1
EXHIBIT 10.7
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
WORLD FINANCIAL NETWORK NATIONAL BANK
AND
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ JEWELERS, INC.
DATED AS OF JULY , 1999
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS.....................................................................................1
1.1 Certain Definitions.........................................................................1
1.2 Other Definitions...........................................................................5
SECTION 2 THE PLAN........................................................................................5
2.1 Establishment and Operation Of The Plan.....................................................5
2.2 Applications for Credit Under the Plan; Billing Statements..................................6
2.3 Operating Procedures........................................................................7
2.4 Plan Documents..............................................................................7
2.5 Marketing...................................................................................8
2.6 Administration of Accounts..................................................................8
2.7 Credit Decision.............................................................................8
2.8 Ownership of Accounts and Mailing Lists.....................................................8
2.9 Credit Insurance and Enhancement Services...................................................9
2.10 Ownership of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Name..................................................................9
SECTION 3 OPERATION OF THE PLAN...........................................................................9
3.1 Honoring Credit Cards.......................................................................9
3.2 Additional Operating Procedures.............................................................9
3.3 Cardholder Disputes Regarding Goods or Services............................................10
3.4 No Special Agreements......................................................................10
3.5 Cardholder Disputes Regarding Violations of Law or Regulation..............................11
3.6 Payment to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; Ownership of Accounts; Fees; Accounting................................11
3.7 Insertion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Promotional Materials................................................12
3.8 Payments...................................................................................12
3.9 Chargebacks................................................................................13
3.10 Assignment of Title in Charged Back Accounts...............................................13
3.11 Promotion of Program and Card Plan; Non-Competition........................................14
3.12 Postage....................................................................................15
3.13 Reports....................................................................................15
3.14 Contingent Purchase Price..................................................................15
SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇......................................................17
4.1 Organization, Power and Qualification......................................................17
4.2 Authorization, Validity and Non-Contravention..............................................17
4.3 Accuracy of Information....................................................................18
4.4 Validity of Charge Slips...................................................................18
4.5 Compliance with Law........................................................................18
4.6 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Name, Trademarks and Service Marks................................................18
i
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS, CONTINUED
PAGE
----
SECTION 5 COVENANTS OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇...........................................................................19
5.1 Notices of Changes.........................................................................19
5.2 Financial Statements.......................................................................19
5.3 Inspection.................................................................................19
5.4 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Business..........................................................................18
5.5 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores............................................................................19
SECTION 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANK.........................................................20
6.1 Organization, Power and Qualification......................................................20
6.2 Authorization, Validity and Non-Contravention..............................................20
6.3 Accuracy of Information....................................................................20
6.4 Compliance with Law........................................................................20
SECTION 7 COVENANTS OF BANK..............................................................................21
7.1 Notices of Changes.........................................................................21
7.2 Inspection.................................................................................21
7.3 Bank's Business............................................................................21
SECTION 8 INDEMNIFICATION................................................................................21
8.1 Indemnification Obligations................................................................22
8.2 Limitation on Liability....................................................................22
8.3 No Warranties..............................................................................22
8.4 Notification of Indemnification; Conduct of Defense........................................23
SECTION 9 TERM AND TERMINATION...........................................................................23
9.1 Term.......................................................................................23
9.2 Termination with Cause by Bank; Bank Termination Events....................................23
9.3 Termination with Cause by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Termination Events..............................24
9.4 Termination of Particular State............................................................25
9.5 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC]....................................26
9.6 Obligations not Affected by Termination....................................................26
ii
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS, CONTINUED
PAGE
----
SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................................26
10.1 Entire Agreement...............................................................................26
10.2 Coordination of Public Statements..............................................................26
10.3 Amendment......................................................................................26
10.4 Successors and Assigns.........................................................................26
10.5 Waiver.........................................................................................27
10.6 Severability...................................................................................27
10.7 Notices........................................................................................27
10.8 Captions and Cross-References..................................................................27
10.9 Governing Law..................................................................................27
10.10 Counterparts...................................................................................27
10.11 Force Majeure..................................................................................28
10.12 Year 2000 Compliance...........................................................................28
10.13 Relationship of Parties........................................................................28
10.14 Survival.......................................................................................29
10.15 Mutual Drafting................................................................................29
10.16 Independent Contractor.........................................................................29
10.17 No Third Party Beneficiaries...................................................................29
10.18 Counterparts...................................................................................29
10.19 Confidentiality................................................................................29
10.20 Purchase Agreement.............................................................................31
10.21 Additional Documentation.........................................................................
SCHEDULES
1.1 Discount Rate .................................................................................32
2.1 Service Standards..............................................................................33
2.4 Credit Collateral Specifications...............................................................34
2.8 Monthly Master File Information................................................................55
3.13 Reports........................................................................................56
iii
5
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
THIS PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT is made as of this day
of July, 1999, by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Jewelers, Inc. with its principal office
at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (hereinafter referred to as
"▇▇▇▇▇▇▇"), and WORLD FINANCIAL NETWORK NATIONAL BANK, with its principal office
at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, (hereinafter referred to as
"Bank").
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ has requested Bank to extend credit, to qualifying
individuals in the form of private label open-ended credit card accounts for the
purchase of Goods and Services from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores and to issue Credit Cards to
such individuals; and
WHEREAS, Bank shall own the Accounts, and Cardholder payments will be
sent to such location as Bank shall from time to time direct; and
WHEREAS, subject to the terms of Section 10.20 hereof, Bank shall
purchase from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ those certain eligible private label credit card accounts
owned by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ bearing the name ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Jewelers, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Jewelers,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Jewelers, ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Son or Mission Jewelers (the "Existing Accounts")
which are conveyed to Bank pursuant to a purchase agreement to be entered into
between Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; and
WHEREAS, Bank shall operate and administer a program of private label
credit card accounts which shall include both the Existing Accounts and the new
Accounts created by Bank.
WHEREAS, Bank has agreed to extend credit under the Accounts subject to
the terms and conditions as more fully set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions hereof, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
mutually acknowledged by the parties, Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Certain Definitions. As used herein and unless otherwise required
by the context, the following terms shall have the following respective
meanings:
"Account" shall mean an individual open-end revolving line of credit
established by Bank for a Customer pursuant to the terms of a Credit
Card Agreement, including without limitation, upon acquisition from
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, each of the Existing Accounts;
"Agreement" shall mean this Private Label Credit Card Program Agreement
and any future amendments or supplements thereto.
Page 1
6
"Applicable Law" shall mean any applicable federal, state or local law,
rule, or regulation.
"Applicant" shall mean an individual who is a Customer of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
Stores, who applies for an Account under the Plan.
"Business Day" shall mean any day, except Saturday, Sunday or a day on
which banks in Ohio are required to be closed.
"Cardholder" shall mean any natural person to whom an Account has been
issued by Bank and/or any authorized user of the Account.
"Charge Data" shall mean Account identification and transaction
information with regard to each Purchase by Cardholders on credit and
each return of a Purchase or a credit to the Account.
"Charge Slip" shall mean a sales receipt, register receipt tape,
invoice or other documentation, whether in hard copy or electronic
form, in each case evidencing a Purchase that is to be charged to a
Cardholder's Account.
"Contingent Purchase Price Shortfall" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.14 (c).
"Contract Year" shall mean each one-year period (except in the case of
the last Contract Year of the Term, which shall end on the termination
date) commencing on the first day of the first full calendar month
following the start of Bank's processing of Net Proceeds and each
anniversary thereof.
"Credit Card" shall mean the plastic credit card issued by Bank to
qualifying Applicants exclusively for purchasing Goods and Services
pursuant to the Plan.
"Credit Card Agreement" shall mean the open-end revolving credit
agreement between a Cardholder and Bank governing the Account and
Cardholder's use of the Credit Card, together with any modifications or
amendments which may be made to such agreement.
"Credit Sales Day" shall mean any day, whether or not a Business Day,
on which Goods and/or Services are sold by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores.
"Credit Slip" shall mean a sales credit receipt or other documentation,
whether in hard copy or electronic form, evidencing a return or
exchange of Goods or a credit on an Account as an adjustment by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores for goodwill or for Services rendered or not
rendered by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores to a Cardholder.
Page 2
7
"Customer" shall mean any individual who is a customer or potential
customer of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores.
"Deferred Billing Programs" shall mean any special repayment terms
approved by Bank, including without limitation deferred finance
charges, deferred payments and same as cash.
"Discount Fee" shall mean an amount to be charged by Bank equal to Net
Sales multiplied by the Discount Rate.
"Discount Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Schedule 1.1.
"Existing Accounts" shall have the meaning set forth in the third
recital.
"Extended Term" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
"Forms" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
"Goods and/or Services" shall mean those goods and/or services sold at
retail by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores as of the date of execution of this Agreement
by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
"Initial Term" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
"Net Proceeds" shall mean Purchases on Accounts, less (i) credits to
Accounts for the return of Goods or adjustments by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
Stores for goodwill or for Services, all as shown in the Transaction
Records (as corrected by Bank in the event of any computational error),
calculated each Business Day, (ii) payments from Cardholders received
by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores from Cardholders on Bank's behalf, (iii)
any applicable Discount Fees in effect on the date received by Bank,
(iv) any Contingent Purchase Price Shortfall, and (v) any other fees
required by this Agreement in effect on the date of calculation by
Bank.
"Net Sales" shall mean Purchases, less credits or refunds for Goods and
Services, all as shown in the Transaction Records (as corrected by Bank
in the event of any computational error), calculated each Business Day;
"Net Write-Off Amount" shall mean, for any period, an amount equal to
the Receivables (excluding interest and fees) written-off by Bank minus
the net amount (less attorneys' and agencies' fees and other collection
costs and fees) of cash Recoveries related to written-off Receivables
received during such period.
"Operating Procedures" shall mean Bank's instructions and procedures as
written by Bank and provided to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to be followed by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores in connection with the Plan. Such Operating Procedures
may be amended or modified by Bank from time to time at its sole
discretion; provided, however, unless required by law, Bank shall first
consult with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ regarding any proposed changes and a copy of any
such amendment or modification shall be provided to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ at least
ten (10) Business Days before its effective date, and for those changes
required by law, notice shall be given as soon as practicable;
"Plan" shall mean the revolving lines of credit established by Bank for
Customers of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores by virtue of this Agreement.
Page 3
8
"Plan Commencement Date" shall mean the date on which Bank purchases
the Existing Accounts from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
"Purchase" shall mean a specific extension of credit as provided for
under this Agreement by Bank to a Cardholder for the purchase of Goods
and/or Services.
"Purchase Agreement" shall mean that purchase and sale agreement
referred to in Section 10.20.
"Quick Credit" shall mean an in-store application procedure designed to
open Accounts as expeditiously as possible at point of sale, whereby an
application for an Account is processed without a paper application
being completed by an Applicant. An Applicant's credit card (Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, Discover or other Bank approved private
label card) is electronically read by a terminal that captures the
Applicant's name and credit card account number. Other data as required
by the Operating Procedures is entered into that same terminal by the
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Store associate. This data is used by Bank to request a credit
bureau report and make a decision whether to approve or decline the
Applicant.
"Receivable" shall mean any and all amounts owing on the date of
calculation on an Account, including, without limitation, principal
balances from outstanding Purchases, accrued finance charges, late fees
and any other fees assessed on the Accounts, less any payments and
credits received with respect to the Accounts as of the close of
business on the preceding day, but excluding any receivables which have
been written-off on the Accounts.
"Recoveries" shall mean payments, net of collection fees and expenses,
including without limitation, agency and attorneys' fees, received on
Accounts previously written-off by Bank.
"Renewal Term" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
"▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Deposit Account" shall mean a deposit account maintained by
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as set forth in Section 3.6 (a);
"▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores" shall mean those certain retail locations selling
Goods and/or Services which, subject to change or adjustment pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, are owned and operated by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or
which are licensees or franchisees of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and which operate under
any one (1) of the following tradenames: Mission Jewelers, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Jewelers, Harts, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Jewelers, ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Son, or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Jewelers, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ or the successor store name designated by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
to the 20 (or less) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Stores which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ proposes to
acquire, or any other retail locations included in the Plan pursuant to
Section 3.11(b).
"Statemented Account" shall mean each Account for which a billing
statement is generated within a particular billing cycle; and
"Term" shall mean the Initial Term, the Renewal Term and the Extended
Term.
Page 4
9
"Transaction Record" shall mean, with respect to each Purchase of Goods
or Services by Cardholders from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores, each credit or return
applicable to a Purchase of Goods or Services, and each payment
received by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores from Cardholders on Bank's
behalf: (a) the Charge Slip or Credit Slip corresponding to the
Purchase, credit or return; or (b) an electronic tape or transmission
containing the following information: the Account number of the
Cardholder, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Store number at which the Purchase, credit or
return was made, the total of (i) the Purchase price of Goods or
Services purchased or amount of the credit, as applicable, plus (ii)
the date of the transaction, a description of the Goods or Services
purchased, credited or returned and the authorization code, if any,
obtained by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Store prior to completing the transaction; or (c)
electronic draft capture whereby ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Store electronically
transmits the information described in subsection (b) hereof to a
network provider (selected by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ at its expense) of electronic
draft capture transmission, which in turn transmits such information to
Bank by an electronic tape or transmission.
"Year 2000 Compliant" shall mean the ability to correctly process,
sequence, and calculate without interruption, all data and date related
data for all dates to, through and after January 1, 2000, including
leap year calculations.
1.2 Other Definitions. As used herein, terms defined in the
introductory paragraph hereof and in other sections of this Agreement shall have
such respective defined meanings. Defined terms stated in the singular shall
include reference to the plural and vice versa.
SECTION 2. THE PLAN
2.1 Establishment and Operation of the Plan. (a) The Plan is hereby
established for the sole purpose of providing Customer financing for Goods and
Services purchased from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores. Bank shall use reasonable efforts to
commence the Plan in substantially all ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores on or before August 27,
1999, or such other date as the parties mutually agree upon in writing. Bank
shall on or after July 15, 1999 commence the Plan in the 20 (or less) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
Stores operating under the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ name as of June 1, 1999, if acquired by
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Qualified Applicants desiring to use the Plan shall be granted an
Account by Bank with a credit line in an amount to be determined by Bank in its
discretion for each individual Applicant. Subject to Section 3.6 (d), Bank shall
determine the terms and conditions of the Account to be contained in a Credit
Card Agreement, which Credit Card Agreement shall be subject to change at Bank's
sole discretion upon notice given by Bank to the Cardholders in accordance with
Applicable Law.
Page 5
10
(b) Commencing on the Plan Commencement Date, Bank shall operate the
Plan in accordance with the Service Standards set forth in Schedule 2.1.
However, Bank shall not be liable for any failure to perform in accordance with
the Service Standards solely to the extent that such failure is the result of an
act or omission of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores or a force majeure event specified
in Section 10.1. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will notify Bank at least 45 days in advance of any
sales or other events conducted by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores which may result
in increases in customer service inquiries, credit authorizations, Applicants
and/or Purchases volumes. If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ fails to notify Bank within such 45 day
time period, Bank shall not be required to meet the Service Standards during
such sales or other events period. If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ fails to provide at least 45 days
advance notice, but provides Bank with less advance notice, Bank shall propose
to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in writing the support and Service Standards, if any, which Bank
could offer for the proposed event, and any costs to be borne by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for the
same, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have the option to accept or reject Bank's proposal.
2.2 Applications for Credit Under the Plan; Billing Statements. (a)
Applicants who wish to apply for an Account under the Plan (except for Quick
Credit Applicants) must submit a completed application on a form approved by
Bank, and Bank shall grant or deny the request for credit based solely upon
Bank's credit criteria. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall provide a copy of the
Credit Card Agreement to the Applicant to be retained for the Applicant's
records. The application shall thereafter be mailed to Bank by Applicant or
submitted by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores on behalf of the Applicant. If Bank
grants the request for an Account, Bank will issue a Credit Card to the
Applicant which accesses an individual line of credit in an amount determined by
Bank.
(b) Bank will make available to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ a Quick Credit application
procedure for Applicants who wish to purchase, at the time of application, Goods
or Services from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores. If an Applicant wishes to submit a Quick
Credit application, Applicant will provide the information required by Bank to
authorized employees at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores. Such employees will be responsible for
making sure that the Applicant is given the Credit Card Agreement to keep for
his or her records. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will then promptly transmit the application
information to Bank, and Bank will make the decision to approve or deny the
application based upon Bank's credit criteria. Quick Credit decisions shall be
communicated electronically directly to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores. Bank will issue a
Credit Card to approved Applicants. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall provide at its own expense
terminals, cash registers or other equipment necessary to handle Quick Credit
based upon Bank's specifications, and shall have the capability to handle Quick
Credit within sixty (60) days after the Plan Commencement Date. [INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC.] Bank may offset such fees against
amounts payable by Bank to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall promptly forward all original
applications to Bank for retention as set forth in the Operating Procedures.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ further agrees that it and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will keep confidential the
information on such applications and copies of applications and shall not
disclose the information to anyone other than authorized representatives of
Bank.
(d) All Cardholders will receive from Bank a periodic statement (the
"Billing Statement") listing the amounts of Purchases made and credits received
and other information, as required by Applicable Law or deemed desirable by
Bank.
Page 6
11
(e) Bank may at its option, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law,
make available to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Internet application and Charge Slip processing. In
such event, and if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ elects to make such Internet applications and
processing available to Customers, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be responsible for integrating
and maintaining the Internet application processing on its website at its sole
expense. WFN may impose a different Discount Rate or other fees for Internet Net
Sales and applications, provided that Bank shall notify ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in advance from
time to time of the amount of such Discount Rate or other fees, in writing, and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may elect not to utilize Internet application processing at any time.
2.3 Operating Procedures. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall observe and
comply with the Operating Procedures and such other reasonable procedures as
Bank may prescribe on not less than ten (10) days prior notice to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
otherwise required by Applicable Law. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall ensure that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores
are trained regarding the Operating Procedures and shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure their compliance with them.
2.4 Plan Documents. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall design, with Bank's assistance and
approval, not to be unreasonably withheld, the application, Credit Card, card
mailer and billing statement to be used under the Plan, subject to the
requirements of Applicable Law and the Credit Collateral Specifications
reasonably set by Bank from time to time, the initial specifications are set
forth in Schedule 2.4. The degree to which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' tradenames, trademarks,
servicemarks or logos (collectively referred to as the "Design") appear on
applications, card mailers, Credit Cards, billing statements, letters, and other
documents and forms (collectively, "Forms") is a matter to be determined by Bank
after consultation and coordination with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and subject to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' right
to reject any Form as provided in Section 2.10, and in accordance with
Applicable Law. Bank shall provide at Bank's expense appropriate quantities of
the applications, Credit Card plastics, card mailer and billing statements,
however, there shall only be one Design for these and all other Forms. In the
event ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ desires more than one Design for the Forms, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall pay for
the Forms containing any other Design(s) approved by Bank. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall pay the
costs of all Credit Card plastics, including embossing and encoding, requested
by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for reissuance of Credit Cards to Cardholders (other than
replacements made on an individual basis) as well as the postage costs for the
mailing of such Credit Cards. Bank shall, at its expense, issue new Credit Cards
to the Existing Accounts' Cardholders after completion of the purchase. In the
event any Forms become obsolete as a result of changes requested by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(other than changes required by Applicable Law), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall reimburse Bank
for the costs associated with any unused obsolete Forms.
2.5 Marketing. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to prominently advertise and actively
promote the Plan wherever Applicants can apply for an Account. Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
will cooperate to execute programs to market the Plan, both initially and on a
continuing basis. Once ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Bank agree upon standards for advertising and
promotion and the use of Bank's and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' names or any trademark, service
▇▇▇▇ or trade name of Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, neither party will deviate from such
standards without express prior approval of the other party.
2.6 Administration of Accounts. Bank shall perform all functions
necessary to administer and service the Accounts, including but not limited to:
making all necessary credit investigations; notifying Applicants in writing of
acceptance or rejection of credit; preparing and mailing billing statements;
making collections; processing adjustments, handling Cardholder inquiries, and
processing payments.
Page 7
12
2.7 Credit Decision. The decision to extend credit to any Applicant
under the Plan shall be Bank's decision. Bank will consult in good faith with
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ regarding Bank's development of credit standards and scorecards in order
to maximize the potential of the Plan and mutually benefit Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may from time to time request Bank to consider offering certain types of
special credit programs. Bank shall reasonably consider ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' requests and
negotiate with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in good faith. However, Bank shall, in its sole
discretion, subject to Applicable Laws and safety and soundness considerations,
determine whether or not to offer any of such programs. In the event Bank agrees
to any special credit program, Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall mutually agree upon any
special terms associated with the program.
2.8 Ownership of Accounts and Mailing Lists. The Accounts and all
information related thereto, including without limitation the receivables,
names, addresses, credit and transaction information of Cardholders, as set
forth in Bank's records shall be the exclusive property of Bank during and after
the Term of this Agreement unless the Accounts are purchased by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ pursuant
to Section 9. Bank will not transfer, sell or otherwise disclose the Account
information to competitors of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Bank shall have the right to take a
security interest in the Goods purchased with an Account to the extent permitted
by Applicable Law. During the Term of this Agreement, Bank shall provide to
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ on or before the 7th Business Day of the following month one (1) master
file tape containing the information set forth on Schedule 2.8, provided such
information resides on Bank's system and any other information agreed to by Bank
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (but excluding any
Cardholders who have requested that such information not be shared or
disclosed), which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may use solely for the purpose of marketing its Goods
and Services to Cardholders as permitted by Applicable Law. Bank shall provide
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with additional master file tapes, or extracts, as requested by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
at Bank's then current (commercially reasonable) price for such files or
extracts. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall keep such Cardholder information confidential (unless
such information was obtained independently by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ from the Cardholder and
the Cardholder has not requested any restriction on disclosure of such
information), and shall not sell, lease or transfer such information to any
third party without Bank's prior written consent. The names and addresses of
Customers, as set forth in ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' records, shall be the exclusive property of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, but ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, subject to Applicable Law, shall make the names and
addresses of Customers available to Bank during the Term of this Agreement to be
used only for purposes of solicitation of Applicants by Bank and administration
of the Plan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
2.9 Credit Insurance and Enhancement Services. (a) Bank will make
available to Cardholders various types of credit-related insurance products
offered by Bank and/or its vendors or affiliates. Such products shall include,
but not be limited to, credit life, accidental death and disability insurance.
(b) Bank will make available to Cardholders various types of other
products and services. Such products and services may include but are not
limited to travel clubs, legal services and renters insurance.
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will assist Bank in the offering of such products and
services so long as such support will not require ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to obtain a license of
any kind or incur any direct expense or cost with respect to the offering or
sale of any such products and services. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF
FILING WITH SEC].
Page 8
13
2.10 Ownership of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Name. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall retain all rights in and to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
name and the name selected by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for use on the Credit Card and all
trademarks, service marks and other rights pertaining to such names
(collectively, the "Name Rights") and all goodwill associated with the use of
the Name Rights whether under this Agreement or otherwise shall inure to the
benefit of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have the right, in its sole and absolute
discretion, to prohibit the use of any of its Name Rights in any Forms,
advertisements or other materials proposed to be used by Bank which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in
its reasonable business judgment deems objectionable or improper. Bank shall
cease all use of the Name Rights upon the termination of this Agreement for any
reason unless Bank retains the Accounts after termination of the Agreement, in
which case Bank may use the Name Rights solely in connection with the
administration and collection of the balance due on the Accounts.
SECTION 3. OPERATION OF THE PLAN
3.1 Honoring Credit Cards. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
Stores will honor any Credit Card properly issued and currently authorized by
Bank, and shall deliver to Bank all Transaction Records evidencing transactions
made under the Plan in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the
Operating Procedures.
3.2 Additional Operating Procedures. In addition to the procedures,
instructions and practices contained in the Operating Procedures, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees
that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will comply with the following procedures:
(a) Before completing a Credit Card sale, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will examine
the Credit Card and Charge Slip and use commercially reasonable efforts to
determine: (i) that the Credit Card appears on its face to be a Credit Card;
(ii) that the Credit Card has been signed; and (iii) that the signature on the
Charge Slip reasonably appears to be the same as the authorized signature
appearing on the Credit Card.
(b) In each Credit Card transaction ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores must
obtain all the information contained in clause (b) of the definition of
Transaction Record. The date which appears on the Charge Slip or Credit Slip
will be prima facie evidence of the transaction date, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be
required to transmit all Transaction Records relating to such Charge Slip and/or
Credit Slip so that Bank receives such Transaction Records no later than the
second Business Day after the transaction date. From time to time, a ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
Store may be required by Bank to obtain identification from a Cardholder at the
time of sale, and may be required to record this information on the Charge Slip.
The "Cardholder Copy" of each Charge Slip shall be delivered to the Cardholder
at the time of the transaction.
(c) All Charge Slips will evidence the total price of the sale minus
any cash down payment or trade-in. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall retain the "Merchant Copy" of
all ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Store generated Charge and Credit Slips for each
transaction for a period of sixty (60) months from the date of presentation to
Bank.
(d) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will maintain a fair policy for the
exchange and return of Goods and adjustment for Services rendered and for that
purpose will give credit to Accounts upon such exchange, return or adjustment.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will not make cash refunds to Cardholders on Credit
Card Purchases. If any Goods are
Page 9
14
returned, price adjustment is allowed, or debt for Services is adjusted, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will legibly complete, date and sign a Credit Slip in a form
acceptable to Bank; and (ii) deliver a completed legible copy thereof to the
Cardholder. Upon receipt of Transaction Records reflecting a credit to which
there has been a corresponding debit, Bank will either offset against amounts
payable by Bank to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or charge against the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Deposit Account the
total shown on the Credit Slip, and credit the Cardholder's Account in the
amount of such Credit Slip. If the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Deposit Account contains
insufficient funds, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall remit the amount of such Credit Slips, or any
unpaid portion thereof, to Bank within five (5) Business Days after written
demand.
(e) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall not accept a transaction to be charged to an
Account without presentation of a Credit Card or proper identification as
outlined in the Operating Procedures.
3.3 Cardholder Disputes Regarding Goods or Services. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall act promptly to resolve disputes with Cardholders
regarding Goods or Services obtained through ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores
pursuant to the Plan. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall process credits or
refunds for Cardholders utilizing the Plan within three (3) Business Days.
3.4 No Special Agreements. Neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ nor ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will
extract any special agreement, condition or security from Cardholders in
connection with any Charge Slip, except for sales for non-returnable goods,
which statement of non-return must be clearly stated on the Charge Slip.
3.5 Cardholder Disputes Regarding Violations of Law or Regulation.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall assist Bank in further investigating and using its reasonable
efforts to help resolve any Applicant or Cardholder claim, dispute, or defense
which may be asserted under Applicable Law.
3.6 Payment to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; Ownership of Accounts; Fees; Accounting. (a)
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall electronically transmit all Charge Data from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
Stores to Bank in a format acceptable to Bank. Upon receipt, Bank shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to promptly verify and process such Charge Data,
and in the time frames specified herein, Bank will remit to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ an amount
equal to the Net Proceeds indicated by such Charge Data for the Credit Sales
Day(s) for which such remittance is made. In the event Bank discovers any
discrepancies in the amount of Charge Data submitted by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or paid by Bank
to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Bank shall notify ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in detail of the discrepancy, and credit
or debit ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as the case may be, in a subsequent daily settlement. Bank
will transfer funds via Automated Clearing House ("ACH") to an account
designated in writing by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to Bank (the "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Deposit Account"). If
Charge Data is received by Bank's processing center before 1:00 p.m. Eastern
time on a Business Day, Bank will initiate such ACH transfer by 12:00 noon
Eastern time on the next Business Day thereafter. In the event that the Charge
Data is received after 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Business Day, then Bank will
initiate such transfer no later than 12 noon Eastern time on the second Business
Day thereafter. Bank shall not remit funds to individual ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores.
(b) Bank shall own all the Accounts under the Plan from the time of
establishment, and except as otherwise provided herein, neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ nor
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall have any right to any indebtedness on an Account or to any
Account payment from a Cardholder arising out of or in connection with any
Purchases under the Plan. Upon
Page 10
15
the delivery of each Charge Slip by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores to Bank, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall be deemed to have disclaimed and surrendered all or
any right, title or interest in all such Charge Slips and in all other rights
and writings evidencing such Purchases, if any.
(c) All Transaction Records are subject to review and acceptance by
Bank. In the event of a computational or similar error of an accounting or
record keeping nature with respect to such Transaction Records, Bank may credit
to or charge against (as the case may be) the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Deposit Account the
proper amount as corrected. Upon any such correction Bank shall give prompt
notice thereof to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
(d) Subject to Applicable Law and the terms and conditions set forth in
the Credit Card Agreement, Bank shall initially charge each Cardholder (except
for any special and/or promotional programs as set by Bank), a finance charge on
the unpaid balance in their Account at an annual percentage rate equal to not
less than [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC]; a
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC] minimum finance charge;
late fees equal to a minimum of [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING
WITH SEC]; returned check fees equal to a minimum of [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR
PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC]; and a minimum payment requirement of
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC]. Bank may make any
changes in the terms of the Credit Card Agreement at any time without notice to
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as required by Applicable Law or on an individual Account by Account
basis in connection with its servicing of the Accounts. With respect to any
other changes in terms affecting the APR or fees charged by Bank, as set forth
above, Bank will, prior to making any changes, discuss such changes with
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bank shall have the sole right to
determine the terms and conditions applicable to the Accounts, however, Bank
shall consult with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ regarding such terms and conditions in order to
maximize the potential of the Plan and to make such Plan mutually beneficial to
Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Bank may at any time change the finance charge calculation
method, including the average daily balance computation.
(e) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall obtain and maintain at their own
expense such point of sale and authorization terminals and other items of
equipment as are necessary for it to receive authorizations, transmit Charge
Slip and Credit Slip information, process Credit Card applications and perform
its obligations under this Agreement. The methods used to facilitate
communications between Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores, including without
limitation, computer programs and telecommunications protocols shall be
determined by Bank from time to time and Bank shall provide ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with
reasonable prior notice of any change in such methods. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
(f) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may from time to time offer Deferred Billing Programs to
Cardholders. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be responsible for ensuring that all Purchases
subject to any Deferred Billing Programs are properly designated as such on the
Transaction Record in accordance with Bank's instructions.
3.7 Insertion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Promotional Materials. Bank will from time to
time insert ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' promotional materials for ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Goods and Services,
which are provided by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' expense, into the Account billing
statements and new Credit Card mailers, so long as the materials: (a) are
provided to Bank at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the scheduled mailing
date of such statements or notices; (b) if they reference Bank
Page 11
16
or the Plan in any manner, are approved by Bank as to content, in Bank's
reasonable discretion; (c) meet all size, weight, or other specifications for
such inserts as shall be reasonably set by Bank from time to time, the initial
specifications are set forth in Schedule 2.4; (d) there is sufficient space in
Bank's standard envelope for the insert in addition to any legally required
material, Cardholder notices and other materials which Bank is including in the
mailing; and (e) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ pays any and all additional postage costs caused by
Bank's insertion of materials provided by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, if instructed by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to
insert regardless of the additional postage costs.
3.8 Payments. All payments to be made by Cardholders with respect to
any amounts outstanding on the Accounts shall be made in accordance with the
instructions of Bank and at the location or address specified by Bank. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
hereby authorizes Bank, or any of its employees or agents, to endorse "WORLD
FINANCIAL NETWORK NATIONAL BANK" upon all or any checks, drafts, money orders or
other evidence of payment, made payable to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and intended as payment on an
Account, that may come into Bank's possession from Cardholders and to credit
said payment against the appropriate Cardholder's Account. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ further
agrees that if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is permitted by Bank to receive any payment made with
respect to the Plan, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores will on Bank's behalf hold such
payment in trust for the Cardholder making the payment and will within one (1)
Business Day after receipt transmit the Transaction Records to Bank pursuant to
this Agreement. Bank will offset against amounts payable by Bank to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
charge the amount of such payment against the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Deposit Account, or, if
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Deposit Account contains insufficient funds, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall remit
the amount of such payment, or any unpaid portion thereof, to Bank within five
(5) Business Days after upon written demand. Payments made by Cardholders at
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall not be deemed received by Bank until Bank receives and
accepts the Transaction Records. Bank has the sole right to receive and retain
all payments made with respect to all Accounts and to pursue collection of all
amounts outstanding, unless an Account or Purchase is charged back to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.9 and 3.10 hereof. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall
promptly comply with any written instruction by Bank or any successor to Bank to
cease accepting Account payments and thereafter inform Cardholders who wish to
make payments that payments should be made to Bank.
3.9 Chargebacks. Bank shall have the right to demand immediate purchase
by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ of any Purchase or Account and charge back to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ the unpaid
balance of any such Purchase or Account, if and whenever:
(a) Any Applicant or Cardholder claim, defense or dispute is asserted
against Bank with respect to such Purchase or Account as a result of an action
or inaction by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores pursuant to and within the time
limits under Applicable Law, including, but not limited to, a violation by
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores of the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act,
Federal Reserve Board Regulation Z or Federal Reserve Board Regulation B, as
amended, regardless of whether such claim, dispute or defense has merit and
without any requirements to conduct an investigation into the merits;
(b) Bank determines in good faith and in its reasonable judgment that
with respect to such Purchase or Account: (i) there is a breach of any warranty
or representation made by or with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ under this Agreement; (ii)
there is a failure by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to comply with any term or condition of this
Agreement, which failure shall not have been cured within fifteen days after
receipt of written notice thereof from Bank; (iii) after receipt of a fraud
affidavit from the Cardholder Bank determines that the signature on any Charge
Slip
Page 12
17
has been forged or is counterfeit; (iv) an application, a Charge Slip or Credit
Slip has not been submitted in compliance with the Operating Procedures; or (v)
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores have failed to comply with the Operating Procedures
and such failure has not been cured (or is not capable of being cured) within
fifteen days after receipt of written notice thereof from Bank; and
(c) After 30 days prior written notice to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, an Account or any
Purchase amount is not paid when due, and the Cardholder has stated in writing
that the Cardholder's reason for such nonpayment is an alleged breach of
warranty or representation by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores or the result of a
dispute by a Cardholder in connection with the sale of Goods, or the furnishing
of Services by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores to such Cardholder.
3.10 Assignment of Title in Charged Back Accounts. With respect to any
amount of a Purchase or an Account to be charged back to and to be purchased by
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall promptly pay such amount directly to Bank in immediately
available funds or Bank will either debit the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Deposit Account or debit
the Net Proceeds to be paid to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, to the extent the balance thereof is
sufficient. Upon payment or debiting of such amount by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to Bank, Bank
shall assign and transfer to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, without recourse, all of Bank's right,
title and interest in and to such Purchase or Account and deliver all
documentation with respect thereto. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ further consents to all extensions
or compromises given any Cardholder with respect to any such Purchase or
Account, and agrees that such shall not affect any liability of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
hereunder or right of Bank to charge back any Account or Purchase as provided in
this Agreement; provided, however, that Bank shall not have the right to charge
back for any Purchase or Account an amount in excess of any reductions,
extensions or compromises in amounts owed by a Cardholder to Bank. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall
not resubmit or re-transmit any charged back purchases or Accounts to Bank,
without Bank's prior written consent.
3.11 Promotion of Program and Card Plan; Non-Competition. (a)
Throughout the Term of this Agreement, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores shall
actively and consistently market, promote, participate in and support the Plan
as set forth in this Agreement. However, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall not be required to
support or promote the Plan at stores which are subject to a pre-existing
program with another lender which cannot be terminated or are stores which Bank
does not include in the Plan pursuant to Section 3.11(b), nor in stores located
in states terminated pursuant to Section 9.4. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that in
consideration and as an inducement for Bank to make the Plan available to
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as outlined in this Agreement and the Operating Procedures, for as long
as this Agreement is in existence, neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ nor its subsidiaries or
affiliates will, without the prior written consent of Bank, contract or
establish with any other credit card processor/provider or provide or process on
its own behalf any "private label" or "co-brand" revolving credit or other
credit card issuance or processing arrangement or programs similar in purpose to
the Plan or to the services and transactions contemplated under this Agreement,
except that if either party provides notice of termination pursuant to Section
9.1 of this Agreement or if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ terminates under Section 9.3, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may
enter into a contract with another credit card processor/provider effective on
or after termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Agreement will be construed to prohibit or prevent ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
from accepting any major general purpose credit card (including without
limitation, American Express Card, MasterCard, Visa, or NOVUS), any form of
general purpose debit card or revolving and/or fixed payment (installment)
credit programs for Applicants declined by Bank, as a means of payment by
Customers for purchase of Goods and Services.
Page 13
18
(b) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
3.12 Postage. Any increase(s) in the cost of mailing Account billing
statements or new Credit Cards due to an increase in the first class pre-sort
cost of postage from the United States Postal Service which increase occurs on
or after the date of execution of this Agreement shall be borne by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
Adjustments will be made for any subsequent decreases in the cost of postage.
Bank will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the best bulk rate
discount.
3.13 Reports. Bank will deliver to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ the reports in Schedule
3.13. Bank may provide any additional reports requested by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ upon such
terms and at the costs mutually agreed to by the parties.
3.14 Contingent Purchase Price. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF
FILING WITH SEC].
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereby represents and warrants to Bank as follows:
4.1 Organization, Power and Qualification. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
state of Delaware and has full corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is duly
qualified and in good standing to do business in all the states where ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is
located, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material
adverse effect on the business of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, or where the failure to so qualify
would not have a material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' or Bank's ability to
continue operation of the Plan.
4.2 Authorization, Validity and Non-Contravention. (a) This Agreement
has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings, has been duly
executed and delivered by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and is a valid and legally binding agreement
of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ duly enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as such
enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
and other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by
general equity principles).
(b) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
qualification of or with any court or regulatory authority or other governmental
body having jurisdiction over ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is required for, and the absence of which
would adversely affect, the legal and valid execution and delivery of this
Agreement, and the performance of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereunder
and the compliance by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with all provisions of this Agreement (i) will not
conflict with or violate any Applicable Law, and (ii) will not result in a
breach of or default under any of the terms or provisions of any indenture, loan
agreement or other contract or agreement under which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is an obligor or by
which its property is bound where such conflict, breach or default would have a
material adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, nor will such execution, delivery or
compliance violate or result in the violation of the Articles of Incorporation
or By-Laws of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
Page 14
19
4.3 Accuracy of Information. All factual information furnished by
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to Bank in writing at any time pursuant to any requirement of, or
furnished in response to any written request of Bank under this Agreement or any
transaction contemplated hereby has been, and all such factual information
hereafter furnished by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to Bank will be, true and accurate in every
respect material to the transactions contemplated hereby on the date as of which
such information was or will be stated or certified.
4.4 Validity of Charge Slips. (a) As of the date any Transaction
Records are presented to Bank in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, each Charge Slip relating to such Transaction Records shall represent
the obligation of a Cardholder in the respective amount set forth therein for
Goods sold or Services rendered, together with applicable taxes, if any, and
shall not involve any element of credit for any other purpose.
(b) As of the date any Transaction Records are presented to Bank in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ has no actual
knowledge nor should have known, or notice of any fact or matter which would
immediately or ultimately impair the validity of any Charge Slip relating to
such Transaction Records, the transaction evidenced thereby, or its
collectibility.
4.5 Compliance with Law. Any action or inaction taken by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in
connection with the Plan shall be in compliance with all Applicable Law except
where the failure to so comply (i) is caused by some action or inaction of the
Bank, or (ii) would not have an adverse effect on ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Bank or the Plan.
4.6 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Name, Trademarks and Service Marks. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ has the legal
right to use and to permit the Bank to use, to the extent set forth herein, the
various tradenames, trademarks, logos and service marks utilized by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in
the conduct of its business.
Page 15
20
SECTION 5. COVENANTS OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall:
5.1 Notices of Changes. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will as soon as reasonably possible
notify Bank of any: (a) actual or planned change in the name or form of business
organization of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, change in the location of its chief executive office or
the location of the office where its records concerning the Plan are kept; (b)
actual or planned merger or consolidation of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or the sale of a
significant portion of its stock or of any substantial amount of its assets not
in the ordinary course of business or any change in the control of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; (c)
material adverse change in its financial condition or operations or the
commencement of any litigation which would have a material adverse effect on
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; or (d) the planned opening or closing of any ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Store. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
will furnish such additional information with respect to any of the foregoing as
Bank may request for the purpose of evaluating the effect of such change on the
financial condition and operations of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and on the Plan.
5.2 Financial Statements. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall furnish to Bank as soon as
available the following information pertaining to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇: (a) a consolidated
balance sheet as of the close of each fiscal year; (b) a consolidated statement
of income, retained earnings and paid-in capital to the close of each fiscal
year; (c) a consolidated statement of cash flow to the close of each such
period; (d) a copy of the opinion submitted by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' independent certified
public accountants in connection with such of the financial statements as have
been audited, and (e) on a monthly basis the total volume of sales of Goods and
Services.
5.3 Inspection. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will permit authorized representatives
designated by Bank, at Bank's expense, to visit and inspect its corporate
offices and any of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores, including its books of account
pertaining to Transaction Records and to make copies and take extracts
therefrom, and to discuss the same with its officers and independent public
accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours, as often
as may be reasonably requested, not more frequently than once per Contract Year,
unless Bank has reasonable cause to do so.
5.4 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Business. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence
and to comply with all Applicable Laws in connection with its business and the
sale of Goods and Services. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall provide to Bank annually a copy of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' operating plan for the next one (1) year or a longer period if
available.
5.5 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall cause all of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores to
comply with the obligations, restrictions, limitations and prohibitions of this
Agreement as such are applicable at the point of sale of the Goods and Services.
Page 16
21
SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANK
Bank hereby represents and warrants to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as follows:
6.1 Organization, Power and Qualification. Bank is a national banking
association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the United States of America and has full corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
Bank is duly qualified in all jurisdictions where such qualification is
necessary for Bank to carry out its obligations under this Agreement.
6.2 Authorization, Validity and Non-Contravention. (a) This Agreement
has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings, has been duly
executed and delivered by Bank and is a valid and legally binding agreement of
Bank duly enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as such enforcement
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equity
principles).
(b) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
qualification of or with any court or regulatory authority or other governmental
body having jurisdiction over Bank is required for, and the absence of which
would materially adversely affect, the legal and valid execution and delivery of
this Agreement, and the performance of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Bank hereunder and
the compliance by Bank with all provisions of this Agreement (i) will not
conflict with or violate any Applicable Law, (ii) will not conflict with or
result in a breach of the terms or provisions of any indenture, loan agreement
or other contract or agreement under which Bank is an obligor or by which its
property is bound where such conflict, breach or default would have a material
adverse effect on Bank, nor will such execution, delivery or compliance violate
or result in the violation of the Charter or By-Laws of Bank.
6.3 Accuracy of Information. All factual information furnished by Bank
to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in writing at any time pursuant to any requirement of, or furnished
in response to any written request of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ under this Agreement or any
transaction contemplated hereby has been, and all such factual information
hereafter furnished by Bank to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will be true and accurate in every
respect material to the transactions contemplated hereby on the date as of which
such information has or will be stated or certified.
6.4 Compliance with Law. The Plan and each Credit Card Agreement comply
and will comply with all Applicable Law except where the failure to so comply:
(i) is caused by some action or inaction of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores; or (ii)
would not have an adverse effect on the Bank, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or the Plan.
Page 17
22
SECTION 7. COVENANTS OF BANK
Bank agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, Bank shall:
7.1 Notices of Changes. Bank will as soon as reasonably possible notify
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ of any: (a) actual or planned change in the name or form of business
organization of Bank, change in the location of its chief executive office or
the location of the office where its records concerning the Plan are kept; (b)
actual or planned merger or consolidation of Bank or the sale of a significant
portion of its stock or of any substantial amount of its assets not in the
ordinary course of business or any change in the control of Bank; (c) material
adverse change in its financial condition or operations or the commencement of
any litigation which would have a material adverse effect on the Plan. Bank will
furnish such additional information with respect to any of the foregoing as
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may request for the purpose of evaluating the effect of such transaction
on the financial condition and operations of Bank and on the Plan.
7.2 Inspection. Bank will permit, once per Contract Year unless ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
has reasonable cause to do so more frequently, authorized representatives
designated by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' expense, to visit and inspect, to the extent
permitted by Applicable Law, any of Bank's books and records (not including
Bank's internal profit and loss statement) pertaining to the Accounts, the
credit insurance and enhancement services set forth in Section 2.9, and
Purchases and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and to discuss the
same with its officers and independent public accountants, all at such
reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably
requested. Bank shall permit ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, during normal business hours and upon
reasonable notice, and in a manner which does not disrupt the operations, to
visit the offices at which services relating to the Plan are provided, to
monitor the activities of Bank and its subcontractors and to discuss the Plan
and the services with Bank's and its subcontractors' management personnel.
7.3 Bank's Business. Bank shall do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence
and to comply with all Applicable Laws in connection with its business and the
issuance of credit by Bank. Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
prevent unauthorized access to its computer systems.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Indemnification Obligations. (a) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be liable to and
shall indemnify and hold Bank and its affiliates, subsidiaries and parent and
their respective officers, directors, employees, subcontractors and their
successors and assigns, harmless from any and all Losses (as hereinafter
defined) to the extent they arise from: (i) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant hereunder, (ii) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' failure to perform
its obligations hereunder, (iii) any Goods or Services charged to an Account,
and (iv) any action or failure to act by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores and
their respective officers, directors and employees, which results in a claim
against Bank, its officers, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, and parent,
unless the proximate cause of any such claim is an act or failure to act by
Bank, its officers, directors or employees.
(b) Bank shall be liable to and shall indemnify and hold ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
its affiliates, subsidiaries and parent and their respective officers,
directors, employees, sub-contractors
Page 18
23
and their successors and assigns, harmless from any and all Losses (as
hereinafter defined) to the extent they arise from: (i) Bank's breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant hereunder, (ii) Bank's failure to perform
its obligations hereunder, and (iii) any action or failure to act by Bank and
its officers, directors, and employees which results in a claim against ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
its officers, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries and parent, unless the
proximate cause of any such claim is an act or failure to act by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' Stores and their respective officers, directors or employees.
(c) For purposes of this Section 8.1 the term "Losses" shall mean any
liability, damage, costs, fees, losses, judgments, penalties, fines, and
expenses, including without limitation, any reasonable attorneys' fees,
disbursements, settlements (which require the other party's consent which shall
not be unreasonably withheld), and court costs, reasonably incurred by Bank or
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as the case may be, without regard to whether or not such Losses would
be deemed material under this Agreement except that Losses may not include any
overhead costs that either party would normally incur in conducting its everyday
business.
8.2 LIMITATION ON LIABILITY. (a) IN NO EVENT SHALL BANK BE LIABLE FOR
ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS
AGREEMENT. BANK'S TOTAL ANNUAL LIABILITY TO ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FOR ALL DAMAGES FOR ANY
CAUSE WHATSOEVER OCCURRING DURING ANY YEAR OF THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL
NOT EXCEED TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE ACTUAL DISCOUNT FEES RECEIVED BY BANK FROM
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ DURING SUCH YEAR. BANK'S TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FOR ALL
DAMAGES FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE
ACTUAL DISCOUNT FEES RECEIVED BY BANK FROM ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ DURING THE TERM OF THIS
AGREEMENT.
(b) IN NO EVENT SHALL ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT,
SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' TOTAL
ANNUAL LIABILITY TO BANK FOR ALL DAMAGES FOR ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER OCCURRING
DURING ANY YEAR OF THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN PERCENT
(10%) OF THE ACTUAL DISCOUNT FEES PAID BY ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ TO BANK DURING SUCH YEAR.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO BANK FOR ALL DAMAGES FOR ANY CAUSE
WHATSOEVER, SHALL NOT EXCEED TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE ACTUAL DISCOUNT FEES PAID
BY ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ TO BANK DURING THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT.
8.3 NO WARRANTIES. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, RESPECTING THE SERVICES AND/OR OTHER PRODUCTS
SOLD OR PROVIDED BY BANK PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE REMEDIES SET FORTH IN
THIS SECTION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SERVICES AND/OR OTHER PRODUCTS ARE THE SOLE
REMEDIES RELATING TO BANK'S LIABILITY TO ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FOR MONEY DAMAGES.
8.4 Notification of Indemnification; Conduct of Defense. (a) In no case
shall the indemnifying party be liable under Section 8.1 of this Agreement with
respect to any claim or claims made against the indemnified party or any other
person so indemnified unless it shall be notified in writing of the nature of
the claim within a reasonable time after the
Page 19
24
assertion thereof, but failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall not
relieve it from any liability which it may have under other provisions of this
Agreement.
(b) The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense, or, if it so elects, within a reasonable time after
receipt of such notice, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any
such claim, but, if it so elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be
conducted by counsel chosen by it and approved by the indemnified party or the
person or persons so indemnified, who are the defendant or defendants in any
suit so brought, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the
indemnifying party elects to assume the conduct of the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such claim and retains counsel to do so, the indemnified
party or the person or persons so indemnified who are the defendant or
defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel thereafter retained by the indemnified party or such other person or
persons.
SECTION 9. TERM AND TERMINATION
9.1 Term. This Agreement shall have an initial term (the "Initial
Term") commencing on the date of execution set forth in the first paragraph on
Page 1 and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Plan Commencement Date and
shall automatically renew for an additional two-year term (the "Renewal Term")
unless Bank provides ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with at least six (6) month's written notice of its
intention to terminate the Agreement prior to the expiration of the Initial
Term, or unless otherwise terminated as provided herein. At the end of the
Renewal Term, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect (the
"Extended Term") until terminated by either Bank or Retailer by giving to the
other at least six (6) month's prior written notice of its intention to
terminate the Agreement, or unless otherwise terminated as provided herein.
9.2 Termination with Cause by Bank; Bank Termination Events. Any of the
following conditions or events shall constitute a "Bank Termination Event"
hereunder, and Bank may terminate this Agreement immediately without further
action if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ causes such Bank Termination Event to occur and be continuing:
(a) If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall (i) generally not pay its debts as they become
due; (ii) file, or consent by answer or otherwise to the filing against it, of a
petition for relief, reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in
bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency
law of any jurisdiction; (iii) make an assignment for the benefit of its
creditors; (iv) consent to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or
other officer with similar powers of itself or of any substantial part of its
property; (v) be adjudicated insolvent or be liquidated; (vi) take corporate
action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; (vii) have a materially adverse
change in its financial condition; (viii) receive an adverse opinion by its
auditors or accountants as to its viability as a going concern; or (ix) breach
or fail to perform or observe any covenant or agreement contained in any loan
agreement, debt instrument or any other contract or agreement to which it is
bound, which results in an acceleration of debt in an amount outstanding equal
to or greater than $1,000,000.
(b) If a court or government authority of competent jurisdiction shall
enter an order appointing, without consent by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 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 if an order for relief shall be
entered in any case or proceeding for liquidation or
Page 20
25
reorganization or otherwise to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency
law of any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding up or liquidation
of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, or if any petition for any such relief shall be filed against
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or
(c) If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall default in the performance of or compliance with
any term or violates any of the covenants, representations, warranties or
agreements contained in this Agreement and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall not have remedied such
default within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof shall have been
received by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ from Bank; or
(d) If ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is acquired by, or merges or consolidates with or into
any other corporation (other than with a subsidiary or affiliate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇)
without the prior written consent of Bank, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ terminates or otherwise
ceases its business operations or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ sells, transfers, abandons or
otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its assets.
(e) If Bank exercises its option to terminate pursuant to Section 3.6
(e) and has provided ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with the notice required therein.
9.3 Termination with Cause by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Termination Events. Any
of the following conditions or events shall constitute a "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Termination
Event" hereunder, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may terminate this Agreement immediately without
further action if Bank causes such ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Termination Event to occur and be
continuing:
(a) If Bank shall (i) generally not be paying its debts as they become
due; (ii) file or consent by answer or otherwise to the filing against it, of a
petition for relief, reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in
bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency
law of any jurisdiction; (iii) make an assignment for the benefit of its
creditors; (iv) consent to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or
other officer with similar powers of itself or of any substantial part of its
property; (v) be adjudicated insolvent or be liquidated; (vi) take corporate
action for the purpose of any of the foregoing and such event shall materially
adversely affect the ability of Bank to perform under this Agreement or the
operation of the Plan; (vii) have a materially adverse change in its financial
condition; (viii) receive an adverse opinion by its auditors or accountants as
to its viability as a going concern; or (ix) breach or fail to perform or
observe any covenant or agreement contained in any loan agreement, debt
instrument or any other contract or agreement to which it is bound, which
results in an acceleration of debt in an amount outstanding equal to or greater
than $5,000,000.
(b) If a court or government authority of competent jurisdiction shall
enter an order appointing, without consent by Bank, 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 if an order for relief shall be
entered in any case or proceeding for liquidation or reorganization or otherwise
to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, or
ordering the dissolution, winding up or liquidation of Bank, or if any petition
for any such relief shall be filed against Bank and such petition shall not be
dismissed within sixty (60) days; or
(c) If Bank shall default in the performance of or compliance with any
term or violates any of the covenants, representations, warranties or agreements
contained in this Agreement and Bank shall not have remedied such default within
thirty (30) days ten (10)
Page 21
26
days in the case of failure to pay ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ pursuant to Section 3.6(a)) after
written notice thereof shall have been received by Bank from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; or
(d) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
(e) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
9.4 Termination of Particular State. In addition, Bank may terminate
the operation of the Plan in a particular state (immediately in the case of
9.4(i) and upon one- hundred eighty (180) days prior written notice in the case
of 9.4(ii)) (i) if the Applicable Law of the state or jurisdiction is amended or
interpreted in such a manner so as to render all or any material part of the
Plan illegal or unenforceable; or (ii) there is a material change in
circumstances after the date hereof that causes or will cause Bank's operation
and administration of the Plan to become materially burdensome. [INTENTIONALLY
OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
9.5 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
9.6 Obligations not Affected by Termination. The termination of this
Agreement or termination of the Plan in a particular state pursuant to the
provisions of Section 9 hereof shall not, in any case, affect the obligations of
the parties with respect to Section 8, Section 9.5, Section 3.14, Section 10.9,
Section 10.14 hereof, the obligations of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with respect to complaints and
inquiries concerning ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and merchandise under the provisions of Sections 2
or 3 hereof or with respect to the chargeback provisions of Section 3.9 and 3.10
above, the obligations of Bank under Sections 2.10 and 3.10, and the parties'
respective obligations under these Sections shall continue so long as any
Accounts remain in existence.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement
and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written,
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and merges
all prior discussions between them.
10.2 Coordination of Public Statements. Neither party will make any
public announcement of the Plan or provide any information concerning the Plan
to any representative of any news, trade or other media without the prior
approval of the other party, and will not respond to any inquiry from any public
or governmental authority, except as required by law, concerning the Plan
without prior consultation and coordination with the other party. This Section
10.2 shall not apply to SEC filings.
10.3 Amendment. Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the
provisions herein may be modified only upon the mutual agreement of the parties,
however, no such modification shall be effective until reduced to writing and
executed by both parties.
10.4 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all obligations and
rights arising hereunder shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors, transferees and assigns. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
may not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of Bank, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The transfer
of control of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or a majority of the
Page 22
27
outstanding capital stock of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, the sale of substantially all of the
assets of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or the merger of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with another corporation or other
entity shall not constitute an assignment of this Agreement or of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'
rights and obligation hereunder.
10.5 Waiver. No waiver of the provisions hereto shall be effective
unless in writing and signed by the party to be charged with such waiver. No
waiver shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in respect of any subsequent
breach or default either of similar or different nature unless expressly so
stated in writing. No failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising
any power or right under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver, nor does
any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or
further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right.
10.6 Severability. If any of the provisions or parts of the Agreement
are determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any
applicable statute or rule of law, such provisions or parts shall be deemed
omitted without affecting any other provisions or parts of the Agreement which
shall remain in full force and effect, unless the declaration of the illegality,
invalidity or unenforceability of such provision or provisions substantially
frustrates the continued performance by, or entitlement to benefits of, either
party, in which case this Agreement may be terminated by the affected party,
without penalty.
10.7 Notices. All communications and notices pursuant hereto to either
party shall be in writing and addressed or delivered to it at its address shown
below, or at such other address as may be designated by it by notice to the
other party, and shall be deemed given when delivered by hand, or two (2)
Business Days after being mailed (with postage prepaid) or when sent by
receipted courier service:
If to Bank: If to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn.: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, President Attn.: E. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
With a Copy to: With a Copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Counsel ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
10.8 Captions and Cross-References. The table of contents and various
captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and shall not
affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
References in this Agreement to any Section are to such Section of this
Agreement.
10.9 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND
GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO, REGARDLESS OF THE DICTATES
OF OHIO CONFLICTS OF LAW, AND THE PARTIES HEREBY SUBMIT TO EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION AND VENUE IN THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO OR ANY OF THE STATE COURTS LOCATED IN FRANKLIN COUNTY,
OHIO.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be taken together as one agreement.
10.11 Force Majeure. Neither party will be responsible for any failure
or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement because of
circumstances beyond its
Page 23
28
control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, criminal acts, fire,
riot, accident, strikes or work stoppage, embargo, sabotage, inability to obtain
material, equipment or phone lines, government action (including any laws,
ordinances, regulations or the like which restrict or prohibit the providing of
the services contemplated by this Agreement), and other causes whether or not of
the same class or kind as specifically named above. In the event a party is
unable to perform substantially for any of the reasons described in this
Section, it will notify the other party promptly of its inability so to perform,
and if the inability continues for at least one-hundred and eighty (180)
consecutive days [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC], the
party so notified may then terminate this Agreement forthwith. This provision
shall not, however, release the party unable to perform from using its best
efforts to avoid or remove such circumstance and such party unable to perform
shall continue performance hereunder with the utmost dispatch whenever such
causes are removed. [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
10.12 Year 2000 Compliance. (a) Bank shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to ensure that software or systems proprietary to Bank and used in the
performance of its Services hereunder shall be Year 2000 Compliant. However,
Bank shall not be responsible for: (i) software or system failures based on
improvements, enhancements, modifications or updates to, and any inaccuracies,
delays, interruptions, or errors caused by any software or systems that are not
proprietary to Bank; (ii) any inaccuracies, delays, interruptions or errors
occurring as a result of incorrect data or data from other systems, software,
hardware, processes or third parties provided in a format that is inconsistent
with the format and protocols established for the Bank software and systems
including date data in two-digit format, even if such data is required for the
operation of the software or systems; and (iii) any inaccuracies, delays,
interruptions or errors occurring, at no fault of Bank, as a result of incorrect
data or data from telecommunication systems.
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that
software or systems proprietary to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and used by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in connection
with its business shall be Year 2000 Compliant. However, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall not be
responsible for: (i) software or system failures based on improvements,
enhancements, modifications or updates to, and any inaccuracies, delays,
interruptions, or errors caused by any software or systems that are not
proprietary to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; (ii) any inaccuracies, delays, interruptions or errors
occurring as a result of incorrect data or data from other systems, software,
hardware, processes or third parties provided in a format that is inconsistent
with the format and protocols established for ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' software and systems
including date data in two-digit format, even if such data is required for the
operation of the software or systems; and (iii) any inaccuracies, delays,
interruptions or errors occurring, at no fault of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as a result of
incorrect data or data from telecommunication systems.
10.13 Relationship of Parties. This Agreement does not constitute the
parties as partners or joint venturers and neither party will so represent
itself.
10.14 Survival. No termination of this Agreement shall in any way
affect or impair the powers, obligations, duties, rights, indemnities,
liabilities, covenants or warranties and/or representations of the parties with
respect to times and/or events occurring prior to such termination, including
the obligation to make payments arising prior to the termination date. No
powers, obligations, duties, rights, indemnities, liabilities, covenants or
warranties and/or representations of the parties with respect to times and/or
events occurring after termination shall survive termination except for the
following Sections: Section 2.8, Section 3.3, Section
Page 24
29
3.5, Section 3.6, Section 3.8, Section 3.9, Section 3.10, Section 3.14, Section
8, Section 9.5, Section 9.6 and Section 10.
10.15 Mutual Drafting. This Agreement is the joint product of Bank and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and each provision hereof has been subject to mutual consultation,
negotiation and agreement of Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, and shall not be construed for or
against any party hereto.
10.16 Independent Contractor. The parties hereby declare and agree that
Bank is engaged in an independent business, and shall perform its obligations
under this Agreement as an independent contractor; that any of Bank's personnel
performing the services hereunder are agents, employees, affiliates, or
subcontractors of Bank and are not agents, employees, affiliates, or
subcontractors of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; that Bank has and hereby retains the right to
exercise full control of and supervision over the performance of Bank's
obligations hereunder and full control over the employment, direction,
compensation and discharge of any and all of the Bank's agents, employees,
affiliates, or subcontractors, including compliance with workers' compensation,
unemployment, disability insurance, social security, withholding and all other
federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing such matters;
that Bank shall be responsible for Bank's own acts and those of Bank's agents,
employees, affiliates, and subcontractors; and that except as expressly set
forth in this Agreement, Bank does not undertake by this Agreement or otherwise
to perform any obligation of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, whether regulatory or contractual, or to
assume any responsibility for ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇' business or operations.
10.17 No Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement
are for the benefit of the parties hereto and not for any other person or
entity.
10.18 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts all of which taken together shall constitute one single agreement
between the parties.
10.19 Confidentiality. (a) Neither party shall disclose any information
not of a public nature concerning the business or properties of the other party
which it learns as a result of negotiating or implementing this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Customer names, sales volumes, test results, and results of marketing programs,
trade secrets, business and financial information, source codes, business
methods, procedures, know-how and other information of every kind that relates
to the business of either party except to the extent disclosure is required by
Applicable Law or court order, is necessary for the performance of the
disclosing party's obligation under this Agreement, or is agreed to in writing
by the other party; provided that: (i) prior to disclosing any confidential
information to any third party, the party making the disclosure shall give
notice to the other party of the nature of such disclosure and of the fact that
such disclosure will be made; and (ii) prior to filing a copy of this Agreement
with any governmental authority or agency, the filing party will consult with
the other party with respect to such filing and shall redact such portions of
this Agreement which the other party requests be redacted, unless, in the filing
party's reasonable judgment based on the advice of its counsel (which advice
shall have been discussed with counsel to the other party), the filing party
concludes that such request is inconsistent with the filing party's obligations
under applicable laws. Neither party shall acquire any property or other right,
claim or interest, including any patent right or copyright interest, in any of
the systems, procedures, processes, equipment, computer programs and/or
information of the other by virtue of this
Page 25
30
Agreement. Neither party shall use the other party's name for advertising or
promotional purposes without such other party's written consent.
(b) The obligations of this Section, shall not apply to any
information:
(i) which is generally known to the trade or to the public at the
time of such disclosure; or
(ii) which becomes generally known to the trade or the public
subsequent to the time of such disclosure; provided, however,
that such general knowledge is not the result of a disclosure
in violation of this Section; or
(iii) which is obtained by a party from a source other than the
other party, without breach of this Agreement or any other
obligation of confidentiality or secrecy owed to such other
party or any other person or organization; or
(iv) which is independently conceived and developed by the
disclosing party and proven by the disclosing party through
tangible evidence not to have been developed as a result of a
disclosure of information to the disclosing party, or any
other person or organization which has entered into a
confidential arrangement with the non-disclosing party.
(c) If any disclosure is made pursuant to the provisions of this
Section, to any parent company, subsidiary, affiliate or third party, the
disclosing party shall be responsible for ensuring that such parent, subsidiary,
affiliate or third party keeps all such information in confidence and that any
third party executes a confidentiality agreement provided by the non-disclosing
party. Each party covenants that at all times it shall have in place procedures
designed to assure that each of its employees who is given access to the other
party's confidential information shall protect the privacy of such information.
Each party acknowledges that any breach of the confidentiality provisions of
this Agreement by it will result in irreparable damage to the other party and
therefore in addition to any other remedy that may be afforded by law any breach
or threatened breach of the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement may be
prohibited by restraining order, injunction or other equitable remedies of any
court. The provisions of this Section will survive termination or expiration of
this Agreement.
10.20 Purchase Agreement. Bank and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall use good faith efforts
to enter into a purchase and sale agreement in a mutually satisfactory form and
substance, under which Bank will purchase the Existing Accounts from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
10.21 Additional Documentation. The parties acknowledge that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is
currently evaluating various structural alternatives which may result in
benefits to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. In the event ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ desires to implement any such
alternatives in the future the parties agree, if such alternatives affect this
Agreement, to evaluate those alternatives in good faith and to negotiate in good
faith any necessary documentation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement in
manner and form sufficient to bind them as of the date first above written.
Page 26
31
WORLD FINANCIAL NETWORK
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ JEWELERS, INC. NATIONAL BANK
By: By:
----------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Title: Title:
-------------------------------- ------------------------------
Date: Date:
--------------------------------- -------------------------------
Page 27
32
SCHEDULE 1.1
DISCOUNT RATE
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
Page 28
33
SCHEDULE 2.1
SERVICE STANDARDS
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
Page 29
34
SCHEDULE 2.4
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
Page 30
35
SCHEDULE 2.8
MONTHLY MASTER FILE INFORMATION
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
Page 31
36
SCHEDULE 3.13
REPORTS
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED FOR PURPOSES OF FILING WITH SEC].
Page 32