<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1.1
----------------------------
DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF JANUARY __, 2005
CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.
AND
SUMNER HARRINGTON LTD.
----------------------------
$100,000,000.00
RENEWABLE UNSECURED SUBORDINATED NOTES
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
<S>
<C>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS..........................................................................1
----------------------
Section 1.01 Defined
Terms..................................................................1
Section 1.02 Accounting
Terms...............................................................4
ARTICLE II APPOINTMENT OF THE AGENT AND
RELATED AGREEMENTS......................................5
----------------------------------------------------------
Section 2.01 Appointment;
Exclusivity.......................................................5
Section 2.02 Scope of
Agency................................................................5
Section 2.03 Compensation to the
Agent......................................................6
Section 2.04 Brokers and
Dealers............................................................8
Section 2.05 The Agent's Unrelated
Activities...............................................8
Section 2.06 Best Efforts; Independent
Contractor...........................................8
Section 2.07 Issuance and
Payment............................................................8
ARTICLE III SERVICES; STANDARD OF
CARE..........................................................8
--------------------------------------
Section 3.01 Services for the
Notes.........................................................8
Section 3.02 Maintenance of Files and
Records..............................................11
Section 3.03 Monthly Reports to the
Company................................................12
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF
THE COMPANY........................................13
-------------------------------------------------------
Section 4.01 Representations, Warranties and
Agreements of the Company.....................13
Section 4.02 Covenants of the
Company......................................................20
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF
THE AGENT; CONDITIONS...............................22
----------------------------------------------------------------
Section 5.01 Representations and Warranties of
the Agent...................................22
Section 5.02 Covenants of the
Agent........................................................24
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS..........................................................................25
---------------------
Section 6.01 Conditions of the Agent's
Obligations.........................................25
Section 6.02 Conditions of the Company's
Obligations.......................................31
ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION AND
CONTRIBUTION...................................................31
--------------------------------------------
Section 7.01 The Company's Indemnification of
the Agent....................................31
Section 7.02 The Agent's Indemnification of the
Company....................................32
Section 7.03 Notice of Indemnification
Claim...............................................33
Section 7.04
Contribution..................................................................34
Section 7.05 Notice of Contribution
Claim..................................................34
Section 7.06
Reimbursement.................................................................35
Section 7.07
Arbitration...................................................................35
Section 7.08 Intellectual Property
Infringement............................................35
Section 7.09
Confidentiality...............................................................35
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ARTICLE VIII TERM AND
TERMINATION..............................................................36
---------------------------------
Section 8.01 Effective Date of this
Agreement..............................................36
Section 8.02 Termination Prior to Initial
Closing Date.....................................36
Section 8.03 Notice of
Termination.........................................................37
Section 8.04 Termination After Initial Closing
Date........................................37
Section 8.05 Termination Without Termination of
Offering...................................38
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................38
------------------------
Section 9.01
Survival......................................................................38
Section 9.02
Notices.......................................................................38
Section 9.03 Successors and Assigns;
Transfer..............................................39
Section 9.04 Cumulative
Remedies...........................................................39
Section 9.05 Attorneys'
Fees...............................................................39
Section 9.06 Entire
Agreement..............................................................39
Section 9.07 Choice of Law;
Venue..........................................................39
Section 9.08 Rights to Investor
Lists......................................................39
Section 9.09 Waiver; Subsequent
Modification...............................................40
Section 9.10
Severability..................................................................40
Section 9.11 Joint
Preparation.............................................................40
Section 9.12
Captions......................................................................40
Section 9.13
Counterparts..................................................................40
Section 9.14 Third Party
Contractors.......................................................40
</TABLE>
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DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT is entered into as of
this
___ day of January, 2005 by and between
Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc., a
California corporation (the "Company"), and
Sumner Harrington Ltd., a Minnesota
corporation (the "Agent").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company proposes to register and publicly offer and
sell
an aggregate principal amount of up to
$100,000,000.00 of renewable, unsecured,
subordinated notes of the Company; and
WHEREAS, subject to the termination rights set forth herein,
the
Company desires to appoint the Agent to act
as the Company's exclusive selling
agent in connection with the offer, sale
and renewal of such notes on a best
effort basis and as the Company's servicing
agent to provide certain
administrative services with respect to the
notes, and Agent desires to accept
such duties, all as provided for by the
terms of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and for other good
and
valuable consideration, receipt of which is
acknowledged, and in consideration
of the mutual promises, covenants,
representations and warranties hereinafter
set forth, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
---------
DEFINITIONS
-----------
SECTION 1.01 DEFINED TERMS. Whenever used in this Agreement,
the
following terms have the respective
meanings set forth below. The definitions of
such terms are applicable to the singular
as well as to the plural forms of such
terms.
(a) ACCEPTED NOTE PRACTICES. As applicable to the context in
which this term is used, those procedures and practices with
respect to
the offering, marketing, selling, servicing and administration of
the
Notes that satisfy the following: (i) meet at least the same
demonstrable standards that Agent would follow in exercising
reasonable
care in offering, marketing, selling, servicing and
administering
similar programs for publicly offered notes or securities; (ii)
comply
with all Governmental Rules; (iii) comply with the provisions of
this
Agreement and the Indenture; and (iv) give due consideration to
the
accepted standards of practice of prudent investment banking firms
that
offer, market, sell, service or administer comparable programs
for
publicly offered notes or securities and the reliance of the
Company on
the Agent for the offering, marketing, selling, servicing and
administration of the Renewable Note Program.
(b)
AGENT. Sumner Harrington Ltd., a Minnesota corporation, or
its successors in interest or assigns, if approved by the Company
as
provided in Sections 5.02(c) and 9.03, below.
<PAGE>
(c) AGREEMENT. This Distribution and Management Agreement,
including any exhibits or attachments hereto, as originally
executed,
and as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with
the
terms hereof.
(d) BUSINESS DAY. Any day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday
or (b) another day on which banking institutions in the State of
New
York or the State of Minnesota are authorized or obligated by
law,
executive order, or governmental decree to be closed.
(e) COMMISSION or SEC. The Securities and Exchange Commission.
(f) COMPANY. Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc., or its
successors or assigns, if approved by Agent as provided in
Section
9.03, below.
(g) DUE PERIOD. The monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual
periods, or the full term of the Note if interest is due at
maturity,
for which scheduled payments of interest will be paid on any
Note.
(h) EXCHANGE ACT. The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and as hereafter amended, and the rules and
regulations
thereunder.
(i) GOVERNMENTAL RULES. Any law, rule, regulation, ordinance,
order, code, interpretation, judgment, decree, policy, decision
or
guideline of any governmental agency, court or authority.
(j) HOLDER. The registered owner of any Note as it appears on
the records of the Registrar, including any purchaser or any
subsequent
transferee or other holder thereof.
(k) INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS. All documents that, on or at any
time after the effective date of the Registration Statement,
are
incorporated by reference therein, in the Prospectus, or in any
amendment or supplement thereto.
(l) INDENTURE. That certain Indenture dated on or about
January __, 2005, by and between the Company and the Trustee
with
respect to the Notes.
(m) INITIAL CLOSING DATE. ________________, 2005, or such
later date as may be agreed by the Company and the Agent.
(n) INVESTOR. Any person who purchases Notes or who contacts
the Agent expressing an interest in purchasing the Notes or
requesting
information concerning the Notes.
(o) MATERIAL AGREEMENT. With respect to a person, any
agreement, contract, joint venture, lease, commitment, guaranty
or
other
contractual arrangement or any bond, debenture, indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan or security agreement, note,
instrument
or other evidence of indebtedness, which in the case of any of
the
foregoing is material to the business, assets, operations,
condition or
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prospects, financial or otherwise, of such person or which is
material
to the ability of such person to perform its obligations under
this
Agreement.
(p) NASD. National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(q) NOTE CONFIRMATION. With respect to the issuance and
ownership of the Notes in book-entry form, an appropriate
written
confirmation of
the issuance and ownership or transfer of ownership of
a Note to a Holder, the format of which shall comply with the
provisions of the Indenture.
(r) NOTE PORTFOLIO. The aggregate of individual Notes, as it
exists from time to time, which, unless the context otherwise
requires
or provides, determined by the principal balances of the Notes.
(s) NOTES. The renewable, unsecured, subordinated notes of the
Company that are being offered and sold pursuant to the
Registration
Statement and that have an aggregate principal amount up to
$100,000,000.00 and such other terms as described in the
Prospectus,
and any additional principal amount of the same or similar notes as
may
be registered from time to time pursuant to the Registration
Statement.
(t) OFFERING. The offer and sale of the Notes in accordance
with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Registration Statement.
(u) PAYING AGENT. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or
its successors or assigns, or such other paying agent with respect
to
the Notes as may be subsequently appointed by the Company pursuant
to
the Indenture.
(v) PAYING AGENT AGREEMENT. That certain agreement, if any, by
and between the Company and the Paying Agent relating to the
Company's
engagement of the Paying Agent to act as the paying agent for
the
Notes.
(w) PAYING AGENT FEES. All fees and expenses payable to the
Paying Agent in accordance with the Paying Agent Agreement.
(x) PROPOSAL. That certain proposal made by the Agent to, and
accepted by, the Company dated ________________ with respect to
the
Renewable Note Program.
(y) PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. All rights worldwide in and to
copyrights, rights to register copyrights, trade secrets,
inventions,
patents, patent rights, trademarks, trademark rights, confidential
and
proprietary information protected under contract or otherwise
under
law, and other similar rights or interests in intellectual or
industrial property.
(z) PROSPECTUS. The prospectus included in the Registration
Statement at the time it was declared effective by the Commission,
as
supplemented by all prospectus supplements (including interest
rate
supplements) related to the Notes that are filed with the
Commission
pursuant to Rules 424(b) or (c) under the Securities Act.
References to
the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the
Incorporated
Documents to the
extent incorporated by reference therein.
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<PAGE>
(aa) REDEMPTION PAYMENT. The payment of principal plus any
accrued and unpaid interest that is being made at the discretion of
the
Company in accordance with the Indenture.
(bb) REGISTRATION STATEMENT. That certain Registration
Statement on Form S-2_ (File No. ___________) of the Company
with
respect to the Notes filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
under the Securities Act on or about _____________, 2005, as
amended
and declared effective by the Commission, including the
respective
copies thereof filed with the Commission. References to the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include
the
Incorporated Documents to the extent incorporated by reference
therein.
(cc) RENEWABLE NOTE PROGRAM. The marketing, subscription and
sale, administration, customer service and investor relations,
registration of ownership, reporting, payment, repurchase,
redemption,
renewal and related activities associated with the Notes.
(dd) REPURCHASE PAYMENT. The payment of principal plus any
accrued and unpaid interest, less any penalties upon the repurchase
of
any Note, that is being made at the request of the Holder in
accordance
with the Indenture.
(ee) SCHEDULED PAYMENT. For any Due Period and any Note, the
amount of interest and/or principal indicated in such Note as
required
to be paid by the Company under such Note for the Due Period and
giving
effect to any rescheduling or reduction of payments in any
insolvency
or similar proceeding and any portion thereof.
(ff) SECURITIES ACT. The Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and as hereafter amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
(gg)
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT. A subscription agreement entered
into by a Person under which such Person has committed to
purchase
certain Notes as identified thereby, in such form and substance
as
mutually agreed by the parties and as filed as an exhibit to
the
Registration Statement.
(hh) TRUST ACCOUNT. The trust account established by the
Trustee pursuant to the Indenture.
(ii) TRUST INDENTURE ACT. The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, and as hereafter amended, and the rules and
regulations
thereunder.
(jj) TRUSTEE. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, or its
successors or assigns, or any replacement Trustee under the terms
of
the Indenture.
(kk) TRUSTEE'S FEES. All fees and expenses payable to the
Trustee in accordance with the Indenture.
SECTION 1.02 ACCOUNTING TERMS. Unless otherwise specified in
this
Agreement, all accounting terms used in
this Agreement shall be interpreted, all
accounting determinations under this
Agreement shall be made, and all financial
4
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statements required to be delivered by any
person pursuant to this Agreement
shall be prepared, in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted accounting
principles, as in effect from time to time
and as applied on a consistent basis.
To the extent such principles do not apply
to certain reports or accounting
practices of the Agent, the parties will
mutually agree on the accounting
practices and assumptions.
ARTICLE II
----------
APPOINTMENT OF THE AGENT AND RELATED AGREEMENTS
-----------------------------------------------
SECTION 2.01 APPOINTMENT; EXCLUSIVITY. On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements
herein contained, and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein and
in the Prospectus during the term of
this Agreement, the Company appoints the
Agent as its exclusive agent for
purposes of selling, including the offer
and sale of the Notes, and servicing,
including the servicing and administration
of the Notes, in each case, under the
Renewable Note Program upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein,
including, without limitation, compliance
and conformity with Accepted Note
Practices and Governmental Rules, and the
Agent agrees to use its best efforts
as such agent to offer and sell the Notes
to Investors until the later of the
termination of the Offering or the sale of
all of the Notes, or until the
termination of this Agreement, if earlier.
In connection with the administration
of the Renewable Note Program, the Agent
will carry out the duties provided for
herein and as described in the Prospectus
as being carried out by the Agent.
During the term of this Agreement, the
Company agrees to direct to the Agent all
inquiries it receives with respect to sales
of the Notes or administration of
the Renewable Notes Program, as
applicable.
SECTION 2.02 SCOPE OF AGENCY. In the performance of its duties
hereunder, the Agent shall have full power
and authority to take any and all
actions for purposes of selling, including
the offer and sale of Notes, and
servicing, including the servicing and
administration of the Notes, in each
case, under the Renewable Note Program that
the Agent, in its discretion, deems
necessary or appropriate, subject in all
respects to compliance and conformity
with Accepted Note Practices and
Governmental Rules. Such discretion shall
include, without limitation, the right to
accept or reject Subscription
Agreements, waive or reduce early
repurchase penalties when appropriate, change
interest payment dates, enforce early
repurchase penalties and allow prepayment
of Notes, with or without penalty, subject,
in each case to such limitations or
conditions as may be provided in the
Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Agent's authority to take any action on
the Company's behalf, other than the
rejection of Subscription Agreements, which
has an immediately discernable,
direct financial impact of $500 or more
shall be subject to receiving the prior
written consent of the Company. In the
performance of its duties hereunder, the
Agent shall (i) act as the agent of the
Company in connection with the Renewable
Note Program; (ii) hold, in trust and as
custodian, all Subscription Agreements,
notices or other documents received by it
in connection with the Renewable Note
Program for the sole and exclusive use and
benefit of the Company; and (iii)
make dispositions of the items in clause
(ii) only in accordance with this
Agreement or at the written direction of
the Company. Except as set forth herein
with respect to the Renewable Note Program,
the Agent shall have no authority,
express or implied, to act in any manner or
by any means for or on behalf of the
Company.
5
<PAGE>
SECTION 2.03 COMPENSATION TO THE AGENT.
(a) THE AGENT'S FEES AND COMMISSIONS. In consideration of the
agreement of the Agent to provide its services as set forth in
this
Agreement, the Company will pay the Agent the following
amounts:
(i) a
commission as set forth in Exhibit B to the
Proposal (which exhibit is hereby incorporated by reference),
which shall be payable in consideration for the Agent's
selling and marketing of Notes; and
(ii) an annual portfolio management fee equal to
0.25% of the weighted average daily principal balance of the
Note Portfolio, to be invoiced monthly as provided below,
which shall be payable
in consideration for the administrative
services provided by the Agent.
(b) THE AGENT'S EXPENSES. The Company agrees with the Agent
that whether or not this Agreement is terminated or cancelled or
the
sale of the Notes hereunder is consummated, and regardless of
the
reason for or cause of any such termination, cancellation, or
failure
to consummate, the Company will pay or cause to be paid to the
applicable persons the following, whether incurred prior or
subsequent
to the date of this Agreement:
(i) subject to the prior written approval by the
Company and in addition to such other costs specifically
provided for below, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs of the
Agent or its affiliates incurred in connection with the
Offering, including, but not limited to, designing, printing
and mailing all offering and advertising materials, document
fulfillment services, advertisements in newspapers, on the
radio, on the internet and through direct mail, operating a
toll-free telephone number, and assisting the Company with
creating a web site, including any costs of a web developer or
other third party consultants;
(ii) all reasonable fees and expenses of persons
(other than the
Agent and its affiliates), including, without
limitation, fees and expenses of the Company's auditors and
legal counsel, in connection with the preparation, printing,
filing, and delivery of the Registration Statement (including
the financial statements therein and all amendments,
schedules, and exhibits thereto), the Prospectus, and any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto;
(iii) to the extent applicable, all reasonable fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the qualification of
the Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky
laws of the states and other jurisdictions which the Agent may
designate (with the prior approval of the Company) in
accordance with the terms herewith;
6
<PAGE>
(iv) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by
the Agent or any other contractor in connection with the
preparation, printing, filing, and delivery of maturity and
renewal notices, quarterly statements, newsletters and any
other materials to be sent to Holders in connection with the
Notes or the Offering;
(v) all reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent's
legal counsel related to the Offering and the ongoing
servicing and administration of the Renewable Note Program as
provided herein;
(vi) all fees and expenses of the Trustee and the
Paying Agent in connection with the Notes, and
(vii) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incidental
to the performance of the Agent's obligations hereunder with
respect to the ongoing servicing and administration of the
Renewable Note Program that are not otherwise specifically
described herein.
The provisions of this Section are intended
to relieve the Agent from the
payment of reasonable fees, expenses and
out-of-pocket costs that the Company
hereby agrees to pay and shall not impair
or limit any of the other obligations
of the Company hereunder to the Agent.
(c) PAYMENT OF FEES AND COMMISSIONS. On the last Business Day
of each month, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Agent
shall
provide the Company with a written invoice for such month's fees
and
commissions that are payable with respect to Notes issued up to
the
last five Business Days of such month, and Notes issued in the
last
five Business Days of the immediately preceding month that are, in
each
case, not rescinded. Such commissions and fees will be due and
payable
by the later of the fifteenth (15th) day of every month or fifteen
(15)
days after the date such invoice is received.
(d) PRIOR PAYMENTS. The parties hereby acknowledge prior
payment of $_________________ to the Agent as a deposit against its
due
diligence costs, which amount was paid upon execution of the
Proposal.
Upon the request of the Company, the Agent will provide a
written
accounting of this deposit to the Company. Any remaining funds
from
this deposit will be applied against the Agent's expenses related
to
marketing and administering the Notes. To the extent that this
Agreement is terminated, the Agent will promptly refund the excess
of
any unused portion of such funds over amounts otherwise owed
hereunder.
(e) COMPENSATION LIMITATIONS. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement or of EXHIBIT A, other as provided
in
Section 2.03(b) and (d) in the event of termination of this
Agreement,
in no event will the Company pay or cause to be paid to the Agent
or
its affiliates (including Agency, as defined in Section
3.01(b)(i))
compensation under Section 2.03(a), Section 2.03(b) and Exhibit A,
in
the aggregate, in excess of 8% of the aggregate principal amount of
the
Notes sold from time to time hereunder.
7
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SECTION 2.04 BROKERS AND DEALERS. The Agent may, in its sole
discretion
and at no additional obligation or expense
to the Company, use the services of
other brokers or dealers who are members in
good standing of the NASD in
connection with the offer and sale of the
Notes. The Agent may enter into
agreements with any such broker or dealer
to act as its sub-agents for the sale
of the Notes and shall be solely
responsible for the payment of any portion of
the Agent's compensation hereunder to such
broker or dealer.
SECTION 2.05 THE AGENT'S UNRELATED ACTIVITIES. The Company agrees
that
the Agent may sell other notes or
securities in offerings similar to the
Offering for other issuers during the
course of the Offering, and the Agent (and
the Agency as defined in Section 3.01(b)
below) may advertise other notes or
securities of other issuers on websites, in
print, by radio, or by any other
means and at such times as they may
determine. The Agent shall have the right to
advertise or otherwise disclose to
unrelated prospective issuers, at its own
expense, its relationship with the Company,
the services it provides in
connection with the Notes and the amount of
money that it raised through the
Offering and the performance of the
Offering.
SECTION 2.06 BEST EFFORTS; INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. Anything to
the
contrary notwithstanding, the Agent shall
have no obligation to sell any minimum
principal amount of Notes or to purchase
Notes for its own account, for resale
or for any other purpose, but rather the
Agent shall use its best efforts as
selling agent in connection with the
Offering of the Notes. During the term of
this Agreement, all actions taken by the
Agent pursuant to this Agreement shall
be in the capacity of an independent
contractor, all sales of Notes conducted by
the Agent shall be solely for the account
and at the risk of the Company, and in
no event shall the Agent have any
obligations under the Notes.
SECTION 2.07 ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT. The Notes shall be issued
pursuant
to the Indenture and all Scheduled
Payments, Redemption Payments and Repurchase
Payments shall be made by electronic funds
transfer or automated clearing house
(i.e., ACH) remittance from the Trust
Account by the Paying Agent in accordance
with the Paying Agent Agreement and the
Indenture.
ARTICLE III
-----------
SERVICES; STANDARD OF CARE
--------------------------
SECTION 3.01 SERVICES FOR THE NOTES. The services to be provided to
the
Company by the Agent pursuant to and during
the term of this Agreement shall
include the following:
(a) NOTE STRUCTURE AND INTEREST RATES. During the term of this
Agreement, the Agent shall advise the Company regarding the
structure
of the Notes and provide sample document forms. Throughout the
Offering, the Agent shall assist the Company in determining
appropriate
Note terms and interest rates based on current market conditions
and
the Company's capital goals.
8
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(b) MARKETING AND ADVERTISING. During the term of this
Agreement, the Agent shall develop and execute a direct
response
marketing strategy for the Notes designed to meet the Company's
capital
goals in a timely manner, which shall be subject to the prior
approval
of the Company. The Agent shall also oversee designing and printing
all
marketing materials, in accordance with the Securities Act,
including
the applicable rules and regulations and any other requirements of
the
SEC and the NASD and any other Governmental Rules.
(i) For purposes of Sections 2.05 and 3.01 only,
Sumner Harrington Agency, Inc., an affiliate of the Agent (the
"Agency"), is hereby made a party to this Agreement. During
the term of the Agent's activities to market and sell the
Notes hereunder, the Agency will provide the Company with
media planning, media buying, media production, media
placement and other marketing services related to the Offering
as described on EXHIBIT A hereto, and the terms of which shall
be binding upon the Company and the Agency.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the authority of
the Agent and the Agency with respect to all ad placements and
use of all marketing materials shall be subject to receiving
the prior written approval of the Company.
(iii) In order to minimize advertising costs, the
Agent and/or the Agency may recommend that the Company enter
into
long term contracts (not to exceed one year) with various
newspapers and radio stations, and in such event, in addition
to the direct cost of the advertisements themselves, the
Company shall be responsible for any termination fees that
result from the early cancellation of such contracts if
approved by the Company.
(iv) During the term of this Agreement, the Company
shall allow the
Agent and the Agency to use the Company's
logo, corporate colors, trademarks, trade names, fonts, and
other aspects of corporate identity in advertisements and
marketing materials related to the Notes and on the Agent's
website, subject to the Company's prior written approval of
the specific use of these items in writing in each instance
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld). Neither the Agent
nor the Agency will make use of the Company's logo, corporate
colors, trademarks or trade names in any manner that would
reasonably be expected to disparage or damage such marks or
the reputation of the Company or diminish the Company's
goodwill. It is expressly agreed that neither the Agent nor
the Agency is acquiring any right, title or interest in the
Company's logo, corporate colors, trademarks or trade names,
and the rights of the Agent and Agency to use the same shall
terminate upon the termination of this Agreement.
(c) SUBSCRIPTION, SALE AND OWNERSHIP. During the term of this
Agreement, the Agent shall review and process each Subscription
Agreement for the Notes received from an Investor with the
objective of
9
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determining whether (i) such agreement is complete and accurate in
all
material respects, including without limitation the execution
thereof
by such Investor, (ii) such Investor timely remits the proper
purchase
price for the Notes in accordance with the Subscription Agreement,
and
(iii) the principal amount, interest rate and term to maturity and
any
other material terms of the Notes are verified for accuracy and
completeness. Upon delivery by each Investor of a completed
Subscription Agreement for Notes and full payment of the
principal
amount of such Notes in accordance with the Investor's
Subscription
Agreement, and subject to the prior written consent of the Company
if
required pursuant to Section 2.02 (which, for the avoidance of
doubt,
may be given in the form of general directives to sell up to a
particular aggregate amount of Notes) the Agent shall promptly
(i)
accept or reject such Subscription Agreements on the Company's
behalf
based upon such factors as the Agent shall determine,
including,
without limitation, the suitability of the proposed Investor,
(ii)
verify that the payment of the principal amount of such
Investor's
accepted
subscription for the Notes is being remitted to the Company in
accordance with the Subscription Agreement in an account
established by
the Company for such purpose or in such other manner as may be
directed
by the Company from time to time, and (iii) remit to the
Trustee
electronic or hard copies of all accepted Subscription Agreements
and
related records as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee,
including without limitation, a record of each deposit relating to
the
payment of the subscription amount of the Notes. Pursuant to
the
preceding sentence, Notes shall be issued by the Agent on the
Company's
behalf in book-entry form only and the Agent shall deliver a
Note
Confirmation to each Holder with respect to such Holder's
respective
accepted Subscription Agreement and the receipt of full payment
for
such Holder's Notes. The Company hereby appoints the Agent, and
the
Agent hereby accepts such appointment, as its initial Registrar
(as
such term is defined in the Indenture) for the Notes pursuant to
the
terms of the Indenture. For so long as the Agent shall serve as
the
Registrar for the Notes, the Agent shall perform, in accordance
with
the terms of the Indenture, all of the duties and obligations of
the
Registrar under the Indenture, including, without limitation,
the
obligation to maintain a book-entry registration and transfer
system
for the ownership of the Notes in accordance with the terms of
the
Indenture.
(d) INVESTOR RELATIONS AND REPORTING. During the term of this
Agreement, the Agent, in conjunction with the Trustee, shall manage
all
aspects of the customer service and investor relations functions
with
respect to the Offering, including, but not limited to, handling
all
inquiries from Investors, mailing investment kits, delivering to
each
Investor the
Prospectus and Subscription Agreement, meeting with
Investors, processing Subscription Agreements, responding to
all
written or telephonic questions by Investors and Holders relating
to
the Notes, recording changes in Holders' addresses or accounts,
issuing
maturity and renewal notices, quarterly statements and newsletters
to
Holders, directing the Paying Agent to make Scheduled Payments,
Repurchase Payments and Redemption Payments to Holders in a
timely
manner, and directing the Paying Agent to issue Form 1099INT's
to
Holders as required by law. In addition, the Agent shall provide
the
Trustee (and copy the Company) with management reports regarding
the
Notes as required under the Indenture.
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(e) WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT. Subject to compliance and conformity
with Accepted Note Practices by the Agent, the Agent (or a third
party
service provider working at the Agent's direction) shall assist
the
Company in developing a dedicated Internet web site separate from
the
Company's corporate site to allow Investors to view online and
download
copies of the Offering documents (including the Prospectus and
Subscription Agreement) and marketing materials that are included
in
the investment kit or comparable information.
(f) OWNERSHIP OF WEB PAGES. Any and all web pages developed or
maintained by the Agent in connection with the marketing and
selling of
the Notes (the "Web Pages"), and all associated Proprietary
Rights,
shall be owned exclusively by the Agent; provided, however, it
is
expressly acknowledged and agreed that the Company shall retain,
and
the Agent shall not hereby acquire, any Proprietary Rights in
the
Company's logos, corporate colors, trademarks, trade names, and
slogans, any descriptions of the Company's business. The Agent
hereby
grants the Company a nonexclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to
use
the Web Pages for the purpose of marketing and selling the
Notes.
SECTION 3.02 MAINTENANCE OF FILES AND RECORDS. The Agent shall
establish and maintain at all times during
the term of this Agreement files and
records (including, without limitation,
computerized records) regarding the
Notes and the Note Portfolio, with full and
correct entries of all transactions
or modifications in a reasonably secure,
up-to-date manner and in accordance
with the following:
(a) LOCATION. All Note and Note Portfolio files and records
shall be stored and maintained at the Agent's principal place
of
business, or other location as designated by the Agent. The Agent
shall
keep in its files all correspondence received or sent regarding
each
Note, each Investor, and each Holder, whether upon any purchase
or
transfer of a Note.
(b) ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. The Agent will store all original
Subscription Agreements, Note Confirmations, correspondence
from
Investors and Holders and other materials relating to the
Renewable
Note Program in a reasonably secure manner at the Agent's
principal
offices or such other location as may be agreed upon with the
Company.
The Agent shall exercise due care in handling and delivering
the
original documents and the other documents in the Note files
and
records. The Agent shall not grant or allow any person an interest
in
original documents or rights thereunder, and all original documents
in
the possession of the Agent shall be deemed to be in the possession
of
the
Company.
(c) EXAMINATION. At any time during the Agent's normal
business hours, the Company and its agents and representatives
may
physically inspect any documents, files or other records relating
to
the Renewable Note Program and discuss the same with the
Agent's
officers and employees. The Agent shall supply copies of any
such
documents, files, or other records upon the request of the Company,
as
soon as is reasonably and commercially practicable at the
Company's
cost and expense.
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<PAGE>
(d) RETENTION. Unless otherwise requested by the Company, or
unless otherwise required by Governmental Rules, the Agent
shall
retain, with respect to each Note, for a period of 24 months from
the
date the Note is fully paid, all records, files and documents
related
to each such Note. At the end of such 24-month period, all such
items
shall be transferred to the Company, or to a third party as
designated
by the Company, at the Company's sole cost and expense. The Agent
shall
be permitted to retain copies of any such documents for its own
files
for its own account and at its own expense. The Agent shall
maintain
the privacy of the Investors and Holders in accordance with all
applicable Governmental Rules.
(e) RETURN. If this Agreement is terminated, the Agent shall
promptly
deliver to the Company or its designee, as the case may be,
all Note files and records (including, without limitation, copies
of
computerized records and servicing and other software, except as
may be
prohibited by any third party contract or license) related to
the
selling and servicing of the Notes and all monies collected by
it
relating to the Renewable Note Program (less any fees or expenses
due
to the Agent). The Agent shall be entitled to make and keep copies
of
such records, at its cost and expense. In addition to delivering
such
data and monies, the Agent shall use its best efforts to effect
the
orderly and efficient transfer of the selling and servicing of
the
Notes to the Company or other party designated by the Company to
assume
responsibility for such selling and servicing, including,
without
limitation, directing Holders to remit all repurchase or other
notices
to the address designated by the Company. All costs of conversion
and
transfer of such records to the Company or another agent shall be
paid
by the Company.
(f) SECURITY. The parties shall take appropriate security
measures to protect customer nonpublic personal information
("NPI"), as
defined in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, Title V, and its
implementing regulations, against accidental or unlawful
destruction
and unauthorized access, tampering, and copying during storage
in
either party's computing or paper environment. Access to NPI must
be
restricted to only the personnel that have a business need relating
to
the Renewable Note Program. NPI must be stored in a secured
format
within all systems at both parties' location and any other
locations
where the data may reside. Transmission of such NPI between the
parties
or vendors must be done in a secure manner, in a method mutually
agreed
upon by both parties. Each party will engage appropriate and
industry-standard measures necessary to meet information
security
guidelines as required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Title V and
its
implementing regulations as applicable to such party to effectuate
this
Agreement.
SECTION 3.03 INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY. As agreed by the parties,
the
Agent shall make reports and analyses
available to the Company regarding the
status of the Note Portfolio, the marketing
efforts and the amount of Notes
remaining available for issuance under the
Registration Statement. The Agent
shall also provide interim or custom
reports at the Company's request as is
commercially reasonable, including, without
limitation, a weekly update via
email identifying new Holders by name,
address and principal amount of Notes
purchased.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV
----------
REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
--------------------------------------------
SECTION 4.01 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS OF THE
COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants to and
agrees with the Agent as follows,
which representations and warranties shall
be deemed to be made continuously
from and as of the date hereof until this
Offering is terminated and all then
outstanding Notes have been paid in full or
such earlier date that this
Agreement has been terminated, except for
those representations and warranties
that address matters only as of a
particular date, which representations and
warranties shall be deemed to be made as of
such date.
(a) The Company satisfies all of the requirements for the use
of Form S-2 with respect to the offer and sale of securities as
contemplated by the Offering. The Commission has not issued any
order
preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement
or
Prospectus and no proceeding for that purpose has been instituted
or,
to the Company's knowledge, threatened by the Commission or the
securities authority of any state or other jurisdiction.
(b) The Registration Statement, in the form in which it became
effective and also in such form as it may be when any
post-effective
amendment thereto shall become effective, and the Prospectus, and
any
supplement or amendment thereto when filed with the Commission
under
Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied or will comply with
the
provisions of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, and
did
not or will not at any such times contain an untrue statement
of
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated
therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light
of
the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except
that
this representation and warranty does not apply to: (i) any
statements
in, or omissions from the Agent Disclosure Statements (as defined
in
Section 5.01(f) below) in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus,
or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto; or (ii) statements
in
or omissions from the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto)
related to or resulting from the specific terms of the Offering,
which
terms are included in the Prospectus.
(c) The Incorporated Documents previously filed, at the time
they were filed, complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Exchange Act, and all subsequently filed
Incorporated Documents will, at the time they are filed, comply in
all
material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act. No
such
previously filed Incorporated Document, when filed, contained an
untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading; and no such further
Incorporated
Document, when filed, will contain an untrue statement of a
material
fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein not
misleading,
except that this representation and warranty does not apply to
the
extent that any misstatement or omission in any Incorporated
Document
is superseded by a subsequent Incorporated Document, but in such
case
only with respect to the period from and after the filing of
the
subsequent Incorporated Document.
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<PAGE>
(d) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
State
of California, with full power and authority to own, lease and
operate
its properties and conduct its business as described in the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Incorporated
Documents.
The Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good
standing in
each
jurisdiction in which the ownership or lease of its properties
or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification and in
which
the failure to be qualified or in good standing would have a
material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
earnings,
operations or business of the Company and, to the best of the
Company'
s knowledge, no proceeding has been instituted in any such
jurisdiction
revoking, limiting or curtailing, or seeking to revoke, limit
or
curtail, such power and authority or qualification.
(e) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated
or organized and is validly existing in good standing under the
laws of
the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with full
power
and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct
its
business as described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
and
the Incorporated Documents. Each such subsidiary is duly qualified
to
do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the
ownership or lease of its properties or the conduct of its
business
requires such qualification and in which the failure to be
qualified or
in good standing would have a material adverse effect on the
condition
(financial or otherwise), earnings, operations or business of
the
Company and, to the best of the Company' s knowledge, no proceeding
has
been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or
curtailing, or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail, such power
and
authority or qualification.
(f) The Company and each subsidiary has operated and is
operating in material compliance with all authorizations,
licenses,
certificates, consents, permits, approvals and orders of and from
all
state, federal and other governmental regulatory officials and
bodies
necessary to own its properties and to conduct its business as
described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the
Incorporated Documents, all of which are, to the best of the
Company's
knowledge, valid and in full force and effect. The Company and
each
subsidiary is conducting its business in substantial compliance
with
all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the jurisdictions
in
which it is conducting business, and the Company and each
subsidiary is
not in material violation of any applicable law, order, rule,
regulation, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court,
government or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign,
having
jurisdiction over the Company or any such subsidiary or their
respective over its properties.
(g) The Company and each subsidiary is not in violation of its
certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws (or similar
governing documents) or in default in the performance or observance
of
any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in
any
Material Agreement to which it is a party or by which it or its
properties are bound.
(h) The Company has full requisite power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and perform the transactions
contemplated
hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered
14
<PAGE>
by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement on the part of
the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
terms
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to
or
affecting creditors' rights and to general principles of equity.
The
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions
herein contemplated will not result in a breach or violation of any
of
the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under:
(i) any Material Agreement to which the Company or
any subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any
subsidiary or their respective properties may be bound;
(ii) the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the
Company, or
(iii) any applicable law, order, rule, regulation,
writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court, government
or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary or their
respective properties.
(i) No consent, approval, authorization or order of or
qualification with any court, governmental agency or body, domestic
or
foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or over its
properties is
required for the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the
consummation by the Company of the transactions herein
contemplated,
except such as may be required under the Securities Act, the
Exchange
Act, the Trust Indenture Act, or under state or other securities
or
blue sky laws, all of which requirements have been satisfied.
(j) Except as is otherwise expressly described in or
incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or
Prospectus, there is neither pending nor, to the best of the
Company's
knowledge, threatened, any action, suit, claim or proceeding
against
the Company or any subsidiary or any of their respective officers
or
properties, assets or rights before any court, government or
governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction
there over which, if successful, would be likely to (A) result in
any
material adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise),
earnings, operations or business of the Company or might materially
and
adversely affect its properties, assets or rights, or (B)
prevent
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(k) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus and the shares of
issued
and outstanding Common Stock set forth thereunder have been
duly
authorized, validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable,
have
been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities
laws,
were not issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive rights
or
other rights to subscribe for or purchase securities, and the
authorized and outstanding capital stock of the Company conforms in
all
material respects with the statements relating thereto contained
or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus. The Notes to be sold hereunder by the Company have
been
duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to the Indenture
and
15
<PAGE>
this Agreement and, when issued and delivered against payment
therefor
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and this Agreement,
will
be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and
will
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company
enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to
bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar
laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors'
rights and to general principles of equity and will be sold free
and
clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, claim
or
equitable interest; and no preemptive right, co-sale right,
registration right, right of first refusal or other similar right
of
stockholders exists with respect to any of the Notes to be sold
hereunder by the Company or the issuance and sale thereof.
(l) KPMG LLP, which has expressed its opinion with respect to
certain of the financial statements filed or incorporated by
reference
as part of the Registration Statement, is an independent
accounting
firm within the meaning of the Securities Act. The financial
statements
of the Company set forth or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus comply in all material
respects
with the requirements of the Securities Act and fairly present
the
financial position and the results of operations of the Company at
the
respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply
in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently
applied throughout the
periods involved; and the supporting schedules
included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement
present fairly the information required to be stated therein.
(m) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information
is given in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, except as
is
otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or
as
is otherwise incorporated into the Registration Statement pursuant
to
the Securities Act, there has not been (i) any material adverse
change
in the condition, financial or otherwise, earnings, affairs or
business
prospects of the Company or any subsidiary, or (ii) any
material
transactions entered into by the Company, or any of its
subsidiaries,
other than those in the ordinary course of business, including,
without
limitation:
(i) any material change in the capital stock or
long-term debt (including any capitalized lease obligation) or
material increase in the short-term debt of the Company;
(ii) any material issuance of options (other than to
directors
and employees of the Company), warrants, convertible
securities or other rights to purchase the capital stock of
the Company;
(iii) any material adverse change, or any development
involving a material adverse change, in or affecting the
condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, operations,
business or business prospects, management, financial
position, stockholders' equity, results of operations or
general condition of the Company;
16
<PAGE>
(iv) any transaction entered into by the Company that
is material to the Company, except transactions entered into
by the Company in the ordinary course of business that are
consistent with past practices (including without limitation
any securitization transaction);
(v) any material obligation, direct or contingent,
incurred by the Company, except obligations incurred in the
ordinary course of business; or
(vi) any loss or damage (whether or not insured)
sustained to the property of the Company, which has a material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
earnings, operations or business of the Company.
(n) Except as is otherwise expressly disclosed in the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or as is otherwise
incorporated
into the Registration Statement pursuant to the Securities Act:
(i) the Company and its subsidiaries have good and
marketable title to all of the property, real and personal,
and assets described in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus as being owned by them, free and clear of any a