OPERATING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
PITNEY BOWES CREDIT CORPORATION
AND
PITNEY BOWES OFFICE SYSTEMS
DATED AND EFFECTIVE
AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2001
OPERATING AGREEMENT
THIS OPERATING AGREEMENT dated and effective as of September 4, 2001 is made by
and between PITNEY BOWES CREDIT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("PBCC"),
and PITNEY BOWES OFFICE SYSTEMS, INC. a Delaware corporation ("Office Systems").
WHEREAS, Office Systems is in the business, inter alia, of marketing certain
equipment, products or services to creditworthy entities; and
WHEREAS, PBCC is in the business, inter alia, of providing financing to third
parties for the acquisition of equipment by rental, lease or lease-purchase, and
PBCC and Office Systems have agreed to enter into a business relationship
pursuant to which PBCC will provide financing to selected customers of Office
Systems to facilitate each such customer's acquisition of Equipment by Lease;
and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth in this Agreement the definitive terms
and conditions on which PBCC will provide financing to Lessees through Office
Systems' account executives, customer service representatives and other
employees or agents ("Marketers").
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are acknowledged, and intending legally to be bound, Office Systems and
PBCC hereby agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION. (a) Unless the context otherwise
clearly requires, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth
below for all purposes of this Agreement:
"Acceptance Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
7(c) hereof.
"Aggrieved Party" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 23
hereof.
"Agreement" means this Operating Agreement between PBCC and Office Systems,
together with all exhibits and attachments hereto, as each may be supplemented
and amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Business Day" means any day of the week except Saturday, Sunday or any
statutory or civic holiday on which banks in New York, New York or Stamford,
Connecticut are permitted or required to close.
"Credit Request" means a fully completed request for financing under the
Financing Program, made by Office Systems on behalf of a customer of Office
Systems, and containing information relating to such customer's financial
status, credit history, form of organization and such other matters as may be
deemed necessary by PBCC to evaluate such customer's participation in the
Financing Program.
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"Defaulting Party" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 23
hereof.
"EMA Contract" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12(a)
hereof.
"Effective Date" means the later of the date set forth above and the date on
which all of the legal and regulatory conditions precedent to the separation of
Office Systems from Pitney Bowes Inc. have been satisfied.
"Equipment" means all of the items of equipment, firmware and software leased to
a customer of Office Systems pursuant to a Lease, as more fully described in
such Lease.
"Fair Market Value" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16
hereof.
"Financing Program" means the business relationship established by this
Agreement, whereby PBCC will be the primary exclusive provider of financing
for the acquisition by Lessees of Equipment, pursuant to the leasing programs
set forth in Exhibit B, which may be modified from time to time by mutual
agreement of the parties.
"LCR Purchase Price" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11
hereof.
"Lease" means each of the rental, lease or lease-purchase contracts, together
with all schedules, exhibits and attachments thereto, entered into from time to
time by PBCC, as lessor, and a customer of Office Systems, as lessee.
"Lessee" means each customer of Office Systems who obtains financing from PBCC
for its acquisition of Equipment pursuant to a Credit Request provided to PBCC
by Office Systems.
"Marketers" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereof.
"Responsible Officer" means an individual employee of a party who is
specifically authorized by such party to enter into agreements and make
decisions on behalf of such party. The parties acknowledge and agree that a
Responsible Officer may be authorized only to the extent that an agreement or
decision relates to a particular subject matter or for a limited dollar amount.
Each party shall designate in writing to the other the name of the designating
party's Responsible Officer(s).
"Standard of Conduct" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 22
hereof.
"Targeted Service Levels" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 19 hereof.
"Technical Services" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9
hereof.
"Termination Event" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 23
hereof.
"Transition Period" means, with respect to the performance of any of the
obligations of a party hereunder, the period from the Effective Date through
December 31, 2001 or such later date as the parties may agree is applicable to a
specific obligation.
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(b) The following rules of interpretation apply: (i) the term "including"
and its derivatives mean "including, without limitation" unless the context
clearly states otherwise; (ii) words importing the singular include the plural
and vice versa; (iii) words of the masculine gender shall be deemed to include
the correlative words of the feminine gender; (iv) words importing persons
include firms, associations, limited liability companies, partnerships, trusts,
corporations and other legal entities, including public bodies, as well as
natural persons; and (v) all references to a number of days mean calendar days,
unless expressly indicated otherwise.
2. TERM; RELATIONSHIP. (a) This Agreement will begin on the date set forth
above and will continue for a period of five years from the Effective Date,
unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms hereof or extended by
mutual agreement of the parties. Except as may be provided in Exhibit A hereto,
the terms of this Agreement will only apply to Leases entered into after the
Effective Date hereof.
(b) Either party may terminate this Agreement, effective as of any date
which falls not less than twelve months after the Effective Date, by giving not
less than three months prior written notice to the other of its election to so
terminate this Agreement.
(c) It is understood and agreed that at no time will this Agreement be
deemed to create a partnership, joint venture, syndication, employment contract
or any other relationship between the parties other than that of independent
contractors. Neither party shall have the power to obligate or bind the other
party. The parties agree that it is their intention that PBCC be the primary
exclusive provider of financing to customers of Office Systems during the term
of this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that PBCC shall have a right
of first refusal to offer financing to customers of Office Systems for all
Leases of Equipment, as well as for all other programs and services from time to
time offered by Office Systems; provided, however, that PBCC shall have no right
of first refusal with respect to financing extended to a customer who has an
alternative financing source other than PBCC and has requested that it receive
financing from such alternative source. Further, it is the intention of the
parties that the terms on which PBCC offers lease financing to prospective
Lessees, including, without limitation, the pricing, service standards, advances
with respect to charges for equipment maintenance, fees, charges, residual
values and credit approvals and rates, will, taken as a whole, be competitive
with those offered by other lessors financing similar equipment under similar
circumstances; provided, however, that anything to the contrary contained herein
notwithstanding, the failure of PBCC to offer competitive pricing as aforesaid
shall not constitute a Termination Event: (i) during the Transition Period; (ii)
unless the same is material with respect to the Financing Program; and (iii)
until such time as the Chief Executive Officers of Pitney Bowes Inc. and Office
Systems shall have conferred and been unable to reach a satisfactory resolution
with respect to the relevant issues.
(d) Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that: (i) it will use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Financing Program established by
this Agreement to be successful and mutually beneficial to both parties; (ii) it
will deal openly and fairly with the other party in good faith; and (iii) it
will cause its Responsible Officers to establish clear objectives and
responsibilities with respect to the Financing Program.
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3. EQUIPMENT. (a) The Equipment to be financed by PBCC pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement consists of copiers, multifunctional copiers and facsimile
machines, including those offered or sold by or through Office Systems, together
with related software, peripherals and system configurations, including trade-
ins, upgrades and other enhancements thereto or thereof, and such other products
and services as may from time to time be agreed in writing by PBCC and Office
Systems. Any such other products and services offered or sold by or through
Office Systems will be subject to the general terms and conditions of this
Agreement, but separate provisions relating to credit criteria, Lease terms and
pricing will be established by the parties with respect to the financing thereof
within sixty (60) days after Office Systems gives PBCC notice of its decision to
offer such other products and services.
(b) Upon request, PBCC may, in its sole discretion, extend the Financing
Program to include other vendors' equipment, products or services not otherwise
constituting "Equipment" but being acquired or refinanced simultaneously with
the Equipment. If Office Systems, through acquisition, expansion or otherwise,
engages in different or additional Equipment, service or product areas, PBCC
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to be the primary exclusive
provider of financing for all such activities pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, unless PBCC elects in writing not to do so.
(c) Prior to their execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties
had conducted business together pursuant to various programs that are superseded
by this Agreement. Annexed to this Agreement as Exhibit A are certain
provisions setting forth the agreement of the parties as to how they will
conduct their business during the Transition Period.
4. MARKETING; LEASE TRAINING. Office Systems will, from time to time, solicit
the interest of prospective Lessees in the Equipment. Office Systems' means of
solicitation may include, by way of example and not as limitation, the use of
mass mailing, direct marketing by its Marketers, web-enabled marketing, and the
use of third-party alliances. PBCC shall have no obligation to solicit Lessees.
Upon the request of Office Systems, PBCC will provide training in leasing and
financing alternatives to Office Systems' Marketers, on such terms and
conditions as may be determined by mutual agreement of the parties. All
marketing and promotional materials developed by the marketing group of Office
Systems and distributed to its sales force for use in connection with the
Financing Program, including sales materials provided to its Marketers, and
inserts to be included in Lessees' invoices, must be approved in advance by
PBCC. PBCC will have no liability with respect to the use by any Marketer of
any materials not approved by PBCC, nor any obligation to honor any commitments
purportedly incurred as a result of the use of such materials.
5. CREDIT REQUESTS; CRITERIA AND PRICING. (a) Upon Office Systems'
identification of a prospective Lessee, Office Systems will provide PBCC with a
Credit Request with respect to such Lessee, in form and substance satisfactory
to PBCC, containing all requested information relating to the prospective Lessee
and detailing the specific Equipment in which such Lessee has an interest. All
non-public information contained in any Credit Request will be held in
confidence by Office Systems and PBCC and will not be disclosed to any party
other than for the specific purpose of evaluating a prospective Lessee's
suitability for participation in the Financing Program. Except as otherwise
permitted by the terms of this Agreement, neither
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Office Systems nor PBCC will share any lists of unique prospective or actual
Lessees with any unrelated third party, or with any affiliate that competes
directly with the products or services offered by the other party, without the
prior written consent of the other.
(b) PBCC will, in its sole discretion, establish credit criteria for
evaluating the Lessees seeking financing under the Financing Program. All
Lessee Credit Requests will be reviewed promptly upon PBCC's receipt of all
requested information (which may include information concerning company
ownership, corporate structure and the like, in addition to credit information).
PBCC may from time to time enter into strategic alliances with other financing
sources that provide financing for lessees such as the Lessees, and PBCC may, at
its option, refer any Credit Request to such a financing source, it being
understood, however, that the referral of such Credit Request to such a
financing source shall not release PBCC from its obligations hereunder with
respect to such Credit Request and any financing furnished with respect thereto
nor shall it alter the rights and obligations of Office Systems with respect
thereto; provided, further, that PBCC may not refer any Credit Request to a
financing source that is a captive finance company of a competitor of Offices
Systems. Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by PBCC, all credit
approvals will expire sixty (60) days following the date of approval. Credit
Requests formally rejected by a Responsible Officer of PBCC in writing may be
restructured by Office Systems for resubmission to PBCC or may be submitted by
Office Systems, at its option, to a third party financing source.
(c) PBCC reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to
decline to provide financing to any prospective Lessee. By way of example and
not as limitation, PBCC may decline to provide financing to any Lessee (i) whose
Credit Request is incomplete in any respect, (ii) whose credit does not meet the
established criteria for the applicable level of financial exposure, (iii) that
fails or refuses to execute and deliver all required Lease or credit
documentation, or (iv) the financing of which may expose PBCC to additional
licensing or other regulatory requirements in any jurisdiction. Except for any
liabilities arising pursuant to Section 13 hereof, PBCC will have no liability
whatsoever for any loss, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by Office
Systems, any Marketer or any Lessee arising as a result of PBCC's denial of
financing to any Lessee.
(d) The pricing of each Lease will be determined by PBCC in its sole
discretion and may vary from time to time based on the term of the Lease or
other financing arrangement, the creditworthiness of the Lessee, the then-
prevailing interest rate environment, the estimated useful life and residual
value of the Equipment, transaction size and such other criteria as PBCC may
select. PBCC will provide Office Systems from time to time with a schedule
setting forth the current pricing criteria and Lease rates. PBCC may change its
pricing criteria and Lease rates at any time in its sole discretion, upon not
less than forty-five (45) days' prior written notice to Office Systems of any
such changes. PBCC will not knowingly structure the pricing of any Lease so
that the implicit rate thereunder would constitute a rate in excess of that
permitted by applicable law.
(e) PBCC covenants and agrees that, provided (i) no event of default
exists under any Lease between PBCC and a Lessee and (ii) such Lessee meets
PBCC's then applicable credit criteria for the applicable level of financial
exposure, PBCC will provide additional financing to
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such Lessee throughout the term of this Agreement, whether for new Equipment,
upgrades and/or replacements, all on terms acceptable to PBCC in its sole
discretion.
6. TRANSACTION FEES. PBCC may elect to impose on prospective Lessees certain
fees, as determined from time to time, including such items as credit review,
documentation, filing fees, loss waiver, and third party financing, which fees
must be commensurate with standard industry practices. All such fees will be
solely for the account of PBCC. PBCC will provide Office Systems with a
schedule detailing all such fees, which may be changed at any time in PBCC's
sole discretion upon not less than seventy-five (75) days' prior written notice
to Office Systems.
7. DOCUMENTATION. (a) All documentation to be used by Office Systems in
connection with the Financing Program will be provided by PBCC. Each Lease
shall: (i) except as otherwise prohibited by law, contain an evergreen clause
pursuant to which the term of the Lease shall automatically be extended from
time to time for additional one year periods unless the Lessee or PBCC gives
written notice to the other that the term will not be so extended not less than
sixty (60) days prior to the date as of which the Lease term is then scheduled
to expire; and (ii) make the Lessee responsible for any loss, damage or
destruction of the Equipment occurring after the delivery of the same to the
Lessee's site. Annexed to this Agreement as Exhibit C is a list of current
Financing Program documents. Unless specifically agreed in writing by PBCC, all
Leases will be documented as noncancellable ("hell-or-high-water") net leases,
with fixed terms of a length to be determined by PBCC and Office Systems for
each Equipment or product line, containing industry-standard terms and
conditions. The documentation will be in the name of PBCC as owner and lessor.
When Office Systems ceases to use the "Pitney Bowes" name, PBCC will modify the
form of Lease, the form of Acceptance Certificate and any other Financing
Program documents the preparation of which is its responsibility, at its
expense, as necessary to reflect a "private label" name selected by Office
Systems to be used exclusively by Office Systems and PBCC in connection with the
financing program, it being understood and agreed that PBCC's agreement to
modify such documentation will only apply to documentation relating to Leases
which are entered into after Office Systems gives PBCC notice of the "private
label" name so selected by Office Systems.
(b) Office Systems will prepare the Lease documents for execution by the
Lessee, using the forms provided by PBCC. In addition to the Lease, each Lessee
will be required to provide evidence of its authority to enter into the Lease,
evidence of the authority of the person signing on its behalf and, if requested
by PBCC, UCC-1 financing statements in favor of PBCC (or written consent to
PBCC's execution of such financing statements on the Lessee's behalf) and
evidence of acceptable insurance coverage naming PBCC as an additional insured
and loss payee, and PBCC shall be solely responsible, and shall use commercially
reasonable efforts, to obtain such documents. Office Systems shall have no
authority to make any substantive changes to the forms of Lease documents, and
PBCC will use commercially reasonable efforts to assist Office Systems in those
circumstances in which a Lessee seeks to negotiate any substantive terms and
conditions of the Lease. Only the forms of documentation provided by PBCC will
be accepted by PBCC for financing, and, unless specifically approved in advance
in writing by a Responsible Officer of PBCC, no agreement, document,
certificate, side letter or other communication (whether written or oral) that
alters in any way the standard terms and conditions
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of the Lease in any respect will constitute a part of the Lease, nor will PBCC
honor, or have any obligation whatsoever to honor, any such terms or conditions,
as so altered, and Office Systems will be solely responsible for any loss, cost
or expense that PBCC suffers or incurs as a result of the alteration of any such
terms or conditions not so specifically approved by PBCC.
(c) PBCC will prepare an acceptance certificate (the "Acceptance
Certificate") for execution by the Lessee upon satisfactory installation of the
Equipment by Office Systems or another authorized Equipment installer. The
Acceptance Certificate will evidence the Lessee's irrevocable acceptance of the
Equipment being financed. The term of the Lease will begin on the date set
forth as the "Lease Commencement Date" in such Acceptance Certificate. It is
the responsibility of PBCC to obtain the executed Acceptance Certificate from
the Lessee, and PBCC shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the
same, but Office Systems agrees that, upon request, it will use commercially
reasonable efforts to assist PBCC in obtaining such Acceptance Certificate.
8. PURCHASE DOCUMENTS; OWNERSHIP. (a) Upon the Lessee's execution of the
Lease and related documentation, PBCC may, at its option, enter directly into a
purchase agreement with the vendor of the Equipment (which may be Office Systems
or a third party vendor) or accept an assignment of an existing purchase
agreement between such vendor and either Office Systems or the Lessee. Each
such agreement will provide that title to the Equipment will pass from the
vendor directly to PBCC, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances
whatsoever, that the vendor will be relieved of all risk of loss, damage or
destruction of the Equipment once the Equipment has been installed and that PBCC
will be the beneficiary of all warranties made by the vendor of the Equipment.
(b) All right, title and interest in and to the Equipment financed by PBCC
shall be vested solely in PBCC as owner, free and clear of all liens, claims and
encumbrances whatsoever, and to the extent, if any, that any tax benefits may
accrue to an owner of equipment such as the Equipment, all of such benefits
shall be for the account of PBCC. In filing its tax returns and maintaining its
books and records, Office Systems shall take no position that is contrary to the
foregoing, nor shall it take or omit to take any action, which act or omission
results in the disqualification of any Equipment from, or the recapture of, or a
change in the time at which PBCC may claim, all or any portion of such tax
benefits. PBCC does not make, nor shall it be deemed to have made, any
representation or warranty to Office Systems with respect to the tax or
accounting treatment of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement.
9. INSTALLATION; MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. Office Systems will be solely
responsible for the timely and satisfactory delivery and installation of the
Equipment at the Lessee's site. From and after the delivery of the Equipment to
the Lessee's site and throughout the term of the Lease, any requests from the
Lessee for additional services to correct any installation or operating problems
and any requests for maintenance and/or repairs to the Equipment or any other
equipment leased in connection therewith (together, such installation,
operations, maintenance and/or repair, the "Technical Services") shall be the
sole responsibility of Office Systems, and PBCC shall have no liability
whatsoever to provide, or cause to be provided, nor shall it have any liability
in any way relating to the provision or performance of, any Technical Services
relating to the Equipment or to any other equipment leased in connection
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therewith. Office Systems agrees to provide, or cause its Marketers or other
authorized Technical Services providers to provide, any and all such Technical
Services to each Lessee upon request or in accordance with any Technical
Services contract entered into with respect to the Equipment. No failure of
Office Systems or any other party to provide Technical Services to any Lessee
shall entitle such Lessee to delay, withhold or otherwise offset or modify the
fixed payments of rent due under its Lease with PBCC.
10. INVOICES AND FUNDING Office Systems will provide, or if it is not the
vendor of the Equipment, will cause the vendor to provide, a detailed invoice in
PBCC's name describing the Equipment and the purchase price therefor (including
applicable taxes, if any) and certifying that all such Equipment has been
delivered to the Lessee, was inspected and installed to the Lessee's
satisfaction and is functioning in accordance with its published specifications,
as the same may be modified by specific agreement between the Lessee and Office
Systems. Upon receipt of the Equipment invoice, PBCC will remit the purchase
price of the Equipment directly to Office Systems or, if the Equipment is being
furnished by a vendor other than Office Systems, such other vendor, as directed
by Office Systems to an account established by Office Systems or such other
vendor, which account of Office Systems may be changed from time to time by
written notice from Office System's Responsible Officer to PBCC. The parties
will agree from time to time as to any additional compensation arrangements.
11. LEASE CANCELLATION REQUESTS. If, within thirty (30) days following the
payment by PBCC of the purchase price of any Equipment, the Lessee requests a
lease cancellation alleging missing, malfunctioning, nonconforming or
nonfunctioning Equipment, PBCC will give Office Systems written notice of such
fact containing: (i) such information with respect to the problem(s) raised by
the Lessee of which PBCC has received notice from the Lessee; and (ii) the LCR
Purchase Price, which shall be the amount that Office Systems will be required
to remit to PBCC should such the Lease be cancelled. Office Systems will have
twenty (20) Business Days from its receipt of such notice to correct such
Equipment deficiency to Lessee's satisfaction at Office Systems' own cost and
expense. If Office Systems fails or refuses to do so within such timeframe,
Office Systems will purchase the Equipment from PBCC for a purchase price (the
"LCR Purchase Price") equal to (i) the sum of (x) the amount paid by PBCC in
respect of the purchase price of the Equipment, (y) any additional compensation
paid by PBCC to Office Systems in respect of such Lease and (z) any EMA Contract
advances or other amounts paid by PBCC to Office Systems in respect of such
Lease, plus (ii) interest on such total amount for the number of days elapsed
----
between the date of funding and the date of such purchase, calculated at a rate
per annumagreed to from time to time by the parties, less (iii) any Lease
----
payments actually received by PBCC from the Lessee and permitted to be retained
by PBCC (i.e., not paid back, or required to be paid back, to the Lessee or paid
over to Office Systems), such amount to be paid no later than the tenth day
after the expiry of such twenty (20) Business Day period. Upon receipt of such
amount, PBCC will convey the Equipment to Office Systems on an "as is, where is"
basis, without recourse or warranty, other than as to the absence of liens
created by PBCC (other than the Lease, if Office Systems and the Lessee elect to
continue the Lease). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
if, within thirty (30) days following the payment by PBCC of the purchase price
of any Equipment, a Lessee
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requests the cancellation of a Lease for any reason, PBCC shall notify Office
Systems of such request and shall, upon the request of Office Systems, agree to
the cancellation of the Lease, whereupon Office Systems shall be required to pay
to PBCC the LCR Purchase Price within ten days after such cancellation, and
receipt of said payment shall be PBCC's sole and exclusive remedy for such
cancellation.
12. EMA CONTRACTS; ADVANCES BY PBCC. (a) If Office Systems and the Lessee
enter into a maintenance, service and supply contract (an "EMA Contract"),
Office Systems will, in the event that Office Systems requests PBCC to pay to
Office Systems the amount of EMA Contract charges payable under a Lease before
it actually receives the payment of EMA Contract charges from the Lessee, assign
to PBCC all of Office Systems' rights under the EMA Contract, but none of its
obligations. The Lease shall contain a provision which states that Lessee
acknowledges that PBCC is entitled to collect from the Lessee all amounts
payable by the Lessee under such EMA Contract. Each EMA Contract will set forth
in detail the nature and amount of any charges thereunder to be included on the
Lessee's invoice. All EMA Contract base charges will be invoiced together with
the Lessee's regularly scheduled Lease payments, either separately stated or
included as a component of the rent payment due. The failure of a Lessee to
make timely payment of any such EMA Contract charges will constitute a default
under both the EMA Contract and the Lease, as to which PBCC will have all of the
same rights and remedies that it has with respect to any other Lease default.
PBCC may charge the Lessee for late fees or interest on any unpaid EMA Contract
charges in accordance with the terms of the applicable EMA Contract or the
Lease, as applicable. Office Systems covenants and agrees that it will fully
perform all of its obligations under each EMA Contract.
(b) As an administrative convenience to Office Systems, PBCC agrees that,
during the term of this Agreement, Office Systems may invoice PBCC quarterly in
advance for an amount equal to the aggregate amount of EMA Contract charges
scheduled to be paid by a Lessee during such quarter, and PBCC will pay Office
Systems an amount equal to such aggregate EMA Contract charges. PBCC shall have
no obligation to pay Office Systems any such amounts with respect to any Lease
the rent payments or EMA Contract charges under which are 60 days in arrears at
the time such advance is scheduled to be made to Office Systems until such rent
payments or EMA Contract charges are brought current by the Lessee. Office
Systems shall, upon demand by PBCC, reimburse PBCC for any advances of EMA
Contract charges made to Office Systems by PBCC and not collected by PBCC from a
Lessee, and PBCC shall be entitled to set off the obligation of Office Systems
to reimburse PBCC for such advances against PBCC's obligation to make further
advances of EMA Contract charges hereunder, it being understood and agreed that
the provisions of this sentence shall survive the termination or expiration of
this Agreement. Following its advance to Office Systems of EMA Contract
charges under a Lease, PBCC will be entitled to retain all EMA Contract charges
received from a Lessee during the applicable quarter, together with any late
fees or interest thereon.
(c) The parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions of this Section
12 are subject to periodic review by PBCC and Office Systems as payment trends
and credit risks are identified in the portfolio of Leases originated and
financed hereunder.
13. INDEMNIFICATION. Office Systems shall indemnify and hold harmless PBCC,
its
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stockholders, officers, directors, representatives, and employees (each, an
"Indemnitee") from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings,
costs, expenses, damages and liabilities, including reasonable fees and expenses
of counsel, arising out of, connected with, or resulting from: (i) the breach by
Office Systems of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by it
or binding on it hereunder; (ii) the failure by Office Systems to perform its
obligations hereunder; (iii) the Equipment or any other equipment leased under
any Lease, including without limitation the manufacture, delivery, installation
or return to Office Systems of the Equipment or said equipment or otherwise on
account of any personal injury or death or damage to property occasioned by the
Equipment or said equipment; (iv) the negligence or misconduct of employees,
servants or agents of Office Systems, including any Marketer; (v) the provision
of, or failure of Office Systems, any Marketer or any other Technical Services
provider to provide, Technical Services with respect to the Equipment or said
equipment, as required by and in accordance with the terms of an EMA Contract;
or (vi) any infringement or alleged infringement of the intellectual property
rights of any third party occasioned by the operation of the Equipment or any of
said equipment ("Infringement"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligation
of Office Systems to indemnify PBCC for claims based on misrepresentation(s) by
an Office Systems' sales representative in the procurement of a Lease shall only
arise if: (i) a lawsuit based on such misrepresentation(s) is filed by a Lessee
against PBCC; or (ii) a defense based on such misrepresentation(s) is asserted
by a Lessee in a lawsuit brought by PBCC against such Lessee to enforce the
terms of the Lease. PBCC agrees to promptly notify Office Systems in writing of
any matters in respect to which the foregoing indemnity may apply, and Office
Systems shall be relieved of its obligations under this Section 13 to the extent
it is prejudiced by PBCC's failure to timely notify it of such matter. Office
Systems shall have the exclusive right to control and conduct the defense and
settlement of all such claims or actions. PBCC agrees to provide such
assistance, at Office Systems' expense, as may be reasonably required by Office
Systems in connection with such settlement or defense. If final judgment shall
be obtained enjoining PBCC's use or operation of the Equipment or equipment, as
the case may be, or any part thereof, by reason of such Infringement or, if in
Office Systems' opinion, the Equipment or equipment, as the case may be, is
likely to become subject to a claim of Infringement, Office Systems shall, at
its sole expense and option: (a) modify the Equipment or equipment, as the case
may be, so that it becomes non-infringing without materially altering its
capacity or performance; (b) procure for PBCC the right to continue to use the
Equipment or equipment, as the case may be: or (c) substitute for the infringing
Equipment or equipment, as the case may be, other equipment having a capability
equivalent to such Equipment or equipment. If Office Systems is unable to take
any of the measures specified in (a) through (c) above, then Office Systems
will remove the infringing Equipment or equipment, at its sole cost and expense,
and shall pay to PBCC the Fair Market Value thereof plus any applicable taxes.
Office Systems shall have no liability with respect to any such claim or action
to the extent caused by the combination, operation or use of the Equipment with
any equipment, device, or alteration to the Equipment not made or authorized in
writing by Office Systems. PBCC shall indemnify and hold harmless Office
Systems, its stockholders, officers, directors, representatives, and employees
from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings, costs,
expenses, damages and liabilities, including reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel, arising out of, connected with, or resulting from: (i) the breach by
PBCC of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by it or
binding on it hereunder; (ii) the failure by PBCC to perform its obligations
hereunder; or (iii)
10
any denial of financing to an applicant where such denial violates applicable
law. The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive the termination or
expiration of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as provided in Section 12(b) of this
Agreement, PBCC will have no recourse to Office Systems for any payment default
under any Lease; provided, however, that, with respect to all Lessees other than
Lessees under a Trade-Up Lease (as described below), Office Systems agrees to
indemnify PBCC for any loss (such loss to be the LCR Purchase Price) resulting
from a Lessee's failure to pay the first scheduled rent payment under its Lease
within sixty (60) days from the due date for such payment.
14. TRADE-UPS, SUBSTITUTIONS AND COMPETITIVE BUY-OUTS. (a) So long as no
event of default exists under an existing Lease (including a default under any
lease financed by PBCC on behalf of Office Systems prior to the Effective Date),
PBCC, at the request of a Lessee or Office Systems, may agree to certain
modifications to a Lease and the Equipment subject thereto. Such modifications
may involve (i) an addition to and/or modification of such Equipment,
accomplished by a change in size, capacity, utility, speed or power that shall
not require the removal of the original Equipment from Lessee's premises (a
"retained base in-place" or "RBI" trade-up; for purposes of this Agreement, a
"Trade-Up"), (ii) a deletion from or replacement of all or any portion of said
Equipment (a "pick-up" trade-up; for purposes of this Agreement, an "Equipment
Substitution"), or (iii) a purchase or substitution of equipment offered by a
competitive vendor in order to lease Equipment to the Lessee (a "Competitive
Buy-Out").
(b) Provided (i) no event of default exists under any Lease or other
agreement between the Lessee and PBCC and (ii) the Lessee meets the then
applicable credit criteria for the applicable level of financial exposure, PBCC
will enter into a new or amended Lease with such Lessee, on such terms and
conditions as may then be customary for financings under this Agreement. In the
case of Trade-Ups, any new Lease will include both the existing Equipment and
the Equipment provided pursuant to the Trade-Up. Should an existing lease cover
more than a single unit of equipment, the lessee shall have the option of adding
the equipment not provided pursuant to the Trade-Up or Equipment Substitution,
as the case may be, to the new Lease, or keeping it under the existing lease.
(c) Office Systems and PBCC will from time to time establish mutually
agreeable pricing criteria for Trade-Up Leases and Equipment Substitution Leases
to account for the inclusion in the new Lease of the remaining payments due
under the existing Lease and any EMA Contract charges, as well as the payments
due with respect to such Trade-Up or Equipment Substitution, as the case may
be. If a Lessee requests a Lease buy-out quotation from PBCC in order to
replace Equipment with equipment offered by a competitive vendor, PBCC will
notify Office Systems in writing via e-mail or facsimile within one (1) Business
Day of such request in order to enable Office Systems to take appropriate
marketing steps, and PBCC shall mail such buy-out quotation to Lessee five (5)
Business Days after Office Systems has received such notice from PBCC.
15. LEASE ADMINISTRATION. (a) As owner and lessor, PBCC will administer all
Leases financed pursuant to this Financing Program, including booking the Leases
on PBCC's lease
11
administration system, billing and collecting rents, monitoring collections and,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, reporting and remitting applicable
sales or use taxes (if any). PBCC will provide Office Systems with periodic
reports with respect to the Leases and the Lessees; attached as Exhibit D is a
list of such reports. Office Systems will provide PBCC with any information or
technical assistance reasonably deemed necessary by PBCC to effect the Lease
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to enable PBCC to administer the
Lease portfolio.
(b) Office Systems will have no right or obligation to administer any
Lease, to accept payments thereunder, to monitor collections or to exercise any
remedies upon a default. Office Systems will not purport to amend, alter,
modify, release, waive or discharge any term or condition of the Lease without
the prior written consent of a Responsible Officer of PBCC, which may be given
or withheld in PBCC's sole discretion, and any such action by Office Systems in
the absence of such consent shall be void and of no effect. During the term of
this Agreement, Office Systems will retain "query" and "view only" access to
PBCC's lease administration systems.
(c) PBCC may sell its portfolio of Leases to a third party provided: (i)
such third party is not a competitor or a captive finance company of a
competitor of Offices Systems; and (ii) the third party agrees to be bound by
the terms and conditions of this Agreement as they pertain to the Leases, which
terms and conditions shall remain in full force and effect as set forth herein;
provided, however, that if the Agreement is terminated by PBCC pursuant to
Section 2(b) hereof or by Office Systems pursuant to Section 24 hereof, PBCC
will give notice in writing to Office Systems of any definitive offer made by a
third party to purchase the portfolio during the six-month period following such
termination, such notice to be given within ten days after receipt by PBCC of
such definitive offer, and Office Systems or its designee shall have the right
to match the terms of the offer made by any such third party during the sixty-
day period following the receipt by Office Systems of such notice from PBCC by
submitting a definitive offer to purchase on the same terms as that previously
submitted by such third party during such sixty-day period. In the event Office
Systems or such designee, as the case may be, elects to match such definitive
offer, PBCC will sell the portfolio to Office Systems or such designee, as the
case may be, on the terms offered by such third party to PBCC. The terms of
clause (i) above shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement
unless this Agreement is terminated by PBCC pursuant to Section 24 hereof.
16. RIGHTS ON LESSEE DEFAULT. (a) Upon the occurrence of an event of default
under any Lease or any separate EMA Contract, PBCC shall have all of the rights
and remedies available to it as lessor or otherwise thereunder and under any
applicable law. PBCC will give Office Systems notice of any Lease as to which
PBCC intends to exercise its right to repossess the Equipment, and Office
Systems will have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase the Equipment
at the Fair Market Value thereof upon such repossession or the surrender thereof
by the Lessee plus any applicable taxes. The term "Fair Market Value" as used
in this Agreement means, as of the date on which the same is being calculated,
the greater of: (i) the book value of the Equipment; and (ii) the cash purchase
price (exclusive of any taxes) that would be obtained in an arms' length
transaction between a knowledgeable seller under no compulsion to sell and a
knowledgeable buyer (other than a used equipment dealer or a lessee in
possession) under no
12
compulsion to purchase.
(b) Following any such event of default, Office Systems will, at PBCC's
request and expense, arrange to deinstall, pack, insure and transport such
Equipment to Office Systems' facilities or such other location as PBCC shall
designate. Upon PBCC's request, Office Systems will store the Equipment at its
facilities, in the condition in which it was received from the Lessee's site,
without charge for a period ending on the day which falls thirty (30) days after
the later of: (i) the day on which PBCC has received written notice from Office
System that Office Systems will not purchase the Equipment; and (ii) the day on
which Office systems has received the Equipment at its facilities, and
thereafter PBCC shall pay to Office Systems storage charges at the rate of $2.50
per day per unit of Equipment. Office Systems will give written notice to PBCC
as to whether or not it will purchase the Equipment within twenty (20) Business
Days following its receipt of such Equipment at its facilities or its inspection
of the Equipment at such other location, whichever is earlier. The failure to
give such notice within such period shall be deemed to be an election to not
purchase the Equipment. If Office Systems elects to purchase the Equipment, it
will pay PBCC the Fair Market Value thereof (plus applicable taxes, if any)
within five (5) Business Days following its notice to PBCC of its election to
purchase the Equipment. If Office Systems does not exercise its right to
purchase the Equipment, it will continue to store such Equipment at the rate set
forth above for a period of 180 days.
17. END OF LEASE TERM. (a) PBCC will give Office Systems written notice of
the impending termination of each Lease not less than nine (9) months prior to
its scheduled termination date (the "EOL Date"). In addition to its customary
Lease administration duties, PBCC will initiate Lessee retention efforts no
earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the EOL Date and will advise Office
Systems of the results of such efforts. If prior to the EOL Date, the Lessee
does not elect to acquire the Equipment, extend the Lease or exercise such other
options as may be available to it under the terms of the Lease, PBCC will give
Office Systems notice of the availability of the Equipment for purchase, and
Office Systems will have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase the
Equipment on or after such EOL Date at the Fair Market Value thereof plus any
applicable taxes.
(b) At the end of the Lease term, Office Systems will, at PBCC's request and
expense, arrange to deinstall, pack, insure and transport such Equipment to
Office Systems' facilities or such other location as PBCC shall designate. Upon
PBCC's request, Office Systems will store the Equipment at its facilities, in
the condition in which it was received from the Lessee's site, without charge
for a period ending on the day which falls thirty (30) days after the later of:
(i) the day on which PBCC has received written notice from Office Systems that
Office Systems will not purchase the Equipment; and (ii) the day on which Office
Systems has received the Equipment at its facilities, and thereafter PBCC shall
pay to Office Systems storage charges at the rate of $2.50 per day per unit of
Equipment. Office Systems will give written notice to PBCC as to whether or not
it will purchase the Equipment within twenty (20) Business Days following its
receipt of such Equipment at its facilities or its inspection of the Equipment
at such other location , whichever is earlier. The failure to give such notice
within such period shall be deemed to be an election to not purchase the
Equipment. If Office Systems elects to purchase the Equipment, it will pay PBCC
the Fair Market Value thereof (plus applicable taxes, if any) within five (5)
Business Days following its notice to PBCC of its election to purchase the
Equipment.
13
If Office Systems does not exercise its right to purchase the Equipment, it will
continue to store such Equipment at the rate set forth above for a period of 180
days.
18. RENEWALS AND EXTENSIONS; REMARKETING. Following the Transition Period, all
Equipment remarketing will be the responsibility of PBCC, unless otherwise
agreed by the parties. To facilitate the development by PBCC of its remarketing
capabilities, the parties have agreed to provide for Office Systems to engage in
certain remarketing efforts with respect to any Leases whose terms are scheduled
to expire on or before December 31, 2001, all as more fully described in Exhibit
A hereto.
19. TARGETED SERVICE LEVELS. Each of the parties will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that the Financing Program contemplated by this
Agreement meets objective criteria established by the parties from time to time.
The Financing Program objectives and performance standards (the "Targeted
Service Levels") will be established by PBCC and Office Systems quarterly.
20. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PBCC. PBCC represents and warrants to
Office Systems as follows:
(a) Due Organization. PBCC is a corporation duly organized and validly
----------------
existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, is and will
remain duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each other
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its
property requires it to be so qualified, and has the corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as currently conducted, to execute, deliver
and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) Authorized and Binding Obligations. This Agreement constitutes the
----------------------------------
duly authorized, legal, valid and binding obligation of PBCC, enforceable
against PBCC in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting
creditors' rights and remedies and by the application of equitable principles
and remedies.
(c) Litigation. There is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding by
----------
or before any court, arbitrator, administrative agency or other governmental
authority pending or, to the knowledge of PBCC, threatened against or affecting
PBCC which, if adversely determined, could have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, business or operations of PBCC or its ability to perform
under this Agreement.
(d) No Breach or Violations. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
-----------------------
do not, and the performance of and compliance with the terms and provisions
hereof will not, (i) constitute a breach or violation of the terms, conditions
or provisions of, nor constitute a default under or conflict with, the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of PBCC or any terms, conditions or
provisions of any promissory note, lease, indenture or other agreement or
instrument, stay, injunction, award or decree of any governmental body,
administrative agency or court to which PBCC is a party or by which PBCC or its
property may be bound or (ii) violate any provision of any law or administrative
regulation applicable to, or any court decree issued with respect to,
14
PBCC. Neither PBCC nor any of its employees or agents has taken any action or
omitted to take any action, the taking or omission of which would constitute
fraud or a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or any similar law in
any applicable jurisdiction.
21. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF OFFICE SYSTEMS. Office Systems
represents and warrants to PBCC as follows:
(a) Due Organization. Office Systems is a corporation duly organized and
----------------
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, is
and will remain qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each other
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its
property requires it to be so qualified, and has the corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as currently conducted, to execute, deliver
and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) Authorized and Binding Obligations. This Agreement constitutes the
----------------------------------
duly authorized, legal, valid and binding obligation of Office Systems,
enforceable against Office Systems in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other
laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies and by the application of
equitable principles and remedies.
(c) Litigation. There is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding by
----------
or before any court, arbitrator, administrative agency or other governmental
authority pending or, to the knowledge of Office Systems, threatened against or
affecting Office Systems which, if adversely determined, could have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition, business or operations of Office
Systems or its ability to perform under this Agreement.
(d) No Breach or Violations. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
-----------------------
do not, and the performance of and compliance with the terms and provisions
hereof will not, (i) constitute a breach or violation of the terms, conditions
or provisions of, nor constitute a default under or conflict with, the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Office Systems or any terms,
conditions or provisions of any promissory note, lease, indenture or other
agreement or instrument, stay, injunction, award or decree of any governmental
body, administrative agency or court to which Office Systems is a party or by
which Office Systems or its property may be bound or (ii) violate any provision
of any law or administrative regulation applicable to, or any court decree
issued with respect to, Office Systems.
(e) Lessee Documents. As a continuing representation throughout the term
----------------
of this Agreement, with respect to each transaction from time to time proposed
by Office Systems hereunder, (i) all EMA Contract documents are accurate and
complete, and all modifications, waivers, releases, special terms,
understandings, amendments and/or agreements (written or oral) between Office
Systems and the Lessee, or made by Office Systems to the Lessee, or in any way
whatsoever relating to the Lease, the Lessee, the EMA Contract, the Credit
Request or the Equipment, have been fully disclosed and provided to PBCC; (ii)
as of the date set forth in the Office Systems invoice to PBCC, the Equipment
described in the Lease has been delivered to the Lessee and has been installed;
(iii) neither Office Systems nor any of its employees or agents has taken any
action or omitted to take any action, the taking or omission of which would
constitute
15
fraud or a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or any similar law in
any applicable jurisdiction; (iv) upon payment in full of the purchase price of
the Equipment to Office Systems or its designee, PBCC shall have full legal and
beneficial title to such Equipment, free and clear of all liens, claims and
encumbrances, other than the leasehold interest of the Lessee under the Lease;
(v) Office Systems has performed and, provided that a Lessee is not in default
under any Lease or any EMA Contract, will continue to perform, in all material
respects, its obligations under each EMA Contract except to the extent that
Office Systems' failure to perform is not material and would not adversely
affect PBCC's rights and interests under any Lease, and no event of default by
Office Systems exists under any EMA Contract which would adversely affect PBCC's
rights and interests under any Lease; and (vi) to the best knowledge of Office
Systems, no Credit Request contains an untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading.
22. STANDARD OF CONDUCT. PBCC shall perform its obligations hereunder in
accordance with applicable law and with standards and procedures customarily
used by other prudent persons in the business of originating, servicing and
administering assets similar to the Leases and, to the extent consistent with
such terms, in the same manner in which, and with the same care, skill, prudence
and diligence with which, it originates, services and administers leases of
similar credit quality for itself or others, if any, but in any event, with no
less care, skill, prudence and diligence than the customary and usual standards
of practice of prudent institutional small and middle ticket equipment finance
lease companies and, in each case, taking into account its other obligations
hereunder (the "PBCC Standard of Conduct"). Office Systems shall perform its
obligations hereunder in accordance with applicable law and with standards and
procedures customarily used by other prudent persons in the business of selling
and servicing Equipment and, to the extent consistent with such terms, in the
same manner in which, and with the same care, skill, prudence and diligence with
which, it sells and services Equipment for itself or others, if any, but in any
event, with no less care, skill, prudence and diligence than the customary and
usual standards of practice of prudent institutional small and middle ticket
equipment sales companies and, in each case, taking into account its other
obligations hereunder (the "PBOS Standard of Conduct"). (the PBOS Standard of
Conduct and the PBCC Standard of Conduct are collectively referred to herein as
the "Standard of Conduct")
23. TERMINATION EVENTS. Upon the occurrence of any of the following events
(each, a "Termination Event") and whether any such Termination Event shall be
voluntary or involuntary or come about or be effected by operation of law or
pursuant to or in compliance with any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body, the
non-defaulting party (as the case may be, the "Aggrieved Party") may elect to
terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 24 hereof:
(a) a party (the "Defaulting Party") fails to comply with the applicable
Standard of Conduct and such failure continues unremedied for a period of twenty
(20) days (or such longer period as determined by the Aggrieved Party) after the
date on which written notice of such failure describing the nature of such
failure and requesting the same to be remedied shall have been given to the
Defaulting Party by the Aggrieved Party; or
(b) the Defaulting Party fails to meet the Targeted Service Levels for two
(2) consecutive
16
fiscal quarters; or
(c) the Defaulting Party fails to observe or to perform in any material
respect any of its other covenants or agreements set forth herein, which failure
shall (i) materially and adversely, in the reasonable judgment of the Aggrieved
Party, affect the rights of the Aggrieved Party hereunder or under any Lease and
(ii) continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days (or such longer period
as determined by the Aggrieved Party) after the date on which written notice of
such failure requesting the same to be remedied shall have been given to the
Defaulting Party by the Aggrieved Party; or
(d) the Defaulting Party fails generally to pay its debts as they become
due; or its dissolution, termination of existence, or discontinuance of
business; or the insolvency, business failure or appointment of a receiver of
any part of such party's property, or an assignment by such party for the
benefit of creditors, or the commencement by or against it of any proceedings
under any bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement laws and, in the case of any
involuntary proceedings, the continuance of such proceedings unstayed and in
effect for sixty (60) days, or the assumption of custody or control by any court
of competent jurisdiction over any substantial portion of the Defaulting Party's
property, and the same remaining in force unstayed or unterminated for sixty
(60) days; or
(e) the Defaulting Party (i) enters into any transaction of merger or
consolidation or any commitment with respect thereto, unless it is the surviving
corporation, after giving effect to such merger or consolidation, its tangible
net worth is equal to or greater than that which existed immediately prior to
the merger or consolidation and the ratio of its debt to tangible net worth is
not greater than that which existed immediately prior to the merger or
consolidation and the person with whom it merges or consolidates is not a
competitor of the other party; (ii) sells, transfers, or otherwise disposes of
all or substantially all of its assets; (iii) permits any substantial change in
the ownership or control of its capital stock; or (iv) changes the form of
organization of its business.
24. REMEDIES; WAIVERS. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Termination Event (and
following any grace period applicable thereto), the Aggrieved Party may
terminate this Agreement by giving the Defaulting Party not less than thirty
(30) days' written notice, whereupon all rights of such Defaulting Party under
this Agreement (other than such rights as shall have already vested hereunder),
whether with respect to the Leases, the Equipment or otherwise, shall terminate
without further action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party shall be
entitled to all amounts payable to it under this Agreement accruing prior to the
date of termination of this Agreement and Office Systems shall be entitled to
receive EMA Contract charges accruing after the date of termination of this
Agreement with respect to Leases entered into during the period commencing on
the Effective Date and ending on the date of termination of this Agreement at
any time thereafter, the Aggrieved Party may proceed by appropriate court
action, either at law or in equity, to enforce performance by the Defaulting
Party of the applicable covenants of this Agreement or to recover damages for
the breach thereof and may exercise any and all other rights accruing to it
under any applicable law upon a default by a contracting party.
(b) Either party may waive in writing any default by the other in the
performance of its
17
obligations hereunder and its consequences. Upon any such waiver of a past
default, such default shall cease to exist, and any Termination Event arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been remedied for every purpose of this
Agreement. No such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or
impair any right consequent thereon.
(c) Neither party shall be liable one to the other, for any special,
indirect, incidental, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages (including
without limitation loss of profits) arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement, the Equipment and servicing thereof.
25. NOTICES; RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS. (a) Any demand, notice or instruction to
be given hereunder shall be in writing and addressed to the applicable party at
the address stated on the signature page of this Agreement, or at such other
address as such party may designate from time to time by written notice given in
accordance with this Section 25. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, notices hereunder shall be deemed given and effective (i) if
personally delivered, upon delivery, (ii) if sent by overnight rapid-delivery
service with tracking capabilities, upon receipt; (iii) if sent by facsimile,
telex, telecopier, or electronic mail, at such time as the party that sent the
notice receives confirmation of receipt by the applicable method of transmittal,
or (iv) if sent by certified or registered mail, within five (5) days of deposit
in the mail.
(b) Each of the parties will designate to the other in writing the names of
one or more Responsible Officers who have authority to act on its behalf,
specifying the extent of such authority and any restrictions thereon.
26. GOVERNING LAW; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. (a) THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS, AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS, WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF ANY STATE.
(b) THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREE THAT ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE
MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL DIRECTED TO THE ADDRESSES SET FORTH ON THE SIGNATURE
PAGE HEREOF AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETE UPON RECEIPT
THEREOF. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY HAVE BASED ON
FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED
--------------------
HEREUNDER AND CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF DEEMED
APPROPRIATE BY A COURT. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 26 SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHTS OF
THE PARTIES HERETO TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW
OR AFFECT ANY PARTY'S RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE COURTS OF
ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER
18
SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT, OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH,
RELATED TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. INSTEAD, ANY DISPUTE INVOLVING
THIS AGREEMENT RESOLVED IN COURT SHALL BE RESOLVED IN A BENCH TRIAL WITHOUT A
JURY.
27. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts
and by the parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so
executed, shall be deemed to be an original; such counterparts, taken together,
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
28. SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement that is determined by
competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will,
as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction will not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby waives any
provision of law which renders any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable
in any respect.
29. ASSIGNMENT; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement shall be binding
upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, and no other party shall be entitled to rely
on this Agreement as a third party beneficiary hereof; provided, that this
Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder are not assignable by Office
Systems without the prior written consent of PBCC, which may be given or
withheld in PBCC's sole discretion. This Agreement shall not create in favor
of, nor give to, any third party, any claim or right of action against Office
Systems or PBCC. PBCC may sell, assign, encumber, securitize or otherwise
transfer to any party who is not a competitor of Office Systems any or all of
its interest in the Equipment, any Lease, any EMA Contract, and the payments due
thereunder, subject to the rights of Office Systems pursuant to this Agreement.
30. SURVIVAL. All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
or any document or certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in
connection herewith or therewith will survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, and any terms or conditions of this Agreement which by their express
terms extend beyond the termination or expiration of this Agreement or which by
their nature shall so extend shall survive and continue in full force and effect
after any termination or expiration of this Agreement, including, but not
limited to, Sections 12(b), 13, 15(c) and 36 Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, each party shall be entitled to all amounts payable to it under
this Agreement accruing prior to the date of termination or expiration of this
Agreement, as the case may be and Office Systems shall be entitled to receive
EMA Contract charges accruing after the date of termination or expiration of
this Agreement, as the case may be, with respect to Leases entered into during
the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on such date of
termination or expiration.
31. NO WAIVER. No delay or failure by either party to exercise or enforce at
any time any right or provision of this Agreement shall be considered a waiver
thereof or of such party's right thereafter to exercise or enforce each and
every right and provision of this Agreement. Any waiver of any right hereunder
in a specific circumstance shall not be deemed a waiver of that
19
right in any other circumstances or a waiver of any other right. A waiver to be
valid shall be in writing but need not be supported by consideration.
32. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS. This Agreement constitutes the entire, full
and complete agreement between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter
hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and negotiations. The terms of this
Agreement shall not be waived, altered, modified, amended, supplemented or
terminated in any manner whatsoever except by a written instrument signed by
PBCC and Office Systems.
33. ATTORNEYS' FEES. If either party hereto institutes an action or other
proceeding to enforce any rights arising under this Agreement, the party
prevailing in such action or other proceeding shall be paid all reasonable costs
and attorneys' fees by the opposing party, such fees to be set by court and not
by jury.
34. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The parties shall execute any further or additional
instruments and they will perform any acts that may become necessary in order to
effectuate and carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
35. HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of the several sections of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Agreement. The terms and conditions hereof have been negotiated by the parties
hereto, and in interpreting this Agreement, no rule of construction that any
ambiguity shall be resolved against a drafting party shall apply.
36. PUBLICITY; CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) Each of the parties agrees that any press
release or other public announcements regarding this Agreement shall not be made
without the prior written consent of the other (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as required by law, in which case the
other party shall be consulted, to the extent reasonably practicable, as to the
content and timing of such release, announcement or statement to be issued.
(b) In the performance of this Agreement, the parties may disclose to the
other non-public, confidential and proprietary information ("Protected
Information") relating to PBCC's or Office Systems' credit criteria, marketing
strategy, transaction structuring, pricing guidelines, financial information,
internal costs and expenses or similar non-technical information considered by
PBCC or Office Systems, respectively, to be of significant commercial value to
it. To maximize the benefit derived by the parties through sharing in one
another's Protected Information, each of the parties agrees that at all times,
both during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, it will protect the
other's Protected Information from unauthorized dissemination (which shall
include dissemination to a party's parent, subsidiary or affiliate) and use with
the same degree of care that it uses to protect its own like information, and
with not less care than is required by the applicable Standard of Conduct. Each
of the parties shall be responsible for compliance by its directors, officers,
employees and agents with the provisions of this Section 36(b). Each of PBCC
and Office Systems may use the other's Protected Information solely for the
purpose of effecting the Financing Program as set forth in this Agreement and
for no other purpose. "Protected Information" includes confidential or
proprietary information developed, created or discovered by, for or on behalf of
a party, or which became or becomes known by or is conveyed
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to such party, which has or may have commercial value to such party in the
conduct of its leasing business.
(c) The provisions of this Section 36 shall survive the termination or
expiration of this Agreement.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the execution of this
Operating Agreement by their respective duly authorized representatives as of
the date set forth above.
PITNEY BOWES CREDIT CORPORATION
By: __________________________________________
Name: Bret Thomas
Title: President - Global Credit Services
Address and Fax No. for Notices:
27 Waterview Drive
Shelton, CT 06484
Attn: ____________________
Fax: _____________________
PITNEY BOWES OFFICE SYSTEMS
By: ____________________
Name: __________________
Title: _________________
Address and Fax No. for Notices:
100 Oakview Drive
Trumbull, CT 06611
Attn: ___________________
Fax: ____________________
Exhibit A - Transition Period Agreement
Exhibit B - Current Leasing Programs
Exhibit C - List of Financing Program Documents
Exhibit D - Required Reports
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EXHIBIT A
[TRANSITION PERIOD AGREEMENT]
Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, the terms of the Agreement will
take effect on 9/4/01, with the following exceptions:
. All leases in PBCC's existing portfolio for Office Systems equipment which
expire on or prior to December 31, 2001 will be subject to the existing "buy-
back" arrangement in order to give PBCC an opportunity to develop its
remarketing capabilities. All such leases expiring thereafter will be subject
to the terms of Section 17 of this Agreement.
. Advance funding of EMA Contract charges will commence as systems issues with
both parties are resolved, such resolution to occur no later than November 1,
2001. PBCC's IT Department anticipates that the programming will be completed
within sixty days after the date Office Systems provides a complete test
file.
. PBCC will provide a phase-in schedule for continuous improvement of credit
application response time by 9/30/01.
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EXHIBIT B
[CURRENT LEASING PROGRAMS]
. Programs
. 90 Day cash conversion
. Cancel/Supercede - 90 days maximum
. Competitive trade-in
. Cost per copy lease
. Marketing Opportunities such as participation in sales incentive trips will
continue to be provided to Office Systems personnel.
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EXHIBIT C
[LIST OF FINANCING PROGRAM DOCUMENTS]
. Required in connection with all Leases
. Credit Application
. Lease Agreement
. Required for Leases in excess of $100,000
. Lessee financial statements
. Required on an as-needed basis
. Competitive Buy-Out Addendum
. "Water" letter
. UCC-1 Financing Statement
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EXHIBIT D
[REQUIRED REPORTS]
.
. Reports to Office Systems
. 18 months or less, by District
. Monthly Reports
. Statistical Overview
. Marketing Programs
. Adds/Terms
. Trade Up Success Tracking
. Special report requests agreed to by both parties
. Cycle time reports for lease acceptance turnaround
. Reports to PBCC
. Leasable Sales
. Special report requests agreed to by both parties
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Operating Agreement - Pitney Bowes Credit Corp. and Pitney Bowes Office Systems
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