Exhibit 10.4 CONFORMED COPY Commitment Amount Increase Request May 2, 2002 Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent") for the Banks referred to below 135 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 Attention: Agency Services Re: Credit Agreement (364-Day), dated as of May 3, 2001 among Maytag Corporation, the Banks party thereto and Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), ----------------------------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: In accordance with the Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby requests that the Administrative Agent consent to an increase in the aggregate Commitments (the "Commitment Amount Increase"), in accordance with Section 2.9 of the Credit Agreement, to be effected by the addition of Societe Generale, Chicago Branch (the "New Bank") as a Bank under the terms of the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as such terms have in the Credit Agreement. After giving effect to such Commitment Amount Increase, and upon the effectiveness of the Commitment Amount Increase, the Commitment of the New Bank will be as set forth on Attachment I hereto. 1. The New Bank hereby confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the exhibits and schedules related thereto, together with copies of the documents which were required to be delivered under the Credit Agreement as a condition to the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit thereunder. The New Bank acknowledges and agrees that it has made and will continue to make, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Bank and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, its own credit analysis and decisions relating to the Credit Agreement. The New Bank further acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent has not made any representations or warranties about the credit worthiness of the Borrower or any other party to the Credit Agreement or with respect to the legality, validity, sufficiency or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or the value of any security therefor. 2. Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, effective as of the date of acceptance hereof by the Administrative Agent, the New Bank (i) shall be deemed automatically to have become a party to the Credit Agreement and have all the rights and obligations of a "Bank" under the Credit Agreement as if it were an original signatory thereto and (ii) agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement as if it were an original signatory thereto. 3. The New Bank hereby advises you of the following administrative details with respect to its Loans and Commitment: (A) Notices: Institution Name: Societe Generale, Chicago Branch Address: 181 West Madison Avenue Chicago, Illinois Telephone: 312-578-5156 Facsimile: 312-578-5099 (B) Payment Instructions: 4. The New Bank has delivered, if appropriate, to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or is delivering to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent concurrently herewith) the tax forms referred to in Section 12.1 of the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contractual obligation under, and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Illinois. The Commitment Amount Increase shall be effective when the executed consent of the Administrative Agent is received or otherwise in accordance with Section 2.9 of the Credit Agreement, but not in any case prior to May 2, 2002. It shall be a condition to the effectiveness of the Commitment Amount Increase that no Eurocurrency Loans shall be outstanding on the date of such effectiveness. The Borrower hereby certifies that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. -2- Please indicate the Administrative Agent's consent to such Commitment Amount Increase by signing the enclosed copy of this letter in the space provided below. Very truly yours, Maytag Corporation By: /s/ Steven J. Klyn ------------------ Name: Steven J. Klyn Title: Vice President & Treasurer Societe Generale, Chicago Branch By: /s/ Milissa A. Goeden --------------------- Name: Milissa A. Goeden Title: Vice President The undersigned hereby consents on this 2nd day of May, 2002 to the above-requested Commitment Amount Increase. Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent By: /s/ Christine M. Jack --------------------- Name: Christine M. Jack Title: Vice President -3- Attachment I Societe Generale, Chicago Branch $7,500,000