EXHIBIT 10.3
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
SPIRIT OF AMERICA NATIONAL BANK
AND
ARIZONA MAIL ORDER COMPANY, INC.
DATED AS OF August 25, 2008
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SECTION 1.
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DEFINITIONS
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1
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SECTION 2.
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THE PLAN
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9
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SECTION 3.
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OPERATION OF THE PLAN
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19
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SECTION 4.
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AMO
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24
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SECTION 5.
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COVENANTS OF AMO
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26
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SECTION 6.
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BANK
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29
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SECTION 7.
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COVENANTS OF BANK
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30
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SECTION 8.
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INDEMNIFICATION
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32
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SECTION 9.
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TERM, EXPIRATION AND TERMINATION
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34
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SECTION 10.
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MISCELLANEOUS
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38
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SCHEDULE 2.1(a)
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2
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Schedule 2.1(b)
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Service Standards
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7
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Schedule 2.3
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OPERATING PROCEDURES
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8
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Schedule 2.5(a)
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Marketing Promotions
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11
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Schedule 2.5(b)
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Marketing Funds
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12
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SCHEDULE 2.7
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13
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CREDIT CRITERIA
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13
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Schedule 2.8
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Monthly Master File Information
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16
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Schedule 2.9(c)
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Bank Enhancement Marketing Services
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19
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Schedule 3.1
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Cross-Shopping
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20
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Schedule 3.6(d)
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Summary of Rates and Fees
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21
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Schedule 3.11
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Non-Competition
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23
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Schedule 3.13
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Bank Reports
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24
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APPENDIX A
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AMO Businesses and AMO Brands and AMO
Marks
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25
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PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
RIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
THIS PRIVATE LABEL
CREDIT CARD PLAN AGREEMENT is effective as of the 25th day of
August, 2008, and is entered into between Arizona Mail Order
Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Arizona Mail
Order” or “AMO”), and SPIRIT OF AMERICA NATIONAL
BANK, a national banking association with its principal office at
1103 Allen Drive, Milford, Ohio 45150 (hereinafter referred to as
“Bank”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, pursuant to
the Crosstown Traders Business Purchase/Sale Agreement (as defined
below), Norm Thompson has agreed to acquire all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Arizona Mail Order; and
WHEREAS, prior to the
date hereof, Bank has operated the Crosstown Traders
Program under which Bank has extended credit under
the Crosstown Traders Accounts and issued Crosstown Traders Credit
Cards to Crosstown Traders Credit Cardholders (as such capitalized
terms are defined below); and
WHEREAS, AMO has
requested that Bank continue to extend credit to qualifying
individuals, in the form of private label open-ended credit card
accounts (including the Crosstown Traders Program Accounts), for
the purchase of Goods and/or Services from AMO through its Sales
Channels and to issue Credit Cards to such individuals in a manner
substantially similar to that in which it has operated the
Crosstown Traders Program, on the terms set forth herein, following
Closing until the Conversion or earlier expiration of the Term as
provided herein (as such capitalized terms are defined below);
and
WHEREAS, until the
closing under any Account Portfolio Purchase/Sale Agreement, Bank
shall own all the Accounts, and Cardholder payments will be sent to
such location as Bank shall from time to time direct (as such
capitalized terms are defined below); and
WHEREAS, Bank will
operate the Plan 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 and sufficiency of
which are hereby mutually acknowledged by the parties, AMO and Bank
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.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
“Account” shall mean an individual
open-end revolving line of credit which is (i) established by Bank
for a Customer pursuant to the terms of a Credit Card Agreement,
(ii) marketed with an AMO Brand or combination of AMO Brands; and
(iii) which can be accessed by a Credit Card issued by Bank to
correspond to such Account; including without limitation the
Crosstown Traders Accounts.
“Account Balance” means any and
all amounts owing by the Cardholder thereunder, including
principal, accrued finance charges and other fees, whether or not
billed.
“Account Portfolio Purchase/Sale
Agreement” shall mean the WFNNB Account Portfolio
Purchase/Sale Agreement or such other agreement entered into by
Bank and an Approved Replacement Purchaser to effect the transfer
of ownership and custody of all or substantially all of the
Accounts and receivables with respect thereto.
“Accounts Receivable “shall mean,
as to any Account at the time of reference, any and all amounts
owing on such Account, including, without limitation, principal
balances from Purchases, purchases of AMO Enhancement Marketing
Services, fees related to Protection Programs and Bank Enhancement
Marketing Services, accrued finance charges (whether or not posted
or billed to an Account), late fees, and all other fees and charges
assessed on the Accounts, less any payments and credits received by
Bank with respect to the Accounts. This definition specifically
excludes any amounts which have been written-off by Bank with
respect to such Accounts.
“Address Verification
Service” shall mean an adjunct process to the credit
authorization process where the Cardholder’s reported billing
address is verified against the Bank’s address on file for
such Cardholder.
“Affiliate” shall mean with
respect to a party any entity that is owned by, owns, or
is under common control with such party.
“Agreement” shall mean this
Private Label Credit Card Plan Agreement, including any schedules,
exhibits, addenda, and future amendments and supplements
hereto.
“AMO” shall mean the party
identified by such name in the first paragraph on Page 1 of this
Agreement.
“AMO Brands” shall mean the brand
name(s) chosen by AMO to identify the Accounts, Credit Cards, etc.
related to a corresponding AMO Business. No AMO Brand shall do
business using the AMO Brand of another AMO Business, although a
single AMO Business can do business under more than one (1) AMO
Brand. For instance, as of the Closing Date, the AMO
Brands “Bedford Fair Lifestyles” and “Willow
Ridge” comprise a single AMO Business. All AMO Brands are
also AMO Marks, but not vice-versa. The AMO Brands are
set forth on Appendix A.
“AMO Businesses” shall mean the
business operations under which AMO operates, which are set forth
on Appendix A under the column entitled “AMO
Businesses”.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
“AMO Deposit Account” shall mean
the one (1) deposit account (to be used for all AMO Businesses)
maintained by AMO and designated by it in writing to Bank as to
which Bank should direct its payments. See also Section 3.6
(a).
“AMO Mark” shall mean a trademark,
service mark, or name owned by or licensed (and capable of being
sublicensed) to AMO relating to the AMO Brands and designated by
AMO to Bank for use in connection with the Plan.
“Applicable Law” shall mean any
applicable federal, state or local law, rule, or regulation,
including, without limitation, any directive or guidance of the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
“Applicant” shall mean an
individual who is a Customer and applies for an Account under the
Plan.
“Approved Replacement Purchaser”
means a bank or financial institution (i) reasonably acceptable to
AMO and Bank, which, notwithstanding the foregoing, shall include
each of the following: World Financial Network National Bank, any
investment fund managed by Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc.,
Orchard Brands Corporation, Citigroup, Barclay’s, HSBC, GE
Capital, Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase, any of the
respective affiliates of any of the foregoing or any other entity
mutually agreed upon by AMO and Bank and (ii) which enters into a
Program Agreement with AMO.
“Bank” shall mean the party to
this Agreement identified in the first paragraph on Page 1 of this
Agreement.
“Bank Mark” shall mean a
trademark, service mark, or name owned by or licensed (and capable
of being sublicensed) to Bank and designated by Bank to AMO for use
in connection with the Plan.
“Batch Prescreen” shall mean a
process where Bank’s offer of credit is made to certain
Customers prequalified by Bank (per its criteria), in a batch mode
(often but not exclusively within a direct to consumer
environment).
“Billing Statement” shall mean
Bank’s periodic statement listing the amounts of Purchases
made, credits received, and other information, as required by
Applicable Law and/or deemed desirable by Bank.
“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; including without limitation
the Crosstown Traders Credit Cardholders.
“Card Association” shall mean a
nationwide payment clearing network such as MasterCard
International, Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc., American Express, or
Discover, the
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
credit accounts and cards related to which are
accepted universally in the retail market place.
“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.
“Closing” shall mean the transfer
of ownership and custody of all issued and outstanding shares of
Arizona Mail Order from Crosstown Traders, Inc. to Norm Thompson
Outfitters, Inc., as set forth in the Crosstown Traders Business
Purchase/Sale Agreement.
“Closing Date” means the date of
the Closing.
“Consumer Personal Information”
shall mean that non-public personal information regarding
Applicants, Customers, and Cardholders, including but not limited
to Account information consumer reports, and information derived
from consumer reports, that is subject to protection from
publication under Applicable Law.
“Conversion” shall mean the
transition of private label credit card services from Bank to a
Program Provider (who shall be an Approved Replacement Purchaser)
pursuant to a Program Agreement.
“Conversion Date” shall mean the
date of the closing of a Conversion.
“Conversion Plan” shall mean the
plan as set forth on Schedule 2.1 attached hereto.
“Credit Card” shall mean the
credit card issued by Bank to Cardholders, corresponding to a
related Account for the purpose of purchasing Goods and/or Services
pursuant to this Agreement; including, without limitation, the
Crosstown Traders Credit Cards.
“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 AMO through its Sales Channels.
“Credit Slip” shall mean a sales
credit receipt or other documentation, whether in hard copy or
electronic form, evidencing (i) a return or exchange of Goods, or
(ii) a credit on an Account as an adjustment by AMO for goodwill or
for Services rendered or not rendered by AMO to a Cardholder.
“Crosstown Traders Accounts” shall
mean the private label credit accounts issued under the Crosstown
Traders Program for the AMO Brands.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
“Crosstown Traders Business
Purchase/Sale Agreement” shall mean that Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Crosstown
Traders, Inc. and Norm Thompson, under the terms of which Norm
Thompson. shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of Arizona Mail Order.
“Crosstown Traders Credit Cards”
shall mean the private label credit cards issued under the
Crosstown Traders Program, used to access Crosstown Traders
Accounts for the AMO Brands.
“Crosstown Traders Credit
Cardholders” shall mean those individuals to whom Crosstown
Traders Accounts and Crosstown Traders Credit Cards were
issued.
“Crosstown Traders Program” shall
mean the private label credit account program operated by Bank for
Arizona Mail Order prior to the Closing Date relating to the AMO
Brands.
“Cross Shopping” shall mean the
reciprocal honoring, by different AMO Businesses, of Accounts
corresponding to other AMO Businesses. See also
Schedule 3.1.
“Customer” shall mean any
individual consumer who is a customer or potential customer of an
AMO Business. Use of the term shall encompass all AMO
Businesses unless the context of the reference dictates
otherwise.
“Deferred Program” shall mean a
program featuring special repayment terms approved by Bank,
including any one or more of the following: deferred and/or waived
interest, deferred payments, minimum purchase amounts, minimum
monthly payments, and any other terms and conditions set forth by
Bank. Bank offers 60 day Deferred Programs at the
Discount Fee set forth on Schedule 1.1. Any other
Deferred Programs may be made part of this Agreement only by
written amendment.
“Deferred Program Purchases” shall
mean Purchases made under the terms of any Deferred Program.
“Discount Fee” shall have the
meaning set forth in Schedule 1.1.
“Electronic Customer Service (or
eCS)” shall mean a web-based customer service system Bank
makes available on a Bank website.
“Equal Payment Program” shall mean
a program featuring special repayment terms, approved by Bank,
including repayment based on equal payments over a predetermined
period of time, and any other terms and conditions set forth by
Bank. As of the date hereof, there are no Equal Payment Programs.
Equal Payment Programs may be made part of this Agreement only by
written amendment.
“Equal Payment Program Purchases”
shall mean Purchases made under the terms of any Equal Payment
Program.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
“Financial Products” shall mean
credit card issuance or payment processing arrangements or programs
similar in purpose to those components of the Plan (including but
not limited to ones involving a credit card) dealing with the
extension of credit and repayment of debt extended to Customers as
contemplated under this Agreement, including cardless,
Internet-based or Internet-only payment vehicles and contactless
payment vehicles to be used as devices and/or methods by Customers
to purchase Goods and/or Services.
“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 AMO through its Sales
Channels to the general public for individual, personal, family or
household use. Use of the term shall encompass all AMO
Businesses unless the context of the reference dictates
otherwise. This definition specifically excludes goods
and services that are sold to Customers by third-party vendors of
AMO and not AMO itself.
“Ineligible Account” has the
meaning set forth for such term in the WFNNB Account Portfolio/Sale
Agreement (as in effect as of the date hereof); provided that any
references therein to the “Transfer Date” shall be
deemed references to the date of the closing under any Account
Portfolio/Purchase Sale Agreement.
“Initial Term” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
“Instant Credit” shall mean an
Account application procedure designed to open Accounts whereby the
application information is communicated to Bank either (i) verbally
at Point of Sale; or (ii) systemically during the order entry
process.
“IVR” shall mean an interactive
voice response system and/or procedure.
“Marketing Fund” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).
“Net Proceeds” shall mean
Purchases less: (i) credits to Accounts for
the return or exchange of Goods, or a credit on an Account as an
adjustment by AMO for goodwill or for Services rendered or not
rendered by AMO to a Cardholder, 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 AMO from Cardholders on Bank’s
behalf; (iii) applicable Discount Fees, and (iv) any other amounts
owed to or by Bank pursuant to this Agreement. See
Schedule 1.1
“Net Sales” shall mean Purchases,
less credits or refunds for Goods and/or Services, all as shown in
the Transaction Records (as corrected by Bank in the event of any
computational error), calculated each Business Day.
“Net Sales on Regular Revolving
Purchases” shall mean Regular Revolving Purchases, less
credits or refunds for Goods and/or Services, all as shown in the
Transaction Records (as corrected by Bank in the event of any
computational error), calculated each Business Day.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
“Net Sales on Promotional Program
Purchases” shall mean Promotional Program Purchases, less
credits or refunds for Goods and/or Services, all as shown in the
Transaction Records (as corrected by Bank in the event of any
computational error), calculated each Business Day.
“Norm Thompson” means Norm
Thompson Outfitters, Inc.
“On-Line Prescreen” shall mean a
process where an offer of credit is made to certain pre-qualified
Customers, in real time pre-approved manner, at the POS at the time
of a transaction.
“Operating Procedures” shall mean
Bank’s instructions and procedures regarding the Plan as
written by Bank and provided to AMO to be followed by AMO.
“Plan” shall mean the private
label credit card plan established and administered by Bank for
Customers by virtue of this Agreement which shall replace the
Crosstown Traders Program in its entirety.
“Plan Documents” shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“Plan Year” shall mean each
consecutive twelve (12) month period commencing on the Closing Date
(or the first day of the first full calendar month following the
Closing Date if the Closing Date is not the first day of a calendar
month) and each anniversary thereof.
“Point of Sale (or POS)” shall
mean the physical or electronic location at which transactions
(sales, credits, and returns) take place. This includes
but is not limited to a point of order entry or website (as
applicable).
“Prescreen Acceptance” shall mean
a POS process designed to recognize and activate Bank’s
pre-approved batch offers for Accounts for Customers.
“Program Agreement” shall mean the
WFNNB Program Agreement or any other agreement between AMO and a
Program Provider for the establishment and maintenance of private
label credit card services for the AMO Brands.
“Program Provider” shall mean
World Financial Network National Bank or any other Person that
provides private label credit card services to AMO for the AMO
Brands following the expiration of the Term of this Agreement (or
earlier termination in accordance with the terms hereof) pursuant
to a Program Agreement.
“Promotional Programs” shall mean
any special Cardholder payment terms approved by Bank (in the form
of an amendment) for certain Purchases, including without
limitation Deferred Programs and Equal Payment Programs. As of the
date hereof, there are no Promotional Programs. Promotional
Programs may be made part of this Agreement only by written
amendment.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
“Promotional Program Purchase”
shall mean a Purchase made under the terms of a Promotional
Program.
“Purchase” shall mean a purchase
of Goods and/or Services, including without limitation all
applicable taxes and shipping costs, with a specific extension of
credit by Bank to a Cardholder using an Account as provided for
under this Agreement. The term shall be interpreted to
include Regular Revolving Purchases as well as Promotional Program
Purchases unless the context of the reference clearly indicates
otherwise. Use of the term shall encompass purchases
from all AMO Businesses unless the context of the reference
dictates otherwise.
“Regular Revolving Purchases”
shall mean Purchases which are not subject to any Promotional
Programs.
“Sales Channels” shall mean those
certain sales channels (i.e., websites, catalogues, etc.) through
which AMO sells its Goods and/or Services under the AMO Brands
during the Term (and encompasses all AMO Businesses unless the
context of the reference dictates otherwise), which as of the
Closing Date include website and catalog. As a point of
clarification, this definition includes different or additional
sales channels that are part of AMO’s expansion of its
business under the AMO Brands as then constituted, if such
expansion does not include an entity other than AMO or a brand
other than an AMO Brand. For example: the opening of a retail
location (by AMO, or by its Affiliate or a franchisee or licensee
operating under an AMO Mark) through either (i) “organic
growth” or (ii) acquisition of the assets (but not the
ownership interest) of another business. (See also Section 3.14
regarding the internal development or acquisition of a business
that would be new to AMO’s business as then constituted or
that involves an entity other than AMO). However, the
ownership or operation by an AMO Affiliate of a business that is
substantially similar to that of AMO (at the then current point in
time) shall be considered an expansion of AMO for the purposes of
this Agreement and such business (and its owner entity) shall, at
Bank’s option, be included in this Agreement by
amendment.
“Service Standards” shall have the
meaning set forth in Schedule 2.1 (b).
“Term” shall mean the Initial Term
as defined in Section 9.1.
“Transaction Record” shall mean
the following, with respect to each Purchase or with respect to a
credit or return related to a Purchase (as applicable), and each
payment received by AMO from a Cardholder on Bank’s
behalf: (a) the Charge Slip or Credit Slip corresponding
to the Purchase, credit or return; or (b) a computer readable
tape/cartridge or electronic transmission containing the following
information: the Account number of the Cardholder, identification
of the AMO’s Sales Channel (location) where the Purchase,
credit or return was made (if applicable), 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 AMO prior
to completing the transaction; or (c) electronic record whereby AMO
or one of its Sales Channels electronically transmits the
information described in subsection (b)
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
hereof to a network provider (selected by AMO
at its expense), which in turn transmits such information to Bank
by a computer tape/cartridge or electronic tape or
transmission.
“Web (or Internet)” shall mean the
world-wide web internet network as generally understood in the
greater business community.
“Web Application” shall mean a web
based new Account application procedure made available by
Bank. See also Section 2.2 (d).
“WFNNB Program Agreement” means
the Private Label Credit Card Plan Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof, between Norm Thompson and World Financial Network National
Bank.
“WFNNB Account Portfolio Purchase/Sale
Agreement” shall mean that purchase agreement dated as of the
date hereof, by and between Bank (as seller), and World
Financial Network National Bank (as buyer) for the sale by Bank of
certain Accounts issued under the Crosstown Traders Program and the
Plan and the receivables related thereto (excluding Ineligible
Accounts).
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. The
terms “shall” and “will” have the identical
meaning (i.e., that something is compulsory and certain), and the
use of one versus the other is not to be interpreted as implying
less certainty or a sense of possibility or choice.
SECTION 2. THE PLAN
2.1
Establishment and Operation of the Plan/Conversion Plan
. (a) The Plan is established for the primary purposes
of providing Customer financing for purchasing Goods and/or
Services through AMO Brands. The Plan shall commence on
the Closing Date. 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 (but subject to
Section 2.7). Subject to Section 3.6 (d) and
Applicable Law, Bank shall determine the terms and conditions of
the Account to be contained in a Credit Card
Agreement. For clarification, prior to the Closing, Bank
has operated the Crosstown Traders Program and pursuant to this
Agreement, Bank will operate the Plan following Closing until the
Conversion or earlier termination of the Term on the terms set
forth herein, it being agreed that the intent of this Agreement is
for Bank to continue offering services to AMO, consistent with the
services provided under the Crosstown Traders Program as in effect
prior to the date hereof, until the Conversion or earlier
termination of this Agreement. Bank and AMO shall use
their commercially reasonable efforts to pursue completion of the
Conversion by October 31, 2008 in accordance with the Conversion
Plan set forth in Schedule 2.1(a) and the parties hereby agree that
to the extent any modifications to the Conversion Plan are required
to ensure the successful and efficient transition of a fully
operational private label credit card program consistent with the
Plan as operated hereunder to the Program Provider the parties
shall negotiate in good faith to implement such mutually
agreed-upon
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
modifications. In the event any
requests for enhancement or revisions to the credit Plan contained
in this Agreement would conflict with the timely completion of the
Conversion Plan, the Conversion Plan shall take
precedence. The parties shall dedicate sufficient
resources to the Conversion Plan as necessary to ensure its timely
completion.
(b) Bank
shall perform in accordance with the Service Standards. Bank will
provide AMO with a monthly summary of Bank’s performance
regarding the Service Standards, as set forth in Schedule 2.1
(b). Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
meet the Service Standards set forth in
Schedule 2.1(b). Bank shall provide eCS, and AMO
shall provide a weblink to the eCS. Regardless of
whether any Bank website related to eCS is the same as any
referenced in 2.2 (d) below, AMO shall be subject to the same
obligations and terms and conditions set forth therein with regard
to maintaining connections, use of Bank’s Mark, Applicable
Law, etc.
2.2
Applications for Credit Under the Plan; Internet Services
. (a) AMO shall not promote or participate in any
application by a Customer for financing the purchase of Goods
and/or Services other than for participation in the Plan as
provided in Section 3.11. Applicants who wish to apply
for an Account under the Plan must submit a completed application
on a form or in an electronic format approved by Bank, and Bank
shall grant or deny the request for credit based solely upon
Bank’s credit criteria. When facilitating any
method of application, AMO shall follow all applicable Operating
Procedures. The application shall be submitted to Bank by the
Applicant or submitted by AMO on behalf of the Applicant, as
required in the Operating Procedures. If Bank grants the
request for an Account, Bank will issue a Credit Card to the
Applicant to accesses an individual line of credit in an amount
determined by Bank.
(b) Bank
shall make available, and AMO shall utilize, as applicable, the
following application procedures as of the Closing Date: Batch
Prescreen Applications, Address Verification Service, Instant
Credit (Web and telephone based) and mail-in application
procedures. See also subsection (d) below
regarding the Web Application procedure. To the extent
the same are available under the Crosstown Traders Program as in
effect on the date hereof, the Bank further agrees to provide each
Cardholder with the ability to view its Account information and
billing statements online, make payments on such Cardholder’s
Account via automated clearing house transfer or other payment
mechanism approved by the Bank and send other secure
correspondence; obtain billing statements; set up personal credit
alert reminders; and request a credit line increase
on-line. Bank will make available the use of its smart
messaging system at no cost to AMO provided the messaging format
and volume are substantially similar to the Crosstown Traders
Program currently provided. See also clause (d)
below. Bank hereby represents that as of the date hereof
and as of the Closing Date, it does not provide On-Line Prescreen
services to the Crosstown Traders Program.
(c) Regarding
applications submitted in whole or in part by AMO, AMO agrees that
it will (i) protect and keep confidential any and all Applicant
information (which information shall be Bank Consumer Personal
Information) acquired as a result of participating in the
submission of any such applications, and not disclose the
information (except as required by Applicable Law or legal process)
to anyone other than authorized representatives of Bank,
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
and its representatives and agents, and (ii)
follow all Operating Procedures applicable to such Bank Consumer
Personal Information.
Bank shall make
available the Web Application procedure by establishing a website
for such purpose, which shall be accessible from AMO’s
website. AMO acknowledges that as of the date hereof,
such website has been established. Bank will maintain
and operate the website and Web Application procedure consistent
with past practices. AMO shall appropriately monitor its website to
ensure proper functioning. In the event Bank changes or
otherwise modifies the website address for its designated website,
AMO will either update or modify its website thereto, as directed
by Bank. In providing Web Application on the AMO
website, if appropriate, AMO shall make it clear and conspicuous
that the Customer is leaving AMO’s website and is being
directed to Bank’s website for the exclusive purpose of
accessing Bank’s website and submitting an application for
credit. AMO agrees that, in connection with the Web
Application, it will use Bank’s name, or any logo,
statements, or any other information that is related to Bank, only
as directed by Bank, or as previously approved by Bank in writing.
Without limiting the generality of the scope of required approvals,
but by way of example, AMO shall seek Bank’s approval not
only with respect to content, but also with respect to any
typestyle, color, or abbreviations used in connection with the Web
Application.
If Accounts opened
via Web Applications prove to be unprofitable to Bank, Bank shall
have the right upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to AMO to
propose that AMO pay Bank a certain fee related to Web
Applications. However, Bank shall not impose such fee if
within such thirty (30) days after receipt of Bank’s notice
setting forth the amount of such fee, AMO has rejected the fee and
proposed an alternative. However, Bank may choose to
discontinue Web Applications if the parties cannot agree upon a fee
or an alternative.
(d) Bank agrees that,
to integrate and maintain the webpage and to ensure access to the
Plan website and reduce technical errors, it will use commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that its software providing the link
will function, and continue to function, in a sound technical
manner. Bank hereby represents and warrants that as of the date
hereof and as of the Closing Date, its software providing the link
functions in a sound technical manner consistent with past practice
(including cooperating with Charming Shoppes of Delaware, Inc. in
performing its obligations related thereto as set forth in Appendix
A to that certain Transition Services Agreement to be entered into
between Charming Shoppes of Delaware, Inc. and AMO). AMO
branding style (including color, font and type size), marketing
content and marketing design format of the Plan website shall be
subject to approval by the parties. Bank shall
appropriately monitor the Plan website to ensure it is functioning
properly. AMO represents and warrants that, to integrate and
maintain the link, and to ensure access to the Plan website and
reduce technical errors, it will use its commercially reasonable
efforts to ensure that its software providing the link will
function, and continue to function, in a sound technical manner.
AMO shall appropriately monitor the link to ensure it is
functioning properly. In the event Bank changes or otherwise
modifies the website address for the Plan website, AMO will either
update or modify the link as reasonably requested by
Bank. AMO agrees that, in connection with the link, it
will only use Bank's name, or any logo, statements, or any other
information that is related to Bank, only in accordance with this
Agreement, or as approved in advance and in writing by
Bank. Bank shall ensure that the Bank's Privacy Policy
is clearly and prominently posted on the pages of the Plan
website.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
(e) Each party
represents and warrants to the other with respect to its Internet
site used to support the Plan as of the Closing Date and during the
Term of this Agreement that such party has the license, right or
privilege to use the hardware, software and content acquired from
third parties for use in its respective Internet website, and that
it is the owner (or licensee) of all hardware, software and content
used in its respective Internet website and that neither the
website as a whole, nor any part thereof, infringes upon or
violates any patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark, invention,
proprietary information, nondisclosure or other rights of any third
party.
2.3
Operating Procedures . Each of AMO and Bank shall
observe and comply with the Operating Procedures and such other
reasonable procedures as Bank may prescribe on not less than thirty
(30) days’ prior notice to AMO or otherwise required by
Applicable Law. The Operating Procedures may be amended
or modified by Bank from time to time in its reasonable discretion;
provided, however, unless such changes are required by Applicable
Law, a copy of any such amendment or modification shall be provided
to AMO at least thirty (30) days before its effective date, and for
those changes required by Applicable Law, notice shall be given as
soon as practicable. The initial Operating Procedures
are attached hereto as Schedule 2.3.
2.4
Plan Documents (Forms and Collateral)
. (a) Forms - General . Subject to
(b) below, Bank shall design, determine the terms and conditions
of, and generate the form of the Credit Card Agreement,
applications, Credit Card, card mailers, privacy notices, Billing
Statements (including backers), Cardholder letters, templates, and
other documents and forms to be used under the Plan
which (i) relate to the Plan, (ii) relate to Bank’s and/or
the Cardholder’s obligations, (iii) are used by Bank in
maintaining and servicing the Accounts; or (iv) are required by
Applicable Law (collectively, “Forms”). By
way of clarification, Bank’s responsibilities do not include
any obligations AMO may have as a retailer, such as creating the
form of Charge Slips and Credit Slips. All Forms shall
be in the English language only unless otherwise agreed by the
parties in writing, and there shall be only one design for each
Form as to each AMO Business (which are the five (5) identified on
Appendix A).
(b)
Forms - Conditions . The provisions of (a) above
are subject to the following conditions. First,
Bank’s actions are subject to Section 3.6 (d), Applicable
Law, and Section 2.10. Second, Bank and AMO shall
jointly design any Customer marketing aspects of Billing
Statements, Credit Cards, and card mailers.
(c)
Collateral . AMO may design and produce promotional
material, direct mail pieces, catalog, newspaper, radio and
Internet advertisements, and other collateral documents
(collectively, “Collateral”) which reference the
Plan. AMO shall submit all Collateral to Bank for its
review and approval of the Plan disclosures, as well as references
to the Plan and use of Bank Marks. Pursuant to this
review and approval process, AMO will make (or have made) all
changes that Bank requests to satisfy Applicable Law and/or in
exercising its rights under this Agreement promptly following such
request. Except as otherwise set forth in this
Agreement, AMO shall otherwise have sole discretion as to any
action with respect to any catalogue mailing or circulation.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
(d)
Bank’s Costs . Subject to subsection (e)
below, Bank will at its expense provide to AMO at one central
location, the template of any appropriate Forms.
(i) AMO
Re-issuances . AMO shall pay all costs related to any
re-issuance of Credit Cards to Cardholders that AMO requests or
that is necessitated by AMO’s decisions and/or actions
(collectively “AMO Re-issuances”). The costs
associated with an AMO Re-issuance include those of the card itself
(including all embossing and encoding), card mailers, envelopes,
Credit Card Agreements, other Forms, Collateral, and
postage. As a point of clarification, none of the
following constitutes an AMO Re-issuance: Bank’s replacement
(on an Account-by-Account basis) of lost or stolen Credit Cards,
expired Credit Cards, or in response to some other Cardholder
request.
(ii)
Variations from Bank’s Standards . If, in
Bank’s good faith determination, a request or requirement (as
applicable) of AMO with regard to any Plan Documents requires a
variation from Bank’s standard specifications, and such
variation causes an increase in any cost of Bank, the following
shall apply. First, Bank will advise AMO in writing of the variance
and provide a written estimate of the related cost
increase. Second, AMO shall thereafter notify Bank in
writing of its decision to forego the request, to modify the
request such that no cost increase is generated, or agree to bear
the additional expense. In the event any Forms become obsolete as a
result of changes requested by AMO or is reasonably necessitated by
its decisions and/or actions, AMO shall reimburse Bank for the
itemized and documented costs associated with any unused obsolete
Forms.
(iii)
Mass Mailings . As to any mass mailings requested
by AMO (including but not limited to catalog mailings, pre-approved
mailings, and zero balance mailings), AMO shall pay all costs of
such mass mailings.
2.5
Marketing and Promotion of Plan . (a) Throughout
the Term of this Agreement, AMO shall take commercially reasonable
steps to actively and consistently market, promote, participate in
and support the Plan in a manner consistent with past practices,
which may include, without limitation, those marketing promotions
set forth in Schedule 2.5 (a) and such other methods mutually
agreed upon by AMO and Bank. AMO and Bank will jointly
agree upon programs to market the Plan, both initially and on a
continuing basis. Once AMO and Bank agree upon standards for the
use of AMO Marks and Bank Marks, respectively, neither party will
deviate from such standards without express prior approval of the
other party. Bank must approve in advance AMO’s use of
Bank’s Marks and any references to the Plan. Any
cross-marketing agreements between AMO and Bank are subject to the
mutual agreement of the parties at a later date.
(b) Bank
shall contribute the amounts, if any, set forth in Schedule 2.5 (b)
to apply to marketing and promotion expenses associated with the
Plan. All of such funds shall be referred to herein as
the “Marketing Fund.” If the Marketing Funds
are not used in the Plan Year or other time period contributed,
they will roll over to the next Plan Year. AMO shall pay
all marketing and promotion expenses directly as they are incurred,
and, if any funds are then available in the Marketing Fund, shall
send Bank an invoice for the aggregate amount of
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
the expenditures mutually agreed upon by the
parties, together with copies of paid invoices or other supporting
documentation reasonably satisfactory to Bank for such
expenses. Bank shall then reimburse AMO (within 30 days
of Bank’s receipt of each individual’s reimbursement
request) until Bank’s maximum contribution amount for the
applicable Plan Year has been met. Bank shall have the
right to cease the availability of the Marketing Funds contributed
by Bank for any future marketing or promotions if either party: (i)
terminates this Agreement, (ii) notifies the other party of an
intent to terminate or the fact that the notifying party has
already terminated this Agreement, or (iii) notifies the other of
an intent to allow this Agreement to expire. However,
Bank shall renew the availability of the Marketing Funds for the
then current Plan Year on a retroactive basis under the following
circumstances. If, despite the occurrence
of (i), (ii), or (iii) but prior to this
Agreement’s expiration or termination, the parties renew this
Agreement and/or extend the expiration date by at least one (1)
year.
2.6
Administration of Accounts and Plan . Bank shall
perform, in compliance with Applicable Law, all functions necessary
to administer and service the Accounts, including but not limited
to: processing of applications; Credit Card production and
issuance; making all necessary credit investigations; notifying
Applicants in writing of acceptance or rejection of credit under
the Plan; preparing and mailing Billing Statements; making
collections; handling Cardholder inquiries; and processing
payments. Bank reserves the right to deny (or reverse)
an extension of credit for particular transactions in order to
comply with Applicable Law, which might include but not be limited
to prohibitions against transactions related to gambling.
2.7
Credit Decision . Subject to the other provisions
of this Section 2.7, the decision to extend credit to any
Applicant under the Plan shall be Bank’s
decision. Bank will work in good faith with AMO to
develop business strategies with respect to the issuance of Credit
Cards which are intended to maximize the potential of the Plan, and
which are mutually beneficial to AMO and Bank, provided the same
are generally consistent with the strategies utilized in connection
with the Crosstown Traders Program. In addition to
Promotional Programs, commencing February 1, 2009 AMO may from time
to time request Bank to consider offering certain other types of
special credit programs. Bank shall reasonably consider
AMO’s requests and negotiate with AMO in good
faith. However, Bank shall, in its sole discretion,
subject to Applicable Laws and its safety and soundness
considerations, determine whether or not to offer any of such
programs. In the event Bank agrees to any special credit
program, such agreement shall be documented in the form of a
written amendment, which amendment shall set forth any applicable
terms related thereto, including but not limited to fees associated
with the special credit program. The Bank hereby agrees
that in connection with the Plan it will continue to utilize
substantially similar credit criteria as it currently uses with
respect to the Crosstown Traders Program (which credit criteria are
attached as Schedule 2.7 hereto) and that it shall continue to
offer and maintain Accounts in a manner substantially consistent
with such credit criteria. Bank hereby represents that
the criteria attached as Schedule 2.7 accurately reflect the credit
criteria currently applied by Bank under the Crosstown Traders
Program and that Bank has no present intent to modify such
criteria. In addition, during the Term of this
Agreement, except as may otherwise be required to comply with
Applicable Law, Bank shall offer and maintain Accounts in such a
manner that would not impair the ability of Bank to consummate a
sale of the Accounts under the WFNNB Account Portfolio
Purchase/Sale Agreement (or after the termination of the
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
WFNNB Account Portfolio Purchase/Sale
Agreement under any other Account Portfolio Purchase/Sale
Agreement). Bank hereby agrees that unless Bank
determines, in its reasonable discretion (after consultation with
AMO) that continued usage of such credit criteria would have a
material adverse effect on the Bank’s ability to consummate a
sale of the Accounts under the WFNNB Account Portfolio
Purchase/Sale Agreement or unless otherwise required by Applicable
Law, it shall not amend, supplement or otherwise modify the
aforementioned credit criteria attached hereto as Schedule 2.7
unless Bank obtains AMO’s prior written consent.
2.8
Ownership of Accounts and Information . (a) The parties
recognize that Cardholders are Customers, and that each of Bank and
AMO has certain ownership rights in information relating to such
individuals in their respective roles as Cardholders and
Customers. The parties acknowledge that the same or
similar information may be contained in the Bank Cardholder
Information (defined below) and the AMO Customer Information
(defined below); such common information being referred to herein
as “Common Information”. Each such pool of
data shall therefore be considered separate information subject to
the specific provisions applicable to that data
hereunder. For example, in subsection (b) below Bank is
authorized to use AMO Customer Information only for certain limited
purposes. For illustrative purposes only, presume such
information included names of both Customers who were Cardholders
and non-Cardholder Customers. The names of those who were both
Customers and Cardholders would be Common Information. So, Bank
would not be limited by the terms of subsection (b) as to such
names. However, the names of non-Cardholder Customers would not be
Common Information, and thus would be subject to the limitations
set forth in subsection (b). Likewise, though subsection (c) below
limits what AMO can do with Bank Cardholder Information, such
limitations do not apply to that portion of Bank Cardholder
Information that is comprised of Common Information.
(b) The
Customer’s names and addresses and other Customer information
collected by AMO independent of Bank and set forth in AMO’s
records shall be the exclusive property of AMO; such information
and AMO’s Common Information shall be referred to
collectively as “AMO Customer Information”.
AMO Customer Information might or might not be comprised
exclusively of AMO’s Consumer Personal Information. As
requested by Bank, AMO shall provide the names and addresses of
Customers to Bank, to be used only for purposes of (i) evaluating
such Customer’s creditworthiness, (ii) soliciting such
Customers for Credit Cards, (iii) administering the Plan
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and Applicable Law.
Bank shall protect the confidentiality of such information as set
forth in Section 10.17.
(c) (i) The
Accounts and all information related thereto set forth in
Bank’s records, including without limitation the information
listed in Schedule 2.8, the information obtained through
applications, the receivables, names, addresses, credit, and
transaction information of Cardholders shall be the exclusive
property of Bank during the Term, and thereafter (unless the
Accounts are purchased by AMO or its designee pursuant to Section
9.5). Such information and Bank’s Common Information shall be
referred to collectively as “Bank Cardholder
Information”. Bank Cardholder Information might or might not
be comprised exclusively of Bank’s Consumer Personal
Information.
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
(ii) Bank
shall provide to AMO monthly one (1) master file extract, initially
containing the information set forth on Schedule 2.8 to the extent
such information is available to and may be shared by Bank, and
subject to change by Bank at any time. Bank shall also
provide to AMO any other Bank Cardholder Information agreed to by
AMO and Bank, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and
Bank’s privacy and security policies. AMO may use such
information in connection with maintaining and servicing the
Accounts; furthermore, AMO may use it to market its Goods and/or
Services or its business in general to the Cardholders, but in any
event only as permitted by Applicable Law. The parties
recognize that AMO’s efforts related to such approved
purposes might necessitate disclosure of Bank Cardholder
Information to AMO’s vendors and contractors. Such
disclosure shall be permitted, provided the third-parties agree in
writing to use the information only for the aforementioned approved
purposes and to protect the confidentiality of such information as
set forth in Section 10.17. Except as so provided,
unless Bank consents otherwise in advance and in writing, AMO shall
keep such Bank Cardholder Information confidential as set forth in
Section 10.17, and shall not disclose such information to any third
party nor sell, lease, or otherwise transfer such information to
any third party.
(iii) Notwithstanding
any provision herein to the contrary, except as may be necessary to
effectuate a conversion or sale of the Accounts under Section 9.5
as set forth below, at no time shall Bank have any right to use any
information relating to the Plan, the Accounts, the Customers or
the Cardholders (other than any such information which satisfies
any of clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 10.17(a)) for any
marketing purposes whatsoever other than with respect to the Plan
unless it shall have previously obtained AMO’s consent in
writing. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this
clause (iii) shall limit the ability of Bank to use such
information as may be required by Applicable Law. In
connection with a conversion or sale of the Accounts under Section
9.5, Bank or the purchaser of the Accounts shall be entitled to
market to the Cardholders any of the programs permitted in
connection with a wind up of the Plan under Section 9.5(b)(iii);
provided, however, that in so marketing the card, Bank and such
purchaser shall not be entitled to use any sales history or other
transaction history or other information obtained or related to the
usage of the Credit Card which occurred during the operation of the
Plan or the Crosstown Traders Program. For
clarification, once the Cardholders’ Accounts are converted
to non-AMO Accounts in accordance with Section 9.5, then such
Cardholders shall have an independent relationship with Bank and
Bank’s use of information obtained after the conversion date
not in violation of this Agreement, and so long as the same does
not constitute Confidential Information of AMO hereunder, shall not
be subject to the restrictions herein.
2.9
Protection Programs and Enhancement Marketing Services
. (a) Protection Programs . AMO and Bank agree
that Bank will have the exclusive right but not the obligation to
make available to Cardholders* various types of debt cancellation
and credit related protection programs (collectively referred to
herein as “Protection Programs”) offered by
Bank. Commencing February 1, 2009, Bank may but is not
obligated to offer such Protection Programs through direct
marketing channels including but not limited to telemarketing, call
transfer (of inbound calls to Bank and not inbound calls to AMO),
inbound customer service call offers (inbound calls to Bank and not
inbound calls to AMO), call to confirm programs,
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
IVR, and eCS. Bank also has the
right but not the obligation to make written offers through Billing
Statement bangtails and inserts Billing Statement messaging, and
direct mail. The fees for Protection Programs will be charged to
the applicable Cardholder’s Account. AMO will
assist Bank’s effort to offer Protection Programs so long as
such assistance will not require AMO to incur any direct expense or
cost. Bank shall have the right but not the obligation
to immediately terminate any Protection Programs if and when either
party: (i) terminates this Agreement, (ii) notifies the
other party of an intent to terminate or that the notifying party
has already terminated this Agreement, or (iii) notifies the other
of an intent to allow this Agreement to expire.
*Recognizing that, with regard to
non-Cardholder Customers who have specifically rejected an offer of
credit from Bank (or offer to apply for same), AMO has the right to
offer its own debt cancellation and credit related protection
programs and products.
(b) Pursuant
and subject to the provisions of this Section 2.9 (b) and Schedule
2.9 (b), commencing February 1, 2009, AMO shall have the right (but
not the obligation) to market to Customers products and services
which are not Protection Programs and which are sold to Customers
by third-party vendors of AMO and not AMO itself (collectively,
“AMO Enhancement Marketing Services”). AMO Enhancement
Marketing Services shall include, but not be limited to, travel
clubs, legal services, and merchandise. The parties
shall also adhere to the provisions set forth in Schedule 2.9
(b).
(c) Pursuant
and subject to the provisions of this Section 2.9 (c), AMO’s
rights under Section 2.9 (b) and Schedule 2.9 (b), and AMO’s
rights under this Section 2.9 (c) and Schedule 2.9 (c), commencing
February 1, 2009 Bank may (but is not obligated) to solicit
Cardholders, through solicitations made in connection with their
Accounts, those products and services (which are not Protection
Programs and not competitive with Goods and/or Services, or AMO
Enhancement Marketing Services, which shall be referred to herein
as “Bank Enhancement Marketing Services”); provided,
however, that Bank may not begin to market or sell any particular
AMO Enhancement Marketing Service without AMO’s prior written
approval of such AMO Enhancement Marketing Service (not to be
unreasonably withheld). It shall not be deemed unreasonable for AMO
to fail to provide such approval solely because AMO plans to market
competing Goods and/or Services or AMO Enhancement Marketing
Services. Bank Enhancement Marketing Services
may. include, but not be limited to, travel clubs, legal
services, and merchandise products. Bank may but is not obligated
to offer Bank Enhancement Marketing Services through direct
marketing channels including but not limited to telemarketing, call
transfer, inbound customer service call offers, call to confirm
programs, IVR and ECS. Bank also has the right but not
the obligation to make written offers through Billing Statement
bangtails and inserts, Billing Statement messaging, and direct
mail. Bank will notify AMO of proposed offers through direct mail,
telemarketing, statement inserts, and statement messaging prior to
execution. The charges for Bank Enhancement Marketing
Services will be billed to the applicable Cardholder’s
Account when appropriate. Bank shall have the right but
not the obligation to immediately terminate any Bank Enhancement
Marketing Services if and when either party: (x)
terminates this Agreement, (y) notifies the other party of an
intent to terminate or that the notifying party has already
terminated this Agreement, or (z) notifies the other of an intent
to allow this Agreement to expire. In addition, Bank shall also
adhere to the requirements set forth on Schedule 2.9 (c).
PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PLAN
AGREEMENT
2.10
Ownership and Licensing of the Party’s Marks
. (a) Subject to the other provisions of this
Agreement, AMO hereby grants to Bank a non-exclusive (except as to
branded credit account and card plans per Section 3.11),
non-transferable license to use the AMO’s Marks solely in
satisfaction of its duties, rights and obligations described in
this Agreement, including without limitation, using same in a