PROCESSING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
TELCO BILLING, INC.
AND
INTEGRATED PAYMENT SYSTEMS INC.
AUGUST 26, 2003
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PROCESSING AGREEMENT
This Processing Agreement ("Agreement") is made August 26, 2003, by and between
Integrated Payment Systems Inc., located at 00000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 and Telco Billing, Inc. with its principal office
located at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx #000-000, Xxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Customer (as defined below) offers its Clients (as defined below)
a financial services Program (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, IPS (as defined below) will provide or arrange the services
described herein in support of the Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
contained herein and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINED TERMS
Section 1.01 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires,
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capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings specified below:
"Account" means the account(s) which Customer has established for a particular
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Client.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Entity, any other Entity which, directly
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or indirectly, owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common
ownership or common control with such Entity. As used herein, "Ownership" means
the beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the equity securities of the Entity.
"Agreement" means this Processing Agreement and the exhibits and schedules
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thereto.
"Association" means the National Automated Clearinghouse Association, the
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Central Regional Funds Transfer System, and the successors and assigns of the
foregoing, as may be required to support processing of the Checks processed for
customer's Clients.
"Association Rules" means the agreements, bylaws, rules, operating regulations
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and similar governing provisions with which the Associations require compliance.
"Bank" means the financial institutions designated by IPS from time to time,
which provide IPS with authority to use the Numbers and/or which hold the
customer's Settlement Account. The original Bank hereunder (for both such
purposes) is Bank One, National Association.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
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any Bank or the relevant Federal Reserve Bank are not open to the public for
carrying on substantially all of
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their banking functions or any holiday when the Federal Reserve Banks are not
performing check clearing functions. The relevant Federal Reserve Bank means the
local Federal Reserve Bank, or local branch of the Federal Reserve Bank from
which the IPS check processing facility receives Check presentments.
"Check" shall mean any check, draft or item processed by IPS for Customer under
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this Agreement.
"Client" means any client of Customer who participates in the Program.
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"Client Agreement" means the agreements and disclosures between Customer and its
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Client with respect to the Program.
"Customer" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.02.
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"Customer's Proprietary Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01.
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"Enhancement" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04.
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"Entity" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole
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proprietorship, joint venture, or other form of organization.
"Extension Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.
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"Fee Account" means the deposit account(s) designated by Customer from time to
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time with IPS's consent for purposes of effecting the payment of fees, charges
or other payments payable by Customer to IPS under this Agreement. The initial
Fee Account shall be customer's deposit account # to be determined at Bank One
N.A. Columbus.
"Indemnified Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.
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"Indemnifying Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.
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"Term" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.
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"Insolvency Event" occurs, with respect to any party, when such party:
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(i) is dissolved, becomes insolvent, generally fails to pay or admits
in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(ii) makes a general assignment, arrangement, or composition agreement
with or for the benefit of its creditors; or files a petition in bankruptcy
or institutes any action under federal or state law for the relief of
debtors or seeks or consents to the appointment of an administrator,
receiver, custodian, or similar official for the wind up of its business
(or has such a petition or action filed against it and such petition,
action or appointment is not dismissed or stayed within ninety (90) days).
"IPS" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.02.
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"IPS System" means the Check processing and imaging systems, computer equipment,
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computer software and related equipment, documentation and other systems and
processes used at any time and from time to time by IPS to provide the Services.
"IPS's Proprietary Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02.
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"Legal Requirements" means all federal, state and local laws, regulations and
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judicial and administrative decisions and interpretations applicable to the
Program, including laws applicable to privacy of consumer information, billing
error resolution, periodic statements, initial disclosures, product and service
terms and conditions, customer solicitation and advertising, application
processing, approval or denial, collections, customer service, drawee bank
obligations under Uniform Commercial Code Articles 3 and 4, financial
institution obligations under Federal Reserve Regulations E, J, T, CC and DD,
provisions of applicable federal and state truth in savings, expedited funds
availability, fair credit reporting and electronic fund transfers laws and all
laws and regulations applicable to customer's business, including applicable
SEC, NASD and SIPA regulations.
"Minimum Processing Fees" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.
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"Numbers" means the routing and transit numbers used to process Checks under
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this Agreement.
"Processing Fees" means all fees and charges for Services performed by IPS for
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Customer at the rates and prices set forth in the Service Schedules (including
the Minimum Processing Fee shortfall payments), as adjusted from time to time by
IPS consistent with this Agreement, with the exception of Special Fees and
specifically excluding all charges for taxes and interest.
"Program" means the financial services program offered by Customer to its
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Clients and supported or enabled by the Services.
"Service Schedules" means Schedules 1, 2, and 3 and any new or modified
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schedules setting forth the terms and conditions for the Services to be provided
pursuant to the Agreement.
"Services" means the services as described in the Service Schedules (attached
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hereto) to be provided or arranged by IPS in the United States in support of or
to enable the Program.
"Settlement Account" means the deposit account(s) which IPS directs Customer to
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establish from time to time for purposes of effecting settlement of Checks with
IPS. The Settlement Account shall be Customer's deposit account # to be
determined at Bank One, National Association.
"Special Fees" means the amounts payable by Customer on a pass-through or
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reimbursement basis for services or goods provided by a third party, including
tariff line rates, WATS lines rates, data circuit charges and any other rates
charged to IPS by a communications common carrier, postage costs, courier costs
and costs of forms, as described in the Service Schedules, attached hereto.
"Term" means the Initial Term together with any Extension Period or any other
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extension of this Agreement.
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"Total Annual Processing Fees" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.
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"Uniform Commercial Code" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the
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state in which the IPS check processing facility receiving the Checks is
located.
"User Manuals" means each of the user manuals described in the Service
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Schedules, as shall be provided by IPS from time to time.
Section 1.02 Interpretation. Each definition in this Agreement includes the
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singular and the plural and the word "including" (and its derivatives) means
"including but not limited to". References to any statute, rule, regulation or
requirement mean such statute, rule, regulation or requirement as amended at the
time and include(s) any successor or additional statute, rule, regulation or
requirement. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "IPS" mean
Integrated Payment Systems Inc. and its Affiliates, and its and their respective
successors and assigns, providing or arranging the Services. Unless the context
requires otherwise, references to "Customer" mean Telco Billing, Inc. and its
Affiliates receiving the Services. Except for the definitions contained in
Article I hereof, the section headings in this Agreement are for the purposes of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms hereof.
Except as otherwise stated, references to Articles, Sections, exhibits and
schedules mean the Articles, Sections, exhibits and schedules attached to and
made a part of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II.
SERVICES AND CONDUCT OF THE PROGRAM
Section 2.01 Services. IPS shall provide or arrange for the Services
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described in the Services Schedules. The Service Schedules and any document or
service referred to therein shall be subject to revision in writing by IPS and
communicated to Customer from time to time during the Term of this Agreement to
reflect changes and improvements to the IPS System or the Services provided by
IPS and offered generally to IPS's customers and to reflect any changes and
improvements in the specific Services provided to Customer. IPS shall not
delete any services without providing Customer with 90 days' written notice.
Section 2.02 Communication Links. Except as may otherwise be agreed to by
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the parties in writing, IPS shall periodically install, provide or cause to be
installed or provided the means for communicating data and images from its
facilities or equipment to the facilities or equipment of Customer, as IPS
determines is desirable to perform this Agreement. The method of transmission
and the media employed will be determined by IPS taking into consideration
relevant factors such as traffic type, inbound and outbound message sizes,
traffic loading distribution, and the equipment or devices which are or may be
used.
Section 2.03 Implementation. The parties agree to cooperate in
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implementation and commencement of the Services.
Section 2.04 Enhancement of Services. Customer may periodically request
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customizations, enhancements, additions or modifications (each an "Enhancement")
to the IPS System. IPS shall evaluate all such requests and, if terms and
conditions can be agreed to, in writing (which shall include payment by Customer
of IPS's development charges), and provided Customer has agreed
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to such changes in advance, IPS shall develop and implement each such
Enhancement on terms and conditions agreed to by the parties in writing. Timing
of any Enhancement is subject to scheduling and prioritization by IPS of IPS's
available resources. IPS may withhold its consent to an Enhancement, which in
IPS's sole discretion, would materially and adversely affect IPS's operations.
Any Enhancement shall remain solely the property of IPS and Customer shall
acquire no right, claim or interest in or to the IPS System. If Customer pays
for the cost of developing an Enhancement, then IPS agrees that it will grant to
Customer an exclusive license to use such Enhancement for a period of nine (9)
months from installation of such Enhancement. However, if another IPS client
independently, without IPS' advice or input, requests the same Enhancement
during that nine (9) month period, IPS shall not be prohibited from offering
such Enhancement to that client. At the end of the nine (9) month period, IPS
may provide the associated Enhancement to any or all other IPS clients.
Section 2.05 Customer Responsibilities. During the Term of this Agreement,
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Customer understands and agrees that provision of the Services is conditioned
upon Customer's ongoing fulfillment of its responsibilities in this Agreement,
including the establishment and timely funding of the Settlement Account and
making the other payments required as set forth herein.
Section 2.06 Bank. Checks processed hereunder will contain an
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identification of, and Numbers assigned by Bank, and drawee bank of the Checks
which Customer makes available to its Clients. IPS represents that Bank has
granted IPS the right to authorize the use of the Numbers on Checks and has
granted IPS the right to permit the use of the bank's name and marks on Checks.
Customer acknowledges and agrees that Bank has no obligation or liability to
Customer or its Clients in connection with this Agreement, the Services, the
Program, the Checks or IPS's acts or omissions hereunder. Customer agrees to
make no claim against Bank arising out of or related to the foregoing matters.
Section 2.07 IPS Role. Customer acknowledges and agrees that IPS is not a
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financial institution and will not be taking deposits or making loans hereunder
IPS agrees to take commercially reasonable steps to assure IPS's continued
rights to authorize use of the original Numbers contemplated hereby. If such
steps are unsuccessful, then IPS shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain rights to authorize the use of substitute Numbers. If, despite the
foregoing, IPS is unable to authorize the use of Numbers necessary to provide
the Services, then IPS may terminate this Agreement as provided in Section
10.01.
Section 2.08 (a) Check Settlement. Customer shall open and maintain a
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Settlement Account(s) at Bank. Each Business Day, Customer shall settle Checks
with IPS by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day of presentment. Daily
settlements shall be completed in aggregate amounts as specified by IPS, taking
into account returns, charge backs, adjustments and incoming credits. For
purposes hereof, a settlement obligation shall not be deemed fulfilled until
Customer has caused immediately available funds sufficient to satisfy such
obligation to be on deposit in the Settlement Account. Customer consents to
IPS's initiation of debits or credits to the Settlement Account for purposes of
completing settlement with respect to checks.
(b) Settlement Failures. Customer understands and agrees that in the
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event it fails to fully satisfy its settlement obligations in a timely manner as
required by Section 2.08(a), above,
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IPS and/or Bank shall be entitled (but not obligated), immediately and without
prior written notice to Customer or its Clients, to: (i) return all Checks for
which Customer has failed to settle and all subsequently presented Checks; (ii)
instruct any relevant clearing organization not to present and/or to return all
subsequently presented Checks; (iii) pursue all other remedies set forth in this
Agreement or any schedule or exhibit hereto; and (iv) pursue all other legal and
equitable remedies, including, without limitation, reimbursement for the amount
of any such Checks for which IPS is held responsible from Customer or Customer's
Client(s), and to recover the actual and reasonable costs and expenses of
exercising the preceding rights in clauses (i) through (iv). In any such event
in which a partial settlement is received, IPS shall, in addition to the other
remedies set forth or referred to herein, be permitted to allocate the partial
settlement to such Checks as it deems appropriate in its sole and absolute
discretion. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE IN CUSTOMER'S FULFILLMENT OF ITS SETTLEMENT
OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER.
ARTICLE III.
COMPLIANCE
Section 3.01 Compliance with Law. (a) Customer acknowledges that IPS
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provides services to customers regulated by various state and federal agencies
such that IPS cannot reasonably be expected to monitor or interpret the laws
applicable to its diverse customer base, or provide compliance services to
customers with respect to such laws. Consequently, except as set forth in
Section 3.03 hereof, Customer agrees that IPS has no responsibility to monitor
or interpret the Legal Requirements applicable to Customer's business or the
Program, to monitor or review the terms and conditions of the Program, Client
Agreements or Customer's selection of system options and programming, or to
assure that Customer's selection of any system option or programming (either
alone or acting in conjunction with other system options and programming
selected by Customer) is consistent with the Legal Requirements or the terms and
conditions of Client Agreements. IPS shall be entitled to rely upon and use,
without verification, any and all information, data and instructions at any time
submitted to IPS by Customer having to do with Customer or Client Agreements or
Accounts. Except as set forth in Section 3.03 hereof, IPS shall have no
responsibility or liability whatsoever for (i) the accuracy or inaccuracy of
such information, data and instructions, (ii) the wording or text authored or
submitted by Customer to IPS, (iii) the wording or text appearing on any forms,
Checks or other materials used by Customer or furnished by Customer to IPS or by
IPS to Customer, or (iv) any noncompliance of such information, data
instruction, wording or text with the Legal Requirements.
Except as set out in Section 3.03 hereof, Customer is solely responsible for (i)
monitoring and interpreting the Legal Requirements, (ii) determining the
particular actions, disclosures, formulas, calculations and procedures required
for compliance with the Legal Requirements (whether to be performed by IPS or by
Customer) and (iii) maintaining an ongoing program for compliance, including
records retention, with the Legal Requirements. In addition, Customer is solely
responsible for reviewing and selecting the parameter settings and programming
features and options available within the IPS System that will apply to
customer's Program, and for determining that its selection of such settings,
features and options is consistent with the Legal Requirements and with the
terms and conditions of Client Agreements and Accounts and disclosures to its
Clients. IPS's obligation hereunder shall be to comply with the Service
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Schedules, attached hereto; IPS will not be responsible for any violation by
Customer of a Legal Requirement. Subject to the terms of Article 11, IPS and
Customer shall cooperate with each other in providing information or records in
connection with examinations, requests or proceedings of each other's and bank's
regulatory authorities.
Section 3.02 Compliance with Association Rules. Customer acknowledges that
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operation of the Program is dependent upon the benefits afforded by the
Associations and the access thereto afforded by this Agreement. Customer shall
be solely responsible for compliance with all Association Rules, relevant to the
operation of the Program, including Association member responsibilities relevant
to the processing of Checks hereunder, and Clients' rights in connection
therewith, and regardless of whether such compliance obligation is Bank's as an
Association member under the applicable Association Rule.
Section 3.03 IPS Compliance Review. IPS shall be permitted to review such
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aspects of the Program as it deems necessary, to impose such requirements in
connection therewith (including requirements concerning the form and content of
Client Agreements and disclosures) and to take such actions as it may deem
necessary in order to prevent IPS or Bank from being considered to be in
violation of any law, regulation, judicial or administrative decision or
interpretation, or of any Association Rule. IPS shall indemnify Customer for
any violations of Legal Requirements based on IPS's requirements.
Section 3.04 Customer Responsibility. Nothing in this Agreement, no course
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of dealing and no act or omission by IPS in the course of performance hereof
(including any requirement imposed pursuant to Section 3.03) shall be construed
as constituting an assumption by IPS of any of Customer's obligations,
responsibilities or liabilities under applicable Legal Requirements or
Association Rules.
ARTICLE IV.
PROCESSING FEES, PAYMENT AND TAXES
Section 4.01 Fees. Customer shall pay IPS fees (the "Fees") based on the
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rates set forth in the attached Schedules. The Fee for each Service performed
by IPS shall be calculated by multiplying the volume of each such Service
performed by the applicable rates, plus any ancillary, pass-through or other
charges described in the attached Schedules. The Fees shall not be increased
during the Term.
Section 4.02 Special Fees. Customer shall pay to IPS the Special Fees for
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amounts paid to third party providers computed in accordance with the Service
Schedules. If, at any time while this Agreement is in effect, the charges are
increased to IPS for items which are included in the Special Fees or IPS obtains
communication or other services included in the Special Fees by another method,
resulting in an increase in the charges to IPS for such items, then IPS shall
increase by an equal amount the Special Fees Customer is then paying IPS for
such items under this Agreement. Such price change by IPS shall be effective on
the effective date the increase to Customer. IPS shall provide written notice
of such increases to the Customer thirty (30) days prior to any increase in
special fees.
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Section 4.03 Minimum Fees. For each month during the Term, Customer will be
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required and shall pay IPS for processing services sufficient to generate
aggregate Processing Fees during each such month in an amount equal to at least
$1,500 (the "Minimum Processing Fee"). IPS shall, on a monthly basis, calculate
the total Processing Fees paid by Customer in respect of services performed
during each such month and draw upon Customer's Fee Account pursuant to Section
4.04 for the amount, if any, by which the Processing Fee for the month in
question is less than the Minimum Processing Fee. For the avoidance of doubt
and based on economic assumptions material to each party underlying this
transaction, Customer and IPS expressly agree that Customer shall pay IPS
Processing Fees each month in an amount at least equal to the Minimum Processing
Fees until this Agreement is terminated by Customer solely pursuant to the
provisions of Section 10.02 or until IPS terminates this Agreement and invokes
compensatory payments pursuant to Section 10.04.
Section 4.04 Method of Payment. To facilitate the payment of Processing
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Fees, Special Fees, compensatory payments pursuant to Section 10.04 and any
other fee, tax, interest payment, charge or amount due or payable to IPS under
this Agreement, Customer hereby authorizes IPS to directly debit without
signature Customer's Fee Account. IPS may debit the Fee Account to pay fees,
taxes, interest payments, charges, or any other amounts due or payable to IPS
under the terms of this Agreement. The detailed records of the amounts drawn on
the Fee Account will be provided by IPS to Customer on a monthly basis.
Section 4.05 Interest. If IPS is unable to obtain payment of Processing
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Fees, Special Fees, or the compensatory payments pursuant to Section 10.04 or
any other fee, tax, interest payment, charge or amount due or payable to IPS
under this Agreement at the time provided for payment under this Agreement, the
unpaid amount of any Processing Fees, Special Fees, or compensatory payments
pursuant to Section 10.04 or other fee, tax, interest payment, charge or amount
shall bear interest at the rate equal to the lesser of (a) ten percent (10%) per
annum, or (b) the prime rate permitted plus 0.50%, from the date on which
payment should have been available until the date on which IPS receives the
payment.
Section 4.06 Taxes. Customer shall pay all taxes and similar charges,
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however designated, which are imposed by any governmental authority by reason of
IPS's fulfillment of its obligations hereunder except for income taxes payable
by IPS on amounts earned by IPS. Without limiting the foregoing, Customer shall
promptly pay IPS for any such amounts actually paid or required to be collected
or paid by IPS pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Customer authorizes IPS
to calculate the total amount of sales taxes due from Customer hereunder.
Customer shall supply IPS with all reasonable information necessary for IPS to
compute and remit the taxes (including any tax-exempt certificate, claim letter,
or similar documentation). IPS shall remit the sales taxes to the appropriate
taxing authority on behalf of Customer based on the information available to
IPS. If IPS underpays or overpays such sales taxes, Customer shall be
responsible for promptly paying any shortfalls (including any penalties or
interest) and for collecting any refunds from the appropriate taxing authority;
provided, however, if such underpayment is solely the result of the negligence
of IPS, IPS shall be responsible for any penalties and interest associated with
such underpayment.
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ARTICLE V.
EXCLUSIVITY
[OMITTED INTENTIONALLY.]
ARTICLE VI.
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.01 Indemnification.
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(a) Customer's Indemnification. Customer shall indemnify and hold
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harmless IPS, its Affiliates, Bank, and its and their respective directors,
officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the "IPS Group") from and against
any and all third party claims, liabilities, losses and damages (including
reasonable and actual attorneys fees, expert witness fees, reasonable and actual
expenses and costs of settlement) arising out of or with respect to this
Agreement, to the extent that the claim, liability, loss or damage is caused by,
relates to or arises out of (i) a material breach by Customer of any of its
duties or obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a claim or action in any type
of proceeding or litigation or accruing by way of judicial, governmental or
regulatory actions of any kind, and arising by reason of the Program, IPS's
provision of the Services, the handling or processing of Checks or support of
the Program, (iii) a claim or action brought by any Client in respect of Checks
or a breach of this Agreement by Customer, or (iv) a claim or action arising
from or brought as a result of Customer's instruction to IPS to return a Check,
or (v) a claim or action for any actual or alleged infringement of any patent,
copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of any person in connection
with the development of software or systems to support an Enhancement requested
by Customer using designs or specifications provided by Customer.
Customer shall not have any obligation to indemnify the IPS Group against any
claim, liability, loss or damage the IPS Group may suffer arising out of the IPS
Group's negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) IPS's Indemnification. IPS shall indemnify Customer, its
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Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, employees and
agents (collectively, the "Customer Group") from and against any and all third
party claims, liabilities, losses or damages (including reasonable and actual
attorneys' fees, expert witness fees, reasonable and actual expenses and costs
of settlement) arising out of or with respect to this Agreement to the extent
that the claim, liability, loss or damage is caused by, relates to or arises out
of (i) the material breach by IPS of any of its duties or obligations under
this Agreement, or (ii) a claim or action against the Customer Group for actual
or alleged infringement of any patent, copyright, trade secret or other
proprietary rights of any person by the IPS System or any part thereof, except
to the extent such claim is caused by (x) Customer's failure to use the IPS
System as permitted under this Agreement, or (y) Customer's use of the IPS
System in combination with other software or systems not expressly authorized by
IPS, or (z) the development of software by IPS to support an Enhancement
requested by Customer using designs or specifications provided by Customer. The
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provisions of this paragraph shall not be applicable in the case of such
liability, claim, demand or dispute that arises out of Customer Group's gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
(c) Notification. In the event a claim, suit or proceeding by a third
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party for which indemnification may be available under this Agreement is made or
filed against a party or any person or Entity, the party, person or Entity
against which the claim, suit or proceeding is made (the "Indemnified Party"),
shall promptly notify the other party (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing of
the claim, suit or proceeding. The Indemnifying Party, within thirty (30) days,
or such shorter period as is required to avoid any prejudice in the claim, suit
or proceeding, after the notice, may elect to defend, compromise, or settle the
third party claim, suit or proceeding at its expense. In any third party claim,
suit or proceeding which the Indemnifying Party has elected to defend,
compromise or settle, the Indemnifying Party shall not after the election be
responsible for the expenses, including counsel fees, of the Indemnified Party
but the Indemnified Party may participate therein and retain counsel at its own
expense. In any third party claim, suit or proceeding the defense of which the
Indemnifying Party shall have assumed, the Indemnified Party will not consent to
the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the
matter without the consent of the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnifying Party
will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement
affecting the Indemnified Party to the extent that the judgment or settlement
involves more than the payment of money without the written consent of the
Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall provide to the Indemnifying Party
all information, assistance and authority reasonably requested in order to
evaluate any third party claim, suit or proceeding and effect any defense,
compromise or settlement.
(d) Claims Period. Any claim for indemnification under this Agreement
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must be made prior to one year after the party, person, or Entity claiming
indemnification becomes aware of the event for which indemnification is claimed.
The indemnification provisions set forth in this Section 6.01 shall survive
termination of this agreement.
ARTICLE VII.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Section 7.01 Limitation of Liability. IPS's cumulative liability for any
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loss or damage, direct or indirect, for any cause whatsoever (including, but not
limited to those arising out of or related to this Agreement) with respect to
claims (whether third party claims, indemnity claims or otherwise) relating to
events during any twelve-month period shall not under any circumstances exceed
the lesser of (i) the amount of Fees actually received by IPS during such period
or (ii) $1,000,000.
Section 7.02 No Special Damages. IN NO EVENT SHALL IPS BE LIABLE UNDER ANY
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THEORY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
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ARTICLE VIII.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
Section 8.01 IPS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
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OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.
ARTICLE IX.
TERM OF AGREEMENT
Section 9.01 Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date
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hereof, and, unless terminated earlier as provided herein, shall expire three
years after such date (the "Term"). Upon expiration of the Term, this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect for a hold over term until terminated by
either party with ninety (90) days prior written notice.
ARTICLE X.
TERMINATION
Section 10.01 Termination by IPS. IPS may terminate this Agreement:
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(a) if Customer fails to establish the Fee Account required by Section
4.04 of this Agreement within three business days () after written notice of its
failure to establish the account or fails to maintain the Fee Account;
(b) if IPS is unable to receive payment from Customer because
sufficient funds are not available in the Fee Account established pursuant to
Section 4.04 of this Agreement and Customer, within three business days after
written notice or fails to provide and maintain sufficient funds in the Fee
Account to permit IPS to receive full payment from the account;
(c) without limiting any of IPS's rights or remedies pursuant to
Section 2.08 herein, if Customer fails to pay any amount due under this
Agreement which does not give rise to the right to terminate under any other
provision of this Section 10.01 within three business days after written notice
to Customer of its failure to pay the amount;
(d) if any Insolvency Event occurs with respect to Customer;
(e) if IPS is required to discontinue its support of the Program, in
whole or in part, based on an order, decree, memorandum of understanding,
agreement or similar basis which was initiated by state or federal regulatory
authorities; or
(f) if Customer materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure
such breach within 30 days written notice of such breach by IPS.
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The rights of IPS to terminate this Agreement under this Section 10.01 are
cumulative and the existence of the right under any provision or subsection is
not exclusive of the right under any other provision or subsection.
Section 10.02 Termination by Customer. Customer may terminate this
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Agreement:
(a) if any Insolvency Event occurs with respect to IPS;
(b) if IPS materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure such
breach within 10 days written notice of such breach by Customer; or
(c) Upon 90 days written notice.
Section 10.03 Effect of Termination. Upon termination, IPS shall have no
------------------------------------------
further obligation to provide Services to Customer and all outstanding unpaid
amounts due and owing to IPS shall become due and payable within 30 days.
Expiration or termination of this Agreement shall not affect the following: the
obligation of Customer to pay for Services rendered or any other obligation or
liability owing or which becomes owing under this Agreement whether the
obligations arose prior to or after the date of expiration or termination of the
Agreement, including the obligations or payments under Articles IV, VI (except
for any indemnity claims barred by Section 6.01(d)), VII, VIII, XI, and XII, and
Sections 2.05, 2.08, 3.01, 3.02, 3.04, 10.03, 10.04, 11.07, 13.04, 13.12, 13.13,
and 13.15, and the last sentence of Section 2.06 of this Agreement, together
with the corresponding exhibits and schedules to each such article or section.
Section 10.04 Payments upon Termination. If IPS elects to terminate this
----------------------------------------------
Agreement as permitted in Section 10.01(a); 10.01(b); 10.01(c) or 10.01(f) only,
Customer and IPS agree that, based on economic assumptions material to each
party, Customer shall make a compensatory payment to IPS, in lieu of the Minimum
Processing Fee set forth in Section 4.03, computed as provided for in this
Section 10.04. Such compensatory payment shall be made by Customer to IPS upon
termination, and shall equal: (a) if terminated during the initial twelve (12)
month period after date of the execution of this Agreement, ten thousand dollars
($10,000) plus any development costs incurred by IPS pursuant to this Agreement;
or (b) if terminated during the period beginning on the thirteenth (13th) month
after execution of this Agreement and ending on the completion of the
twenty-fourth month after the date of the execution of this Agreement, five
thousand dollars ($5,000) plus development costs incurred by IPS pursuant to
this Agreement. IPS and Customer agree that the compensatory payment set forth
in this Section 10.04 is a reasonable estimation, as of the date of this
Agreement, of the actual damages which IPS would suffer if IPS were to fail to
receive the processing business for the full Term. Despite the foregoing,
nothing in this Section 10.04 shall limit IPS's right to recover from Customer
any amounts for which Customer is otherwise liable under this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI. CONFIDENTIALITY
Section 11.01 Customer's Proprietary Information. Upon Customer's request
------------------------------------------------------
and the expiration or termination of all of IPS's obligations under this
Agreement, IPS shall return to Customer all
13
of the proprietary and confidential data Customer disclosed to IPS
(collectively, "Customer's Proprietary Information").
Section 11.02 IPS's Proprietary Information. Customer acknowledges that all
-----------------------------------------------
products and systems provided or used by IPS, including any developments,
enhancements, improvements and modifications disclosed, provided or used by IPS
shall remain sole and exclusive property of IPS. In addition, IPS shall retain
sole and exclusive ownership in all works of authorship, ideas, concepts,
know-how and inventions, whether or not patentable, created by IPS in the course
of providing the Services under this Agreement. Customer acknowledges that IPS,
in its sole discretion, may provide to other customers, similar services to
those to be provided pursuant to this Agreement utilizing any of the IPS
intellectual property, product and systems referred to in this Section 11.02 or
otherwise set forth or described in this Agreement. Customer shall not obtain
any proprietary rights in any proprietary or confidential information which has
been or is disclosed to Customer by IPS, including without limitation, any data
or information of IPS, Bank, or their respective Affiliates which is a trade
secret or competitively sensitive material, screen displays and formats,
computer software and documentation, software performance results, flow charts
and other specifications (whether or not electronically stored), data and data
formats (collectively, "IPS's Proprietary Information") whether any of the
materials are developed or purchased specifically for performance of this
Agreement or otherwise. Customer shall return to IPS all of IPS's Proprietary
Information upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
Section 11.03 Confidentiality of Agreement. Except as required by law,
-------------------------------------------------
Customer and IPS shall keep confidential and not disclose, and shall cause its
Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, employees,
representatives, agents and independent contractors to keep confidential and not
disclose, any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement to any third party
without the prior mutual written consent of IPS and Customer.
Section 11.04 Confidentiality. IPS and Customer shall maintain Customer's
----------------------------------
Proprietary Information and IPS's Proprietary Information, respectively, in
strict confidence. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, IPS and
Customer each agree:
(a) Not to disclose or permit any other person or Entity access to
Customer's Proprietary Information or IPS's Proprietary Information, as
appropriate, except that the disclosure or access shall be permitted to an
employee, officer, director, agent, Affiliate, representative, subcontractor,
external or internal auditors or independent contractor of the party requiring
access to the same in the course of his or her employment or services, and
except that IPS may permit Bank to have access to such Customer Proprietary
Information as is necessary or desirable to provide the Services;
(b) To ensure that its employees, officers, directors, agents,
Affiliates, representatives and independent contractors are advised of the
confidential nature of Customer's Proprietary Information and IPS's Proprietary
Information, as appropriate, and are precluded from taking any action prohibited
under this Article 11, provided that in any event Customer and IPS shall each be
liable for any breach of this Article 11 by their respective employees,
officers, directors, agents, Affiliates, representatives and independent
contractors;
14
(c) Not to alter or remove any identification, copyright or proprietary
rights notice which indicates the ownership of any part of Customer's
Proprietary Information or IPS's Proprietary Information, as appropriate; and
(d) To notify the other promptly and in writing of the circumstances
surrounding any possession, use or knowledge of Customer's Proprietary
Information or IPS's Proprietary Information, as appropriate, at any location or
by any person or Entity other than those authorized by this Agreement.
Section 11.05 Release of Information. Despite the foregoing: (i) Customer
------------------------------------------
agrees that Customer's Proprietary Information may be made available to
Associations or to supervisory or regulatory authorities of Customer, IPS or
Bank upon the written request of any of the foregoing; and (ii) IPS may disclose
Check information to third parties as necessary in the ordinary course of
providing the Services; provided, however, that IPS shall not provide Customer's
Proprietary Information to the Bank for any purpose other than the clearing of
Customer's checks pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 11.06 Exclusions. Nothing in this Article 11 shall restrict either
-----------------------------
party with respect to information or data identical or similar to that contained
in Customer's Proprietary Information or IPS's Proprietary Information, as
appropriate, but which:
(a) The receiving party can demonstrate was rightfully possessed by it
before it received the information from the disclosing party;
(b) Was in the public domain prior to the date of this Agreement or
subsequently becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party
or any person or Entity acting on its behalf;
(c) Was previously received by the receiving party from a third party
or is subsequently furnished rightfully to the receiving party by a third party
(no Affiliate of IPS or Customer shall be considered to be a third party) not
known to be under restrictions on use or disclosure;
(d) Is independently developed by such party;
(e) Is required to be disclosed by law, regulation or court order,
provided that the disclosing party will exercise reasonable efforts to notify
the other party prior to disclosure; or
(f) Is required to be disclosed to comply with or to enforce the terms
of this Agreement.
Section 11.07 Remedy. If either party breaches this Article 11, the
-------------------------
non-breaching party will suffer irreparable harm and the total amount of
monetary damages for any injury to such party will be impossible to calculate
and therefore an inadequate remedy. Accordingly, the non-breaching party may:
(a) Seek temporary and permanent injunctive relief against the
breaching party; and
15
(b) Exercise any other rights and seek any other remedies to which the
non-breaching party may be entitled to at law, in equity and under this
Agreement for any violation of this Article 11.
This provision shall survive termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XII.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 12.01 IPS's Representations. IPS represents and warrants that:
-----------------------------------------
(a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not
conflict in any material respect with or constitute a material breach or
material default under the terms and conditions of any documents, agreements or
other writings to which it is a party;
(b) it is a corporation validly organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware; and
(c) it has full power and authority under its organizational documents
and the laws of the State of Delaware to execute and deliver this Agreement and
to perform its obligations hereunder.
Section 12.02 Customer's Representations. Customer represents and warrants
---------------------------------------------
that:
(a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not
conflict in any material respect with or constitute a material breach or
material default under the terms and conditions of any documents, agreements or
other writings to which it is a party;
(b) it is a corporation validly organized and existing under the laws
of its state of incorporation; and
(c) it has full power and authority under its organizational documents
and federal charter to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE XIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.01 Names and Marks. IPS and Customer acknowledge that Customer
-----------------------------------
will be required to identify the Bank, including the use of the Bank's logo or
other identifying marks, in the Program, the Client Agreements, and the Checks.
Customer will submit the Client Agreements or other documents and materials
containing the names or marks of Bank or IPS to IPS for prior written consent to
the use of such names or marks in accordance with Section 3.03.
Section 13.02 Assignment. The rights and obligations of Customer are
-----------------------------
personal and not assignable, either voluntarily or by operation of law, without
the prior written consent of IPS.
16
Subject to the foregoing, all provisions contained in this Agreement shall
extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto or their respective successors
and permitted assigns.
Section 13.03 Audit. From time to time during the Term of this Agreement,
------------------------
but not more than once during any twelve-month period, IPS will allow a third
party, selected by IPS, to perform an audit of the electronic data processing
environment maintained by IPS to provide the Services contemplated under this
Agreement. Such third party auditor shall be an audit firm reputable in the
marketplace. IPS shall provide Customer with a copy of the results of the audit
if Customer requests a copy in writing. From time to time during the Term of
this Agreement, Customer will allow IPS, its auditors and regulators, and Bank's
regulators to examine the operations and procedures of Customer relative to
Clients' Accounts (including Customer's accounting procedures for Checks).
Section 13.04 Risk of Loss. Customer shall be responsible for any and all
--------------------------------
risk of loss to any tangible item (i) provided by IPS to Customer upon the
delivery of such items to the U.S. Postal Service or such other courier as
Customer may select, and (ii) provided by Customer to IPS until actual receipt
of such items by IPS. It is expressly understood that the U.S. Postal Service
and any courier selected by Customer are the agents of Customer and not IPS.
IPS's sole responsibility for Checks lost or destroyed while in its actual
possession is limited to obtaining a copy thereof, where available, from the
appropriate party in accordance with standard banking practices and reprocessing
such Check in accordance with the terms hereof.
Section 13.05 Force Majeure. If performance by IPS of any Service or
---------------------------------
obligation under this Agreement is prevented, restricted, delayed or interfered
with by reason of labor disputes, strikes, acts of God, floods, lightning,
severe weather, shortages of materials, rationing, utility or communication
failures, failure of an Association, failure or delay in receiving electronic
data, earthquakes, war, revolution, civil commotion, acts of public enemies,
blockade, embargo, or any law, order, proclamation, regulation, ordinance,
demand or requirement having legal effect of any government or any judicial
authority or representative of any such government, or any other act, omission
or cause whatsoever, whether similar to those referred to in this Section, which
are beyond the reasonable control of IPS, then IPS shall be excused from the
performance to the extent of the prevention, restriction, delay or interference.
Section 13.06 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is entered into
----------------------------------------------
solely for the benefit of IPS and Customer and shall not confer any rights upon
any person or Entity not a party to this Agreement, including without
limitation, Clients.
Section 13.07 Subcontractors. IPS may subcontract all or any part of the
--------------------------------
Services, but, notwithstanding any such subcontract, IPS shall remain primarily
responsible for performance of the Services.
Section 13.08 Equal Employment Opportunity. IPS will not discriminate
-------------------------------------------------
against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or veteran status as ordered by
the Secretary of Labor pursuant to Section 202 of Executive Order 11246, Section
503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 402 of the Vietnam Era
Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.
17
Section 13.09 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing contained in this
-------------------------------------------------
Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership, joint venture or similar
relationship between the parties. The party's relationship shall be that of
independent parties contracting for services. Neither party shall hold itself
out as having the authority to bind the other except as specifically provided in
connection with Interchange Settlement. All personnel and other agents employed
by either party in connection with this Agreement are such party's or its
agent's employees and not employees or agents of the other party.
Section 13.10 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions
-------------------------------
of this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unimpaired,
and the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a
mutually acceptable provision, which, being valid, legal and enforceable, comes
closest to the intention of the parties underlying the invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable provision.
Section 13.11 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws
---------------------------------
of the State of Ohio as to all matters including validity, construction, effect,
performance and remedies without giving effect to the principles of choice of
law thereof, except that with respect to either party's responsibilities under
the Uniform Commercial Code concerning Checks, the laws of the state in which
the IPS check processing facility receiving the Checks is located shall so
govern. With respect to any claim arising out of this Agreement, Customer
irrevocably waives any objection which it may have at any time to the venue of
any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement
brought in the courts of the State of Ohio and the United States District Court
located in the city of Columbus, Ohio and Customer further waives any claim such
suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum and further
irrevocably waives the right to object, with respect to such suit, action or
proceeding brought in any such court, that such court does not have jurisdiction
over Customer. For purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding Customer
agrees that any process to be served in connection therewith shall, if
delivered, sent or mailed in accordance with Section 13.12, constitute good,
proper and sufficient service thereof. It is agreed that the provisions of this
agreement relating to arbitration of disputes shall be governed by the Federal
Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Section 1 et. Seq. and, to the extent not in conflict
with the Federal Arbitration Act, by the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association.
Section 13.12 Notices. All notices which either party may be required or
--------------------------
desire to give to the other party shall be in writing and shall be given by
personal service, telecopy, registered mail or certified mail (or its
equivalent), or overnight courier to the other party at its respective address
or telecopy telephone number set forth below. Mailed notices and notices by
overnight courier shall be deemed to be given upon actual receipt by the party
to be notified. Notices delivered by telecopy shall be confirmed in writing by
overnight courier and shall be deemed to be given upon actual receipt by the
party to be notified.
18
If to IPS: With a copy to:
Integrated Payment Systems Inc. Integrated Payment Systems Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx 00000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Vice President Attn: General Counsel
Facsimile: 000-000-0000 Facsimile Number: 000-000-0000
If to Customer: With a copy to:
Telco Billing, Inc. XX.xxx Corporation
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xx., Xxxxx 000 4840 East Jasmine St., Suite 105
Mesa Arizona Mesa Arizona
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxx Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Facsimile Number: 000-000-0000 Facsimile Number: 000-000-0000
A party may change its address or addresses set forth above by giving the other
party notice of the change in accordance with the provisions of this section.
Section 13.13 Modification, Amendment, Supplement or Waiver. No
--------------------------------------------------------------------
modification, amendment, supplement to or waiver of this Agreement or any of its
provisions shall be binding upon Customer or IPS unless made in writing and duly
signed by both Customer and IPS. Unless otherwise stated herein, a failure or
delay of either Customer or IPS to enforce at any time any of the provisions
hereof, or to exercise any option which is herein provided, or to require at any
time performance of any of the provisions hereof shall in no way be construed to
be a waiver of such provisions of this Agreement.
Section 13.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the schedules and
----------------------------------
exhibits, if any, sets forth all of the promises, agreements, conditions and
understandings between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all negotiations, conversations, discussions, correspondence,
memorandums and agreements between the parties concerning the subject matter.
Section 13.15 Arbitration. All disputes, controversies or differences between
----------------------------
the parties which arise under or are related to this Agreement (including,
without limitation, the construction, performance or breach of any agreement)
upon which an amicable understanding cannot be reached within 30 days shall,
upon the written request of either party, be settled and determined by
arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award entered by the arbitrators
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction of these matters.
The parties agree to arbitrate within 30 (thirty) days following the transmittal
of written demand of either party to arbitrate any dispute arbitrable under this
Agreement. Each of the parties shall appoint an arbitrator within thirty (30)
days following notice of written demand to arbitrate, notifying the other party
of the name and address of such arbitrator. The two arbitrators so appointed
shall thereupon select the third arbitrator. If either party shall fail to
appoint an arbitrator as herein provided, or should the two arbitrators so named
fail to select the third
19
arbitrator within thirty (30) days of this appointment, then, in either event,
the president of the American Arbitration Association or its successor shall
appoint such second and/or third arbitrator. The three arbitrators so selected
shall constitute the Court of Arbitrators.
A decision of a majority of the Court of Arbitrators shall be provided within
twenty days of the applicable hearing and shall be final and binding. The Court
of Arbitrators shall not be bound by legal rules of procedure and may receive
evidence in such a way as to do justice between the parties. The Court of
Arbitrators shall promptly enter an award, which shall do justice between the
parties and the award shall be supported by a written opinion. The cost of
arbitration, including the fees of the arbitrators, but not including attorneys'
fees, shall be borne by the losing party unless said Court of Arbitrators shall
decide otherwise.
20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their authorized representatives and effective as of the date set
forth below.
INTEGRATED PAYMENT SYSTEMS INC. TELCO BILLING, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx XxXxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx, pres
Title: Xxxxxxx XxXxxxx, Vice President Title: President
Date: 8-26-03 Date: 8/27/03
21
SCHEDULE 1 TO PROCESSING AGREEMENT
CHECK SERVICES
--------------
TIME ZONES: ALL REFERENCES TO TIME FOR CHECK PROCESSING ARE EASTERN TIME.
CHECK CLEARING: IPS will process and handle Checks and forward detail of such
----------------
Checks to Customer via an electronic transmission as well as return originals to
Customer's place of business Activities associated with Check clearing include
capture of MICR detail, reconciliation, settlement services, adjustments
handling and image capture (front and back) and archival. Archival includes up
to five (5) days of original Check retention and long term image archive of
seven (7) years. Customer shall review the original Checks returned to it by
IPS and notify IPS of any original Check not received within ninety (90) days.
IPS shall use commercially reasonable efforts to find and produce such checks
for Customer after the five (5) days archival period
CHECK RETURNS: IPS will process and handle all Customer-initiated requests to
---------------
dishonor a Check. Returns will be communicated to IPS via file transfer or
Advanced Customer Support system (ACS). This service will include
reconciliation, qualification and presentment to the forward clearing system
delivery.
CHECK RETRIEVALS: IPS will fulfill Check retrieval requests as submitted by
------------------
Customers. The request will be fulfilled from the image archive unless
expressly requested by Customer for an original, to the extent IPS is in
possession of the original. Requests will be initiated via IPS Customer Service
screens or through ACS.
POSITIVE PAY: Customer will transmit a file containing all Checks issued by
--------------
Customer containing information about the Check such as date issued, account
number, Check number, and amount (the "Issued File"). The format of the Issued
File will be mutually agreed upon. IPS will maintain a record of the Issued
File and will match all presented Checks against the Issued File. IPS will
maintain records of all presented Checks which match the Issued File. All
presented Checks that do not match the account number, Check number, or amount,
or that can not be reconciled to the Issued File will be returned with an
appropriate notation. These exceptions will be written to the ACS system via a
transmission from IPS and will be displayed on the ACS exception item review
screen. IPS will be liable for losses incurred by Customer up to the face value
of any Check paid that was not reflected in the Issued File. Neither IPS nor
Bank shall be responsible for verifying the validity of endorsements on Checks,
or for detecting forged, altered or counterfeit Checks. In the event there are
a series of Checks that fail to match the Issued File that gives rise to concern
that there may be an error in transmission of data, either in the Issued File or
otherwise, the Parties shall discuss potential problems associated with the data
and possible steps to correct any problems that might exist.
RESEARCH: Research and investigative services other than retrieval requests
---------
will be performed at hourly rates, plus expenses which are set forth or referred
to in the Schedules.
REPORTS: Refer to User Manuals for timing and procedures.
--------
22
IMAGE DELIVERY: Customer may elect to receive any of the following image
----------------
deliveries in connection with the above services: (a) images made available in
connection with Internet Check Retrieval via IPS's ACS web application; (b) bulk
file image transmission; (c) images made available in connection with exception
item review via IPS's ACS web application;
SERVICE EXCLUSIONS: IPS's Check services are solely as set forth in this
--------------------
Schedule 1. Additional requested services may be provided in writing at
mutually agreed pricing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it
is agreed that: IPS's services do not include standing return orders with
respect to closed, blocked, deceased or similar Accounts. Checks to be returned
in connection with the foregoing shall be identified by Customer as set forth in
User Manuals.
IPS's services do not include the provision of fraud prevention or detection
services to Customer or its Clients, and Customer specifically understands and
agrees that IPS is not responsible for review of signatures or endorsements on
Checks, for detecting forged, altered, counterfeit or out-of-range Checks,
duplicate payments, or for detecting encoding errors on Checks.
Except for IPS's obligations specifically set forth above and in Section 6.01(b)
of the Agreement, IPS and Bank have no obligation or liability to Customer or
its Clients: (i) with respect to the payment of Checks that are not properly
payable; (ii) for paying or refusing to pay Checks that overdraw an Account;
(iii) for reviewing or honoring or refusing to honor legends on Checks (such as,
but not limited to, "not good in excess of" or "void after" legends); (iv) for
paying or refusing to pay stale or post-dated checks; (v) on transfer or
presentment warranties; (vi) for wrongful dishonor of Checks; (vii) in respect
of becoming accountable for the amount of a Check by virtue of delayed
settlement, return or notice of dishonor or by virtue of final payment; (vii) to
accept or certify Checks or to refuse to do the same; (viii) to provide monthly
or periodic statements to Clients; (ix) to receive or act upon error resolution
notices from Clients; (x) for complying or refusing to comply with garnishments,
levies, subpoenas or other legal process regarding Clients or the Accounts; or
(xi) for refusing to accept stop payment orders from Clients (other than those
communicated by Customer in accordance with this Agreement and the User
Manuals), or (xii) maintenance or operation of overdraft or other line of credit
products which may be accessed by Clients.
Except as and to the extent expressly provided above and in Section 6.01(b) of
the Agreement, IPS does not hereby accept liability for the amount of any Checks
or losses sustained by Customer in respect thereof. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, IPS shall not be responsible for claims of late
return (other than as expressly set forth above), for denied adjustments or for
losses due to insolvency of any financial institution, except as provided in
Section 6.01(b) of the Agreement.
FEES:
23
ITEM ITEM DEFINITION PRICE PER
NUMBER ---- ---------- ---------
------ ITEM
----
CHECK PROCESSING
6404 Check Clearing Checks written by account holders presented to IPS for First 20,000
processing, includes payee keying. Assumes checks are at $.140,
written in English, and denominated in US dollars. next 20,000
at $.125,
additional
volume at
$.090/check
6406 Exception Item Review with Exceptions are defined as those checks to be further $.25/
Image reviewed by Customer for purposes of making exception
pay/return decisions. Image of check provided.
6411 Check Returns Per check returned as unpaid, but only to the extent $5.00/check
returns exceed 1% of the total number of checks
presented per month.
6420 Check Retrieval - Request Per check copy requested by CUSTOMER, completed $2.50/check
within standard turnaround Initiated through ACS or IPS copy
on-line.
6422 Check Retrieval - Same Day Per check retrieval requested by CUSTOMER, $15.00/
completed with same day turnaround. request
6423 Check Retrieval -Internet Per check retrieval initiated as an ad-hoc retrieval known $0.50/
Check Retrieval as Internet Check Retrieval. retrieval
6424 Check Retrieval - FAX Surcharge if requested by fax. $2.00/request
Surcharge
6464 Exception Item Review- Review images of items greater than a specific dollar $.25/ per
Dollar Value amount on ACS. check
6472 Special Programming-Check Client requests $150.00/hr
6473 Forms Supplies requested to support customer's plan, except "at cost +
forms used solely for communication between customer 15%"
and IPS. It is agreed that when practical, all forms,
envelopes and printed material shall be uniform and
usable by other users serviced by IPS.
With IPS's concurrence, certain materials may be
individualized by customer at customer's expense;
provided, however, that such forms, tapes, envelopes or
printed material must be in accordance with the
specifications and processing requirements of IPS, and if
they are processed or stored by IPS for customer, or if
special handling is required, an additional fee may be
charged. Customer will bear the liability for customized
inventory made obsolete due to changes by FDC in
Logo, telephone number, etc. If inventory quantity exceeds 12 months.
IPS will xxxx customer for forms and supplies based on
actual usage for customer's plan and will xxxx customer.
IPS forms and supplies ordered by customer via supply
requisitions. However, certain
24
internal forms, including, but not limited to, sales
transaction batch headers and payment batch headers will not
be billed to customer and are considered expenses of IPS.
6474 Float Credit Adjustment given for credit balances or for funds due the Fed Funds
client by IPS that is credited at least 1-day after IPS minus .50%
receives the funds. and reserves
6475 Postage Includes all actual postage used in mailing statements, "at cost"
letters, notices, plastics, tapes reports and other materials
related to customer's plan.
6476 Float Assessed the daily average dollar volume of items for Fed Funds
which IPS receives payment at least one day after +.75 %
disbursement of funds.
6477 Courier Service Courier Service fees depend upon distance, number and "at cost"
method of deliveries.
6479 Additional Fed Fees Those charges which may be implemented by the "at cost"
Federal Reserve from time to time and not specifically
identified above.
6480 Daylight Overdraft Those charges imposed by the Federal Reserve to cover "at cost"
that period of time in which the banks Federal Reserve
account is overdrawn by the activity associated with this
program.
6493 Minimum Processing Fees Adjust used to bring total of processing fees up to a $1,500/ per
minimum. No charge for implementation costs. Month
Yearly Minimum Checks Fee if a minimum of 144,000 checks are not processed $1,000.00
Processed per year. No charge for implementation costs. per year
6219 Training and Consulting Client Request for services. Includes travel expenses $150.00/ per
day plus out
of pocket
expenses
8000 Sales Tax Any Taxes assessed IPS for services rendered will be "at cost"
passed on to client
25
SCHEDULE 3 TO PROCESSING AGREEMENT
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
-------------------------
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES WITH RESPECT TO CHECKS
NOTIFICATIONS TO RETURN: Customer is responsible for authorizations for all
--------------------------
Checks, and will identify all Checks which are to be returned and provide the
appropriate reason code as set forth in User Manuals for the return (a
"Notification to Return"). Notifications to Return shall be submitted via IPS's
ACS web application or via electronic transmission as set forth in User Manuals
therefor as in effect from time to time. In any event, Notifications to Return
must be received by IPS no later than 3:00 p.m. ET if the Notification to Return
is submitted via IPS's ACS web application, or electronic transmission on the
Business Day following the Business Day on which the Check was received by IPS
for purposes of commencement of the midnight deadline, or as set forth in User
Manuals.
IPS is not obligated to act on Customer requests to revoke Notifications to
Return once received by IPS. In the event that IPS is late in making the Check
clearing transmission available, Customer shall nonetheless use commercially
reasonable efforts to give its Notification to Return within the same timeframe
that the Notification to Return would have been given had the Schedule of Items
been timely and in any event by the Dishonor Deadline. Although Notifications
to Return which are incomplete or inaccurate shall be ineffective for purposes
of making IPS responsible for late returns (see "IPS Responsibility for Amount
of Checks" on Schedule 1), IPS shall nonetheless use commercially reasonable
efforts to identify the Check in question and to promptly return the same.
Unless Customer is unable to give a timely Notification to Return due to IPS's
delay in providing the Schedule of Items, Customer will be responsible for all
losses, if any, resulting from the late return of Checks or the failure to
timely notify receiving banks according to Legal Requirements. IPS shall not be
responsible for the consequences of acting on incomplete or inaccurate
Notifications to Return.
CHECK TRANSACTION RESPONSIBILITIES: Except for IPS's obligations as
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specifically set forth in Schedules 1 and 2 and as otherwise provided in the
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Agreement, Customer shall be solely responsible for all activities and
applicable Legal Requirements and Client Agreement requirements in respect of
Checks and Client Accounts, including:
Maintenance of stop payment files (including obtaining from Clients applicable
written authorizations) and standing return orders with respect to closed,
blocked, deceased or similar Accounts. Checks to be returned in connection with
the foregoing shall be identified in a Notification to Return.
Fraud prevention and detection services, including review of signatures or
endorsements on Checks, detection of forged, altered or counterfeit Checks.
All obligations and liabilities: (i) with respect to the payment of Checks that
are not properly payable; (ii) for paying or refusing to pay Checks that
overdraw Client's Account; (iii) for reviewing or honoring or refusing to honor
legends on Checks (such as, but not limited to, "not good in excess of" or "void
after" legends); (iv) for paying or refusing to pay stale or post-dated checks;
(v) for wrongful dishonor of Checks; (vi) in respect of becoming accountable for
the
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amount of a Check by virtue of delayed settlement, return or notice of dishonor
or by virtue of final payment; (vii) to accept or certify Checks or to refuse to
do the same; (viii) for complying or refusing to comply with garnishments,
levies, subpoenas or other legal process regarding Clients or their Accounts.
APPROVAL, USE AND RECOVERY OF CHECKS: Customer shall obtain IPS's prior written
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approval of the forms of Checks to be used in the Program. Customer understands
that such approvals will, among other things, take into account Association and
Bank requirements. Customer is responsible for distributing approved Check
stock to Clients. Customer will be responsible for the recovery of Checks from
Clients in all relevant events, including termination of this Agreement, in
cases of unauthorized or alleged unauthorized use of Checks, or in the event of
Client's breach of the Client Agreement or termination or closure of Client's
Account. Customer is solely responsible for determining the extent of the
inventory of Check stock and other forms which it wishes to maintain or order.
IPS shall not be responsible for reimbursing Customer for unused inventory in
any circumstances.
DATA PROCESSING: Customer is responsible for acquiring, operating and
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maintaining the systems necessary to enable Customer to transmit and receive the
data necessary for IPS and Customer to fulfill their obligations hereunder.
Such systems shall be consistent with the IPS System as in place from time to
time. All data transmissions between the parties shall be in the format and
sequence reasonably required by IPS and agreed to by Customer from time to time.
To the extent that IPS grants Customer access to the IPS System, such access
shall be used by Customer solely for purposes of receiving services from IPS
hereunder. Nothing herein shall be construed as granting Customer any right,
title, interest or license in or to the IPS System.
SOFTWARE, ETC.: Customer shall: (i) comply with the User Manuals in effect from
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time to time pertaining to the IPS ACS web application, any CD-ROM viewer
software made available to Customer in connection with this Agreement,
including, without limitation, acquisition and maintenance of the minimum
hardware/software configurations outlined therein; and (ii) comply with all
shrink wrap, click wrap or other license agreements provided in connection
therewith.
IPS OPERATING PROCEDURES: Services are provided subject to, and Customer agrees
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to comply with the applicable rules, operating procedures, manuals and
instructions, including without limitation, the User Manuals, established by IPS
from time to time and communicated in writing to Customer. IPS expressly
reserves the right to change operating procedures, services provided and
applicable deadlines and processing timeframes based on changes in Legal
Requirements (including changes in operating procedures, User Manuals, services,
deadlines or timeframes in effect at the Federal Reserve System, Association or
other clearinghouse level), changes in or discontinuations of services required
from third parties (such as, but not limited to, couriers), failure of Customer
to comply with applicable existing operating procedures or to otherwise deliver
its inputs to IPS in good order, material changes in volume processed hereunder,
or other events or occurrences beyond the reasonable control of IPS.
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