EXHIBIT 4.1
CHASE CREDIT CARD MASTER TRUST
(formerly known as Chemical Master Credit Card Trust I)
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Transferor)
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
(Servicer)
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
(Standard Terms)
December 2, 1997
Chase Securities Inc.
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association (the "Bank"), proposes
to cause the Chase Credit Card Master Trust (formerly known as Chemical Master
Credit Card Trust I) (the "Trust") to issue the Floating Rate Asset Backed
Certificates designated in the applicable Terms Agreement (as hereinafter
defined) (the "Certificates"). The Certificates will be issued pursuant to a
Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the "Pooling and Servicing Agreement")
described in the applicable Terms Agreement between the Bank, as Transferor on
and after June 1, 1996, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Transferor prior to June 1,
1996 and as Servicer (the "Servicer"), and the trustee identified in the
applicable Terms Agreement (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by the Series
Supplement having the date stated in the applicable Terms Agreement, between the
Bank, as Transferor, the Servicer and the Trustee (the "Supplement"). The
Series of Certificates designated in the applicable Terms Agreement will be sold
in a public offering through the underwriter listed on Schedule I to the
applicable Terms Agreement (the "Underwriter"). Certificates of any Series sold
to the Underwriter shall be sold pursuant to a Terms Agreement by and between
the Bank and the Underwriter, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (a
"Terms Agreement"), which incorporates by reference this Underwriting Agreement
(the "Agreement," which may include the applicable Terms Agreement if the
context so requires). Any Series of Certificates sold pursuant to any Terms
Agreement may include the benefits of a letter of credit, cash collateral
guaranty or account, collateral interest, surety bond, insurance policy, spread
account, reserve account or other similar arrangement for the benefit of the
Certificateholders of such Series ("Credit Enhancement"). With respect to any
such Credit Enhancement, the
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December 10, 1997
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Bank may enter into an agreement (the "Credit Enhancement Agreement") by and
between the Bank and the provider of the Credit Enhancement (the "Credit
Enhancement Provider"). The term "applicable Terms Agreement" means the Terms
Agreement dated the date hereof. Each Certificate will represent a specified
percentage undivided interest in the Trust. The assets of the Trust include,
among other things, certain amounts due on a portfolio of MasterCard(R) and
VISA(R) revolving credit card accounts of the Bank (the "Receivables"), and the
benefit of the Credit Enhancement, if any. To the extent not defined herein,
capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement. Unless otherwise stated herein or in the
applicable Terms Agreement, as the context otherwise requires or if such term is
otherwise defined in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, each capitalized term
used or defined herein or in the applicable Terms Agreement shall relate only to
the Series of Certificates designated in the applicable Terms Agreement and no
other Series of Asset Backed Certificates issued by the Trust.
Section 1. Representations and Warranties of the Bank. Upon the
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execution of the applicable Terms Agreement, the Bank represents and warrants to
the Underwriter that:
(a) The Bank has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") in accordance with the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder (collectively, the "Act"), a registration statement
on Form S-3 (having the registration number stated in the applicable Terms
Agreement), including a form of prospectus, relating to the Certificates.
Such registration statement, as amended at the time it was declared
effective by the Commission, including all material incorporated by
reference therein, including all information contained in any Additional
Registration Statement (as defined herein) and deemed to be part of such
registration statement as of the time such Additional Registration
Statement (if any) was declared effective by the Commission pursuant to the
General Instructions of the Form on which it was filed and including all
information (if any) deemed to be a part of such registration statement as
of the time it was declared effective by the Commission pursuant to Rule
430A(b) ("Rule 430A(b)") under the Act (such registration statement, the
"Initial Registration Statement") has been declared effective by the
Commission. If any post-effective amendment has been filed with respect to
the Initial Registration Statement, prior to the execution and delivery of
the applicable Terms Agreement, the most recent such amendment has been
declared effective by the Commission. If (i) an additional registration
statement, including the contents of the Initial Registration Statement
incorporated
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December 10, 1997
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by reference therein and including all information (if any) deemed to be a
part of such additional registration statement pursuant to Rule 430A(b)(the
"Additional Registration Statement") relating to the Certificates has been
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) ("Rule 462(b)") under the
Act and, if so filed, has become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule
462(b), then the Certificates have been duly registered under the Act
pursuant to the Initial Registration Statement and such Additional
Registration Statement or (ii) an Additional Registration Statement is
proposed to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) and will
become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b), then upon such filing
the Certificates will have been duly registered under the Act pursuant to
the Initial Registration Statement and such Additional Registration
Statement. If the Bank does not propose to amend the Initial Registration
Statement or, if an Additional Registration Statement has been filed and
the Bank does not propose to amend it and if any post-effective amendment
to either such registration statement has been filed with the Commission
prior to the execution and delivery of the applicable Terms Agreement, the
most recent amendment (if any) to each such registration statement has been
declared effective by the Commission or has become effective upon filing
pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Act or, in the case of any Additional
Registration Statement, Rule 462(b). The Initial Registration Statement
and any Additional Registration Statement are hereinafter referred to
collectively as the "Registration Statements" and individually as a
"Registration Statement." Copies of the Registration Statements, together
with any post-effective amendments have been furnished to the Underwriter.
The Bank proposes to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 ("Rule
424") under the Act a supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the form
of prospectus included in a Registration Statement (such prospectus, in the
form it appears in a Registration Statement or in the form most recently
revised and filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 is hereinafter
referred to as the "Basic Prospectus") relating to the Certificates and the
plan of distribution thereof. The Basic Prospectus and the Prospectus
Supplement, together with any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, is
hereinafter referred to as the "Final Prospectus." Except to the extent
that the Underwriter shall agree in writing to a modification, the Final
Prospectus shall be in all substantial respects in the form furnished to
the Underwriter prior to the execution of the relevant Terms Agreement, or
to the extent not completed at such time, shall contain only such material
changes as the Bank has advised the Underwriter, prior to such time, will
be included therein. Any preliminary form of the Prospectus Supplement
which has heretofore been filed
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pursuant to Rule 424 is hereinafter called a "Preliminary Final
Prospectus;"
(b) The Initial Registration Statement, including such amendments
thereto as may have been required on the date of the applicable Terms
Agreement, and the Additional Registration Statement (if any), relating to
the Certificates, have been filed with the Commission and such Initial
Registration Statement as amended, and the Additional Registration
Statement (if any), have become effective. No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or the Additional
Registration Statement (if any) has been issued and no proceeding for that
purpose has been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Bank, threatened by
the Commission;
(c) The Initial Registration Statement conforms, and any amendments
or supplements thereto and the Final Prospectus will conform, in all
material respects to the requirements of the Act, and do not and will not,
as of the applicable effective date as to the Initial Registration
Statement and any amendment thereto, as of the applicable filing date as to
the Final Prospectus and any supplement thereto, and as of the Closing
Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and the Additional Registration
Statement (if any) and the Initial Registration Statement conform, in all
material respects to the requirements of the Act, and do not and will not,
as of the applicable effective date as to the Additional Registration
Statement, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this
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representation and warranty shall apply only during the period that a
prospectus relating to the Certificates is required to be delivered under
the Act by dealers in connection with the initial public offering of such
Certificates (such period being hereinafter sometimes referred to as the
"prospectus delivery period"); provided, further, that this representation
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and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to
the Bank by or on behalf of the Underwriter specifically for use in
connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement and the Final
Prospectus;
(d) As of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the
Bank, as Transferor, in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the
Supplement will be true and correct;
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(e) The Bank has been duly organized and is validly existing as a
national bank in good standing under the laws of the United States, with
power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as
described in the Final Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign
corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under
the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties,
or conducts any business, so as to require such qualification, other than
where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not have a
material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results
of operations, business or prospects of the Bank and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole;
(f) The Certificates have been duly authorized, and, when issued and
delivered pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the
Supplement, duly authenticated by the Trustee and paid for by the
Underwriter in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the
applicable Terms Agreement, will be duly and validly executed, issued and
delivered and entitled to the benefits provided by the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement and the Supplement; each of the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement and the Supplement have been duly authorized and, when executed
and delivered by the Bank, as Transferor, each of the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement and the Supplement will (assuming due execution and delivery by
the Trustee) constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Bank; the
Certificates, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the Supplement
conform to the descriptions thereof in the Final Prospectus in all material
respects; and, if applicable, when executed by the Bank, as Transferor, the
Credit Enhancement Agreement will (assuming due execution and delivery by
the Trustee and Credit Enhancement Provider) constitute a valid and binding
agreement of the Bank;
(g) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing with,
any court or governmental agency or body is required to be obtained or made
by the Bank for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, the applicable Terms Agreement, the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or the Supplement except such as have been obtained and made
under the Act, such as may be required under state securities laws and the
filing of any financing statements required to perfect the Trust's interest
in the Receivables;
(h) The Bank is not in violation of its Articles of Association or By-
laws or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation,
agreement, covenant or condition contained in any agreement or instrument
to which it is a party or by which it or its properties is bound
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December 10, 1997
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which would have a material adverse effect on the transactions contemplated
herein, in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement or the Supplement. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the applicable Terms
Agreement, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Supplement and the
Credit Enhancement Agreement, and the issuance and sale of the Certificates
and compliance with the terms and provisions thereof will not result in a
breach or violation of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under,
any statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body
or any court having jurisdiction over the Bank or any of its properties or
any material agreement or instrument to which the Bank is a party or by
which the Bank is bound or to which any of the properties of the Bank is
subject, or the Articles of Association or By-laws of the Bank except for
any such breaches or violations or defaults as would not individually or in
the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the transactions
contemplated herein, in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the
Supplement;
(i) Other than as set forth or contemplated in the Final Prospectus,
there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge
of the Bank, threatened to which any of the Bank or its subsidiaries is or
may be a party or to which any property of the Bank or its subsidiaries is
or may be the subject which, if determined adversely to the Bank, could
individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the Bank's credit card business or on the interests of
the holders of the Certificates; and there are no contracts or other
documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Initial
Registration Statement or the Additional Registration Statement (if any) or
to be described in the Initial Registration Statement, the Additional
Registration Statement (if any) or the Basic Prospectus which are not filed
or described as required; and
(j) Each of this Agreement and the applicable Terms Agreement have
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Bank.
Section 2. Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions
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and in reliance upon the covenants, representations and warranties herein set
forth, the Bank agrees to sell to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter agrees to
purchase from the Bank, the principal amount of Certificates set forth opposite
the Underwriter's name in Schedule I to the applicable Terms Agreement. The
purchase price for the Certificates shall be as set forth in the applicable
Terms Agreement.
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December 10, 1997
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The Bank acknowledges and agrees that Chase Securities Inc. may sell
Certificates to any of its affiliates, and that any such affiliates may sell
such Certificates to Chase Securities Inc.
Section 3. Delivery and Payment. Unless otherwise provided in the
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applicable Terms Agreement, payment for Certificates shall be made to the Bank
or to its order by wire transfer of same day funds at the offices of Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett in New York, New York at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on
the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) specified in the Terms Agreement, or
at such other time on the same or such other date as the Underwriter and the
Bank may agree upon. The time and date of such payment for the Certificates as
specified in the applicable Terms Agreement are referred to herein as the
"Closing Date." As used herein, the term "Business Day" means any day other
than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York
City.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms Agreement, payment
for the Certificates shall be made against delivery to the Underwriter of the
Certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository
Trust Company and in such denominations as the Underwriter shall request in
writing not later than two full Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The
Bank shall make the Certificates available for inspection by the Underwriter in
New York, New York not later than one full Business Day prior to the Closing
Date.
Section 4. Offering by Underwriter. It is understood that the
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Underwriter proposes to offer the Certificates for sale to the public, which may
include selected dealers, as set forth in the Final Prospectus.
Section 5. Covenants of the Bank. The Bank covenants and agrees with
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the Underwriter that upon the execution of the applicable Terms Agreement:
(a) Promptly following the execution of such applicable Terms
Agreement, the Bank will prepare a Prospectus Supplement setting forth the
amount of Certificates covered thereby and the terms thereof not otherwise
specified in the Basic Prospectus, the price at which such Certificates are
to be purchased by the Underwriter, the initial public offering price, the
selling concessions and allowances, and such other information as the Bank
deems appropriate. The Bank will file such Prospectus Supplement with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424 within the time prescribed therein and will
provide evidence satisfactory to the Underwriter of such timely filing. In
addition, to the extent that the Underwriter (i) has provided to the Bank
Collateral Term Sheets (as defined
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below) that the Underwriter has provided to a prospective investor, the
Bank will file such Collateral Term Sheets as an exhibit to a report on
Form 8-K within two business days of its receipt thereof, or (ii) has
provided to the Bank Structural Term Sheets or Computational Materials
(each as defined below) that such Underwriter has provided to a prospective
investor, the Bank will file or cause to be filed with the Commission a
report on Form 8-K containing such Structural Term Sheet and Computational
Materials, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this
Agreement, but in any event, not later than the date on which the Final
Prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424.
(b) During the prospectus delivery period, before filing any amendment
or supplement to the Initial Registration Statement, the Additional
Registration Statement (if any) or the Final Prospectus, the Bank will
furnish to the Underwriter a copy of the proposed amendment or supplement
for review and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to
which the Underwriter reasonably objects.
(c) During the prospectus delivery period, the Bank will advise the
Underwriter promptly after it receives notice thereof, (i) when any
amendment to any Registration Statement shall have become effective, (ii)
of any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to any
Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus or for any additional
information, (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose, and (iv) of
the receipt by the Bank of any notification with respect to any suspension
of the qualification of the Certificates for offer and sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose; and will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such
stop order or notification and, if any is issued, will promptly use its
best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof.
(d) If, at any time during the prospectus delivery period, any event
occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then supplemented would
include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it shall be
necessary to amend or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the
Act, the Bank promptly will prepare and file with the Commission, an
amendment or a supplement which will correct such statement or omission or
effect such compliance.
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(e) The Bank will endeavor to qualify the Certificates for offer and
sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the
Underwriter shall reasonably request and will continue such qualification
in effect so long as reasonably required for distribution of the
Certificates; provided, however, that the Bank shall not be obligated to
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qualify to do business in any jurisdiction in which it is not currently so
qualified; and provided, further, that the Bank shall not be required to
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file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction.
(f) The Bank will furnish to the Underwriter, without charge, two
copies of each Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto), one of
which will be signed, and to the Underwriter conformed copies of each
Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, during the
prospectus delivery period, as many copies of any Preliminary Final
Prospectus and the Final Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the
Underwriter may reasonably request.
(g) For a period from the date of this Agreement until the retirement
of the Certificates, or until such time as the Underwriter shall cease to
maintain a secondary market in the Certificates, whichever first occurs,
the Bank will deliver to the Underwriter (i) the annual statements of
compliance, (ii) the annual independent certified public accountants'
reports furnished to the Trustee, (iii) all documents required to be
distributed to Certificateholders of the Trust and (iv) all documents filed
with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or any order of the
Commission thereunder, in each case as provided to the Trustee or filed
with the Commission, as soon as such statements and reports are furnished
to the Trustee or filed or, if an affiliate of the Bank is not the
Servicer, as soon thereafter as practicable.
(h) The Bank will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement, including without limitation: (i)
expenses of preparing, printing and reproducing each Registration
Statement, the Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, this
Agreement, the applicable Terms Agreement, the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, the Supplement and the Certificates, (ii) the cost of delivering
the Certificates to the Underwriter, (iii) any fees charged by investment
rating agencies for the rating of such Certificates, and (iv) the
reasonable expenses and costs (not to exceed the amount specified in the
applicable Terms Agreement) incurred in connection with "blue sky"
qualification of the Certificates for sale in those states designated by
the Underwriter and the printing of memoranda relating thereto (it being
understood that, except as specified in this paragraph (h)
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December 10, 1997
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and in Sections 8 and 9 hereof, the Underwriter will pay all its own costs
and expenses, including the fees of counsel to the Underwriter, transfer
taxes on resale of any Certificates by them and advertising expenses
connected with any offers that they may make).
(i) To the extent, if any, that the rating provided with respect to
the Certificates by the rating agency or agencies that initially rate the
Certificates is conditional upon the furnishing of documents or the taking
of any other actions by the Bank, the Bank shall furnish such documents and
take any such other actions.
(j) The Bank will cause the Trust to make generally available to
Certificateholders and to the Underwriter as soon as practicable an
earnings statement covering a period of at least twelve months beginning
with the first fiscal quarter of the Trust occurring after the effective
date of the Initial Registration Statement (or, if later, the effective
date of the Additional Registration Statement), which shall satisfy the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 of the Commission
promulgated thereunder.
(k) During the period beginning on the date hereof and continuing to
and including the Business Day following the Closing Date, the Bank will
not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any credit card
asset-backed securities of the Bank which are substantially similar to the
Certificates without the prior written consent of the Underwriter or unless
such securities are referenced in the Terms Agreement.
Section 6. Representations and Warranties of the Underwriter. The
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Underwriter represents, warrants, covenants and agrees with the Bank that:
(a) It either (A) has not provided any potential investor with a
Collateral Term Sheet (that is required to be filed with the Commission
within two business days of first use under the Terms of the Public
Securities Association Letter as described below), or (B) has,
substantially contemporaneously with its first delivery of such Collateral
Term Sheet to a potential investor, delivered such Collateral Term Sheet to
the Bank, which Collateral Term Sheet, if any, is attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit B.
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(b) It either (A) has not provided any potential investor with a
Structural Term Sheet or Computational Materials, or (B) has provided any
such Structural Term Sheet or Computational Materials to the Bank, which
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Structural Term Sheets and Computational Materials, if any, are attached to
this Agreement as Exhibit C.
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(c) It either (A) has not provided any potential investor with a
Series Term Sheet or (B) has provided any Series Term Sheet to the
Bank, which Series Term Sheets, if any, are attached to this Agreement
as Exhibit D.
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(d) Each Collateral Term Sheet bears a legend indicating that the
information contained therein will be superseded by the description of the
collateral contained in the Prospectus Supplement and, except in the case
of the initial Collateral Term Sheet, that such information supersedes the
information in all prior Collateral Term Sheets.
(e) Each Structural Term Sheet and Series Term Sheet and all
Computational Materials bear a legend substantially as follows (or in such
other form as may be agreed prior to the date of this Agreement):
This information does not constitute either an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities referred to
herein. Information contained herein is confidential and provided for
information only, does not purport to be complete and should not be
relied upon in connection with any decision to purchase the
securities. This information supersedes any prior versions hereof and
will be deemed to be superseded by any subsequent versions including,
with respect to any description of the securities or the underlying
assets, the information contained in the final Prospectus and
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. Offers to sell and solicitations
of offers to buy the securities are made only by the final Prospectus
and the related Prospectus Supplement.
(f) It (at its own expense) agrees to provide to the Bank any
accountants' letters obtained relating to the Collateral Term Sheets,
Structural Term Sheets and Computational Materials, which accountants'
letters shall be addressed to the Bank.
(g) It has not, and will not, without the prior written consent of the
Bank, provide any Collateral Term Sheets, Structural Term Sheets, Series
Term Sheets or Computational Materials to any investor after the date of
this Agreement.
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(h) It has only issued or passed on and shall only issue or pass on in
the United Kingdom any document received by it in connection with the issue
of the Certificates to a person who is of a kind described in Article 11(3)
of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements)(Exemptions)
Order 1996 or who is a person to whom the document may otherwise lawfully
be issued or passed on, it has complied and shall comply with all
applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986 of Great Britain
with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Certificates in,
from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom and if the Underwriter is an
authorized person under the Financial Services Act 1986, it has only
promoted and shall only promote (as that term is defined in Regulation 1.02
of the Financial Services (Promotion of Unregulated Schemes) Regulations
1991) to any person in the United Kingdom the scheme described in the
Prospectus if that person is of a kind described either in Section 76(2) of
the Financial Services Act 1986 or in Regulation 1.04 of the Financial
Services (Promotion of Unregulated Schemes) Regulations 1991.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Collateral Term Sheets" and
"Structural Term Sheets" shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in
the February 13, 1995 letter of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton on behalf of
the Public Securities Association (which letter, and the SEC staff's response
thereto, were publicly available February 17, 1995). The term "Collateral Term
Sheet" as used herein includes any subsequent Collateral Term Sheet that
reflects a substantive change in the information presented. "Computational
Materials" has the meaning assigned to it in the May 17, 1994 letter of Brown &
Wood on behalf of Kidder, Peabody & Co., Inc. (which letter, and the SEC staff's
response thereto, were publicly available May 20, 1994). "Series Term Sheet"
has the meaning assigned to it in the April 4, 1996 letter of Latham & Watkins
on behalf of Greenwood Trust Company (which letter, and the SEC staff's response
thereto, were publicly available April 5, 1996).
Section 7. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriter. The
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obligations of the Underwriter to purchase and pay for Certificates on the
Closing Date shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of the Bank contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of
the Bank made in any certificates pursuant to the terms hereof, to the
performance by the Bank of its obligations hereunder and under the applicable
Terms Agreement and to the following additional conditions:
(a) The Final Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424 in the manner and within the applicable time period
prescribed for such filing by the
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rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act and in accordance
with Section 5(a) of this Agreement; and, as of the Closing Date, no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement shall have
been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted
or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional
information from the Commission with respect to any Registration Statement
shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Underwriter.
(b) Subsequent to the date of this Agreement, there shall not have
occurred (i) any change, or any development involving a prospective change,
in or affecting particularly the business or properties of the Bank which
materially impairs the investment quality of the Certificates; (ii) any
suspension or material limitation of trading of securities generally on the
New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange; (iii) a declaration
of a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York by
either Federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) any material outbreak
or declaration of hostilities or other calamity or crisis the effect of
which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it,
in the judgment of the Underwriter, impracticable to market the
Certificates on the terms specified herein and the applicable Terms
Agreement.
(c) The Underwriter has received a certificate of a Vice President or
other proper officer of the Bank, dated the Closing Date, in which such
officer, to the best of his knowledge, shall state that (i) the
representations and warranties of the Bank in this Agreement are true and
correct in all material respects, (ii) the Bank has complied with all
agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or
satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) no stop order suspending
the effectiveness of a Registration Statement has been issued and no
proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are threatened by the
Commission and (iv) the Final Prospectus does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) The Bank shall have furnished to the Underwriter the opinions of
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, counsel for the Bank, dated the Closing Date,
in substantially the forms attached hereto as Exhibits 1 through 3, with
only such changes as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
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December 10, 1997
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(e) The Underwriter shall have received from Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Underwriter, one or more opinions, each
dated the Closing Date, with respect to the validity of the Certificates,
the Initial Registration Statement, the Additional Registration Statement
(if any), the Final Prospectus, certain matters of the Uniform Commercial
Code, as adopted in the State of Delaware, and such other related matters
as the Underwriter may reasonably require, and the Bank shall have
furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of
enabling them to pass on such matters.
(f) At the date of the applicable Terms Agreement and at the Closing
Date, Price Waterhouse LLP (or such other independent public accountants as
shall be named in the applicable Terms Agreement), certified independent
public accountants for the Bank, shall have furnished to the Underwriter a
letter or letters, dated respectively as of the date of the applicable
Terms Agreement and as of the Closing Date confirming that they are
certified independent public accountants within the meaning of the Act and
the Exchange Act, and the respective applicable published rules and
regulations thereunder and substantially in the form heretofore agreed and
otherwise in form and in substance satisfactory to the Underwriter and
counsel for the Underwriter.
(g) The Underwriter shall receive evidence satisfactory to it that, on
or before the Closing Date, UCC-1 financing statements have been or are
being filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware, reflecting the interest of the Trustee in the Receivables and the
proceeds thereof.
(h) The Underwriter shall have received from Emmet, Marvin & Martin,
LLP, counsel to the Trustee, an opinion, dated the Closing Date, to the
effect that:
(i) The Trustee has been duly organized and is validly
existing as a banking corporation under the laws of New York and has
the corporate power and authority to conduct business and affairs as a
trustee.
(ii) The Trustee has the corporate power and authority to
perform the duties and obligations of trustee under, and to accept the
trust contemplated by, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the
Supplement and the Credit Enhancement Agreement.
(iii) Each of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the
Supplement and the Credit Enhancement Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed, and delivered by the
Chase Securities Inc.
December 10, 1997
Page 15
Trustee and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Trustee enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms,
subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating
to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable
principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(iv) The Certificates have been duly executed and
authenticated by the Trustee.
(v) Neither the execution nor the delivery by the Trustee
of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Supplement and the Credit
Enhancement Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated thereby require the consent or approval of, the giving of
notice to, the registration with, or the taking of any other action
with respect to, any governmental authority or agency under any
existing federal or state law governing the banking or trust powers of
the Trustee.
(vi) The execution and delivery of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, the Supplement and the Credit Enhancement
Agreement by the Trustee and the performance by the Trustee of their
respective terms do not conflict with or result in a violation of (x)
any law or regulation of any governmental authority or agency under
any existing federal or state law governing the banking or trust
powers of the Trustee, or (y) the Certificate of Incorporation or By-
laws of the Trustee.
(i) The Underwriter shall be named as recipient or shall have received
reliance letters, if applicable, with respect to any opinions delivered to
the Bank by counsel of the Credit Enhancement Provider, if any.
(j) The Underwriter shall have received evidence satisfactory to it
that the Certificates shall be rated in accordance with the applicable
Terms Agreement by the Rating Agency.
(k) The Underwriter shall have received a certificate of a Vice
President or other proper officer of the Servicer, dated the Closing Date,
in which such officer, to the best of his or her knowledge, shall state
that the representations and warranties of the Servicer in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement and the Supplement are true and correct.
Chase Securities Inc.
December 10, 1997
Page 16
(l) All proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and all documents incident hereto shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriter and counsel for the
Underwriter in all material respects and the Underwriter and counsel for
the Underwriter shall have received such information, certificates and
documents as the Underwriter or counsel for the Underwriter may reasonably
request.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 7 shall not have been
fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or if
any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to the Underwriter and their counsel, this Agreement and all
obligations of the Underwriter hereunder may be cancelled at, or at any time
prior to, the Closing Date by the Underwriter. Notice of such cancellation
shall be given to the Bank in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in
writing.
Section 8. Reimbursement of Underwriter's Expenses. If the sale of
---------------------------------------
the Certificates provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to
the obligations of the Underwriter set forth in Section 7 (other than the
condition set forth in paragraph (b) of Section 7) is not satisfied, or because
of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Bank to perform any
agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a
default by the Underwriter, the Bank will reimburse the Underwriter for all out-
of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that
shall have been incurred by it in connection with the proposed purchase and sale
of the Certificates and upon demand the Bank shall pay the full amount thereof
to the Representative.
Section 9. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Bank agrees to
--------------------------------
indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter, each of the directors thereof, each
of the officers who are involved in the Offering and each person, if any, who
controls the Underwriter within the meaning of the Act against any and all
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any
of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other federal
or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement as originally filed
or in any amendment thereof, or in any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final
Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of
or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
Chase Securities Inc.
December 10, 1997
Page 17
make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such
indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in
connection with investigating or preparing to defend or defending any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided,
--------
however, that (i) the Bank will not be liable in any such case to the extent
- -------
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon
any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission made in any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Bank by or on behalf of the Underwriter
specifically for use therein, and (ii) such indemnity with respect to any
Preliminary Final Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of the Underwriter
(or any person controlling the Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any
such loss, claim, damage or liability purchased the Certificates which are the
subject thereof if such person did not receive a copy of the Final Prospectus
(or the Final Prospectus as supplemented) at or prior to the confirmation of the
sale of such Certificates to such person in any case where such delivery is
required by the Act and the untrue statement or omission of a material fact
contained in such Preliminary Final Prospectus was corrected in the Final
Prospectus (or the Final Prospectus as supplemented). This indemnity agreement
will be in addition to any liability which the Bank may otherwise have.
(b) The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Bank,
each of the directors thereof, each of the officers who signs a Registration
Statement, and each person who controls the Bank within the meaning of the Act,
to the same extent as the foregoing indemnities from the Bank to the
Underwriter, but only with reference to written information furnished to the
Bank by or on behalf of the Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation
of the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity
agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Underwriter may
otherwise have.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
9 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this
Section 9, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof;
but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from
any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under
this Section 9 unless the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced thereby.
In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it
notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying
party will be entitled to appoint counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party
to represent the indemnified party in such action; provided, however, that, if
-------- -------
the
Chase Securities Inc.
December 10, 1997
Page 18
defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified
parties which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to
select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified
party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to appoint counsel to defend such action
and approval by the indemnified party of such counsel, the indemnifying party
will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 9 for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed
separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence
(it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable
for the expenses of more than one separate counsel, approved by the Underwriter
being indemnified in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 9, representing
the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) who are parties to such
action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel
satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within
a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the
indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified
party at the expense of the indemnifying party; and except that, if clause (i)
or (iii) is applicable, such liability shall be only in respect of the counsel
referred to in such clause (i) or (iii).
(d) If recovery is not available or is insufficient under the
foregoing indemnification provisions of this Section 9, for any reason other
than as specified herein, the parties entitled to indemnification by the terms
hereof shall be entitled to contribution to liabilities and expenses, except to
the extent that contribution is not permitted under Section 11(f) of the Act.
In determining the amount of contribution to which the Bank and the Underwriter
are entitled, there shall be considered the relative benefits received by each
from the offering of the Certificates (taking into account the total proceeds of
the offering received by the Bank and the total underwriting discounts and
commissions received by the Underwriter), their relative knowledge and access to
information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim was asserted,
the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission, and any other
equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances. The Bank and the
Underwriter agree that it would not be equitable if the amount of such
contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation. Neither the
Underwriter nor any person controlling the Underwriter shall be obligated to
make contribution hereunder which in the aggregate exceeds the total public
offering price of the Certificates
Chase Securities Inc.
December 10, 1997
Page 19
purchased by such Underwriter under this Agreement, less the aggregate amount of
any damages which the Underwriter and its controlling persons have otherwise
been required to pay in respect of the same claim or any substantially similar
claim.
Section 10. Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The
------------------------------------------
respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other
statements of the Bank and of the Underwriter set forth in or made pursuant to
this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of
you or the Bank or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons
referred to in Section 9 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for
the Certificates. The provisions of Sections 8 and 9 hereof shall survive the
termination or cancellation of this Agreement.
Section 11. Notices. All communication hereunder shall be in writing
-------
and, if sent to the Underwriter will be mailed, delivered or telecopied and
confirmed to them at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention: David
A. Howard Jr., Telecopy No: (212) 834-6564; if sent to the Bank, will be mailed,
delivered or telecopied and confirmed to them care of Chase Manhattan Bank USA,
National Association, at 802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801,
Telecopy No.: (302) 575-5467, Attention: Keith Schuck, Vice President.
Section 12. Miscellaneous. This Agreement is to be governed by, and
-------------
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York; it may be
executed in two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
and the same instrument. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and
the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 9
hereof, and no other person shall have any right or obligation hereunder. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof, other than those contained in the Terms
Agreement executed in connection herewith. Neither this Agreement nor any term
hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an
instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the
change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. The headings in this
Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise
affect the meaning hereof.
Section 13. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective
-------------
upon execution and delivery of the applicable Terms Agreement.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the
counterpart hereof and return it to the Bank, whereupon this letter and your
acceptance shall become a binding agreement among the Bank and the Underwriter.
Very truly yours,
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:/s/Keith Schuck
--------------------------------
Name: Keith Schuck
Title: Vice President
The foregoing Agreement is
hereby confirmed and accepted
as of the date hereof.
Chase Securities Inc.
By:/s/Christopher D. Davis
------------------------
Name: Christopher D. Davis
Title: Vice President
EXHIBIT A TO EXHIBIT 4.1
CHASE CREDIT CARD MASTER TRUST
CLASS A FLOATING RATE ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 1997-4
CLASS B FLOATING RATE ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 1997-4
TERMS AGREEMENT
---------------
Dated: December 2,1997
To: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association
Re: Underwriting Agreement dated December 2, 1997
Series Designation: Series 1997-4
Underwriter:
- -----------
The Underwriter named on Schedule I attached hereto is the
"Underwriter" for the purpose of this Agreement and for the purposes of the
above referenced Underwriting Agreement as such Underwriting Agreement is
incorporated herein and made a part hereof.
Terms of the Certificates:
- -------------------------
Initial
Invested Interest Rate
Class Amount or Formula Price to Public (1)
- --------- ------------ ------------- -------------------
Class A $600,000,000 Libor + 0.16% 100.00%
Class B $ 50,000,000 Libor + 0.36% 100.00%
(1) Plus accrued interest at the applicable rate from December 8, 1997.
Distribution Dates: Class A: the 15th day of each month (or if such 15th day is
- ------------------
not a business day the next succeeding business day) commencing January 15,
1998.
Class B: the 15th calendar day (or if such 15th day is not a business day, the
next succeeding business day) of each month, commencing January 15, 1998.
Certificate Ratings:
- -------------------
Class A: AAA by Standard & Poor's
Aaa by Moody's
AAA by Fitch
A-1
Class B: A by Standard & Poor's
A2 by Moody's
A by Fitch
Credit Enhancement Provider: Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, New York
- ---------------------------
Branch
Trustee: The Bank of New York
- -------
Pooling and Servicing Agreement: The Second Amended and Restated Pooling and
- -------------------------------
Servicing Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1996, between Chase Manhattan Bank
USA, National Association, as Transferor on and after June 1, 1996, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Transferor prior to June 1, 1996 and as Servicer, and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee, on behalf of the Certificateholders of Chase
Credit Card Master Trust.
Supplement: Series 1997-4 Supplement, dated as of December 8, 1997, between
- ----------
Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as Transferor on and after June
1, 1996, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Transferor prior to June 1, 1996 and as
Servicer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, on behalf of the Series 1997-4
Certificateholders
Purchase Price:
- --------------
The purchase price payable by the Underwriter for the Certificates
covered by this Agreement will be the following percentage of the principal
amounts to be issued:
Per Class A Certificate: 99.7750%
Per Class B Certificate: 99.7500%
Registration Statement: Registration No. 333-04607
- ----------------------
Underwriting Commissions, Concessions and Discounts:
- ---------------------------------------------------
The Underwriter's discounts and commissions, the concessions that the
Underwriter may allow to certain dealers, and the discounts that such dealers
may reallow to certain other dealers, each expressed as a percentage of the
principal amount of the Class A Certificates and Class B Certificates, shall be
as follows:
Underwriting
Discounts Selling
Class and Concessions Concessions Reallowance
- --------- ---------------- ------------ ------------
Class A .225% .175% .125%
Class B .250% .200% .150%
A-2
Closing Date: December 8, 1997, 10:00 a.m., New York Time
- ------------
Location of Closing: Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, 425 Lexington Avenue, New
- -------------------
York, New York 10017
Payment for the Certificates: Wire transfer of same day funds
- ----------------------------
Blue Sky Fees: Up to $25,000
- -------------
Opinion Modifications: None
- ---------------------
Other securities being offered concurrently: None.
- -------------------------------------------
A-3
The Underwriter agrees, subject to the terms and provisions of the
above referenced Underwriting Agreement which is incorporated herein in its
entirety and made a part hereof, to purchase the respective principal amounts of
the above referenced Series of Certificates set forth opposite its name on
Schedule I hereto.
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
By:/s/Christopher D. Davis
----------------------------
Name: Christopher D. Davis
Title: Vice President
Accepted:
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:/s/Keith Schuck
----------------------------
Name: Keith Schuck
Title: Vice President
A-4
SCHEDULE I
TO EXHIBIT A TO EXHIBIT 4.1
UNDERWRITER
$600,000,000 Principal Amount of Class A Floating Rate Asset Backed
Certificates, Series 1997-4
Principal Amount
----------------
Chase Securities Inc. $600,000,000
$50,000,000 Principal Amount of Class B Floating Rate Asset Backed Certificates,
Series 1997-4
Principal Amount
----------------
Chase Securities Inc. $50,000,000
A-5