GUARANTY AGREEMENT between THE EDUCATION RESOURCES INSTITUTE, INC. and CHARTER ONE BANK, N.A.
CONFIDENTIAL
MATERIALS OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION.
ASTERISKS
DENOTE OMISSIONS.
|
Exhibit
99.10
between
THE
EDUCATION RESOURCES INSTITUTE, INC.
and
CHARTER
ONE BANK, N.A.
This
Guaranty Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of this 25th day of March,
2004, by and between The Education Resources Institute, Inc. ("XXXX"), a private
non-profit corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General
Laws with its principal place of business at 00 Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, and Charter One Bank, N.A., (the “LENDER”), a
national banking association organized under the laws of the United States
and
having a place of business located at 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx
00000, and a student loan department located at 000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX
00000.
WHEREAS,
XXXX is in the business of providing financial assistance in the form of loan
guaranties to and on behalf of students enrolled in programs of higher education
and their parents at XXXX-approved schools; and
WHEREAS,
the LENDER is willing to make Loans to eligible Borrowers under the Program,
and
XXXX is willing to guaranty the payment of principal and interest against the
Borrowers' default or certain other events as more fully described below, in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, XXXX
and
the LENDER agree as follows:
Section
1: DEFINITIONS
As
used
in this Agreement the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
1.1 |
“Borrower”
shall mean the person, or all persons collectively, including all
students, cosigners, coborrowers, guarantors, endorsers, and accommodation
parties, who execute a Promissory Note individually or, in the case
of
multiple Borrowers, severally and jointly, for the purpose of obtaining
funds from the LENDER under the
Program.
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1.2 |
“Custodian”
shall mean U.S. Bank National Association, its successors and
assigns, in
its capacity as Depository Institution under the Security Agreement
of
even date herewith and as Bank under the Control Agreement of
even date
herewith (together, “Security Documents”), or a successor custodian
(alternative Depository Institution or Bank, as the case may
be) appointed
in accordance with the Security
Documents.
|
1.3 |
"Due
Diligence" shall mean the utilization by the LENDER of policies,
practices
|
and
procedures in the origination, servicing and collection of Loans that comply
with the standards set forth in the Program Guidelines and that comply with
the
requirements of federal and state law and regulation.
1.4 |
“FMC”
shall mean The First Marblehead Corporation, a Delaware corporation
located at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xx., 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX
00000.
|
1.5 |
“Guaranty
Claim” shall mean a claim by the LENDER to XXXX for a guaranty payment
with respect to a Loan pursuant to Section 2.1 of this
Agreement.
|
1.6 |
"Guaranty
Event" shall mean any of the following events with respect to
a
Loan:
|
a.
|
failure
of a Borrower to make monthly principal and/or interest payments
on a Loan
when due, provided such failure persists for a period of one hundred
eighty (180) consecutive days,
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b.
|
the
filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to a Borrower,
or
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c.
|
the
death of a Borrower.
|
For
Loans
on which the Borrower is two or more persons, none of the above, with the
exception of paragraph b., shall be a Guaranty Event unless one or more such
events shall have occurred with respect to all such persons. The foregoing
notwithstanding, if a Borrower files a petition in bankruptcy pursuant to
Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and does not seek a discharge of the
affected Loan(s) under 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8)(B) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the
LENDER at TERI's request will withdraw its guaranty claim unless or until one
of
the other Guaranty Events shall have occurred with respect thereto.
1.7
|
"Loan"
shall mean a loan of funds, including all disbursements thereof,
made by
the LENDER to a Borrower under the
Program.
|
1.8
|
“Loan
Origination Agreement” means the agreement of that name between LENDER and
XXXX dated as of March 25, 2004, as it may be amended from time to
time.
|
1.9
|
“Note
Purchase Agreement” means the agreement of that name between LENDER and
FMC dated as of March 25, 2004, as it may be amended from time to
time.
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1.10
|
“Program”
shall mean the Charter One Start Education Loan Program, as more
fully
described in the Program
Guidelines.
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1.11
|
"Program
Guidelines" shall mean the Charter One Start Education Loan Program
Guidelines attached hereto as Exhibit A, and all changes thereto
as
provided in Section 6 hereof. The Program Guidelines (a) consist
of the
Program Overview, the XXXX Underwriting, Origination and Loan Term
Guidelines, the Servicing Guidelines, and Program Borrower Documents
(consisting of the forms of Promissory Note and Truth in Lending
Disclosure) and (b) are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by
reference
and made a part hereof.
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1.12
|
"Promissory
Note" shall mean a promissory note executed by a Borrower evidencing
a
Loan, in the form attached hereto as part of the Program Guidelines
or as
approved pursuant to Section 3.2
below.
|
1.13
|
“Securitization
Transaction” shall mean and refer to (a) a purchase of Loans guaranteed
hereunder by a special purpose entity (“SPE”) formed by FMC, which
purchase is funded through the issuance of debt instruments or other
securities by such entity, the repayment of which is supported by
payments
on the Loans or (b) any other transaction whereby a Loan is transferred
from the LENDER to FMC or one of its
affiliates.
|
1.14 |
“Security
Documents” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
1.2.
|
Section
2: GUARANTY
OF LOANS
2.1
|
XXXX
hereby guarantees to the LENDER, unconditionally except as set forth
in
Section 2.2 below, the payment of 100% of the principal of and accrued
interest on every Loan as to which a Guaranty Event has occurred.
“Accrued
interest" shall mean interest accrued and unpaid to the date of payment
in
full by XXXX of a Guaranty Claim, less any interest that shall have
accrued after the filing of a Guaranty Claim but before XXXX shall
have
received all the documentation necessary to process the Guaranty
Claim as
set forth in the Program Guidelines. XXXX will use all reasonable
efforts
to make payment on its guaranty within sixty (60) days, and will
in any
event make payment within ninety (90) days, of receipt by XXXX of
a
Guaranty Claim from the LENDER stating the name of the Borrower and
the
type of Guaranty Event that has occurred accompanied by the full
claim
documentation required in the Program
Guidelines.
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2.2
|
TERI's
guaranty is conditioned upon the
following:
|
a.
|
The
LENDER must have filed its Guaranty Claim within the time period
and
following the procedures specified in the Program
Guidelines.
|
b.
|
The
LENDER and its predecessors in interest must at all times have exercised
Due Diligence with respect to the Loan in question (or shall have
cured
any failure to exercise Due Diligence under the reinstatement provisions
in Section 2.4 hereof and the Program Guidelines), and must have
complied
with all other requirements of the Program Guidelines applicable
to the
Loan.
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c.
|
The
LENDER shall have paid to XXXX the Initial Guaranty Fee (as defined
in
Section 3.3.a. below) for the Loan in question, and shall have paid
to the
Custodian any Subsequent Guaranty Fee (as defined in Section 3.3.b.
below)
for the Loan in question that is due and payable as provided in Section
3.3.b. below.
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d.
|
XXXX
must have received from the LENDER the original Promissory Note relating
to the Loan in question, enforceable against the Borrower (except
as
provided in this Section 2.2.d., below), endorsed to XXXX in such
manner
as to transfer to XXXX all rights in and title to such Promissory
Note,
free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, and of all defenses,
counterclaims, offsets, and rights of rescission that might be raised
by
the Borrower. Submission of a Guaranty Claim to XXXX shall constitute
the
LENDER's certification that the conditions of 2.2.b. and 2.2.d. have
been
met, and XXXX is entitled to rely on such
certification.
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Subsections
2.2.b. and 2.2.d. above notwithstanding, if a Loan that is the subject of a
Guaranty Claim was originated by XXXX on behalf of the LENDER pursuant to a
Loan
Origination Agreement between the parties, (i) XXXX will not deny the LENDER's
Guaranty Claim on such Loan if the sole basis for denial is a violation of
the
Program Guidelines or a violation of Massachusetts or federal law committed
by
XXXX in the origination process, and (ii) XXXX will have no recourse against
the
LENDER in the event that TERI’s actions or omissions in the origination process
shall have given rise to a successful defense in favor of the Borrower in a
suit
on the Promissory Note relating to such Loan.
2.3
|
TERI's
guaranty obligation with respect to any Loan shall not be terminated
or
otherwise affected or impaired (i) by the LENDER’s granting an extension
of time to the Borrower to make scheduled payments, or by any other
indulgence the LENDER may grant to the Borrower, provided that all
extensions and other indulgences meet the forbearance standards and
other
requirements of the Program Guidelines; or, Section 2.2.d. above
notwithstanding, (ii) because of any fraud in the execution of the
Promissory Note relating to such Loan, (iii) because of any illegal
or improper acts of the Borrower, or (iv) because the Borrower may
be
relieved of liability for such Loan due to lack of contractual capacity
or
any other statutory exemption.
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2.4
|
XXXX
may deny the LENDER’s Guaranty Claim on any Loan on the grounds of Due
Diligence deficiencies. If XXXX properly denies the LENDER’s Guaranty
Claim on any Loan on the grounds of Due Diligence deficiencies, the
LENDER
may thereafter require that XXXX reinstate the guaranty of such Loan
if
(a) the LENDER corrects such deficiencies and receives four (4)
consecutive full on-time monthly payments from the Borrower, according
to
any schedule permitted by the Program Guidelines, and if at the time
of
the LENDER’s request the Borrower is within thirty (30) days of being
current on all principal and interest payments on such Loan, or (b)
the
LENDER satisfies any other method of cure set forth in the Program
Guidelines.
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2.5
|
TERI's
guaranty hereunder is a continuing and absolute guaranty of payment
and
not merely of collection, covering Loans made in accordance herewith
either (i) prior to termination of this Agreement, or (ii) based
upon
applications received by the LENDER prior to such termination; and
such
termination shall not affect TERI's obligations to the LENDER then
existing, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, then
due or
thereafter to become due.
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2.6
|
XXXX
agrees not to exercise any right of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity,
contribution or the like against the Borrower of any Loan unless
and until
all of TERI's obligations to the LENDER under this Agreement with
respect
to such Loan have been satisfied in full, except to the extent that
it is
deemed a valid claimant as a contingent creditor, for example, under
Title
11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), or applicable
state
law.
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2.7
|
XXXX
will permit the LENDER, any duly designated representative of the
LENDER,
or any governmental body having jurisdiction over the LENDER (subject
to
written notice being provided to XXXX by the LENDER, identifying
the
requesting party and the date of the review), to examine and audit
the
books and records of XXXX pertaining to the Loans, at any time during
TERI's regular business hours, provided that in the case of examinations
by the LENDER or its representative, absent good cause (i) XXXX must
be
given ten (10) business days' prior written notice and, (ii) no more
than
one such audit may be conducted with respect to any twelve-month
period or
will take place in any twelve-month period. In no event will any
audit be
performed during July, August, September, or October in any year
except at
the request of a regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the
LENDER.
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2.8
|
XXXX
will indemnify the LENDER and hold it harmless from and against any
loss,
cost, damage or expense that the LENDER may suffer as a result of
claims
to the extent they arise out of TERI's breach of this Agreement and
do not
arise out of the LENDER’s actions or omissions. "Expense" includes,
without limitation, the LENDER’s reasonable attorney's fees. XXXX will
further indemnify the LENDER and hold it harmless from and against
any
claim brought against the LENDER by any Borrower based on actions
or
omissions of the LENDER that were mandated under the Program
Guidelines.
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2.9
|
Although
the LENDER agrees not to use any loan servicer not approved by XXXX,
the
LENDER acknowledges that TERI's approval of a servicer is in no way
an
endorsement of such servicer and that XXXX shall have no liability
to the
LENDER for any losses arising from such servicer's failure to comply
with
Due Diligence or the Program Guidelines or applicable law, nor shall
XXXX
be required to honor any claim submitted by such servicer if the
claim
does not comply with the requirements of this
Agreement.
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Section
3: OBLIGATIONS
OF THE LENDER
3.1
|
In
originating, servicing, disbursing, and collecting Loans, the LENDER
will
comply, and cause its servicer and others acting on its behalf to
comply,
at all times with all Program Guidelines (including Due Diligence
requirements) and all applicable requirements of federal and state
laws
and regulations.
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3.2
|
The
LENDER will use Promissory Notes, Loan applications, disclosure
statements, and other forms mutually agreeable to the parties. The
forms
of Promissory Notes, Loan applications and disclosure statement attached
hereto as part of the Program Guidelines are agreed to be satisfactory
to
both parties. Without limiting the generality of Sections 3.1 and
4.1, the
LENDER warrants the conformity of such instruments and any agreed
successors thereto with all applicable legal requirements, other
than
those of federal and Massachusetts laws and regulations, and XXXX
warrants
their conformity with Massachusetts and federal laws. In addition,
upon
TERI’s request, the LENDER will submit to XXXX sample copies of
promotional and marketing materials used in connection with the Program.
No such delivery of materials shall constitute or be construed as
a
representation or warranty by XXXX that such materials comply with
applicable law or with the LENDER’s obligations under this Agreement, and
no such delivery shall excuse the LENDER’s performance of any of its
obligations under this Agreement.
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3.3
|
The
LENDER will pay a guaranty fee for each Loan (the "Guaranty Fee")
as
follows:
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a.
|
At
the time of each disbursement of the Loan, the LENDER will promptly
remit
to XXXX [**]
of
the principal amount of the Loan disbursed (the “Initial Guaranty
Fee”).
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b. |
At
such times as are set forth in Schedule 3.3 attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, such additional fees as are set
forth in
the fifth and sixth columns of Schedule 3.3 (“Subsequent Guaranty
Fee”).
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i. |
If
the terms of Schedule 3.3 call for any Guaranty Fees to be paid concurrent
with the Securitization Transaction, the LENDER shall pay such fees
directly (and be reimbursed in the Securitization Transaction to
the
extent provided in the Note Purchase
Agreement).
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ii. |
In
the event that a Guaranty Claim is made with respect to a Loan before
a
Subsequent Guaranty Fee is scheduled to be paid by the LENDER for
such
Loan, the Subsequent Guaranty Fee shall become immediately due and
payable.
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iii. |
In
the event that a loan is prepaid in full prior to the date that a
Subsequent Guaranty Fee is scheduled to be paid by the LENDER for
such
Loan, the Subsequent Guaranty Fee shall nevertheless become due and
payable at the time that would have applied if such prepayment had
not
occurred. For example, if a Subsequent Guaranty Fee is due at the
time of
a Securitization Transaction and a Loan is prepaid before it is eligible
for Securitization, then the Subsequent Guaranty Fee with respect
to such
Loan shall become due at the first Securitization Transaction in
which
such Loan would have been eligible for inclusion, had prepayment
not
occurred.
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iv. |
In
the event that FMC fails to purchase any Loan under the Note Purchase
Agreement, and the LENDER sells such Loan to a third party, the Guaranty
Fees due with respect to such loan at the time of a Securitization
Transaction will instead be paid by the LENDER at the time the loan
is
sold to the third party.
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c.
|
Failure
to remit any Guaranty Fee within thirty (30) days of the time set
forth
above will not affect the validity of the guaranty for any Loan for
which
the Guaranty Fee has already been paid in full, but, as a result,
XXXX
will have the right, at its discretion to (i) void its obligation
to
guarantee or collect the Loan to which such Guaranty Fee relates
or (ii)
collect the amount of any such Guaranty Fee and to add interest at
the
rate of [**] percent ([**]%) per annum from the disbursement date of
the Loan to which such Guaranty Fee relates, plus any costs (including
attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by XXXX in collecting or attempting
to collect such Guaranty Fee from the
LENDER.
|
d.
|
Anything
in the Program Guidelines to the contrary notwithstanding, if the
LENDER
is required under the terms of a Promissory Note to refund all or
part of
the Guaranty Fees identified above to a Borrower, XXXX will refund
all or
part of the Initial Guaranty Fee it has received and the Custodian
will
refund all or part of any Subsequent Guaranty Fee it has received
(in each
case related to the refund to such Borrower) to the LENDER upon being
so
advised by the LENDER in writing.
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3.4
|
If
XXXX shall have purchased a Loan pursuant to Section 2.1 above, the
LENDER
will promptly repurchase such Loan upon request from XXXX if (i)
XXXX
succeeds, after purchasing the Loan, in obtaining from the Borrower
three
full consecutive on-time monthly payments, according to any schedule
permitted by the Program Guidelines, provided that on the date such
repurchase, the Borrower is within thirty (30) days of being current
on
his or her payments on such Loan, and provided further that this
repurchase obligation may be invoked by XXXX only once as to any
Loan (in
which case, the Loan shall be considered “rehabilitated”); or (ii) if XXXX
should determine that the Loan does not meet the conditions set forth
in
subsections b., c. and d. of Section 2.2 above. With respect to the
repurchase of any Guaranteed Loan pursuant to this Section 3.4, the
repurchase price shall be equal to (1) the remaining unpaid principal
balance of such Loan, plus (2) any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon.
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3.5
|
To
the extent permitted by applicable law, the LENDER will (i) deliver
to
XXXX such reports, documents, and other information concerning the
Loans
as XXXX may reasonably require, and (ii) permit independent auditors,
authorized representatives of XXXX and governmental agencies, if
any,
having regulatory authority over XXXX, to have access to the operational
and financial records and procedures directly applicable to Loans
and to
the LENDER's participation in the Program. LENDER will cause its
loan
servicer to deliver to XXXX such reports, documents, and other detailed
information concerning each Loan as XXXX may reasonably require.
LENDER
shall provide a monthly report containing the information set forth
on
Exhibit B hereto at LENDER’s actual cost, if any. Any other reporting or
information shall be provided upon TERI’s agreement to reimburse LENDER
for its incremental cost of such report.
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3.6
|
LENDER
will indemnify XXXX and hold it harmless from and against any loss,
cost,
damage or expense that XXXX may suffer as a result of claims to the
extent
they arise out of the LENDER's breach of this Agreement, and do not
arise
out of TERI’s actions or omissions. The LENDER will similarly indemnify
XXXX with respect to any defenses arising from the LENDER’s violation of
or failure to comply with any law, regulation or order, or any term
of
this Agreement, that may be raised by a Borrower to any suit upon
a
Promissory Note. "Expense" includes, without limitation, TERI's reasonable
attorney's fees.
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Section
4: REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
4.1
|
Each
party represents and warrants to the other that its execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement are within its power and authority,
have
been authorized by proper proceedings, and do not and will not contravene
any provision of law or such party's organizational documents or
by-laws
or contravene any provision of, or constitute an event of default
or an
event which, with the lapse of time or with the giving of notice
or both,
would constitute an event of default, under any other agreement,
instrument or undertaking by which such party is bound. Each party
represents and warrants that it has and will maintain in full force
and
effect all licenses required under applicable state, federal, local
or
other law for the conduct of all activities contemplated by this
Agreement
and comply with all requirements of such applicable law relative
to its
licenses and the conduct of all activities contemplated by this Agreement.
This Agreement and all of its terms and provisions are and shall
remain
the legal and binding obligation of the parties, enforceable in accordance
with their terms subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws. The warranties
given herein shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.
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4.2
|
The
parties acknowledge that XXXX is not an insurer or reinsurer and
the
LENDER expressly waives all claims it might otherwise have under
applicable law were XXXX to be held by any court or regulatory agency
to
be acting as an insurer or reinsurer hereunder. The only obligations
of
XXXX to the LENDER shall be those expressly set forth
herein.
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Section
5: MISCELLANEOUS
5.1
|
Neither
party is or will hold itself out to be the agent, partner, or joint
venturer of the other party with regard to any transaction under
or
pursuant to this Agreement.
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5.2
|
Each
party's respective rights, remedies, powers, privileges, and discretions
("Rights and Remedies") shall be cumulative and not exclusive. No
delay or
omission by either party in exercising or enforcing any of its Rights
and
Remedies shall operate as to constitute a waiver of them. No waiver
by a
party of any default under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver
of any
subsequent or other default under this Agreement. No single or partial
exercise by a party of any of its Rights and Remedies shall preclude
the
other party of further exercise of such Rights and Remedies. No waiver
or
modification by a party of the Rights and Remedies on any one occasion
shall be deemed a continuing waiver. A party may exercise its various
Rights and Remedies at such time or times and in such order of preference
as it in its sole discretion may determine. In no event will either
party
be liable to the other for special, incidental, or consequential
damages,
including but not limited to lost profits, even if advised in advance
of
the possibility of the same, or for punitive or exemplary
damages, provided
that such exclusions shall not apply to the indemnification against
an
award of such damages pursuant to a third party
claim.
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5.3
|
This
Agreement (including the Program Guidelines and all exhibits and
schedules
hereto), together with (i) the Security Documents and (ii) the Loan
Origination Agreement, of even date herewith, between XXXX and the
LENDER
((i) and (ii) together, the “Ancillary Agreements”), represents the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
This Agreement, together with any contemporaneous contract concerning
credit analysis and the Ancillary Agreements, supersedes all prior
communications whatsoever between the parties relative in any way
to Loans
or the LENDER’s participation in the Program. This Agreement may be
modified only by written agreement of the parties hereto, except
as may
otherwise be set forth herein.
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5.4
|
Any
determination that any provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal,
or
unenforceable in any respect shall not affect the validity, legality,
or
enforceability of such provision in any other instance and shall
not
affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of any other provision
of
this Agreement.
|
5.5
|
Each
of the parties will timely implement, if it has not already, and
will
maintain, a reasonable disaster recovery plan. Subject to the foregoing,
no party hereto shall be responsible for, or in breach of this Agreement
if it is unable to perform as a result of delays or failures due
to any
cause beyond its control, howsoever arising, and not due to its own
act or
negligence and that cannot be overcome by the exercise of due diligence.
Such causes shall include, but not be limited to, labor disturbances,
riots, fires, earthquakes, floods, storms, lightning, epidemics,
wars,
hostilities, terrorist acts, civil disorder, expropriation or confiscation
of property, failure or delay by carriers, interference by civil
and
military authorities whether by legal proceeding or in fact and whether
purporting to act under some constitution, decree, law or otherwise,
acts
of God and perils of the sea.
|
5.6
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to the conflict
of
laws provisions thereof.
|
5.7 |
This
Agreement will be binding on the parties' respective successors and
assigns. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 5.7, this
Agreement
may not be assigned by either party without the other’s written consent.
|
a. |
The
LENDER may, without TERI’s consent, assign any Loan, together with the
provisions hereof as applicable to such Loan, to another entity
participating in the Program, or to an SPE formed by the LENDER,
in each
case upon written notice to XXXX.
|
b. |
XXXX
specifically acknowledges that FMC or an SPE sponsored by FMC is
expected
to purchase some or all of the Loans, and this Agreement shall inure
to
the benefit of FMC or any such SPE upon such purchase. No notice
of such
purchase or consent to the assignment of the LENDER’s rights under this
Agreement in connection with a purchase of some or all of the Loans
by FMC
or any SPE sponsored by FMC shall be
necessary.
|
c. |
In
assigning any Loan and its rights under this Agreement relating to
such
Loan in accordance with Section 5.7(a), (i) the LENDER’s written notice to
XXXX must be made within thirty (30) days after said assignment and
must
identify each Loan to which such assignment relates, and (ii) XXXX
will
fully cooperate with any Securitization Transaction or other sale
of a
portfolio of Loans, provided it is given thirty (30) days advance
written
notice of the date that information or documents are required of
it and
provided that its reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred
in
connection with such transaction are reimbursed by the seller of
such
Loans.
|
d. |
Except
for any assignment hereunder to FMC or any SPE sponsored by FMC in
connection with a purchase of Loans as described in subsection b.
above,
no assignment of Loans or the LENDER’s rights hereunder without TERI’s
express written consent shall release the LENDER from any liability
to
XXXX under this Agreement arising out of the LENDER’s ownership of such
Loans (whether arising prior to, as a result of or after the sale
of such
Loans by the LENDER) including, without limitation, the LENDER’s
obligation to pay any unpaid Guaranty Fees and to repurchase Loans
pursuant to Section 3.4.
|
e. |
The
Lender acknowledges that XXXX has outsourced or subcontracted
some or all
of its administrative functions, including but not limited to
the
processing of guarantee claims, to First Marblehead Education
Resources,
Inc. In addition, the Lender acknowledges that XXXX has subcontracted
and
may hereafter subcontract any administrative obligations necessary
or
convenient to XXXX to perform its obligations hereunder, and
that such
subcontracts do not and shall not require the consent of the
LENDER. Such
outsourcing or subcontracting shall not relieve XXXX of its obligations
under this Agreement.
|
5.8
|
Notice
for any purpose hereunder may be given by any means requiring receipt
signature, or by facsimile transmission confirmed by first class
mail. In
the case of XXXX, notices should be sent to its President, and if
by fax,
to (000) 000-0000. In the case of the LENDER, notices should be sent
to
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Charter One Bank, Student Lending Dept., 000 Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx, XX 00000, and if by fax, to 000-000-0000. Either party may
from
time to time change the person, address or fax number for notice
purposes
by formal notice to the other
party.
|
5.9
|
For
the Charter One Start Education Loan Program, XXXX has established
a
system of risk-based pricing based on tiered guaranty fees and/or
tiered
interest rates that correspond to the actual risk of lending to borrowers
with lesser creditworthiness (“Risk-Based Pricing”) The Risk-Based Pricing
system is set forth in the Program Guidelines attached hereto and
Schedule
3.3 hereto. XXXX bases Risk-Based Pricing upon the projected net
cost of
defaults, which XXXX believes provides business justification for
the
pricing levels set forth in the Risk-Based Pricing it has offered
to
LENDER. Any representation or warranty of compliance with federal
or state
law made by XXXX in this Guaranty Agreement, or the Loan Origination
Agreement between the parties of same date, that may relate to Risk-Based
Pricing does not extend beyond the pricing actually included in the
Program Guidelines attached hereto.
|
Section
6: CHANGES
TO PROGRAM GUIDELINES
The
parties agree that the Program Guidelines will need to be updated and modified
from time to time to respond to changed conditions. The parties intend to make
such modifications in a manner that does not interfere with the ordinary
advertising and origination cycle for education loans. Amendments necessary
to
meet state or federal regulatory requirements may be made at any time. With
respect to all other changes, the parties shall exchange requests for
modification of the Program Guidelines, including without limitation any
requested changes to the provisions of the Program Guidelines concerning the
Guaranty Fees, in the first part of the first calendar quarter of each year.
Each party shall respond in writing to proposals from the other within thirty
(30) days, and both parties will attempt to resolve any differences within
thirty (30) days after receiving a response to a request. All modifications
must
be mutually acceptable. Any modifications approved by the parties and not
requiring system adjustments by the LENDER's loan servicer shall take effect
within thirty (30) days after approval. Modifications requiring system
adjustments by the LENDER's loan servicer shall take effect as soon after
approval as such servicer shall be able to adjust its systems to accept loans
made on the modified terms, and the LENDER agrees to take such actions as are
reasonably necessary to ensure that such servicer adjusts its systems as
promptly as practicable. The parties shall use their best efforts to conclude
all negotiations of proposed changes prior to May 1 of each year. The foregoing
process shall not apply to modification of the Servicing Guidelines, which
are
subject to the modification process contained therein.
Section
7: TERM
AND TERMINATION
7.1
|
The
initial term of this Agreement shall commence on March 25, 2004,
and shall
expire on the first anniversary of such date. Thereafter, this Agreement
shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless either
party provides written notice of non-renewal and termination of this
Agreement not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the
then-current term.
|
7.2
|
In
the event that the parties are unable to agree on a proposed modification
to the Program Guidelines as provided in Section 6, above, the party
proposing the modification shall have the option of terminating this
Agreement effective immediately upon written notice of termination
to the
other party, provided that the party desiring to exercise this option
to
terminate does so within thirty (30) days of the end of the thirty
(30)
day period provided in Section 6 for the resolution of any
differences.
|
7.3
|
To
the extent permitted by applicable law, if either party should become
subject to bankruptcy, receivership, or other proceedings affecting
the
rights of its creditors generally, the party becoming subject to
such
proceedings will promptly notify the other party thereof, and this
Agreement will be deemed terminated immediately upon the initiation
of
such proceedings without the need of notice to the other
party.
|
7.4
|
Termination
shall be prospective only and shall not affect the obligations of
the
parties hereto which were incurred prior to such termination or any
of the
warranties and indemnities contained herein or the provisions of
Section 8
below (regarding confidentiality). Not less than thirty (30) days
prior to
the effective date of termination, XXXX may, by additional notice
to the
Lender, terminate its obligation to assume the guaranty of all or
any
subset of otherwise qualifying Loans as to which a commitment to
lend is
made after the Lender's receipt of such additional notice. In the
absence
of such additional notice XXXX will, subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, assume the guaranty of all Loans as to which a
commitment to lend is made prior to the effective date of termination.
In
the event this Agreement terminates or expires and only one disbursement
of a multi-disbursement loan has been made prior to that date, the
other
disbursement will also be guaranteed pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
|
Section
8: CONFIDENTIALITY;
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF INFORMATION
8.1
|
During
the course of negotiating this Agreement and hereafter during the
pendency
of this Agreement, the parties from time to time may have revealed
or may
hereafter reveal to each other certain information concerning their
respective business plans, business methods, financial data and
projections, and/or information that is not generally known in the
student
loan industry, including, without limitation, the terms and conditions
of
this Agreement. All the foregoing is referred to herein as “Confidential
Information.” In TERI’s case, its Confidential Information also includes,
but is not limited to, information concerning the operation of its
telephone and on-line loan applications procedures, and its online
credit
scoring system. Each party will use reasonable efforts to preserve
the
confidentiality of Confidential Information contained herein or disclosed
to it by the other party, such efforts to be not less vigilant than
those
that such party uses to protect its own proprietary information.
The
foregoing is subject to the following
qualifications:
|
a. |
No
party will be so bound with respect to information that is or becomes
public knowledge in the student loan industry (but if it does so
through
any fault of such party that fault will be considered a material
breach of
this Agreement);
|
b. |
No
party will be so bound with respect to information that is now or
hereafter comes into its possession by its own documented independent
efforts or from a third party who, so far as the recipient party
has
reason to believe, is under no comparable restriction with respect
to such
information;
|
c. |
Either
party may disclose Confidential Information to its attorneys, auditors,
agents, and consultants who are bound to maintain the confidentiality
of
such information;
|
d. |
Either
party may disclose Confidential Information in the context of any
regulatory review of its operations or as compelled by law, regulation,
or
court order, provided that in the context of a court order the party
required to disclose will (i) give the other party prompt written
notice
upon learning of the requirement so that the other party may take
appropriate action to prevent or limit the disclosure, (ii) consult
with
the other party and use all reasonable efforts to agree on the nature,
form, timing and content of the disclosure, (iii) except as otherwise
agreed under (ii), disclose no more than its counsel advises is legally
required, and (iv) inform the Court and all counsel concerned that
such
information is and should be treated as confidential information
of the
other party; and
|
e. |
Information
concerning Loans and Borrowers that comes into TERI’s possession shall not
be considered Confidential Information of the
Lender.
|
f. |
Without
limiting the foregoing, XXXX may disclose any of the LENDER’s Confidential
Information to any entity to which XXXX subcontracts its obligations
under
this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.7(e) hereof.
|
8.2
|
In
accordance with the provisions of Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx
Act
(the “GLB Act”) and Federal Reserve Board Regulation P (“Regulation P”),
XXXX agrees, as a financial institution subject to Regulation P,
to
respect and protect the security and confidentiality of any “nonpublic
personal information” (as defined in the GLB Act and Regulation P)
relating to applicants for Loans and to Borrowers, including, where
applicable, the restrictions on the re-use and disclosure of such
information set forth in the GLB Act and Regulation
P.
|
8.3
|
Without
limiting the foregoing, XXXX may retain as its own property and use
for
any lawful purpose any or all aggregated or de-identified data concerning
Loan applicants and Borrowers, which does not include the name, address
or
social security number of the Loan applicants or Borrowers. XXXX
may sell,
assign, transfer or disclose such information to third parties including,
without limitation, FMC, who may also use such information for any
lawful
purpose.
|
REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, XXXX and the LENDER have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their duly authorized officers under seal as of the day and year indicated
above.
THE EDUCATION RESOURCES INSTITUTE, INC. |
CHARTER ONE BANK, N.A. |
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx X. X’Xxxxx | By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx-Froggettt | ||
Print
Name: Xxxxxxxx
X.
X’Xxxxx
|
Print
Name:
Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxx-Frogett
|
||
Title: President
|
Title: Production Manager |
TABLE
OF
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
A
- Program Guidelines for the Start Education Loan Program**
Exhibit
B
- Servicer Data Requirements**
Schedule
3.3 - Guaranty Fee Amounts**
**
Confidential treatment has been requested for
this
exhibit or schedule in its entirety
EXHIBIT
A
Program
Guidelines for the Start Education Loan Program
[**]
EXHIBIT
B
Servicer
Data Requirements
[**]
SCHEDULE
3.3 TO GUARANTY AGREEMENT BETWEEN XXXX AND CHARTER ONE
BANK
[**]