Contract
Exhibit 10.2
This
Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2005, is by and between Cendant Corporation
(the “Issuer”) and
JPMorgan Chase Bank (“JPMorgan”).
1. APPOINTMENT
AND ACCEPTANCE
The
Issuer hereby appoints JPMorgan as its issuing and paying agent in connection
with the issuance and payment of certain short-term promissory notes of the
Issuer (the “Notes”), as
further described herein, and JPMorgan agrees to act as such agent upon the
terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.
2. COMMERCIAL
PAPER PROGRAMS
The
Issuer may establish one or more commercial paper programs under this Agreement
by delivering to JPMorgan a completed program schedule (the “Program
Schedule”), with
respect to each such
program. JPMorgan has given the Issuer a copy of the current form of Program
Schedule and the Issuer shall complete and return its first Program Schedule to
JPMorgan prior to or simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement. In the
event that any of the information provided in, or attached to, a Program
Schedule shall change, the Issuer shall promptly inform JPMorgan of such change
in writing.
3. NOTES
All Notes
issued by the Issuer under this Agreement shall be short-term promissory notes,
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, as indicated on the Program Schedules, and from applicable state
securities laws. The Notes may be placed by dealers (the “Dealers”)
pursuant to Section 4 hereof. Notes shall be issued in either certificated or
book-entry form.
4. AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVES
The
Issuer shall deliver to JPMorgan a duly adopted corporate resolution from the
Issuer’s Board of Directors (or other governing body) authorizing the issuance
of Notes under each program established pursuant to this Agreement and a
certificate of incumbency, with specimen signatures attached, of those officers,
employees and agents of the Issuer authorized to take certain actions with
respect to the Notes as provided in this Agreement (each such person is
hereinafter referred to as an “Authorized
Representative”). Until
JPMorgan receives any subsequent incumbency certificates of the Issuer, JPMorgan
shall be entitled to rely on the last incumbency certificate delivered to it for
the purpose of determining the Authorized Representatives. The Issuer represents
and warrants that Cendant’s Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer may appoint
other officers and employees of the Issuer (the “Delegates”) to issue
instructions to JPMorgan under this Agreement, and take other actions on the
Issuer’s behalf hereunder, provided that notice of the appointment of each
Delegate is delivered to JPMorgan in writing. Each such appointment shall remain
in effect unless and until revoked by the Issuer in a written notice to
JPMorgan.
5. CERTIFICATED
NOTES
If and
when the Issuer intends to issue certificated notes (“Certificated
Notes”), the
Issuer and JPMorgan shall agree upon the form of such Notes. Thereafter, the
Issuer shall from time to time deliver to JPMorgan adequate supplies of
Certificated Notes which will be in bearer form, serially numbered, and shall be
executed by the manual or facsimile signature of an Authorized Representative.
JPMorgan will acknowledge receipt of any supply of Certificated Notes received
from the Issuer, noting any exceptions to the shipping manifest or transmittal
letter (if any), and will hold the Certificated Notes in safekeeping for the
Issuer in accordance with
JPMorgan’s
customary practices. JPMorgan shall not have any liability to the Issuer to
determine by whom or by what means a facsimile signature may have been affixed
on Certificated Notes, or to determine whether any facsimile or manual signature
is genuine, if such facsimile or manual signature resembles the specimen
signature attached to the Issuer’s certificate of incumbency with respect to
such Authorized Representative. Any Certificated Note bearing the manual or
facsimile signature of a person who is an Authorized Representative on the date
such signature was affixed shall bind the Issuer after completion thereof by
JPMorgan, notwithstanding that such person shall have ceased to hold his or her
office on the date such Note is countersigned or delivered by
JPMorgan.
6. BOOK-ENTRY
NOTES
The
Issuer’s book-entry notes (“Book-Entry
Notes”) shall
not be issued in physical form, but their aggregate face amount shall be
represented by a master note (the “Master
Note”) in the
form of Exhibit A executed by the Issuer pursuant to the book-entry commercial
paper program of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).
JPMorgan shall maintain the Master Note in safekeeping, in accordance with its
customary practices, on behalf of Cede & Co., the registered owner thereof
and nominee of DTC. As long as Cede & Co. is the registered owner of the
Master Note, the beneficial ownership interest therein shall be shown on, and
the transfer of ownership thereof shall be effected through, entries on the
books maintained by DTC and the books of its direct and indirect participants.
The Master Note and the Book-Entry Notes shall be subject to DTC’s rules and
procedures, as amended from time to time. JPMorgan shall not be liable or
responsible for sending transaction statements of any kind to DTC’s participants
or the beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Notes, or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing the records of DTC or its participants with respect to
such Notes. In connection with DTC’s program, the Issuer understands that as one
of the conditions of its participation therein, it shall be necessary for the
Issuer and JPMorgan to enter into a Letter of Representations, in the form of
Exhibit B hereto, and for DTC to receive and accept such Letter of
Representations. In accordance with DTC’s program, JPMorgan shall obtain from
the CUSIP Service Bureau a written list of CUSIP numbers for Issuer’s Book-Entry
Notes, and JPMorgan shall deliver such list to DTC. The CUSIP Service Bureau
shall xxxx the Issuer directly for the fee or fees payable for the list of CUSIP
numbers for the Issuer’s Book-Entry Notes.
7. ISSUANCE
INSTRUCTIONS TO JPMORGAN; PURCHASE PAYMENTS
The
Issuer understands that all instructions under this Agreement are to be directed
to JPMorgan’s Commercial Paper Operations Department. JPMorgan shall provide the
Issuer, or, if applicable, the Issuer’s Dealers, with access to JPMorgan’s Money
Market Issuance System or other electronic means (collectively, the “System”) in
order that JPMorgan may receive electronic instructions for the issuance of
Notes. Electronic instructions must be transmitted in accordance with the
procedures furnished by JPMorgan to the Issuer or its Dealers in connection with
the System. These transmissions shall be the equivalent to the giving of a duly
authorized written and signed instruction which JPMorgan may act upon without
liability. In the event that the System is inoperable at any time, an Authorized
Representative or a Delegate may deliver written, telephone or facsimile
instructions to JPMorgan, which instructions shall be verified in accordance
with any security procedures agreed upon by the parties. JPMorgan shall incur no
liability to the Issuer in acting upon instructions believed by JPMorgan in good
faith to have been given by an Authorized Representative or a Delegate. In the
event that a discrepancy exists between a telephonic instruction and a written
confirmation, the telephonic instruction will be deemed the controlling and
proper instruction. JPMorgan may electronically record any conversations made
pursuant to this Agreement, and the Issuer hereby consents to such recordings.
All issuance instructions regarding the Notes must be received by 1:00 P.M. New
York time in order for the Notes to be issued or delivered on the same
day.
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(a) Issuance
and Purchase of Book-Entry Notes.
Upon
receipt of issuance instructions from the Issuer or its Dealers with respect to
Book-Entry Notes, JPMorgan shall transmit such instructions to DTC and direct
DTC to cause appropriate entries of the Book-Entry Notes to be made in
accordance with DTC’s applicable rules, regulations and procedures for
book-entry commercial paper programs. JPMorgan shall assign CUSIP numbers to the
Issuer’s Book-Entry Notes to identify the Issuer’s aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Book-Entry Notes in DTC’s system, together with the aggregate unpaid
interest (if any) on such Notes. Promptly following DTC’s established settlement
time on each issuance date, JPMorgan shall access DTC’s system to verify whether
settlement has occurred with respect to the Issuer’s Book-Entry Notes. Prior to
the close of business on such business day, JPMorgan shall deposit immediately
available funds in the amount of the proceeds due the Issuer (if any) to the
Issuer’s account at JPMorgan and designated in the applicable Program Schedule
(the “Account”),
provided
that JPMorgan
has received DTC’s confirmation that the Book-Entry Notes have settled in
accordance with DTC’s applicable rules, regulations and procedures. JPMorgan
shall have no liability to the Issuer whatsoever if any DTC participant
purchasing a Book-Entry Note fails to settle or delays in settling its balance
with DTC or if DTC fails to perform in any respect.
(b) Issuance
and Purchase of Certificated Notes. Upon
receipt of issuance instructions with respect to Certificated Notes, JPMorgan
shall: (a) complete each Certificated Note as to principal amount, date of
issue, maturity date, place of payment, and rate or amount of interest (if such
Note is interest bearing) in accordance with such instructions; (b) countersign
each Certificated Note; and (c) deliver each Certificated Note in accordance
with the Issuer’s instructions, except as otherwise set forth below. Whenever
JPMorgan is instructed to deliver any Certificated Note by mail, JPMorgan shall
strike from the Certificated Note the word “Bearer,” insert as payee the name of
the person so designated by the Issuer and effect delivery by mail to such payee
or to such other person as is specified in such instructions to receive the
Certificated Note. The Issuer understands that, in accordance with the custom
prevailing in the commercial paper market, delivery of Certificated Notes shall
be made before the actual receipt of payment for such Notes in immediately
available funds, even if the Issuer instructs JPMorgan to deliver a Certificated
Note against payment. Therefore, once JPMorgan has delivered a Certificated Note
to the designated recipient, the Issuer shall bear the risk that such recipient
may fail to remit payment of such Note or return such Note to JPMorgan. Delivery
of Certificated Notes shall be subject to the rules of the New York Clearing
House in effect at the time of such delivery. Funds received in payment of
Certificated Notes shall be credited to the Account.
8. |
USE
OF SALES PROCEEDS IN ADVANCE OF
PAYMENT |
JPMorgan
shall not be obligated to credit the Issuer’s Account unless and until payment
of the purchase price of each Note is received by JPMorgan. From time to time,
JPMorgan, in its sole discretion, may permit the Issuer to have use of funds
payable with respect to a Note prior to JPMorgan’s receipt of the sales proceeds
of such Note. If JPMorgan makes a deposit, payment or transfer of funds on
behalf of the Issuer before JPMorgan receives payment for any Note, such
deposit, payment or transfer of funds shall represent an advance by JPMorgan to
the Issuer to be repaid promptly, and in any event on the same day as it is
made, from the proceeds of the sale of such Note, or by the Issuer if such
proceeds are not received by JPMorgan.
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9. |
PAYMENT
OF MATURED NOTES |
On any
day when a Note matures or is prepaid, the Issuer shall transmit, or cause to be
transmitted, to the Account, prior to 2:00 P.M. New York time on the same day,
an amount of immediately available funds sufficient to pay the aggregate
principal amount of such Note and any applicable interest due. JPMorgan shall
pay the interest (if any) and principal on a Book-Entry Note to DTC in
immediately available funds, which payment shall be by net settlement of
JPMorgan’s account at DTC. JPMorgan shall pay Certificated Notes upon
presentment. JPMorgan shall have no obligation under the Agreement to make any
payment for which there is not sufficient, available and collected funds in the
Account, and JPMorgan may, without liability to the Issuer, refuse to pay any
Note that would result in an overdraft to the Account.
10. OVERDRAFTS
(a) Intraday
overdrafts with respect to each Account shall be subject to JPMorgan’s policies
as in effect from time to time.
(b) An
overdraft will exist in an Account if JPMorgan, in its sole discretion, (i)
permits an advance to be made pursuant to Section 8 and, notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 8, such advance is not repaid in full on the same day as
it is made, or (ii) pays a Note pursuant to Section 9 in excess of the available
collected balance in such Account. Overdrafts shall be subject to JPMorgan’s
established banking practices, including, without limitation, the imposition of
interest, funds usage charges and administrative fees. The Issuer shall repay
any such overdraft, fees and charges no later than the next business day,
together with interest on the overdraft at the rate established by JPMorgan for
the Account, computed from and including the date of the overdraft to the date
of repayment.
11. NO
PRIOR COURSE OF DEALING
No prior
action or course of dealing on the part of JPMorgan with respect to advances of
the purchase price or payments of matured Notes shall give rise to any claim or
cause of action by the Issuer against JPMorgan in the event that JPMorgan
refuses to pay or settle any Notes for which the Issuer has not timely provided
funds as required by this Agreement.
12. RETURN
OF CERTIFICATED NOTES
JPMorgan
will in due course cancel any Certificated Note presented for payment and return
such Note to the Issuer. JPMorgan shall also cancel and return to the Issuer any
spoiled or voided Certificated Notes. Promptly upon written request of the
Issuer or at the termination of this Agreement, JPMorgan shall destroy all
blank, unissued Certificated Notes in its possession and furnish a certificate
to the Issuer certifying such actions.
13. INFORMATION
FURNISHED BY JPMORGAN
Upon the
reasonable request of the Issuer, JPMorgan shall promptly provide the Issuer
with information with respect to any Note issued and paid hereunder,
provided,
that the
Issuer delivers such request in writing and, to the extent applicable, includes
the serial number or note number, principal amount, payee, date of issue,
maturity date, amount of interest (if any) and place of payment of such
Note.
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14. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
The
Issuer represents and warrants that: (i) it has the right, capacity and
authority to enter into this Agreement; and (ii) it will comply with all of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Issuer further represents and
agrees that each Note issued and distributed upon its instruction pursuant to
this Agreement shall constitute the Issuer’s representation and warranty to
JPMorgan that such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer,
and that such Note is being issued in a transaction which is exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable
state securities law.
15. DISCLAIMERS
Neither
JPMorgan nor its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for
any act or omission under this Agreement except in the case of gross negligence
or willful misconduct. IN NO EVENT SHALL JPMORGAN BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL,
INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF JPMORGAN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION. In no
event shall JPMorgan be considered negligent in consequence of complying with
DTC’s rules, regulations and procedures. The duties and obligations of JPMorgan,
its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be determined by the express
provisions of this Agreement and they shall not be liable except for the
performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth herein
and no implied covenants shall be read into this Agreement against them. Neither
JPMorgan nor its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be required to
ascertain whether any issuance or sale of any Notes (or any amendment or
termination of this Agreement) has been duly authorized or is in compliance with
any other agreement to which the Issuer is a party (whether or not JPMorgan is
also a party to such agreement).
16. INDEMNIFICATION
The
Issuer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless JPMorgan, its directors,
officers, employees and agents (collectively, “indemnitees”) from and against
any and all liabilities, claims, losses, damages, penalties, costs and expenses
(including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) suffered or incurred by or
asserted or assessed against any indemnitee arising in respect of this
Agreement, except in respect of any indemnitee for any such liability, claim,
loss, damage, penalty, cost or expense resulting from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such indemnitee. This indemnity will survive the
termination of this Agreement.
17. OPINION
OF COUNSEL
The
Issuer shall deliver to JPMorgan all documents it may reasonably request
relating to the existence of the Issuer and authority of the Issuer for this
Agreement, including, without limitation, an opinion of counsel, substantially
in the form of Exhibit C hereto.
18. NOTICES
All
notices, confirmations and other communications hereunder shall (except to the
extent otherwise expressly provided) be in writing and shall be sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, by telecopier or by hand, addressed as
follows, or to such other address as the party receiving such notice shall have
previously specified to the party sending such notice:
If to the
Issuer: Cendant
Corporation
Xxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
5
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
If to
JPMorgan concerning the daily issuance and redemption of Notes:
Attention:
Commercial Paper Operations
0 Xxx
Xxxx Xxxxx 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx
XX 00000-0000
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
All
other:
Attention: Commercial Paper JPM
0 Xxx
Xxxx Xxxxx 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx
XX 00000-0000
Telephone: (000)
000-0000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
19. COMPENSATION
The
Issuer shall pay compensation for services pursuant to this Agreement in
accordance with the pricing schedules furnished by JPMorgan to the Issuer from
time to time and upon such payment terms as the parties shall determine. The
Issuer shall also reimburse JPMorgan for any fees and charges imposed by DTC
with respect to services provided in connection with the Book-Entry
Notes.
20. BENEFIT
OF AGREEMENT
This
Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and no other person
shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue hereof.
21. TERMINATION
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party by written notice to the
other, but such termination shall not affect the respective liabilities of the
parties hereunder arising prior to such termination.
22. FORCE
MAJEURE
In no
event shall JPMorgan be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of
its obligations hereunder because of circumstances beyond JPMorgan’s control,
including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or
undeclared), terrorism, fire, riot, strikes or work stoppages for any reason,
embargo, government action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations or the
like which restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by
this Agreement, inability to obtain material, equipment, or communications or
computer facilities, or the failure of equipment or interruption of
communications or computer facilities, and other causes beyond JPMorgan’s
control whether or not of the same class or kind as specifically named
above.
23. ENTIRE
AGREEMENT
This
Agreement, together with the exhibits attached hereto, constitutes the entire
agreement between JPMorgan and the Issuer with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes in all respects all prior proposals, negotiations,
communications, discussions and agreements between the parties concerning the
subject matter of this Agreement.
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24. WAIVERS
AND AMENDMENTS
No
failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any power or right under
this Agreement shall operate as a waiver, nor does any single or partial
exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the
exercise of any other power or right. Any such waiver shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the purpose for which it is given. No amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective
unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Issuer and
JPMorgan.
25. BUSINESS
DAY
Whenever
any payment to be made hereunder shall be due on a day which is not a business
day for JPMorgan, then such payment shall be made on JPMorgan’s next succeeding
business day.
26. COUNTERPARTS
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original and such counterparts together shall constitute but one
instrument.
27. HEADINGS
The
headings in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not in
any way limit or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the
terms of this Agreement.
28. GOVERNING
LAW
This
Agreement and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of
laws provisions thereof.
29. JURISDICTION
AND VENUE
Each
party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and any New
York State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City and of any
appellate court from any thereof for the purposes of any legal suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement (a “Proceeding”). Each
party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may
be heard and determined in such Federal or New York State court and irrevocably
waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any objection it may now
or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Proceeding in any of the
aforementioned courts and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the
maintenance of any Proceeding.
30. WAIVER
OF TRIAL BY JURY
EACH
PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS
AGREEMENT.
31. ACCOUNT
CONDITIONS
Each
Account shall be subject to JPMorgan’s account conditions, as in effect from
time to time.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on their behalf by duly
authorized officers as of the day and year first-above written.
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK
By:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
CENDANT
CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Authorized Officer
Date: March 30, 2005 |
Name: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Title:
Treasurer
Date: March 30, 2005 |
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