40- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement in any other Financing Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. Section 22.4. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Financing Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Section 22.5. Construction, Etc. Each covenant contained herein and in any other Financing Agreement shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein and in such other Financing Agreement, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, all Schedules and Exhibits attached to this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements shall be deemed to be a part hereof and thereof, as the case may be. Section 22.6. Counterparts. This Agreement and the other Financing Agreements may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. Section 22.7. Governing Law. This Agreement and (except as otherwise expressly stated therein) the other Financing Agreements shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of Illinois excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State. Section 22.8. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) The Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Illinois State or federal court sitting in the City of Chicago, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Notes or any other Financing Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. (b) The Company consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 22.8(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage -41- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement prepaid, return receipt requested, to it at its address specified in Section 18 or at such other address of which such holder shall then have been notified pursuant to said Section. The Company agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service. (c) Nothing in this Section 22.8 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Company in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction. (d) THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH. * * * * * -42- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company. Very truly yours, TALX CORPORATION By /s/ L. Keith Graves ------------------------------------ Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer -43- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date thereof. PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY By: Prudential Investment Management, Inc., as investment manager By /s/ BL ------------------------------ Name: Brian E. Lemons Title: Vice President THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA By /s/ BL -------------------------------------------- Name: Brian E. Lemons Title: Vice President MTL INSURANCE COMPANY By: Prudential Private Placement Investors, L.P. (as Investment Advisor) By: Prudential Private Placement Investors, Inc. (as its General Partner) By /s/ BL ------------------------------ Name: Brian E. Lemons Title: Vice President -44- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date thereof. THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA By /s/ Barry Scheinholtz --------------------------------------- Name: Barry Scheinholtz Title: Private Placements Manager -45- TALX Corporation Note Purchase Agreement This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date thereof. AMERICAN INVESTORS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY By: AmerUs Capital Management Group, Inc., its authorized attorney-in-fact By /s/ Roger D. Fors ------------------------------------- Name: Roger D. Fors Title: Vice President - Private Placements AMERUS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY By: AmerUs Capital Management Group, Inc., its authorized attorney-in-fact By /s/ Roger D. Fors ------------------------------------- Name: Roger D. Fors Title: Vice President - Private Placements -46- INFORMATION RELATING TO PURCHASERS SCHEDULE A (to Note Purchase Agreement) DEFINED TERMS As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term: "Affiliate" means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, any other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person, and, with respect to the Company, shall include any Person beneficially owning or holding, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of any class of voting or equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary or any Person of which the Company and its Subsidiaries beneficially own or hold, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of any class of voting or equity interests. As used in this definition, "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to an "Affiliate" is a reference to an Affiliate of the Company. "Anti-Terrorism Order" means Executive Order No. 13,224 of September 24, 2001, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit or Support Terrorism, 66 U.S. Fed. Reg. 49, 079 (2001), as amended. "Bank Credit Agreement" means that certain Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006 among the Company, certain banks and other financial institutions party thereto, and LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time. "Business Day" means (a) for the purposes of Section 8.7 only, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in Chicago, Illinois are required or authorized to be closed and (b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in St. Louis, Missouri or Chicago, Illinois are required or authorized to be closed. "Capital Lease" means, at any time, a lease with respect to which the lessee is required concurrently to recognize the acquisition of an asset and the incurrence of a liability in accordance with GAAP. "Capital Lease Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as Capital Leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the amount thereof that would appear as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP. "Change of Control" means any of the following events or circumstances: SCHEDULE B (to Note Purchase Agreement) (i) if any person (as such term is used in section 13(d) and section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), become the "beneficial owners" (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of all classes then outstanding of the Company's voting stock, or (ii) the acquisition after the date of the Closing by any person (as such term is used in section 13(d) and section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) of (i) the power to elect, appoint or cause the election or appointment of at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company, through beneficial ownership of the capital stock of the Company or otherwise, or (ii) all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company. "Closing" is defined in Section 3. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time. "Company" means TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation, or any successor that becomes such in the manner prescribed in Section 10.7. "Confidential Information" is defined in Section 20. "Consolidated Debt" means at any time the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of such time. "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense, (b) Lease Rentals and (c) all mandatory or scheduled payments or prepayments of principal on any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary other than payments of principal with respect to revolving or swingline loans under the Bank Credit Agreement. "Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (to the extent deducted to calculate Consolidated Net Income): (i) expense for taxes paid or accrued calculated on a consolidated basis; (ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period; and (iii) the non-cash charges of any share-based compensation awards, to the extent such non-cash charges were expensed during such period in accordance with SFAS 123 or are required to be shown as an expense in any comparative financial statements for periods prior to the effective date of SFAS 123. "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with reference to any period, the interest expense (including without limitation interest expense under Capital Lease Obligations that is B-2 treated as interest in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period. "Consolidated Net Income" means, with reference to any period, the net earnings (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period (taken as a cumulative whole), as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, to the extent deducted to calculate Consolidated Net Income: (i) extraordinary gain and losses; and (ii) any equity interest of the Company on the unremitted earnings of any Person that is not a Subsidiary. "Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any time, the value of stockholders' equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such time determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, less Restricted Investments in excess of 20% of such stockholders' equity. "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" means, with reference to any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, and (v) the non-cash charges of any share-based compensation awards, to the extent such non-cash charges were expensed during such period in accordance with SFAS 123 or are required to be shown as an expense in any comparative financial statements for periods prior to the effective date of SFAS 123, in each case determined on a consolidated basis. "Consolidated Total Assets" means the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. "Default" means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default. "Default Rate" means that rate of interest per annum that is the greater of (i) 2.0% per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes or (ii) 2.0% per annum over the rate of interest publicly announced by LaSalle Bank, National Association in Chicago, Illinois as its "base" or "prime" rate. "Disposition" is defined in Section 10.8. "Environmental Laws" means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but not limited to those related to Hazardous Materials. B-3 "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 such equity interest. "Equity Issuance" shall mean any issuance of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than (i) any issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary to the Company or another Subsidiary or (ii) any issuance of Equity Interests pursuant to any employee or director option program, benefit plan or compensation program. "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect. "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with any Obligor under section 414 of the Code. "Event of Default" is defined in Section 11. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect. "Financing Agreements" means the Notes, this Agreement and any Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement. "Form 10-K" is defined in Section 7.1(b). "Form 10-Q" is defined in Section 7.1(a). "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States of America. "Governmental Authority" means (a) the government of (i) the United States of America or any State or other political subdivision thereof, or (ii) any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (b) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government. B-4 "Guaranty" means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including (without limitation) obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person: (a) to purchase such Indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor; (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such Indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such Indebtedness or obligation; (c) to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the Indebtedness or obligation; or (d) otherwise to assure the owner of such Indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof. In any computation of the Indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the Indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor. "Hazardous Material" means any and all pollutants, toxic or hazardous wastes or other substances that might pose a hazard to health and safety, the removal of which may be required or the generation, manufacture, refining, production, processing, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, transfer, use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of which is or shall be restricted, prohibited or penalized by any applicable law including, but not limited to, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum, petroleum products, lead based paint, radon gas or similar restricted, prohibited or penalized substances. "holder" means, with respect to any Note the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 13.1. "Indebtedness" with respect to any Person means, at any time, without duplication, (a) its liabilities for borrowed money and its redemption obligations in respect of mandatorily redeemable Preferred Stock; (b) its liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired by such Person (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business but including all liabilities created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to any such property); B-5 (c) (i) all liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of Capital Leases and (ii) all liabilities which would appear on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of Synthetic Leases assuming such Synthetic Leases were accounted for as Capital Leases; (d) all liabilities for borrowed money secured by any Lien with respect to any property owned by such Person (whether or not it has assumed or otherwise become liable for such liabilities); and (e) any Guaranty of such Person with respect to liabilities of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (d) hereof. Indebtedness of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described in clauses (a) through (e) to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is deemed to be extinguished under GAAP. Indebtedness of any Person shall not include any obligations of such Person under or with respect to Swap Contracts. "Institutional Investor" means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than $2,000,000 of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note. "Intercreditor Agreement" means the Intercreditor Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 4.14 and executed by the parties thereto. "Lease Rentals" means, with respect to any period, the sum of the rental and other obligations required to be paid during such period by the Company or any Subsidiary as lessee under all leases of real or personal property (other than Capital Leases), less any amount required to be paid by the lessee (whether or not therein designated as rental or additional rental) on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges, and less any related rental income from subleases, provided that, if at the date of determination, any such rental or other obligations (or portion thereof) are contingent or not otherwise definitely determinable by the terms of the related lease, the amount of such obligations (or such portion thereof) (i) shall be assumed to be equal to the amount of such obligations for the period of 12 consecutive calendar months immediately preceding the date of determination or (ii) if the related lease was not in effect during such preceding 12-month period, shall be the amount estimated by a Senior Financial Officer of the Company on a reasonable basis and in good faith. "Lien" means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance, or any interest or title of any vendor, lessor, lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or B-6 Capital Lease, upon or with respect to any property or asset of such Person (including in the case of stock, stockholder agreements, voting trust agreements and all similar arrangements). "Make-Whole Amount" is defined in Section 8.7. "Material" means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of any Obligor to perform its obligations under the Financing Agreements to which it is a party, or (c) the validity or enforceability of any Financing Agreement. "Memorandum" is defined in Section 5.3. "Multiemployer Plan" means any Plan that is a "multiemployer plan" (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA). "NAIC" means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor thereto. "Notes" is defined in Section 1. "Obligors" means the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. "Officer's Certificate" means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer of an Obligor or of any other officer of an Obligor whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate. "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA or any successor thereto. "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority. "Plan" means an "employee benefit plan" (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability. "Preferred Stock" means any class of capital stock of a Person that is preferred over any other class of capital stock (or similar equity interests) of such Person as to the payment of dividends or the payment of any amount upon liquidation or dissolution of such Person. B-7 "Priority Debt" means the sum, without duplication, of (i) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary secured by Liens whether or not permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (i) of Section 10.6; and (ii) all other Indebtedness of all Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (d) of Section 10.9. "property" or "properties" means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate. "PTE" means a Prohibited Transaction Exemption issued by the Department of Labor. "Purchaser" is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement. "Qualified Institutional Buyer" means any Person who is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act. "Ratable Portion" means, with respect to any Note and any prepayment pursuant to Section 8.8 with respect thereto, an amount equal to the product of (a) the net proceeds of the Disposition in question being offered to the payment of Senior Disposition Indebtedness in connection with such Disposition multiplied by (b) a fraction the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of such Note and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of all Senior Disposition Indebtedness with respect to which such offer of prepayment is made. "Related Fund" means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (i) invests in Securities or bank loans, and (ii) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor. "Required Holders" means, at any time, the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates). "Responsible Officer" means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of the Company or another applicable Obligor, as the context requires, with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement. "Restricted Investments" means all investments except: (i) property to be used in the ordinary course of business; (ii) assets arising from the sale of goods and services in the ordinary course of business; (iii) investments in one or more Subsidiaries or any Person that becomes a Subsidiary; (iv) investments existing at the date of closing and any future earnings in respect thereof; (v) investments in obligations, maturing within one year, issued by or guaranteed by the United States of America, or an agency thereof, or Canada, or any province thereof; (vi) investments in tax-exempt obligations of any U.S. state or municipality, maturing within one year, which are rated in one of the top two rating classifications by at least one national rating agency; (vii) investments in certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances or demand deposits maturing less than one year from the date of issuance thereof and issued by a commercial bank which at the time of the making of such investment is rated in one of the top two rating B-8 classifications by at least one national rating agency; (viii) investments in commercial paper, maturing within 270 days, rated in the highest rating classification by at least one national rating agency; (ix) investments in repurchase agreements; (x) treasury stock or treasury stock that is subsequently retired; (xi) investments in money market instrument programs that are classified as current assets in accordance with GAAP; or (xii) investments in demand deposit, checking accounts or other normal operating accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries. "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States, or any successor thereto. "Securities" or "Security" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(1) of the Securities Act. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect. "Senior Financial Officer" means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of the Company or another applicable Obligor, as the context requires. "Senior Disposition Indebtedness" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.8 hereof. "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, all Indebtedness of such Person which is not expressed to be subordinate or junior in rank to any other Indebtedness of such Person. "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, any other Person in which such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries owns sufficient equity or voting interests to enable it or them (as a group) ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, to elect a majority of the directors (or Persons performing similar functions) of such second Person, and any partnership or joint venture if more than a 50% interest in the profits or capital thereof is owned by such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries (unless such partnership or joint venture can and does ordinarily take major business actions without the prior approval of such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries). Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a "Subsidiary" is a reference to a Subsidiary of the Company. "Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement" means a subsidiary guarantee agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.13 (and any and all supplements thereto) dated as of the date of the Closing and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor and any other guarantee agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Holders and their counsel guaranteeing the obligations of the Company hereunder and under the Notes, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. "Subsidiary Guarantor" means TALX UCM Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation, TALX FasTime Services, Inc., a Texas corporation, TALX Employer Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, TBT Enterprises, Incorporated, a Maryland corporation, UI B-9 Advantage, Inc., a Maryland corporation, Net Profit, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, TALX Tax Incentive Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, Management Insight Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, Unemployment Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, and Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with any other Subsidiary who has executed and delivered a Joinder Agreement or a Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.7. "SVO" means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC or any successor to such Office. "Swap Contract" means (a) any and all interest rate swap transactions, basis swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, currency options, spot contracts or any other similar transactions or any of the foregoing (including, but without limitation, any options to enter into any of the foregoing), and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement. "Synthetic Lease" means, at any time, any lease (including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (a) that is accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than any such lease under which such Person is the lessor. "USA Patriot Act" means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect. "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means, at any time, any Subsidiary one hundred percent of all of the equity interests (except directors' qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of the Company and the Company's other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries at such time. B-10 CHANGES TO CORPORATE STRUCTURE On April 6, 2006, TALX Corporation acquired the stock of Performance Assessment Network, Inc. SCHEDULE 4.9 (to Note Purchase Agreement) DISCLOSURE MATERIALS 1. On April 6, 2006, TALX Corporation acquired the stock of Performance Assessment Network, Inc. 2. Concurrently with the issuance of the Notes, TALX Corporation is entering into a $150.0 million Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement with LaSalle Bank National Association and the other lenders party thereto. 3. Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2006 (dated May 10, 2006), including the exhibits attached thereto. SCHEDULE 5.3 (to Note Purchase Agreement) SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY AND OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARY STOCK
JURISDICTION OF SUBSIDIARY NAME FORMATION OWNERSHIP GUARANTOR - -------------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------- TALX FasTime Services, Inc. a Texas corporation 100% common stock owned by Company Yes TALX UCM Services, Inc. a Missouri corporation 100% common stock owned by Company Yes TALX Employer Services, LLC a Missouri limited 100% membership interests owned by Yes liability company Company TBT Enterprises, Incorporated a Maryland corporation 100% common stock owned by Company Yes UI Advantage, Inc. a Maryland corporation 100% common stock owned by Company Yes Net Profit, Inc. a South Carolina 100% common stock owned by Company Yes corporation TALX Tax Incentive Services, LLC a Missouri limited 100% membership interests owned by Yes liability company Company Jon-Jay Associates, Inc. a Massachusetts 100% common stock owned by TALX Yes corporation UCM Services, Inc. Unemployment Services, LLC a Missouri limited 100% membership interests owned by Yes liability company TALX UCM Services, Inc. TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, a Missouri limited 100% membership interests owned by Yes LLC liability company Company Management Insight Incentives, a Missouri limited 100% membership interests owned by Yes LLC liability company TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC Performance Assessment Network, a Delaware corporation 100% common stock owned by Company Yes Inc. TALX Limited a company organized under Dormant No the laws of England Johnson & Associates, LLC a Nebraska limited 100% common stock owned by TALX No liability company UCM Services, Inc.
SCHEDULE 5.4 (to Note Purchase Agreement) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; MATERIAL LIABILITIES 1. TALX Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2005 2. TALX Corporation's Forms 10-K for fiscal years ended March 31, 2005 and March 31, 2004 and Form 10-K/A for fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. SCHEDULE 5.5 (to Note Purchase Agreement) EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS 1. $150,000,000 Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of the date of Closing (the "2006 Loan Agreement"), between TALX Corporation, LaSalle Bank National Association and the other lenders party thereto, which is jointly and severally guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The 2006 Loan Agreement amended and restated the $200 million Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of April 14, 2005 (the "2005 Loan Agreement"), between TALX Corporation, LaSalle Bank National Association and the other lenders party thereto. The proceeds of the Notes will be used to repay loans outstanding under the 2005 Loan Agreement on the date of Closing and for other general corporate purposes. 2. The Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement. 3. Various capital leases of equipment used in the business of TALX Corporation and the Subsidiary Guarantors with Capital Lease Obligations not in excess of $200,000.00. SCHEDULE 5.15 (to Note Purchase Agreement) THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SAID ACT OR SUCH OTHER LAWS. FORM OF NOTE TALX CORPORATION 6.89% SENIOR GUARANTEED NOTE DUE MAY 25, 2014 No. [_____] [Date] $[_______] PPN 874918 A* 6 FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, TALX CORPORATION (herein called the "Company"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Missouri, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] DOLLARS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on May 25, 2014, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 6.89% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 25th day of May and November in each year, commencing with the May 25 or November 25 next succeeding the date hereof, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 8.89% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by LaSalle Bank, National Association from time to time in Chicago, Illinois as its "base" or "prime" rate, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on the unpaid balance hereof and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand). Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at LaSalle Bank, National Association in Chicago, Illinois or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below. The payment and performance of this Note is unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors as provided in the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreements. This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the "Notes") issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2006 (as from time to time amended, the "Note Purchase Agreement"), among the Company, the other Obligors from time to time party thereto and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the EXHIBIT 1 (to Note Purchase Agreement) confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement. This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary. The Company will make required prepayments of principal on the dates and in the amounts specified in the Note Purchase Agreement. This Note is also subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise. Additional interest hereon may also be required pursuant to Section 9.10 of the Note Purchase Agreement. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement. This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of Illinois excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State. TALX CORPORATION By -------------------------------- [Title] 1-2 DESCRIPTION OF OPINION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS May 25, 2006 The Purchasers listed in Schedule I hereto Re: TALX Corporation Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special counsel to TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation ("TALX"), TALX UCM Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation ("TUS"), TALX FasTime Services, Inc., a Texas corporation ("TFTS"), TALX Employer Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("TES"), TBT Enterprises, Incorporated, a Maryland corporation ("TBT"), UI Advantage, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("UI"), Net Profit, Inc., a South Carolina corporation ("NET"), TALX Tax Incentive Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("TIS"), Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation ("JJ"), TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("TCI"), Management Insight Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("MII"), Unemployment Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company ("US"), and Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("PAN"), in connection with that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated May 25, 2006 (the "Note Purchase Agreement"), among TALX and the purchasers party thereto (the "Purchasers"). TUS, TFTS, TES, TBT, UI, NET, TIS, JJ, TCI, MII, US and PAN are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Guarantors," and, in the singular, as a "Guarantor." TALX and the Guarantors are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Representation Parties," and, in the singular, as a "Representation Party." All capitalized terms which are defined in the Note Purchase Agreement shall have the same meanings when used herein, unless otherwise specified. In connection herewith, we have examined the documents listed on Annex A, Annex B and Annex C attached hereto and such other documents, records and instruments, and we have made such legal and factual inquiries, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for us to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. The documents referenced in Annex A as items (d) through (k) are collectively referred to herein as the "Financing Agreements." The documents referenced in Annex A as items (a) and (b) are collectively referred to herein as the "Organizational Documents." Exhibit 4.4(a) (to Note Purchase Agreement) In our examination of the foregoing, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures (other than the signatures of the Representation Parties), the legal competence and capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. When relevant facts were not independently established, we have relied without independent investigation as to matters of fact upon statements of governmental officials and upon representations made in or pursuant to the Financing Agreements and certificates and statements of appropriate representatives of the Representation Parties. In connection herewith, we have assumed that, other than with respect to the Representation Parties, all of the documents referred to in this opinion letter have been duly authorized by, have been duly executed and delivered by, and constitute the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of, all of the parties to such documents, all of the signatories to such documents have been duly authorized and all such parties are duly organized and validly existing and have the power and authority (corporate or other) to execute, deliver and perform such documents. Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the assumptions, comments, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that: 1. Based solely on a recently dated good standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri, TALX and TUS are validly existing as corporations, in good standing under the laws of the State of Missouri. 2. Based solely on a recently dated certificate of existence from the Secretary of State of the State of Texas and a recently dated certificate of account status from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, TFTS is validly existing as a corporation, in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas. 3. Based solely on recently dated good standing certificates from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland, TBT and UI are validly existing as corporations, in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland. 4. Based solely on a recently dated certificate of existence from the Secretary of State of the State of South Carolina, NET is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of South Carolina. 5. Based solely on a recently dated good standing certificate from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, JJ is validly existing as a corporation, in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 6. Based solely on recently dated good standing certificates from the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri, TES, TIS, TCI, MII and US are validly existing as limited liability companies, in good standing under the laws of the State of Missouri. E-4.4(a)-4 7. Based solely on a recently dated good standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, PAN is validly existing as a corporation, in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. 8. Based solely on recently dated good standing certificates from the Secretaries of State or other appropriate official of the applicable jurisdictions, the Representation Parties are duly qualified or admitted to transact business and are in good standing as foreign corporations or limited liability companies in the jurisdictions set forth on Annex C. 9. Each Representation Party has all requisite organizational power to own, lease and operate its material properties and assets and conduct its business in all material respects as now being conducted and as set forth in the offering disclosure document. 10. The execution and delivery by each Representation Party of each Financing Agreement to which it is a party and the performance by such Representation Party of its obligations thereunder are within the organizational power of such Representation Party and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action on the part of such Representation Party. 11. Each of the Financing Agreements has been duly executed and delivered by each Representation Party which is a party thereto and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such Representation Party, enforceable against such Representation Party in accordance with its terms. 12. No consent, approval, authorization or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any United States federal or Missouri or Illinois state governmental authority or regulatory body that we, based on our experience, recognize as applicable to the Representation Parties in a transaction of this type, is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Representation Parties of their respective obligations under the Financing Agreements, except for (i) such consents, approvals, filings or registrations that have been obtained or made on or prior to the date hereof and are in full force and effect, (ii) the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and (iii) any filings or other actions required pursuant to state securities or blue sky laws (other than the blue sky laws of the State of Missouri) or the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), as to which we express no opinion. 13. We hereby confirm to you that, to our knowledge, no action or proceeding against and naming any Representation Party is pending or overtly threatened by written communication to any Representation Party before any United States federal, or Illinois or Missouri state court, governmental authority or arbitrator that calls into question the validity or enforceability of the Financing Agreements. 14. The execution and delivery by each Representation Party of the Financing Agreements to which such Representation Party is a party and the performance by such Representation Party of its obligations thereunder do not result in (a) any violation by such Representation Party of (i) the provisions of its Organizational Documents, (ii) any provision of E-4.4(a)-5 applicable United States federal or Missouri or Illinois state law that we, based on our experience, recognize as applicable to such Representation Party in a transaction of this type, other than state securities or blue sky laws (other than the blue sky laws of the State of Missouri) or the rules of the NASD, as to which we express no opinion, or (iii) to our knowledge, any order, writ, judgment or decree of any United States federal or Missouri or Illinois state court or governmental authority or regulatory body that names a Representation Party or is specifically directed to any Representation Party or any of its material properties, or (b) a breach or default, or result in the creation or imposition of any security interest or lien upon any of the properties of such Representation Party, under or pursuant to any material agreement, contract or instrument to which such Representation Party is a party or by which it is bound. For purposes of the foregoing, we have assumed that the only material agreements, contracts or instruments to which such Representation Party is a party or by which it is bound are those identified on Annex D hereto. 15. The application of the proceeds of the issue and sale of the Notes as set forth in Section 5.14 of the Note Purchase Agreement will not violate Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Sections 220, 221 and 224, respectively. 16. No Representation Party is an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 17. Assuming (i) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of TALX and the Purchasers set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement, and (ii) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of LaSalle Debt Capital Markets in its letter to us of even date herewith, the issuance, sale and delivery of the Notes by TALX and the applicable Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement by each respective Representation Party under the circumstances contemplated by the Note Purchase Agreement do not under existing law require the registration of the Notes or the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreements under the Securities Act or the qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, it being understood that no opinion is expressed as to the resale of the Notes. In addition to the assumptions, comments, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth above, the opinions set forth herein are further limited by, subject to and based upon the following assumptions, comments, qualifications, limitations and exceptions: (a) Wherever this opinion letter refers to matters "known to us," or to our "knowledge," or words of similar import, such reference means that, during the course of our representation of the Representation Parties with respect to the Financing Agreements, we have requested information of the Representation Parties concerning the matter referred to and no information has come to the attention of (either as a result of such request for information or otherwise) the attorneys currently employed by our Firm devoting substantive attention or a material amount of time thereto, which has given us actual knowledge of the existence (or absence) of facts to the contrary. Except as otherwise stated herein, we have undertaken no independent investigation or verification of such matters, and no inference should be drawn to the contrary from the fact of our representation of the Representation Parties. E-4.4(a)-6 (b) Our opinions herein reflect only the application of applicable Missouri and Illinois state law (excluding the securities and blue sky laws of Illinois) and the federal laws of the United States, and, to the extent required by the foregoing opinions, the Delaware General Corporation Law. For the purposes of the foregoing opinions, the Firm attorneys who prepared this opinion letter are not licensed in the States of Delaware, Texas, Maryland, South Carolina or Massachusetts, and, with your permission, to the extent required by the foregoing opinions, such opinions reflect only a reading of the statutory provisions of the Texas Business Corporation Act, the South Carolina Business Corporation Act of 1988, the Maryland General Corporation Law and the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act, in each case as reported in Aspen Law & Business Corporation Statutes, updated through May 1, 2006. The opinions set forth herein are made as of the date hereof and are subject to, and may be limited by, future changes in the factual matters set forth herein, and we undertake no duty to advise you of the same. The opinions expressed herein are based upon the law in effect (and published or otherwise generally available) on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement these opinions should such law be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise. In rendering our opinions, we have not considered, and hereby disclaim any opinion as to, the application or impact of any laws, cases, decisions, rules or regulations of any other jurisdiction, court or administrative agency. (c) The enforceability of the Financing Agreements may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or similar laws affecting or relating to the rights and remedies of creditors generally including, without limitation, laws relating to fraudulent transfers or conveyances, preferences and equitable subordination, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. (d) Our opinions are further subject to the effect of generally applicable rules of law arising from statutes, judicial and administrative decisions, and the rules and regulations of governmental authorities that: (i) limit or affect the enforcement of provisions of a contract that purport to require waiver of the obligations of good faith, fair dealing, diligence and reasonableness, (ii) limit the availability of a remedy under certain circumstances where another remedy has been elected, (iii) limit the enforceability of provisions releasing, exculpating, or exempting a party from, or requiring indemnification of a party for, liability for its own action or inaction, to the extent the action or inaction involves negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct or unlawful conduct, (iv) may, where less than all of the contract may be unenforceable, limit the enforceability of the balance of the contract to circumstances in which the unenforceable portion is not an essential part of the agreed exchange and (v) govern and afford judicial discretion regarding the determination of damages and entitlement to attorneys' fees. (e) We express no opinion as to: (i) the enforceability of any provision in any of the Financing Agreements purporting or attempting to (A) confer exclusive venue upon certain courts or otherwise waive the defenses of forum non conveniens or improper venue or (B) confer subject matter jurisdiction on a court not having independent grounds therefor or (C) modify or waive the requirements for effective service of process for any action that may be brought or (D) waive the right of the Representation Parties or any other person to a trial by jury or (E) provide that remedies are E-4.4(a)-7 cumulative or that decisions by a party are conclusive or (F) modify or waive the rights to notice, legal defenses, statutes of limitations or other benefits that cannot be waived under applicable law; (ii) the enforceability of (A) any rights to indemnification or contribution provided for in the Financing Agreements which are violative of public policy underlying any law, rule or regulation (including any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation) or the legality of such rights, (B) any provisions purporting to provide to the Purchasers the right to receive costs and expenses beyond those reasonably incurred by such parties, (C) provisions in the Financing Agreements whose terms are left open for later resolution by the parties, or (D) except as expressly set forth herein, the choice of law provisions of the Financing Agreements; (iii) whether any Guarantor may guarantee or otherwise be liable for indebtedness incurred by TALX except to the extent that any such Guarantor may be determined to have benefited from the incurrence of the indebtedness by TALX; (iv) the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any provision that purports to provide for late charges, prepayment charges or yield maintenance charges, liquidated damages or "penalties" or acceleration of future amounts owing (other than principal) without appropriate discount to present value, to the extent any of such provisions may be construed or determined to constitute a penalty or otherwise be construed or determined to be unreasonable in light of anticipated loss, or of any provision that purports to provide for the payment of interest on interest; or (v) the accuracy, completeness or fairness of any statements or disclosures made in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes. (f) With specific reference to the opinion expressed in Paragraph 10 above and in further qualification of such opinion, the enforceability of the guaranty by TUS may be limited by Article XI, Section 7 of The Constitution of the State of Missouri. In particular, as against a Missouri corporation, enforceability of a guaranty may be subject to attack on state constitutional grounds. The Constitution of the State of Missouri, Article XI, Section 7, prohibits Missouri corporations from issuing stocks, bonds or other obligations for the payment of money except for money paid, labor done or property actually received, and voids issuances in violation thereof. While the issue is not free from doubt, it is our best judgment that a court applying Missouri law would hold that enforceability of a guaranty may not successfully be challenged on these grounds. (g) With specific reference to the opinion expressed in Paragraph 11 above and in further qualification of such opinion, a court sitting in the State of Illinois will look to the conflict of law rules of the State of Illinois to determine which law governs. Under Illinois law, the parties to a loan contract for an amount equal to $250,000 or more may agree that the contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois whether or not the contract bears a reasonable relation to Illinois. The general rule stated above does not apply to such contract if Section 1/105(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Illinois provides otherwise or permits application of other law. (h) With respect to the opinions expressed in Paragraphs 12, 14 and 17 above, we have assumed that (i) each of the offerees, including the Purchasers, constituted "institutional investors" within the meaning of Section 409.1--102(11) of the Missouri Securities Act of 2003 and (ii) LaSalle Debt Capital Markets and its relevant personnel have duly obtained all necessary E-4.4(a)-8 registrations, licenses and permits to act as the exclusive agent for the Representation Parties under applicable federal and state laws in connection with the offering of the Notes and the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreements, and all such licenses, registrations and permits are and were at all relevant times in full force and effect. We do not render any opinions except as set forth above. Except as may be expressly covered by this opinion, we are not expressing any opinion as to the effect of compliance by any Purchaser with any state or federal laws or regulations applicable to the transactions contemplated by the Financing Agreements because of the nature of any of its businesses. This opinion letter is being delivered by us as special counsel for the Representation Parties pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.4 of the Note Purchase Agreement at the request of the Representation Parties and is given solely for your benefit, may not be relied upon by any other Person and shall not be distributed to any other Person without our prior written consent in each instance, except that this opinion may be distributed to (a) potential transferees and subsequent institutional transferees that acquire the Notes in accordance with the Note Purchase Agreement and (b) examiners and other regulatory authorities should they so request or in connection with their normal examination. Very truly yours, E-4.4(a)-9 SCHEDULE I PURCHASERS PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY c/o Prudential Capital Group 2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 4200E Dallas, Texas 75201 THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA c/o Prudential Capital Group 2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 4200E Dallas, TX 75201 MTL INSURANCE COMPANY Prudential Private Placement Investors, L.P. c/o Prudential Capital Group 2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 4200E Dallas, TX 75201 THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA 7 Hanover Square New York, New York 10004-2616 AMERICAN INVESTORS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY c/o AmerUs Capital Management 699 Walnut Street, Suite 1700 Des Moines, Iowa 50309 AMERUS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY c/o AmerUs Capital Management 699 Walnut Street, Suite 1700 Des Moines, Iowa 50309 ANNEX A LIST OF TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS (a) The Articles of Incorporation of TALX, TUS, TFTS, TBT, UI and NET, the Certificate of Incorporation of PAN, and the Articles of Organization of TES, TIS, JJ, TCI, MII and US, in each case as amended to date; (b) The By-laws of TALX, TUS, TFTS, TBT, UI, NET, JJ and PAN and the Operating Agreements of TES, TIS, TCI, MII and US, in each case as amended to date, as certified to us by the Secretary of each Representation Party; (c) All records of proceedings and actions of the respective Boards of Directors, shareholders or members of each Representation Party, as the case may be, relating to the Financing Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby, as certified to us by the Secretary of each Representation Party; (d) the Note Purchase Agreement; (e) the 6.89% Senior Note in the principal amount of $24,000,000.00 from TALX in favor of Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company; (f) the 6.89% Senior Note in the principal amount of $21,000,000.00 from TALX in favor of Prudential Insurance Company of America; (g) the 6.89% Senior Note in the principal amount of $3,000,000.00 from TALX in favor of MTL Insurance Company; (h) the 6.89% Senior Note in the principal amount of $18,000,000.00 from TALX in favor of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America; (i) the 6.89% Senior Note in the principal amount of $6,000,000.00 from TALX in favor of American Investors Insurance Company; (j) the 6.89% Senior Note in the principal amount of $3,000,000.00 from TALX in favor of AmerUs Life Insurance Company; (k) Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement of the Guarantors dated the date hereof and executed by the Guarantors for the benefit of the Purchasers; (l) The domestic good standing certificates listed on Annex B attached hereto; (m) The foreign good standing certificates from the jurisdictions listed on Annex C attached hereto; and (n) Certificates and statements of officers of each Representation Party, representations and warranties of each Representation Party in the Financing Agreements and certificates and statements of public officials with respect to certain factual matters. ANNEX B LIST OF DOMESTIC GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATES TALX CORPORATION Certificate of Corporate Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri TALX UCM SERVICES, INC. Certificate of Corporate Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri TALX FASTIME SERVICES, INC. Certificate of Account Status dated May 5, 2006 issued by the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas and Certificate dated May 5, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Texas TALX EMPLOYER SERVICES, LLC Certificate of Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri NET PROFIT, INC. Certificate of Existence dated May 8, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of South Carolina UI ADVANTAGE, INC. Certificate of Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland TBT ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED Certificate of Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland TALX TAX INCENTIVE SERVICES, LLC Certificate of Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 by the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri JON-JAY ASSOCIATES, INC. Certificate of Good Standing dated May 4, 2006 issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts TALX TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES, LLC Certificate of Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri MANAGEMENT INSIGHT INCENTIVES, LLC Certificate of Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri UNEMPLOYMENT SERVICES, LLC Certificate of Good Standing dated May 8, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT NETWORK, INC. Certificate of Good Standing dated May 16, 2006 issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware ANNEX C FOREIGN GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATES
REPRESENTATION PARTY FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS TALX Corporation - Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin TALX UCM Services, Inc. - Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington TALX Employer Services, LLC - Arizona, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania Jon-Jay Associates, Inc. - California, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Texas TALX Tax Incentive Services, LLC - Texas Unemployment Services, LLC - Colorado, Nebraska Management Insight Incentives, LLC - Texas Performance Assessment Network, Inc. - Indiana
ANNEX D MATERIAL AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS OR INSTRUMENTS 1. Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of the date hereof among TALX, as borrower, LaSalle Bank National Association, as a lender and as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto. 2. Amended and Restated Guaranty dated as of the date hereof and delivered by the Guarantors pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of the date hereof among TALX, as borrower, LaSalle Bank National Association, as a lender and as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto. 3. Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.2 to TALX's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969). 4. TALX Corporation Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.2 to TALX's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969). 5. Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.4 to TALX's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969). 6. TALX Corporation Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.6 to TALX's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969). 7. Amendment to TALX Corporation Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.6.1 to TALX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2001 (File No. 000-21465). 8. Second Amendment to TALX Corporation Outside Directors' Stock Option Plan, available on TALX's Schedule 14A filed July 23, 2004 (File No. 000-21465). 9. Form of Director Stock Option Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.7 to TALX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1998 (File No. 000-21465). 10. Lease dated March 28, 1996 by and between TALX Corporation and Stephen C. Murphy, Thomas W. Holley, Arthur S. Margulis and Samuel B. Murphy, Trustee of the Samuel B. Murphy Revocable Living Trust UTA 1/9/91, dba "Adie Road Partnership." 11. Employment Agreement between TALX Corporation and Mr. Canfield, attached as Exhibit 10.21 to Amendment No. 2 to TALX's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-10969). 12. License Agreement by and between A2D, L.P. and TALX Corporation, dated as of April 1, 2001. 13. TALX Corporation 2004-2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to TALX's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-21465). 14. First Amendment to and Complete Restatement of Split-Dollar Agreements and Related Insurance Agreements, dated March 31, 1999, by and among TALX Corporation, William W. Canfield, and Thomas M. Canfield and James W. Canfield, Trustees of the Canfield Family Irrevocable Insurance Trust U/A March 31, 1993. 15. Form of Employment Agreement for Messrs. Chaffin, Graves, & Smith, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to TALX's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 17, 2005. 16. FY05 Incentive Bonus Plan Agreement for Corporate Officers, attached as Exhibit 10.7 to TALX's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 000-21465). 17. Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.9 to TALX's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 000-21465). 18. TALX Corporation 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan, attached as Attachment B to TALX's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on July 22, 2005. 19. Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Employee), attached as Exhibit 10.39 to TALX's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 23, 2005 (File No. 000-21465). 20. Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Outside Director), attached as Exhibit 10.40 to TALX's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 23, 2005 (File No. 000-21465). 21. TALX Corporation 2006 - 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.41 to TALX's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 31, 2005 (File No. 000-21465). 22. TALX's Nonqualified Savings and Retirement Plan. FORM OF OPINION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL TO THE PURCHASERS The closing opinion of Chapman and Cutler LLP, special counsel to the Purchasers, called for by Section 4.4(b) of the Note Purchase Agreement, shall be dated the date of the Closing and addressed to the Purchasers, shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Purchasers and shall be to the effect that: 1. The Company is a corporation, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Missouri and has the corporate power and the corporate authority to execute and deliver the Note Purchase Agreement and to issue the Notes. 2. The Note Purchase Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding contract of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and general principles of equity (regardless of whether the application of such principles is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). 3. The Notes constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and general principles of equity (regardless of whether the application of such principles is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). 4. The issuance, sale and delivery of the Notes under the circumstances contemplated by the Note Purchase Agreement do not, under existing law, require the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. In rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 1 above, Chapman and Cutler LLP may rely solely upon an examination of the [ARTICLES] of Incorporation certified by, and a certificate of good standing of the Company from, the Secretary of State of the State of Missouri. The opinion of Chapman and Cutler LLP is limited to the laws of the State of Illinois and the Federal laws of the United States. With respect to matters of fact upon which such opinion is based, Chapman and Cutler LLP may rely on appropriate certificates of public officials and officers of the Company and upon representations of the Company and the Purchasers delivered in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes. EXHIBIT 4.4(b) (to Note Purchase Agreement) FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT =============================================================================== GUARANTY AGREEMENT Dated as of May 25, 2006 By CERTAIN SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS of TALX CORPORATION Re: $75,000,000 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 of TALX Corporation =============================================================================== EXHIBIT 4.13 (to Note Purchase Agreement) TABLE OF CONTENTS (Not a part of the Agreement)
SECTION HEADING PAGE SECTION 1. GUARANTY OF NOTES.............................................. 3 Section 1.1. Guaranty....................................................... 3 Section 1.2. Obligations Absolute and Unconditional......................... 4 Section 1.3. Subrogation.................................................... 8 Section 1.4. Contribution................................................... 8 Section 1.5. Preference..................................................... 9 Section 1.6. Marshalling.................................................... 9 SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS.... 9 Section 2.1. Organization; Power and Authority.............................. 9 Section 2.2. Authorization, Etc............................................. 9 Section 2.3. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc................... 10 Section 2.4. Governmental Authorizations, Etc............................... 10 Section 2.5. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders...... 10 SECTION 3. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS................. 11 Section 3.1. Compliance with Note Purchase Agreement Covenants.............. 11 Section 3.2. Guaranty to Rank Pari Passu.................................... 11 SECTION 4. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT... 11 SECTION 5. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER........................................... 11 Section 5.1. Requirements................................................... 11 Section 5.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes............................... 12 Section 5.3. Binding Effect, Etc............................................ 12 Section 5.4. Notes Held by Subsidiary Guarantors, Etc....................... 12 Section 5.5. Purchase of Notes.............................................. 12 SECTION 6. NOTICES........................................................ 13 SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS.................................................. 13 Section 7.1. Successors and Assigns......................................... 13 Section 7.2. Severability................................................... 13 Section 7.3. Construction................................................... 13 Section 7.4. Counterparts................................................... 13
E-4.13-1 Section 7.5. Subordination of Debt of the Company........................... 14 Section 7.6. Governing Law.................................................. 14 Section 7.7. Submission to Jurisdiction..................................... 14 SECTION 8. INDEMNITY...................................................... 14 Signature............................................................................ 15
SCHEDULE I -- Addresses for Notices to Subsidiary Guarantors ANNEX 1 -- Form of Guaranty Joinder Agreement ANNEX 2 -- Form of Closing Certificate E-4.13-2 GUARANTY AGREEMENT Re: $75,000,000 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Notes Due May 25, 2014 of TALX Corporation Dated as of May 25, 2006 TO EACH OF THE PURCHASERS LISTED IN SCHEDULE A TO THE HEREINAFTER DEFINED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT: Ladies and Gentlemen: Reference is hereby made to that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2006 (the "Note Purchase Agreement"), between TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation (the "Company"), and certain Institutional Investors, respectively (individually a "Purchaser" and collectively the "Purchasers"), under and pursuant to which the Company will issue $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 (the "Notes"). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning given such terms in Schedule B to the Note Purchase Agreement. Each of the undersigned, together with any entity which may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Guaranty Joinder Agreement in substantially the form set forth as ANNEX 1 hereto (a "Guaranty Joinder Agreement") (which parties are hereinafter referred to individually as a "Subsidiary Guarantor" and collectively as the "Subsidiary Guarantors") is a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company. The Subsidiary Guarantors are part of an affiliated group of corporations with the Company and each will receive substantial direct and indirect benefit by reason of the original issue and sale by the Company of the Notes and each views the issuance and sale by the Company of the Notes to the Purchasers as in the best interests of such Subsidiary Guarantor. As an inducement to and in consideration of the purchase by the Purchasers of the Notes, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors has agreed to unconditionally guarantee the prompt payment of all amounts of principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, which may become due and payable from time to time with respect to the Notes. In consideration of the foregoing, each of the undersigned does hereby covenant and agree with the Purchasers and with each and every subsequent holder of the Notes as follows: SECTION 1. GUARANTY OF NOTES. Section 1.1. Guaranty. (a) Subject to the limitations set forth in SECTION 1.1(b), the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, absolutely and unconditionally guarantee to the holders from time to time of the Notes: (a) the full and prompt payment of the principal of E-4.13-3 all of the Notes and of the interest thereon at the rate therein stipulated and the Make-Whole Amount (if any), when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether by lapse of time, upon redemption or prepayment, by extension or by acceleration or declaration, or otherwise (including (to the extent legally enforceable) interest due on overdue payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount (if any) or interest at the rate set forth in the Notes), (b) the full and prompt performance and observance by the Company of each and all of the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed or observed by the Company under the terms of the Notes and the Note Purchase Agreement, and (c) the full and prompt payment, upon demand by any holder of the Notes, of all costs and expenses, legal or otherwise (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and such expenses, if any, as shall have been expended or incurred in the protection or enforcement of any right or privilege under the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation, in any consultation or action in connection therewith, and in each and every case irrespective of the validity, regularity, or enforcement of any of the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement or any of the terms thereof or of any other like circumstance or circumstances. The guaranty of the Notes herein provided for is a guaranty of the immediate and timely payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and the Make-Whole Amount (if any) as and when the same are due and payable and shall not be deemed to be a guaranty only of the collectibility of such payments and that in consequence thereof each holder of the Notes may sue each Subsidiary Guarantor directly upon such principal and interest becoming so due and payable. (b) The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the lesser of (i) the obligations of the Company guaranteed hereunder, or (ii) a maximum aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any applicable provisions of comparable state law (collectively, the "Fraudulent Transfer Laws"), if and to the extent such Subsidiary Guarantor (or a trustee on its behalf) has properly invoked the protections of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent Transfer Laws. Section 1.2. Obligations Absolute and Unconditional. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall remain in full force and effect until the entire principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount (if any) on the Notes and all other sums due pursuant to SECTION 1.1 shall have been paid and such obligations shall not be affected, modified or impaired upon the happening from time to time of any event, including, without limitation, any of the following, whether or not with notice to or the consent of such Subsidiary Guarantor: (a) the power or authority or the lack of power or authority of the Company to issue the Notes or to execute and deliver the Note Purchase Agreement, and irrespective of the validity of the Notes, or the Note Purchase Agreement or of any defense whatsoever that the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor may or might have to the payment of the Notes (principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any) or to the performance or observance of any of the provisions or conditions of the Note Purchase E-4.13-4 Agreement, or the existence or continuance of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor as a legal entity; (b) any failure to present the Notes for payment or to demand payment thereof, or to give the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor notice of dishonor for non-payment of the Notes, when and as the same may become due and payable, or notice of any failure on the part of the Company to do any act or thing or to perform or to keep any covenant or agreement by it to be done, kept or performed under the terms of the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement; (c) the acceptance of any security or any guaranty, the advance of additional money to the Company, any extension of the obligation of the Notes, either indefinitely or for any period of time, or any other modification in the obligation of the Notes or of the Note Purchase Agreement or of the Company thereon, or in connection therewith, or any sale, release, substitution or exchange of any security; (d) any act or failure to act with regard to the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement or anything which might vary the risk of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor; (e) any action taken under the Note Purchase Agreement in the exercise of any right or power thereby conferred or any failure or omission on the part of any holder of any Note to first enforce any right or security given under the Note Purchase Agreement or any failure or omission on the part of any holder of any of the Notes to first enforce any right against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor; (f) the waiver, compromise, settlement, release or termination of any or all of the obligations, covenants or agreements of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor contained in the Note Purchase Agreement, or this Agreement or of the payment, performance or observance thereof; (g) the failure to give notice to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of the occurrence of any breach by any Subsidiary Guarantor of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or any Default or Event of Default under the Note Purchase Agreement; (h) the extension of the time for payment of any principal of, or interest (or Make-Whole Amount, if any), on any Note owing or payable on such Note or of the time of or for performance of any obligations, covenants or agreements under or arising out of the Note Purchase Agreement or the extension or the renewal of any thereof; (i) the modification, restatement or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any obligation, covenant or agreement set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement or the Notes or this Agreement; (j) any failure, omission, delay or lack on the part of the holders of the Notes to enforce, assert or exercise any right, power or remedy conferred on the holders of the E-4.13-5 Notes in the Note Purchase Agreement or the Notes or any other act or acts on the part of the holders from time to time of the Notes; (k) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets, marshalling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization or arrangement under bankruptcy or similar laws, composition with creditors or readjustment of, or other similar procedures affecting the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of the assets of any of them, or any allegation or contest of the validity of the Note Purchase Agreement or the disaffirmance of the Note Purchase Agreement in any such proceeding (it being understood that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment made with respect to the Notes is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by any holder of the Notes upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, all as though such payment had not been made); (l) any event or action that would, in the absence of this clause, result in the release or discharge by operation of law of such Subsidiary Guarantor from the performance or observance of any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement; (m) the invalidity or unenforceability of the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement; (n) the invalidity or unenforceability of the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement, the absence of any action to enforce such obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor, any waiver or consent by such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to any of the provisions hereof or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a discharge or defense by such Subsidiary Guarantor, including, without limitation, any failure or delay in the enforcement of the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to this Agreement or of notice thereof; or any suit or other action brought by any shareholder or creditor of, or by, such Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, for any reason, including, without limitation, any suit or action in any way attacking or involving any issue, matter or thing in respect of this Agreement, the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes or any other agreement; (o) the default or failure of such Subsidiary Guarantor fully to perform any of its covenants or obligations set forth in this Agreement; (p) the impossibility or illegality of performance on the part of the Company or any other Person of its obligations under the Notes, the Note Purchase Agreement, this Agreement or any other instruments; (q) in respect of the Company or any other Person, any change of circumstances, whether or not foreseen or foreseeable, whether or not imputable to the E-4.13-6 Company or any other Person, or other impossibility of performance through fire, explosion, accident, labor disturbance, floods, droughts, embargoes, wars (whether or not declared), civil commotions, acts of God or the public enemy, delays or failure of suppliers or carriers, inability to obtain materials, action of any federal or state regulatory body or agency, change of law or any other causes affecting performance, or other force majeure, whether or not beyond the control of the Company or any other Person and whether or not of the kind hereinbefore specified; (r) any attachment, claim, demand, charge, Lien, order, process, encumbrance or any other happening or event or reason, similar or dissimilar to the foregoing, or any withholding or diminution at the source, by reason of any taxes, assessments, expenses, debt, obligations or liabilities of any character, foreseen or unforeseen, and whether or not valid, incurred by or against any Person, or any claims, demands, charges or Liens of any nature, foreseen or unforeseen, incurred by any Person, or against any sums payable under the Note Purchase Agreement or this Agreement so that such sums would be rendered inadequate or would be unavailable to make the payments herein provided; (s) the failure of such Subsidiary Guarantor to receive any benefit or consideration from or as a result of its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; (t) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance by the Company, any other Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person of any obligations of any kind or character whatsoever of the Company, any other Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person (including, without limitation, the obligations and undertakings of the Company or any other Person under the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement); (u) any order, judgment, decree, ruling or regulation (whether or not valid) of any court of any nation or of any political subdivision thereof or any body, agency, department, official or administrative or regulatory agency of any thereof or any other action, happening, event or reason whatsoever which shall delay, interfere with, hinder or prevent, or in any way adversely affect, the performance by any party of its respective obligations under the Notes, this Agreement, the Note Purchase Agreement or any instrument relating thereto; or (v) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement; provided that the specific enumeration of the above-mentioned acts, failures or omissions shall not be deemed to exclude any other acts, failures or omissions, though not specifically mentioned above, it being the purpose and intent of this paragraph that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be discharged, impaired or varied except by the payment to the holders thereof of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on the Notes, and of all other sums due and owing to the holders of the Notes pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, and then only to the extent of such payments. E-4.13-7 Without limiting any of the other terms or provisions hereof, it is understood and agreed that in order to hold each Subsidiary Guarantor liable hereunder, there shall be no obligation on the part of any holder of any Note to resort, in any manner or form, for payment, to the Company, to any other Subsidiary Guarantor, to any other Person or to the properties or estates of any of the foregoing. All rights of the holder of any Note pursuant thereto or to this Agreement may be transferred or assigned at any time or from time to time and shall be considered to be transferred or assigned upon the transfer of such Note, whether with or without the consent of or notice to any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that repeated and successive demands may be made and recoveries may be had hereunder as and when, from time to time, the Company shall default under the terms of the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement and that notwithstanding recovery hereunder for or in respect of any given default or defaults by the Company under the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall apply to each and every subsequent default. Section 1.3. Subrogation. To the extent of any payments made under this Agreement, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder of the Notes receiving such payments, but such Subsidiary Guarantor covenants and agrees that such right of subrogation shall be subordinate in right of payment to the rights of any holders of the Notes for which full payment has not been made or provided for and, to that end, such Subsidiary Guarantor agrees not to claim or enforce any such right of subrogation or any right of set-off or any other right which may arise on account of any payment made by such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any right of reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any holder of the Notes against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until 366 days after all of the Notes owned by Persons other than such Subsidiary Guarantor and all other sums due or payable under the Note Purchase Agreement have been fully paid and discharged or payment therefor has been provided. If any amount shall be paid to such Subsidiary Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence at any time prior to the indefeasible cash payment in full of the Notes and all other amounts payable under the Note Purchase Agreement, such amounts shall be held in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes and shall forthwith be paid to the holders of the Notes to be credited and applied to the amounts due or to become due with respect to the Notes and all other amounts payable under the Note Purchase Agreement, whether matured or unmatured. Section 1.4. Contribution. To the extent of any payments made under this Agreement, each Subsidiary Guarantor making such payment shall have a right of contribution from the other Subsidiary Guarantors, but such Subsidiary Guarantor covenants and agrees that such right of contribution shall be subordinate in right of payment to the rights of the holders of the Notes for which full payment has not been made or provided for and, to that end, such Subsidiary Guarantor agrees not to claim or enforce any such right of contribution unless and until all of the E-4.13-8 Notes and all other sums due and payable under the Note Purchase Agreement have been fully and irrevocably paid and discharged. Section 1.5. Preference. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that to the extent the Company, any other Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person makes any payment on the Notes, which payment or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, voided, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered, rescinded or is required to be retained by or repaid to a trustee, liquidator, receiver or any other Person under any bankruptcy code, common law or equitable cause, then and to the extent of such payment, the obligation or the part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect with respect to such Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations hereunder, as if said payment had not been made. The liability of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder shall not be reduced or discharged, in whole or in part, by any payment to any holder of the Notes from any source that is thereafter paid, returned or refunded in whole or in part by reason of the assertion of a claim of any kind relating thereto, including, but not limited to, any claim for breach of contract, breach of warranty, preference, illegality, invalidity or fraud asserted by any account debtor or by any other Person. Section 1.6. Marshalling. None of the holders of the Notes shall be under any obligation (a) to marshal any assets in favor of any Subsidiary Guarantor or in payment of any or all of the liabilities of the Company under or in respect of the Notes or the obligation of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder or (b) to pursue any other remedy that any Subsidiary Guarantor may or may not be able to pursue itself and that may lessen such Subsidiary Guarantor's burden or any right to which such Subsidiary Guarantor hereby expressly waives. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement rank pari passu in right of payment with all other unsecured Senior Indebtedness (actual or contingent) of such Subsidiary Guarantor. SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS. Each Subsidiary Guarantor represents and warrants to you that, as of the date of such Subsidiary Guarantor's execution and delivery of this Agreement (or joinder hereto, as applicable): Section 2.1. Organization; Power and Authority. Such Subsidiary Guarantor is a corporation, limited liability company or other legal entity, as the case may be, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign business organization and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Such Subsidiary Guarantor has the power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform the provisions hereof. Section 2.2. Authorization, Etc. This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Subsidiary Guarantor, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor enforceable against such E-4.13-9 Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Section 2.3. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. (a) The execution, delivery and performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of this Agreement will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, organizational documents, or any other agreement or instrument to which such Subsidiary Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or by which such Subsidiary Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to such Subsidiary Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Subsidiary Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, except to the extent that such continuation, breach, default or violation could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (b) All obligations under this Agreement of such Subsidiary Guarantor are direct and unsecured obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor ranking pari passu as against the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor with all other existing unsecured Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (actual or contingent). Section 2.4. Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of this Agreement (other than the filing of a Form 8-K with the SEC disclosing the Company's entry into the Note Purchase Agreement or such Subsidiary Guarantor's entry into this Agreement). Section 2.5. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of such Subsidiary Guarantor, threatened against or affecting such Subsidiary Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (b) Neither such Subsidiary Guarantor nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any term of any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or is in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation (including without limitation Environmental Laws) of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. E-4.13-10 SECTION 3. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS. Each Subsidiary Guarantor covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding: Section 3.1. Compliance with Note Purchase Agreement Covenants. Such Subsidiary Guarantor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with each of the covenants and agreement set forth in Sections 7, 9 and 10 of the Note Purchase Agreements that are applicable to Subsidiaries of the Company. Section 3.2. Guaranty to Rank Pari Passu. The obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor under SECTION 1 of this Agreement is and at all times shall remain a direct and unsecured obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor ranking pari passu as against the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor with all other present and future unsecured Senior Indebtedness (actual or contingent) of such Subsidiary Guarantor. SECTION 4. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT. All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of the Purchasers or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of each Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the Subsidiary Guarantors regarding the transactions contemplated by the Note Purchase Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. SECTION 5. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. Section 5.1. Requirements. This Agreement may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Required Holders, except that (a) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (i) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or (ii) amend this SECTION 5 or SECTION 1 and (b) no consent of the holders of the Notes, the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be required in connection with the execution and delivery of a Guaranty Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of ANNEX 1 or other addition of any additional Subsidiary Guarantor, and each Subsidiary Guarantor, by its execution and delivery of this Agreement (or joinder hereto) consents to the addition of each additional Subsidiary Guarantor and upon execution of such Guaranty Joinder Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended as set forth therein without further action on the part of any other party. E-4.13-11 Section 5.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes. (a) Solicitation. The Subsidiary Guarantors will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof. The Subsidiary Guarantors will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this SECTION 5 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes. (b) Payment. No Subsidiary Guarantor will directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment. Section 5.3. Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this SECTION 5 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Subsidiary Guarantors without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement or breach by any Subsidiary Guarantor of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or Default or Event of Default under the Note Purchase Agreement not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between any Subsidiary Guarantor and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note. As used herein, the term "this Agreement" and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented. Section 5.4. Notes Held by Subsidiary Guarantors, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company, such Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding. Section 5.5. Purchase of Notes. No Subsidiary Guarantor will nor will any Subsidiary Guarantor permit any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (a) in accordance with SECTION 1, or (b) and upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes. E-4.13-12 SECTION 6. NOTICES. All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telefacsimile if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent: (i) if to a Purchaser or such Purchaser's nominee, to such Purchaser or such Purchaser's nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A to the Note Purchase Agreement, or at such other address as such Purchaser or such Purchaser's nominee shall have specified to the Subsidiary Guarantors in writing, (ii) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Subsidiary Guarantors in writing, or (iii) if to any Subsidiary Guarantor, to such Subsidiary Guarantor at its address set forth on SCHEDULE I attached hereto to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer, or at such other address as such Subsidiary Guarantor shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing. Notices under this SECTION 6 will be deemed given only when actually received. SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS. Section 7.1. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not, so long as any Notes remain outstanding and unpaid. Section 7.2. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Section 7.3. Construction. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person. Section 7.4. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one E-4.13-13 instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. Section 7.5. Subordination of Debt of the Company. Any indebtedness of the Company now or hereafter held by a Subsidiary Guarantor, whether secured or unsecured, and if secured, the security for same, is hereby subordinated to the indebtedness of the Company to the holders of the Notes from time to time; and, so long as there is any Default or Event of Default under the Note Purchase Agreement, such indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be collected, enforced, and received by such Subsidiary Guarantor as trustee for the holders of the Notes from time to time and, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, be paid over to such holders on account of the Notes but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of the Subsidiary Guarantor under the other provisions of this Agreement. SECTION 7.6. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXCLUDING CHOICE-OF-LAW PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF SUCH STATE THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN SUCH STATE. Section 7.7. Submission to Jurisdiction. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably submits and consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Illinois State or U.S. federal court situated in the City of Chicago, and irrevocably agrees that all actions or proceedings relating to this Agreement may be litigated in such courts, and each Subsidiary Guarantor waives any objection which it may have based on improper venue or forum non conveniens to the conduct of any proceeding in any such court and waives personal service of any and all process upon it, and consents that all such service of process be made by delivery to it at the address of such Subsidiary Guarantor as set forth in SCHEDULE I hereto. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that a final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding shall be conclusive, subject to rights of appeal, and may be enforced in any manner provided by law or equity. Nothing contained in this Section shall affect the right of any holder of Notes to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring any action or proceeding in the courts of any jurisdiction against any Subsidiary Guarantor or to enforce a judgment obtained in the courts of any other jurisdiction. SECTION 8. INDEMNITY. To the fullest extent of applicable law, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall indemnify and save each holder of a Note harmless from and against any losses which may arise by virtue of any of the obligations hereby guaranteed being or becoming for any reason whatsoever in whole or in part void, voidable, contrary to law, invalid, ineffective or otherwise unenforceable by the holders of the Notes or any of them in accordance with its terms (all of the foregoing, collectively, an "Indemnifiable Circumstance"). For greater certainty, these losses shall include without limitation all obligations hereby guaranteed which would have been payable by the Company but for the existence of an Indemnifiable Circumstance; provided, however, that the extent of each Subsidiary Guarantor's aggregate liability under this SECTION 8 shall not at any time exceed the amount (but for any Indemnifiable Circumstance) otherwise guaranteed pursuant to SECTION 1. E-4.13-14 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Guaranty Agreement has been duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written. Very truly yours, TALX UCM SERVICES, INC. TALX EMPLOYER SERVICES, LLC TALX FASTIME SERVICES, INC. TBT ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED UI ADVANTAGE, INC. NET PROFIT, INC. TALX TAX INCENTIVE SERVICES, LLC JON-JAY ASSOCIATES, INC. TALX TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES, LLC UNEMPLOYMENT SERVICES, LLC MANAGEMENT INSIGHT INCENTIVES, LLC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT NETWORK, INC. By Its E-4.13-15 SCHEDULE I ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES TO SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS c/o TALX Corporation Attention: Chief Executive Officer 11432 Lackland Road St. Louis, Missouri 63146 SCHEDULE I (to Guaranty Agreement) FORM OF GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT To the Holders of the Notes, (as hereinafter defined) of TALX Corporation (the "Company") Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS, in order to refinance certain debt and for general corporate purposes, the Company issued $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its ax% Senior Guaranteed Notes due May 25, 2014 (the "Notes"), pursuant to that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006 (the "Note Purchase Agreement") between the Company and each of the purchasers named on Schedule A thereto (the "Initial Note Purchasers"). WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to their purchase of the Notes, the Initial Note Purchasers required that certain subsidiaries of the Company enter into a Guaranty as security for the Notes (the "Guaranty"). Pursuant to Section 9.7 of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to cause the undersigned, ______________, a ______________ organized under the laws of _______________ (the "Additional Subsidiary Guarantor"), to join in the Guaranty. In accordance with the requirements of the Guaranty, the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor desires to amend (a) the definition of Subsidiary Guarantor (as the same may have been heretofore amended) set forth in the Guaranty attached hereto so that at all times from and after the date hereof, the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor shall be jointly and severally liable as set forth in the Guaranty for the obligations of the Company under the Note Purchase Agreement and Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Guaranty and (b) Schedule I to the Guaranty to include the address of the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor set forth on the signature page hereto. The undersigned is the duly elected ______________ of the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor, a subsidiary of the Company, and is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Guaranty Joinder Agreement to each of you. The execution by the undersigned of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement shall evidence its consent to and acknowledgment and approval of the terms set forth herein and in the Guaranty and by such execution the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed to have made in favor of the Holders of the Notes the representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 of the Guaranty. Upon execution of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement, the Guaranty shall be deemed to be amended as set forth above. Except as amended herein, the terms and provisions of the Guaranty are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects. ANNEX 1 (to Guaranty Agreement) Any and all notices, requests, certificates and other instruments (including the Notes) may refer to the Guaranty without making specific reference to this Guaranty Joinder Agreement, but nevertheless all such references shall be deemed to include this Guaranty Joinder Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Dated: _________________, _____. [NAME OF ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR] By Name: Title: Address for Notices: ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- FORM OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE Pursuant to Section 9.7 of the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 25, 2006 (as it may hereafter be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the "Note Purchase Agreement"), between TALX Corporation, a __________ corporation and the institutions named in Schedule A thereto, the undersigned [INSERT TITLE OF OFFICER] of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR], in such capacity and not in any personal capacity, hereby certifies as follows: 1. The representations and warranties of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] set forth in Section 2 of the Guaranty Agreement (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof with the same effect as if made on the date hereof, except for representations and warranties expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date. 2. _____________ is the duly elected and qualified _____________ of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] and the signature set forth for such officer below is such officer's true and genuine signature. The undersigned _____________ of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] certifies as follows: 3. There are no liquidation or dissolution proceedings pending or to my knowledge threatened against [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR], nor has any other event occurred adversely affecting or threatening the continued existence of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR]. 4. [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] is a _____________ duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization. 5. Attached hereto as Annex 1 is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the _____________ of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] on _______________; such resolutions have not in any way been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded, have been in full force and effect since their adoption to and including the date hereof and are now in full force and effect and are the only _____________ proceedings of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] now in force relating to or affecting the matters referred to therein. 6. Attached hereto as Annex 2 is a true and complete copy of the By-Laws (or equivalent) [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] as in effect on the date hereof. 7. Attached hereto as Annex 3 is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (or equivalent) of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] as in effect on the date hereof, and such certificate has not been amended, repealed, modified or restated (except to the extent of the amendments attached hereto). 8. The following persons are now duly elected and qualified officers of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] holding the offices indicated next to their respective names below, and the signatures appearing opposite their respective names below are the true and genuine signatures of such officers, and each of such officers is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of [INSERT NAME OF GUARANTOR] [the Guaranty Joinder Agreement and] the Guaranty Agreement:
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set our names as of the date set forth below. - -------------------------- ---------------------------------- Name: Name: Title: Title: Date: ________, ________ FORM OF INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT ================================================================================ INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT Dated as of May 25, 2006 among LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SOUTHWEST BANK OF ST. LOUIS, NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST, FIFTH THIRD BANK, MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., FIRST BANK, PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY, THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, MTL INSURANCE COMPANY, THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, AMERICAN INVESTORS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and AMERUS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ================================================================================ Exhibit 4.14 (to Note Purchase Agreement) TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS........................... 2 SECTION 2. APPROVAL OF LOAN AND LOAN DOCUMENTS... 4 SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........ 5 SECTION 4. SHARING OF RECOVERIES................. 6 SECTION 5. MODIFICATIONS, AMENDMENTS, ETC........ 7 SECTION 6. AGREEMENTS AMONG THE CREDITORS........ 8 SECTION 7. OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER NOT AFFECTED.... 9 SECTION 8. ESTOPPEL.............................. 9 SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS......................... 9 E-4.14-i INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT THIS INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") dated as of May 25, 2006, is entered into by and among SOUTHWEST BANK OF ST. LOUIS ("SOUTHWEST BANK"), NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST ("NATIONAL CITY"), FIFTH THIRD BANK ("FIFTH THIRD"), MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. ("MERRILL LYNCH"), FIRST BANK ("FIRST BANK"), LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender and as administrative agent for the Lenders (the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY, THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, MTL INSURANCE COMPANY, THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, AMERICAN INVESTORS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and AMERUS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, as holders of the Notes described below (collectively, the "NOTEHOLDERS"). RECITALS: A. Under and pursuant to that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, renewed or replaced from time to time, including any increase in the amount thereof, the "NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), among TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation (the "COMPANY") and the Noteholders, the Company proposes to issue and sell to the Noteholders $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.89% Senior Guaranteed Notes, due May 25, 2014 (collectively the "NOTES"). B. The Noteholders have required as a condition of their purchase of the Notes that each of TALX UCM Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation, TALX FasTime Services, Inc., a Texas corporation, TALX Employer Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, TBT Enterprises, Incorporated, a Maryland corporation, UI Advantage, Inc., a Maryland corporation, Net Profit, Inc., a South Carolina corporation, TALX Tax Incentive Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, Management Insight Incentives, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, Unemployment Services, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, and Performance Assessment Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (each a "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" and collectively the "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS") enter into a guaranty as security for the Notes and accordingly each of the Subsidiary Guarantors has agreed to provide a guaranty. Each Subsidiary Guarantor proposes to execute and deliver a Guaranty Agreement (each a "NOTE GUARANTEE" and collectively the "NOTE GUARANTIES") dated as of even date herewith, pursuant to which such Subsidiary Guarantor will irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally guarantee to the Noteholders the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and the payment and performance of all other obligations of the Company under the Note Purchase Agreement. E-4.14-1 C. Under and pursuant to that certain Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented, renewed or replaced from time to time, including any increase in the amount thereof, the "LOAN AGREEMENT") among the Company, the Administrative Agent, and the lending institutions which are parties thereto (each, individually, a "LENDER" and collectively, the "LENDERS"), the Lenders have made available to the Company certain credit facilities in a current aggregate principal amount of up to $150,000,000 (all amounts outstanding in respect of such credit facilities being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "LOAN"). D. In connection with the execution of the Loan Agreement and as security for the Loan made thereunder, the Subsidiary Guarantors have heretofore guaranteed to the Lenders the payment of the Loan and all other obligations of the Company under the Loan Agreement under those certain guaranty agreements (as such agreements may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time the "LOAN GUARANTIES"). E. The Loan Guaranties and the Note Guaranties are each hereinafter individually referred to as a "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY" and collectively referred to as the "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES". F. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors contemplate that from time to time after the date hereof, additional subsidiaries of the Company may, subject to the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreement, issue additional guaranties for the benefit of the Creditors which the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Creditors wish to become subject to this Agreement pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(d) hereof. G. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, it is a condition precedent to the Notes constituting permitted indebtedness thereunder that the Administrative Agent and the Noteholders enter into this Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree a follows: SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them below in this Section 1 or in the provisions of this Agreement referred to below: "Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Company" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. E-4.14-2 "Covered Payment" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4. "Creditor" shall individually mean the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Noteholder and "Creditors" shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Noteholders. "Enforcement Action" means any (i) judicial or non-judicial foreclosure proceeding, the exercise of any power of sale, the taking of a deed or assignment in lieu of foreclosure, the obtaining of a receiver or the taking of any other enforcement action against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) acceleration of, or demand or action taken in order to collect, all or any indebtedness accruing under the Loan Agreement, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guaranty or (iii) exercise of any right or remedy available to the Administrative Agent or the Noteholders under the Loan Agreement, the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement, as applicable, at law, in equity or otherwise with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor. "Excess Covered Payment" shall mean as to any Creditor an amount equal to the Covered Payment received by such Creditor less the Pro Rata Share of such Covered Payment to which such Creditor is then entitled. "Lender" and "Lenders" shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Recitals hereto. "Loan" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Loan Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Loan Guaranty" and "Loan Guaranties" shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Note Guaranty" and "Note Guaranties" shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Note Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Noteholder" and "Noteholders" shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Notes" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, and a government or agency or political subdivision thereof. E-4.14-3 "Pro Rata Share" shall mean, with respect to any Creditor, as of the date of any Covered Payment to such Creditor, an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of such Covered Payment less all reasonable costs incurred by such Creditor in connection with the collection of such Covered Payment by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Specified Amount owing to such Creditor, and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of all outstanding Subject Obligations (without giving effect in the denominator to the application of any such Covered Payment). "Receiving Creditor" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4. "Specified Amount" shall mean as to any Creditor the aggregate amount of the Subject Obligations owed to such Creditor. "Subject Obligations" shall mean all principal of, premium or make-whole amount, if any, and interest on, the Notes and the Loan and all other obligations of the Company under or in respect of the Notes and the Loan and under the Note Purchase Agreement or the Loan Agreement. "Subsidiary Agreements" shall mean the Subsidiary Guaranties. "Subsidiary Guarantor" and "Subsidiary Guarantors" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. "Subsidiary Guaranty" and "Subsidiary Guaranties" shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Recitals hereof. Section 2. Approval of Loan and Loan Documents.( (a) Each Noteholder hereby acknowledges that (i) it has received and reviewed and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, hereby consents to and approves of the making of the Loan and, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, all of the terms and provisions of the Loan Agreement and the Loan Guaranties, and (ii) any application or use of the proceeds of the Loan for purposes other than those provided in the Loan Agreement shall not affect, impair or defeat the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the Loan Agreement. (b) Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledges that (i) it has received and reviewed, and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, hereby consents to and approves of the issuance of the Notes and, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, all of the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement and the Note Guaranties, and (ii) any application or use of the proceeds of the issuance of the Notes for purposes other than those provided in the Note Purchase Agreement shall not affect, impair or defeat the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the Note Purchase Agreement. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that any conditions precedent to the consent of E-4.14-4 the Administrative Agent and each Lender to the issuance of the Notes as set forth in the Loan Agreement or any other agreements with the Company related thereto, as they apply to the issuance of the Notes, have been either satisfied or waived. Section 3. Representations and Warranties. (a) Each Noteholder hereby represents and warrants, as to itself, as follows: (1) To such Noteholder's knowledge, there currently exists no default or event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default under the Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement. (2) Such Noteholder (or its nominee) is the legal and beneficial owner of the Note purchased by it from the Company, free and clear of any lien, security interest, option or other charge or encumbrance. (3) The Notes are not secured by any real or personal property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor. (4) Such Noteholder is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which it was organized with full power to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. (5) All actions necessary to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement on behalf of such Noteholder have been duly taken, and all such actions continue in full force and effect as of the date hereof. (6) Such Noteholder has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding agreement of such Noteholder enforceable against such Noteholder in accordance with its terms subject to (x) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and moratorium laws, and (y) general principles of equity which may apply regardless of whether a proceeding is brought in law or in equity. (7) To such Noteholder's knowledge, no consent of any other Person and no consent, license, approval, or authorization of, or exemption by, or registration or declaration or filing with, any governmental authority, bureau or agency is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Noteholder of this Agreement or consummation by such Noteholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (b) The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby represents and warrants, as to itself, as follows: E-4.14-5 (1) To its knowledge, there currently exists no default or event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default under the Loan Agreement. (2) All security interests in favor of the Administrative Agent securing the Loan and all other amounts owing by the Company to the Lenders pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement shall be released in accordance with the terms of that certain Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of April 6, 2006 among the Company, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Administrative Agent and Lenders have no other security interests in any real or personal property granted by Company or Subsidiary Guarantors. (3) It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which it was organized with full power to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. (4) All actions necessary to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by it have been duly taken, and all such actions continue in full force and effect as of the date hereof. (5) It has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding agreement of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, enforceable against the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms subject to (x) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and moratorium laws and (y) general principles of equity which may apply regardless of whether a proceeding is brought in law or in equity. (6) To its knowledge, no consent of any other Person and no consent, license, approval, or authorization of, or exemption by, or registration or declaration or filing with, any governmental authority, bureau or agency is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Administrative Agent of this Agreement or consummation by the Administrative Agent of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Section 4. Sharing of Recoveries. (a) Each Creditor hereby agrees with each other Creditor that from and after the commencement of an Enforcement Action by any Creditor, any payment (including payments made through setoff of deposit balances or otherwise) received by such Creditor in respect of the Subject Obligations owed to such Creditor (such payment, a "COVERED PAYMENT") shall be shared so that each Creditor shall receive its Pro Rata Share of such Covered Payment. Accordingly, each Creditor hereby agrees that in the event that (i) such Creditor receives a Covered Payment (such Creditor, a "RECEIVING E-4.14-6 CREDITOR") and (ii) any other Creditor shall not concurrently receive its Pro Rata Share of such Covered Payment, then the Receiving Creditor shall promptly remit to each other Creditor who shall then be entitled thereto, an amount so that after giving effect to such payment (and any other payments then being made by any other Receiving Creditor pursuant to this Section 4) each Creditor shall have received its Pro Rata Share of such Covered Payments. (b) For purposes of determining each Creditor's Pro Rata Share, (x) unfunded commitments to advance funds shall not constitute outstanding Subject Obligations and (y) the undrawn amount of any issued irrevocable letters of credit shall constitute outstanding Subject Obligations of the issuers of such letters of credit. If any payment is made pursuant to this Section 4 with respect to the undrawn amount of any issued letter of credit and if, subsequently, such letter of credit expires without having been drawn upon in full, then the issuer of such letter of credit shall calculate the aggregate amount that it received or retained under this Section 4 solely as a result of the treatment of the undrawn amount of such letter of credit as an outstanding Subject Obligation and such amount shall thereafter constitute a Covered Payment subject to sharing pursuant to this Section 4. (c) Any such payments shall be deemed to be and shall be made in consideration of the purchase for cash at face value, but without recourse, ratably from the other Creditors such amount of Notes or Loan (or interest therein), as the case may be, to the extent necessary to cause such Receiving Creditor to share such Excess Covered Payment with the other Creditors as hereinabove provided; provided, however, that if any such purchase or payment is made by any Receiving Creditor and if such Excess Covered Payment or part thereof is thereafter recovered from such Receiving Creditor (including, without limitation, by any trustee in bankruptcy of the Person making such Covered Payment or any creditor thereof), the related purchase from the other Creditors shall be rescinded ratably and the purchase price restored as to the portion of such Excess Covered Payment so recovered, but without interest; provided, further, that nothing herein contained shall obligate any Creditor to resort to any setoff, application of deposit balance or other means of payment under any Subsidiary Guaranty or avail itself of any recourse by resort to any property of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the taking of any such action to remain within the absolute discretion of such Creditor without obligation of any kind to the other Creditors to take any such action. Section 5. Modifications, Amendments, Etc. (a) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the right without the consent of the Noteholders in each instance to enter into any amendment, deferral, extension, modification, increase, renewal, replacement, consolidation, supplement or waiver (collectively, a "LOAN MODIFICATION") of the Loan or the Loan Agreement (or any agreement related thereto) provided that no such Loan Modification shall, without the prior written consent of the Noteholders, grant to the Administrative Agent or any Lender a security interest in any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor. E-4.14-7 (b) The Noteholders shall have the right without the consent of the Administrative Agent in each instance to enter into any amendment, deferral, extension, modification, increase, renewal, replacement, consolidation, supplement or waiver (collectively, a "NOTE MODIFICATION") of the Note or the Note Purchase Agreement provided that no such Note Modification shall, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, grant to the Noteholders a security interest in any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor. Section 6. Agreements Among the Creditors. (a) Independent Actions by Creditors. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit any Creditor from accelerating the maturity of, or demanding payment from a Subsidiary Guarantor on, any Subject Obligation of the Company to such Creditor or from instituting legal action against the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to obtain a judgment or other legal process in respect of such Subject Obligation, but any funds received from a Subsidiary Guarantor in connection with any recovery therefrom shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement. (b) Relation of Creditors. This Agreement is entered into solely for the purposes set forth herein, and no Creditor assumes any responsibility to any other party hereto to advise such other party of information known to such other party regarding the financial condition of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or of any other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Subject Obligation. Each Creditor specifically acknowledges and agrees that nothing contained in this Agreement is or is intended to be for the benefit of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor and nothing contained herein shall limit or in any way modify any of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Creditors. (c) Acknowledgment of Guaranties. The Lenders hereby expressly acknowledge the existence of the Note Guarantees and the Noteholders hereby expressly acknowledge the existence of the Loan Guaranties. (d) Additional Guarantors. Additional Persons may become "Subsidiary Guarantors" hereunder by executing and delivering to a then existing Creditor a guaranty by which such Person has become a guarantor of the Notes or Loan pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement or the Note Purchase Agreement. Accordingly, upon the execution and delivery of any such copy of the guaranty by any such Person, such Person shall, thereinafter become a "Subsidiary Guarantor" for all purposes of this Agreement. (e) Payments on Subordinated Indebtedness. Pursuant to the Note Guaranties and the Loan Guaranties, the Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed that any indebtedness of the Company now or hereafter held by a Subsidiary Guarantor, whether secured or unsecured, and if secured, the security for same, is subordinated to the indebtedness of the Company under or in respect of the Notes and the Loan and under the Note Purchase Agreement or the Loan Agreement from time to time. Notwithstanding E-4.14-8 anything to the contrary set forth in the Note Guaranties or the Loan Guaranties, the Creditors acknowledge and agree that, so long as there is any default or event of default under the Note Purchase Agreement or the Loan Agreement, such indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be collected, enforced, and received by such Subsidiary Guarantor as trustee for the Creditors and shall be paid over by such Subsidiary Guarantor to any Creditor. In the event any Creditor receives any payment from a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the preceding sentence, then such payment shall be shared by the Creditors pursuant to the terms of Section 4 hereof, whether or not an Enforcement Action has been commenced by any Creditor. Section 7. Obligations Hereunder Not Affected. (a) All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Noteholders under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect irrespective any lack of validity or enforceability of the Loan Agreement, the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes, any Subsidiary Guaranty or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto. (b) This Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of all or any portion of the Loan or the Notes is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Lenders or the Noteholders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. Section 8. Estoppel. (a) Each Noteholder shall, within ten (10) business days following a request from the Administrative Agent, provide the Administrative Agent with a written statement setting forth the then current outstanding principal balance of the its Note, the aggregate accrued and unpaid interest in respect of its Note, and stating whether to such Noteholder's knowledge any default or event of default exists under the its Note or the Note Purchase Agreement. (b) The Administrative Agent shall, within ten (10) business days following a request from the Noteholders, provide the Noteholders with a written statement setting forth the then current outstanding principal balance of the Loan, the aggregate accrued and unpaid interest under the Loan, and stating whether to the Administrative Agent's knowledge any default or event of default exists under the Loan or the Loan Agreement. Section 9. Miscellaneous. (a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire Agreement among the Creditors and, except as otherwise provided, this Agreement may not be altered, amended or modified except in a writing executed by all the parties to this Agreement. E-4.14-9 (b) Notices. Notices hereunder shall be given to the Creditors at their addresses as set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement or the Loan Agreement, as the case may be, or at such other address as may be designated by each in a written notice to the other parties hereto. (c) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the Creditors and their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not, and, in particular, shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by any future holder or holders of any Subject Obligations, and the term "Creditor" shall include any such subsequent holder of Subject Obligations, wherever the context permits. Without limiting the foregoing, the rights and obligations of any Lender or Noteholder under this Agreement shall be assigned automatically, without the need for the execution of any document or any other action, to, and the term "Lender" or "Noteholder" as used in this Agreement shall include, any assignee, transferee or successor of such Lender under the Loan Agreement (or a lending institution which becomes a party to the Loan Agreement) or such Noteholder under the Note Purchase Agreement, as the case may be, and any such assignee, transferee or successor shall automatically become a party to this Agreement. If required by any party to this Agreement, such assignee, transferee or successor shall execute and deliver to the other parties to this Agreement a written confirmation of its assumption of the obligations of the assignor, transferor or predecessor hereunder. (d) Consents, Amendment, Waivers. All amendments, waivers or consents of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only if the same shall be in writing and signed by all of the Creditors. (e) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. (f) Counterparts. This 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 Agreement by signing any such counterpart. (g) Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. (h) Expenses. In the event of any litigation to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party shall, if not reimbursed by the Company, be entitled to its reasonable attorney's fees (including the allocated costs of in-house counsel). (i) Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate when all Subject Obligations are paid in full and such payments are not subject to any possibility of revocation or rescission or until all of the parties hereto mutually agree in a writing to terminate this Agreement. E-4.14-10 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written. PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY By: Prudential Investment Management, Inc., as investment manager By ----------------------------- Name: Title: Vice President E-4.14-1 THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA By -------------------------------- Name: Title: Vice President E-4.14-2 MTL INSURANCE COMPANY By: Prudential Private Placement Investors, L.P. (as Investment Advisor) By: Prudential Private Placement Investors, Inc. (as its General Partner) By ----------------------------- Name: Title: Vice President E-4.14-3 THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA By --------------------------------- Name: Title: Vice President E-4.14-4 AMERICAN INVESTORS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY By: AmerUs Capital Management Group, Inc., its authorized attorney-in-fact By --------------------------- Name: Title: E-4.14-5 AMERUS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY By: AmerUs Capital Management Group, Inc., its authorized attorney-in-fact By ------------------------- Name: Title: E-4.14-6 LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent under the Loan Agreement By: ----------------------------------- Name: Tom Harmon Title: Senior Vice President E-4.14-7 SOUTHWEST BANK OF ST. LOUIS, as a Lender under the Loan Agreement By: ----------------------------------- Name: --------------------------------- Title: -------------------------------- E-4.14-8 NATIONAL CITY BANK OF THE MIDWEST, as a Lender under the Loan Agreement By: ----------------------------------- Name: --------------------------------- Title: -------------------------------- E-4.14-9 FIFTH THIRD BANK, as a Lender under the Loan Agreement By: ---------------------------------- Name: -------------------------------- Title: ------------------------------- E-4.14-10 MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., as a Lender under the Loan Agreement By: ---------------------------------- Name: -------------------------------- Title: ------------------------------- E-4.14-11 FIRST BANK, as a Lender under the Loan Agreement By: ---------------------------------- Name: -------------------------------- Title: ------------------------------- E-4.14-12 The undersigned hereby acknowledge and agree to the foregoing Agreement: TALX CORPORATION, a Missouri corporation, PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT NETWORK, a Delaware corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, TALX UCM SERVICES, INC., a Missouri corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, TALX FASTIME SERVICES, INC., a Texas corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, TALX EMPLOYER SERVICES, LLC, a Missouri Limited Liability company, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, UI ADVANTAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, TBT ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED, a Maryland corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, NET PROFIT, INC., a South Carolina corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, TALX TAX INCENTIVE SERVICES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, JON-JAY ASSOCIATES, INC., a Massachusetts corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, TALX TAX CREDITS AND INCENTIVES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, MANAGEMENT INSIGHT INCENTIVES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and UNEMPLOYMENT SERVICES, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, as a Subsidiary Guarantor By:-------------------------------- Name: L. Keith Graves Title: Chief Financial Officer E-4.14-13
EX-11.1 7 c05630exv11w1.txt STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS Exhibit 11.1 TALX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE (unaudited)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------------ --------------------------------------------- 2005 2006 2004 2005 2006 -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Basic Earnings Per Share: Net earnings: Continuing operations ...................... $ 7,087,000 $ 8,977,000 $ 12,493,000 $ 16,028,000 $ 29,975,000 Discontinued operations .................... 142,000 65,000 199,000 582,000 515,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net earnings ............................. $ 7,229,000 $ 9,042,000 $ 12,692,000 $ 16,610,000 $ 30,490,000 ============== ============= ============== ============= ============ Weighted average number of common shares outstanding................................... 31,383,017 31,992,969 31,384,220 31,383,017 31,814,015 Less: weighted average number of treasury shares........................................ (207,132) - (869,942) (428,388) (38,046) -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding...... 31,175,885 31,992,969 30,514,278 30,954,629 31,775,969 ============== ============= ============== ============= ============ Basic earnings per common share: Continuing operations ...................... $ 0.22 $ 0.28 $ 0.41 $ 0.52 $ 0.94 Discontinued operations .................... 0.01 - 0.01 0.02 0.02 -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Net earnings ............................. $ 0.23 $ 0.28 $ 0.42 $ 0.54 $ 0.96 ============== ============= ============== ============= ============ Diluted Earnings Per Share: Net earnings: Continuing operations ...................... $ 7,087,000 $ 8,977,000 $ 12,493,000 $ 16,028,000 $ 29,975,000 Discontinued operations .................... 142,000 65,000 199,000 582,000 515,000 -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Net earnings ............................. $ 7,229,000 $ 9,042,000 $ 12,692,000 $ 16,610,000 $ 30,490,000 ============== ============= ============== ============= ============ Weighted average number of common shares outstanding................................... 31,383,017 31,992,969 31,384,220 31,383,017 31,814,015 Dilutive effect of restricted shares ......... 22,500 62,124 - 9,617 46,358 Weighted average number of shares issuable under employee stock plans.................. 16,506 10,549 20,532 16,506 10,549 Dilutive effect of the exercise of stock options..................................... 1,686,872 2,170,626 1,396,325 1,388,966 1,995,775 Dilutive effect of the exercise of warrants... 86,117 - 78,624 82,961 - Less: weighted average number of treasury shares...................................... (207,132) - (869,942) (428,388) (38,046) -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding...... 32,987,879 34,236,268 32,009,759 32,452,679 33,828,651 ============== ============= ============== ============= ============ Diluted earnings per common share: Continuing operations ...................... $ 0.21 $ 0.26 $ 0.39 $ 0.49 $ 0.89 Discontinued operations .................... 0.01 - 0.01 0.02 0.01 -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Net earnings ............................. $ 0.22 $ 0.26 $ 0.40 $ 0.51 $ 0.90 ============== ============= ============== ============= ============
EX-21.1 8 c05630exv21w1.txt SUBSIDIARIES OF TALX CORPORATION Exhibit 21.1 TALX Corporation and Subsidiaries Subsidiaries of TALX Corporation, a Missouri corporation 1. Net Profit, Inc. - a South Carolina corporation 2. TALX FasTime Services, Inc. - a Texas corporation 3. TALX UCM Services, Inc. - a Missouri corporation (d/b/a TALX UC eXpress) 4. TALX Employer Services, LLC - a Missouri limited liability company 5. TBT Enterprises, Incorporated - a Maryland corporation 6. UI Advantage, Inc. - a Maryland corporation 7. Johnson & Associates, LLC - a Nebraska limited liability company 8. Jon-Jay Associates, Inc. - a Massachusetts corporation 9. TALX Tax Incentive Services, LLC - a Missouri limited liability company 10. Unemployment Services, LLC - a Missouri limited liability company 11. TALX Tax Credits and Incentives, LLC - a Missouri limited liability company 12. Management Insight Incentives, LLC - a Missouri limited liability company 13. Performance Assessment Network, Inc. - a Delaware corporation 14. TALX Limited - a company organized under laws of England EX-23.1 9 c05630exv23w1.txt CONSENT OF KPMG LLP Exhibit 23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders TALX Corporation: We consent to the incorporation by reference in registration statements No. 333-14619, No. 333-18389, No. 333-18393, No. 333-47569, No. 333-83369, No. 333-83367, No. 333-65370, No. 333-65368, No. 333-119933, No. 333-128405, and No. 333-134436 on Forms S-8 and No. 333-121934 on Form S-3 of TALX Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) of our reports dated May 31, 2006, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2006; management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006; and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006, which reports appear in the March 31, 2006 annual report on Form 10-K of the Company. The Company acquired Jon-Jay Associates, Inc., Glick & Glick Consultants, LLC, Employers Unity, Inc. and Business Incentives, Inc., doing business as Management Insights, Inc., during the year ended March 31, 2006. Management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2006, these entities' internal control over financial reporting associated with total revenues of $19,000,000, included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the periods from the respective acquisitions through March 31, 2006. These entities were acquired for total consideration of $83,000,000, subject to certain contingent purchase price adjustments. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of these entities. /s/ KPMG LLP St. Louis, Missouri May 31, 2006 EX-31.1 10 c05630exv31w1.txt CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY RULE 13A-15(E)/15D-15(E) Exhibit 31.1 CERTIFICATIONS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER I, William W. Canfield, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of TALX Corporation; 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 annual 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 annual report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we 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 annual 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 the annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by the annual report based on such evaluation; and d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. By : /s/ William W. Canfield --------------------------------------- William W. Canfield Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer TALX Corporation May 31, 2006 EX-31.2 11 c05630exv31w2.txt CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY RULE 13A-15(E)/15D-15(E) Exhibit 31.2 CERTIFICATIONS OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER I, L. Keith Graves, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of TALX Corporation; 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 annual 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 annual report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we 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 annual 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 the annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by the annual report based on such evaluation; and d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. By : /s/ L. Keith Graves ---------------------------------------- L. Keith Graves Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary TALX Corporation May 31, 2006 EX-32.1 12 c05630exv32w1.txt CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 Exhibit 32.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Annual Report of TALX Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending March 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, William W. Canfield, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. By : /s/ William W. Canfield -------------------------------------- William W. Canfield Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer TALX Corporation May 31, 2006 EX-32.2 13 c05630exv32w2.txt CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 Exhibit 32.2 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Annual Report of TALX Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending March 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, L. Keith Graves, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. By : /s/ L. Keith Graves -------------------------------------- L. Keith Graves Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary TALX Corporation May 31, 2006
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