EXHIBIT 10.4
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND PREMISES AGREEMENT
AMERICAN EXPRESS RECEIVABLES FINANCING CORPORATION III LLC
AMERICAN EXPRESS RECEIVABLES FINANCING CORPORATION IV LLC
THIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND PREMISES AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),
dated as of April 16, 2004, as amended and restated as of June 30, 2004, among
American Express Receivables Financing Corporation III LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company ("RFC III"), American Express Receivables Financing
Corporation IV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("RFC IV") (RFC III and
RFC IV, together in this Agreement, the "Transferors"), American Express Travel
Related Services Company, Inc., a New York corporation ("TRS" or the
"Administrator"), American Express Centurion Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial
loan corporation ("Centurion"), and American Express Bank, FSB, a
federally-chartered savings bank ("FSB") (Centurion and FSB, each in its
capacity as a lessor of office space, a "Lessor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Administrative Services and Premises
Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2004 (the "Original Agreement"), each
Transferor engaged the Administrator to supervise and manage certain operations
of such Transferor and procured a license to use office space leased by TRS, in
the case of RFC III, or FSB, in the case of RFC IV, in connection with the
business of such Transferor; and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to amend and restate the
terms of the Original Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement, and for other valuable consideration the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Transferor, the
Administrator, Centurion and FSB hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINED TERMS.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings
(all terms defined in this Section 1 or in other provisions of the Agreement in
the singular to have the same meanings when used in the plural and vice versa):
"Premises" means (i) with respect to RFC III, those certain
premises commonly known as 4315 South 2700 West, Room 1300--RFC III, 02-01-04,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84184 and (ii) with respect to RFC IV, those certain
premises commonly known as 4315 South 2700 West, Room 1100--RFC IV, 02-01-58,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84184, or, in each case, such other office space as the
relevant Lessor and the relevant Transferor may mutually agree to designate
during the term of this Agreement.
"Transaction Documents" means (a) the Receivables Purchase
Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2004 (the "Centurion Receivables Purchase
Agreement"), between RFC III and Centurion, (b) the Receivables Purchase
Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2004 (the "FSB Receivables Purchase Agreement,"
and together with the Centurion Receivables Purchase Agreement, the "Receivable
Purchase Agreements"), between RFC IV and FSB, (c) the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, dated as of May 16, 1996, as amended and restated as of April 16,
2004 (as so amended and restated and as further amended and supplemented from
time to time, the "Pooling and Servicing Agreement"), among American Express
Receivables Financing Corporation II, a Delaware corporation ("RFC II"), RFC III
and RFC IV, as transferors, TRS, as servicer, and The Bank of New York, as
trustee, (d) the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2004, between
Centurion and RFC III, (e) the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 16,
2004, between FSB and RFC IV, (f) the Amendments to Trust Agreements, dated as
of April 16, 2004, (g) the Amendments to Transfer and Administration Agreements,
dated as of April 16, 2004, (h) the Amendment to the Series Supplements, dated
as of April 16, 2004 and (i) any agreement or document contemplated by the
foregoing or executed in connection with the foregoing.
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings assigned to such terms in the Receivables Purchase Agreements, or
if not defined therein, in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
2. ENGAGEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.
2.1 Engagement.
On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein,
each Transferor hereby engages the Administrator, and the Administrator hereby
accepts such engagement, to supervise and manage certain operations of such
Transferor, all as hereinafter set forth.
2.2 Reimbursement and Fees.
(a) Each Transferor shall reimburse the Administrator, within thirty (30)
days after receipt of invoices to be submitted to such Transferor by the
Administrator on a regular basis, for all reasonable expenses and taxes paid or
incurred by the Administrator and its employees and agents in performance of the
obligations of the Administrator hereunder, including appropriate allocations
of: (i) salaries and benefits of the Administrator's employees and agents who
perform services for such Transferor and (ii) overhead, computing and other
expenses attributable to services performed by the Administrator on behalf of
such Transferor hereunder.
(b) Amounts payable by a Transferor to the Administrator pursuant to this
Agreement shall not be subject to deduction or set-off of any kind for any
reason without the prior written consent of the Administrator. Upon request, the
Administrator agrees to submit to each Transferor reports that detail the manner
in which invoices are prepared by the Administrator or that support, in
reasonable detail, any invoice relating to such Transferor.
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2.3 Relationship.
(a) Nothing set forth herein shall constitute, or be construed as
creating, an employment relationship, a partnership, a joint venture or any
other kind of relationship or association between any of the parties. Except as
expressly provided herein or in any other written agreement between any of the
parties, no party hereto has any authority, expressed or implied, to bind, or to
incur liabilities on behalf or in the name of, any other party.
(b) All services to be furnished by the Administrator under this
Agreement may be furnished by any officer or employee of the Administrator or
any other person designated by the Administrator. No director, officer or
employee of the Administrator shall receive a salary or other compensation from
a Transferor. The Administrator shall devote such time in providing its services
hereunder as is reasonably necessary to fully perform such services.
3. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.
3.1 Powers.
The Administrator shall, in accordance with the standards set forth in
Section 4 hereof, provide the following services on behalf of each Transferor:
(a) provide clerical, bookkeeping, office and contract administration,
legal and accounting services necessary or appropriate for each Transferor,
including maintenance of general and accounting records of each Transferor;
prepare for audit, and cause to be issued, such periodic financial statements as
may be necessary or appropriate; maintain the accounts of each Transferor; and
file, or cause to be filed, necessary or appropriate filings with federal,
state, and local authorities under applicable statutes; provided, however, that
the records and accounts of each Transferor shall be maintained separately from
those of the Administrator, any other Transferor or any other person or entity;
(b) prepare, or cause to be prepared, for execution by the appropriate
representatives of each Transferor, and file, such franchise, withholding,
income, or other tax returns of each Transferor as shall be required under
applicable law;
(c) make all filings as may be necessary or appropriate under applicable
law or the Transaction Documents in connection with the operations or business
of each Transferor;
(d) provide equipment and services relating to, and access to, computer
and telecommunications systems and networks - including, without limitation,
local and long distance telephone networks, data communication lines, and
computer hardware and software - and coordinate vendor invoicing, repairs, and
maintenance;
(e) procure, on behalf of and in the name of each Transferor, standard
loss insurance protection;
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(f) manage each Transferor's funds, including without limitation
providing the following services:
(i) bank account management;
(ii) cash forecasting; and
(iii) short-term cash investment;
(g) perform such other acts which are necessary or appropriate to carry
out its obligations hereunder; and
(h) perform such other services related to the operation of each
Transferor as requested by such Transferor;
provided, however, the Administrator shall not:
(x) execute or deliver any document, agreement, or instrument in
the name of a Transferor;
(y) initiate or compromise any claim or lawsuit in the name of a
Transferor; or
(z) dispose of any assets of a Transferor, whether by sale, pledge
or otherwise.
3.2 Restrictions.
(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall not take any
action on behalf of any Transferor that such Transferor is prohibited from
taking under the Transaction Documents.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall not be
obligated or required by any Transferor to commence, join any other person in
commencing, or authorize a trustee or other person acting on its behalf or on
behalf of others to commence, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency, conservatorship, receivership or similar proceedings under the laws
of the United States of America or any state thereof.
(c) The Administrator hereby covenants and agrees that it will not at any
time institute against any Transferor, or join in instituting against any
Transferor, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency,
liquidation, or similar proceeding under any United States federal or state
bankruptcy or similar law.
4. LIABILITY.
With respect to each Transferor, the Administrator shall render the
services called for hereunder in good faith, taking into consideration the best
interests of such Transferor. In no event shall the Administrator ever be liable
to any Transferor under this Agreement or in connection with services provided
hereunder for any punitive, incidental, consequential or indirect damages in
tort, contract or otherwise.
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5. INFORMATION.
(a) Each Transferor shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary
to assist the Administrator to cause the other parties to the Transaction
Documents to prepare and supply to the Administrator such information regarding
the performance of such agreements and documents as the Administrator may from
time to time reasonably request in connection with the performance of its
obligations hereunder.
(b) Each Transferor recognizes that the accuracy and completeness of the
records maintained and the information supplied by the Administrator hereunder
is dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of the information obtained by
the Administrator from the parties to the Transaction Documents and from other
sources, and the Administrator shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy in
the information as obtained or for any inaccuracy in the records maintained by
the Administrator hereunder that may result from such inaccuracy unless and to
the extent the Administrator knows of such inaccuracy.
(c) Each Transferor shall have reasonable access during usual business
hours to the books and records of the Administrator relating to the services
provided by the Administrator hereunder relating to such Transferor.
6. LICENSE TO USE PREMISES.
(a) Centurion hereby grants to RFC III, and FSB hereby grants to RFC IV,
a license to use the applicable Premises as office space for the transaction of
such Transferor's business, and such Transferor hereby accepts such license, for
the term described in clause (b) below, at the license fee described in clause
(c) below and upon all of the conditions set forth in this Section 6. In
addition, each Transferor, its directors, officers, employees, invitees, agents
and guests are hereby granted the non-exclusive use of the common areas of the
building in which the applicable Premises are situated.
(b) The term of the license to use the applicable Premises shall commence
as of the date of this Agreement and shall terminate concurrently with the
termination of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 7
below.
(c) For each calendar month, each Transferor shall pay to the applicable
Lessor a license fee for the use of the applicable Premises equal to the portion
of the rent and any additional amounts for taxes, common area charges or
comparable expenses payable for such period by Centurion or FSB, as the case may
be, for all space leased in the building in which such Premises are situated
that the number of square feet of such Premises bears to the total number of
square feet leased by Centurion or FSB, as the case may be, in such building.
The license fee includes compensation to the applicable Lessor for office space
in such Premises, utilities (other than telephone) and access to other portions
of the building in which such Premises are situated which are occupied by
Centurion or FSB, as the case may be, as may be required for the needs of such
Transferor under this Agreement.
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7. TERM.
Any party to this Agreement may terminate this Agreement upon thirty
(30) days written notice to the other parties.
8. NOTICES.
All notices, requests and other communications permitted or required
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or mailed by
certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or by telex or
facsimile as follows:
If to the Administrator, addressed to:
American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
American Express Tower
World Financial Center
200 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10285
Attn: Treasurer (facsimile no. (212) 619-7099)
If to Centurion, addressed to
American Express Centurion Bank
4315 South 2700 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84184
Attn: President (facsimile no. (801) 945-4075)
If to FSB, addressed to
American Express Bank, FSB
4315 South 2700 West, 02-01-58
Salt Lake City, Utah 84184
Attn: President (facsimile no. (801) 945-4050)
If to RFC III, addressed to:
American Express Receivables Financing Corporation III LLC
4315 South 2700 West
Room 1300, 02-01-04
Salt Lake City, Utah 84184
Attn: President (facsimile no. (801) 945-2550),
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with a copy to American Express Travel Related Services
Company, Inc., as administrator, American Express Tower, World
Financial Center, 200 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10285,
Attention: General Counsel (facsimile no. 212-619-7099)
If to RFC IV, addressed to:
American Express Receivables Financing Corporation IV LLC
4315 South 2700 West
Room 1100, 02-01-58
Salt Lake City, Utah 84184
Attn: President (facsimile no. (801) 945-2068),
with a copy to American Express Travel Related Services
Company, Inc., as administrator, American Express Tower, World
Financial Center, 200 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10285,
Attention: General Counsel (facsimile no. 212-619-7099),
or to such other place within the United States of America as any party may
designate as to itself by written notice to the other parties. All notices given
by personal delivery or mail shall be effective on the date of actual receipt at
the appropriate address. Notice given by telex or facsimile shall be effective
upon actual receipt if received during the recipient's normal business hours or
the beginning of the next business day after receipt if received after the
recipient's normal business hours.
9. NON-EXCLUSIVE SERVICES.
The Administrator may engage in other activities, including, without
limitation, the purchase and sale of credit card receivables, even though such
activities may compete with the business or activities of a Transferor. Nothing
in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any director, officer or
employee of the Administrator or any of its affiliates to engage in any other
business or activity or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the
management or other aspects of any other business or activity, whether of a
similar or dissimilar nature to the business or activities of a Transferor.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS; WAIVER.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto.
This Agreement may not be amended, and no rights hereunder may be waived, except
by a written document signed by the duly authorized representatives of the
parties. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to
be or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not
similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise
expressly provided.
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11. ASSIGNMENT.
This Agreement may not be assigned by any party without the prior written
consent of the other parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. Any party's transfer or assignment in
violation of this Section 11 shall be void.
12. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument and any of the
parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.
13. GOVERNING LAW.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS
AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.
14. CAPTIONS.
The captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and
shall not define or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.
[Signature Page to Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED
SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ David L. Yowan
---------------------------------
Name: David L. Yowan
Title: Senior Vice President and
Treasurer
AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION BANK
By: /s/ L. Craig Downs
---------------------------------
Name: L. Craig Downs
Title: President and Chief Operating
Officer
AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK, FSB
By: /s/ Julie M. Lindquist
---------------------------------
Name: Julie M. Lindquist
Title: President and Chief Operating
Officer
AMERICAN EXPRESS RECEIVABLES
FINANCING CORPORATION III LLC
By: /s/ L. Craig Downs
---------------------------------
Name: L. Craig Downs
Title: President
AMERICAN EXPRESS RECEIVABLES
FINANCING CORPORATION IV LLC
By: /s/ Robert C. Radle
---------------------------------
Name: Robert C. Radle
Title: President
[Signature Page to Administrative Services and Premises Agreement]
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