MERCHANT CARD PROCESSING AGREEMENT
This Merchant Card Processing Agreement is for merchant card payment processing services between
the merchant ("Merchant") that signed the Application (the "Application") and Synovus Bank (the
"Merchant Bank") and Secure Bancard, LLC (the "Processor"). The Processor and the Merchant Bank are
collectively hereinafter referred to as the "Bank". Processor and Merchant Bank reserve the right to
allocate Bank's duties and obligations amongst themselves as they deem appropriate in their sole
discretion, and Merchant Bank or Processor may jointly or individually assert or exercise any rights or
remedies provided to Bank hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision hereof, Merchant understands and agrees (A) that
Merchant Bank does not sponsor Processor into the American Express or Diners Club/Carte Blanche or
JCB Network, is not providing or agreeing to provide Merchant any services hereunder with respect to
American Express or Diners Club/Carte Blanche or JCB Network Card transactions, does not determine
or approve or agree upon any fees, charges, pricing, or any other terms and conditions, relating to
American Express or Diners Club/Carte Blanche or JCB Network Card transactions, and has no
responsibility or liability to Merchant for American Express or Diners Club/Carte Blanche or JCB Network
Card transactions; and (B) that Merchant Bank does not provide or agree to provide Merchant any
services hereunder or have any responsibility or liability to Merchant with respect to any PIN-based debit
or stored value or electronic benefit transfer transactions (except only to the extent, if any, required under
Visa's or MasterCard's or Discover's Operating Rules or under any mandatory provisions of applicable
law), or any other Card type transactions (other than Visa and MasterCard and Discover credit and non-
PIN based debit/stored value Card transactions), or any other services specified in the Application as
covered in whole or in part by this Agreement but as not being provided by Merchant Bank; and (C) that
to the extent applicable to American Express or Diners Club/Carte Blanche or JCB Network Cards or
transactions, or to any of the other types of Cards, transactions or services referred to above or in the
Application as not being provided by Merchant Bank, any reference herein or in any of the other
documents constituting part of the "Agreement" (as defined below) to the terms "Bank" or "Merchant
Bank" (except only to the extent the reference constitutes a complete disclaimer of responsibility or
liability on the part of Bank or Merchant Bank, or constitutes an obligation on the part of Merchant to
indemnify, defend or hold harmless Bank or Merchant Bank from or against any responsibility or liability)
means Processor only.
The appendices, addenda, schedules and FEE SCHEDULE that accompany or are incorporated by
reference into this Merchant Card Processing Agreement, as amended from time to time as provided
herein, are part of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as are the Application and the Operating
Rules, and with this Merchant Card Processing Agreement are individually and collectively hereinafter
referred to as the "Agreement" or as the "Merchant Agreement".
According to the processing services selected by Merchant on the Application and, in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and applicable Operating Rules, Merchant agrees to participate in the Bank's
Card processing program by honoring Valid Cards in accordance with this Agreement; and to submit
sales drafts, Credit Vouchers and other electronic data to Bank for the Card Program services provided
by Bank.
With respect to Visa Transactions:
Merchant Bank is responsible for providing settlement funds directly to Merchant, and Processor shall
not have access to or hold settlement funds.
With respect to MasterCard Transactions:
a) For purposes of the Agreement and performance of the Agreement by the Processor: (1) the
Processor is the exclusive agent of Merchant Bank; (2) Merchant Bank is at all times and entirely
responsible for, and in control of, Processor's performance; and (3) Merchant Bank must approve, in
advance, any fee to or obligation of the Merchant arising from or related to performance of the
Agreement.
b) The Agreement is not effective and may not be modified in any respect without the express written
consent of Merchant Bank.
c) Processor may not have access, directly or indirectly, to any account for funds or funds due to a
Merchant and/or funds withheld from a Merchant for Chargebacks arising from, or related to, performance
of the Agreement. Merchant Bank may not assign or otherwise transfer an obligation to pay or reimburse
a Merchant arising from, or related to, performance of the Agreement to Processor.
d) Processor may not subcontract, sublicense, assign, license, franchise, or in any manner extend or
transfer to any third party, any right or obligation of Processor set forth in the Agreement.
e) Merchant Bank is responsible for the Program and for the Merchant's participation in the Program.
f) The Merchant Agreement shall not take effect without being signed by Merchant Bank.
1. DEFINITIONS.
a. "Acceptance" is the process by which Merchant allows a Card or electronic debit or credit
entry to be used by a Cardholder as a means of payment.
b. "ACH" means the Automated Clearing House Network.
c. "ACH Rules" means, collectively, the National Automated Clearing House Association
("NACHA") Operating Rules and NACHA Operating Guidelines, as the same are amended from time to
time.
d. "Address Verification Service" (AVS) is a Card fraud prevention tool designed for mail
order, telephone order and electronic commerce (internet) merchants and other electronic transactions.
Use of AVS is not a guarantee that a Card Transaction is valid.
e. "Adjustment" is one or more transactions involving a Credit Voucher, a Chargeback, or a
correction to the Settlement Account resulting from a Card Transaction processing error, or from
Merchant's failure to follow the Operating Rules.
f. "Application" is the Application for Merchant Agreement that Merchant completed and
signed and which is subsequently individually accepted by both Processor and Merchant Bank by
execution or as otherwise provided herein.
g. "Authorization" is the process whereby Merchant in compliance with the Operating Rules
for each Card obtains approval of a Charge from the Card Issuer. An Authorization indicates only the
availability of the Cardholder's credit limit at the time the Authorization is requested.
h. "Authorization Code" is a message obtained through the Card Networks' Authorization
networks that informs Merchant that a Card transaction has been approved.
i. "Batch" is a term that collectively refers to Card transactions delivered for processing in a
file and processed within a given period of time, usually daily.
j. "Business Day" is Monday through Friday excluding Merchant Bank holidays. Each
Business Day ends at the cut-off time specified by Merchant Bank. Charges submitted for processing on
a holiday, weekend, or after the cut-off time are treated as received the following Business Day.
k. "Card" is any Visa-branded or MasterCard-branded or Discover(r) Network branded Credit
and Business Cards or Debit Cards, private-label credit card, ATM/debit Card, or any other card issued by
a member of a Card Network which Bank may at any time specify in writing as an additional Card
payment option available to Merchant (See also "Valid Card").
l. "Card Not Present" or "CNP" is a Card Transaction wherein neither the Cardholder nor
the Card is physically present at the Point of Sale. Mail order and telephone order (MO/TO), electronic
commerce and Preauthorized Transactions are collectively referred to as "CNP Transactions".
m. "Card Program" is one or more programs of financial service Cards honored by
Merchants and financial institutions for presentment and collection of Cardholder indebtedness.
n. "Card Transaction" is the honoring of a Card by Merchant to purchase Merchant's goods
or services.
o. "Cardholder" is the person issued a Card and a corresponding account by a Card Issuer.
p. "Cardholder Account" is the account of a Cardholder as represented by a Card.
q. "Card Network" refers to any entity formed to administer and promote Cards, including,
without limitation, MasterCard International, Incorporated ("MasterCard") Visa U.S.A. Inc. and Visa
International (collectively, "Visa") and Discover Network. In the case of On-line Debit Transactions, "Card
Network" includes the Debit Networks.
r. "Card Issuer" is the institution authorized by a Card Network to issue Cards to
Cardholders and that has issued a Card presented to Merchant for a Charge or Credit Voucher.
s. "Card Verification Value (CVV)/Card Validation Code 2 (CVC2)/Card Identification Data
(CID)" is a unique value encoded on the Magnetic Stripe of a Card used to validate Card information
during the Authorization process.
t. "Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2)/Card Validation Code 2 (CVC2)/Card Identification
Data (CID)" is a code derived by the Card Issuer and printed on the reverse side of a Card. The
CVV2/CVC2/CID is used to deter fraudulent use of an account number in a CNP Transaction.
u. "Charge" is the evidence of an obligation of a Cardholder arising from a Card Transaction
with Merchant which is submitted by Merchant in paper or electronic form to Bank for processing through
a Card Network's interchange system so that payment may be made to Merchant and the amount of the
Charge posted to the Cardholder Account. A Charge also may be referred to as a "Charge Record,"
"sales draft" or "sales slip."
v. "Chargeback" is a return of a Charge to Merchant, typically initiated by a Cardholder
through a Card Issuer, for transmittal to and payment by Merchant under Operating Rules established by
the Card Networks.
w. "Credit and Business Cards" are any Visa-branded or MasterCard-branded or Discover
Network branded Cards that are adopted by Visa or MasterCard or Discover Network for use in
connection with their consumer credit and charge Card Programs, any Visa-branded or MasterCard-
branded or Discover Network branded business, corporate or, commercial Card (includes business,
corporate and public sector credit, charge or debit Cards), and any other Visa-branded or MasterCard-
branded or Discover Network branded Card that is not defined as a Debit Card.
x. "Credit Voucher" is the evidence of a partial or total refund of a Charge submitted by
Merchant to Bank in paper or electronic form for processing through a Card Network interchange system
so that credit may be made to a Cardholder Account. A Credit Voucher may also be referred to as a
"Credit Slip".
y. "Debit Cards" are Visa-branded or MasterCard-branded or Discover Network branded
consumer Cards issued by U.S. Card Issuers that when presented for payment, access, debit, hold or
settle funds from a consumer's demand deposit, investment or other asset account. Examples of Debit
Cards include: Visa Classic, Gold and Platinum Check Cards; Visa Check Card II Check Cards; Visa
Buxx Cards; Visa Payroll Cards; Visa Gift Cards; and MasterCard Standard, Gold, and Platinum debit
Cards.
z. "Debit Network" is an online data processing system used to support PIN based Card
Transactions.
aa. "Installment Billing Transaction" is a single purchase of goods that is divided into two or
more installment payment transactions made in a Card Not Present environment.
bb. "Magnetic Stripe" refers to a stripe of magnetic information affixed to the back of a plastic
credit or debit Card. The magnetic stripe contains essential Cardholder and account information.
cc. "Merchant Affiliate" is any entity or account designated as "Affiliated" on the Application
and, in addition, any person or entity which is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by Merchant or any
of Merchant's principal business owners identified in the Application ("Principals").
dd. "Merchant Identification Number (MID)" is the identification number assigned to Merchant
by Bank for the purposes of participation in Bank's Card Program. Merchant may be assigned multiple
MIDs.
ee. "Merchant Servicer" means any contractor, agent, hardware provider, software provider
or service provider who is engaged directly or indirectly by Merchant or who otherwise acts for or on
behalf of Merchant in connection with Merchant's acceptance of Cards or the submission of Charges or
Credit Vouchers to Bank, or who otherwise assists Merchant in the performance of Merchant's
obligations under this Agreement, and includes without limitation any "Agent", "Merchant Servicer", "Third
Party", "Merchant Processor", "Data Storage Entity", "Payment Service Provider", "Internet Payment
Service Provider", or "Payment Facilitator" who acts for or on behalf of Merchant within the meaning of the
Operating Rules, and any other person or entity who will store, transmit, process, or otherwise have
access to, any Cardholder or card transaction data in connection with Merchant's performance of
Merchant's obligations under this Agreement.
ff. "On-line Debit Card Transaction" is a Card Transaction between the Merchant and the
Cardholder that is initiated with a Card that is processed through a Debit Network, and that requires entry
of a Cardholder's personal identification number ("PIN") during the transaction process.
gg. "Operating Guide" means any manuals or guides prepared by Bank from time to time,
containing operational procedures, instructions and other directives relating to Card Transactions.
hh. "Operating Rules" are relevant portions of Operating Regulations, Operating Manuals,
Operating Guide, Official Rules, Bulletins, Notices, and similar documents issued by Card Networks,
Debit Networks, Merchant Bank or Processor. (Merchant acknowledges that MasterCard has published a
"Rules Manual" and a "Chargeback Guide", which are available at the MasterCard web site; and that Visa
has published a public version of the "Visa International Operating Regulations" and a "Card Acceptance
Guidelines for Visa Merchants" and a "Chargeback Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants", which
are available at the Visa website. Merchant represents, warrants and agrees that Merchant has
accessed each of these documents, and that Merchant will at all times continue to maintain the capability
to access, and will access, each of these documents as in effect from time to time, including any changed
versions thereof as may be published from time to time by the applicable Card Network. In the event
there shall be any inconsistency between any such published version of a Card Network's Operating
Rules and the version made applicable to Merchant Bank from time to time by the applicable Card
Network, the version made applicable to Merchant Bank from time to time by the applicable Card Network
shall control to the extent of the inconsistency.) The Operating Rules, as in effect from time to time, are
incorporated herein by this reference. References herein to any particular sections of any Operating
Rules of a Card Network, are deemed to include any future changed, supplemented and/or re-numbered
versions of those sections, when and as made effective from time to time by the applicable Card Network.
ii "Point of Sale" or "POS" is each location of Merchant where Merchant and Cardholder
can jointly complete a Charge or Credit Voucher transaction in connection with the Cardholder's purchase
of goods or services provided by Merchant.
jj. "Preauthorized Health Care Transaction" is a Card Transaction for which a Cardholder
has given a health care Merchant written permission to the Cardholder Account for services.
kk. "Preauthorized Transaction" is a Card Transaction for which a Cardholder has given
advance permission to periodically charge the Cardholder Account. Preauthorized Transactions include
Recurring Transactions, Installment Billing Transactions, and Preauthorized Health Care Transactions.
ll. "Processing Fees" are the fees payable by Merchant to Bank for the Card Program
services Bank provides to Merchant in connection with this Agreement, as specified in the FEE
SCHEDULE to the Application or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or an Addendum thereto.
mm. "Recurring Transaction" is a Card Transaction where the Cardholder provides
permission, in either written or electronic format, to a Merchant to periodically charge the Cardholder
Account for recurring goods or services, including, but not limited to, insurance premiums, subscriptions,
monthly internet access fees, membership fees, tuition, or utility charges.
nn. "Regulation E" means the regulations, together with all staff interpretations issued
thereunder, published by the Federal Reserve Board to implement The Electronic Funds Transfer Act.
"Regulation E" includes specific rules for all parties involved governing the issuance and use of Debit
Cards and the processing of On-line Debit Card Transactions.
oo. "Settlement Account" is the checking account or other acceptable deposit account
Merchant maintains at a depository institution acceptable to Bank for credit of Charges by Merchant Bank
and debit of Credit Vouchers, Chargebacks, Processing Fees and any fines or fees assessed by Card
Networks or other governmental agency or entity having authority.
pp. "Valid Card" is a Card that is (1) properly issued under the authority of a Card Network
(not counterfeit); (2) "current" according to any beginning and expiration dates on the Card; (3) signed by
the Cardholder named on the front or other authorized signer, or in the case of CNP Transactions, in
compliance with the applicable Operating Rules; (4) not listed at the time of a Charge in a warning bulletin
or notice issued by a Card Network; and (5) not visibly altered or mutilated when physically present at the
POS.
2. MERCHANT'S APPLICATION AND INFORMATION.
By completing and signing the Application, Merchant applies for the Card Program services
covered by the Application and this Agreement. In its sole and absolute discretion, Processor and/or
Merchant Bank may accept or reject Merchant's Application. Merchant may present Charges to Bank only
for the activities and in the volumes described on the Application, including the percentage of mail/phone
order and electronic commerce (internet) transactions. (Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Merchant understands and agrees that Merchant shall not present Charges to Bank which arise from any
internet gambling transactions, or any other form of gambling transactions, unless (i) such activities by
Merchant are described in the Merchant Application and (ii) there shall first have been entered into a
separate agreement with Merchant with regard to such transactions, signed by both Processor and
Merchant Bank.)
3. MERCHANT'S GENERAL DUTIES.
a. Merchant will comply with this Agreement for submitting and processing Charges and
Credit Vouchers with Bank. Bank is responsible to Merchant for processing Card Transactions under the
Operating Rules for the Card Program services to which Merchant subscribes, which may vary among
Card types.
b. Merchant may choose to accept (in the case of Visa or MasterCard acceptance) (i) Debit
Cards only, or (ii) Credit and Business Cards only or, (iii) both Debit Cards and Credit and Business
Cards, in each case of the Card Networks designated by Merchant on the Application (if Merchant has
chosen to accept Discover Card Transactions in the Application, Merchant agrees to accept all Discover
Cards, whether Credit and Business Cards or Debit Cards). The applicable discount rates for Debit
Cards and Credit and Business Cards are stated on the FEE SCHEDULE provided in or with the
Application, as the same may be modified from time to time as provided herein. Merchant shall designate
which Card type(s) Merchant will accept upon the signing of the Application.
c. For Card Transactions, Merchant agrees (in the case of each of the following, to the
extent such agreement is not prohibited by mandatory provisions of applicable law) to: (i) honor all Valid
Cards of the Card type(s) selected under Section 3.b; (ii) with respect to the Card Networks whose Cards
Merchant so selects, honor all Cards, regardless of type(s), issued by a non U.S. Card Issuer; (iii) not
accept Cardholder payments for previous Card charges incurred at the Merchant location; (iv) not
establish minimum or maximum amounts for Card Charges or Credit Vouchers unless otherwise required
or allowed by the Operating Rules; (v) not impose any surcharge or convenience fee on Card Charges or
transactions if the surcharge or convenience fee is prohibited by the Operating Rules; (vi) not require a
Cardholder to complete a postcard or similar device that includes the Cardholder Account number, Card
expiration date, signature or any other Card account data in plain view when mailed; (vii) not add any tax
to transactions, unless applicable law expressly requires that Merchant be permitted to impose a tax; any
tax amount, if allowed, must be included in the Charge amount and not collected separately; (viii) not
request or use a Cardholder Account number for any purpose other than as payment for Merchant's
goods or services; (ix) not disburse funds in the form of travelers cheques or other non-cash media, if the
sole purpose is to allow a Cardholder to make a cash purchase of goods or services from Merchant; (x)
not use a Charge to make a cash advance to any person or to disburse funds in the form of cash, except
for specialized transactions previously authorized by Bank in writing; (xi) not require a Cardholder to
provide fingerprints or other personal information, such as address, license, telephone number or social
security number as a condition for honoring a Card, unless required to do so by the Operating Rules; (xii)
not make a photocopy of a Card or require the Cardholder to provide a photocopy or facsimile of a Card
unless the photocopy or facsimile is needed for a Card recovery program of Bank or a Card Network; (xiii)
not submit Card Charges for processing without physical possession of a Card unless pre-approved in
writing by Bank, either on the Application or in other written form; (xiv) comply with all laws in completing
Card Transactions, performing obligations under this Agreement, and otherwise conducting Merchant's
business; (xv) not accept Cards for transactions that are classified as "Quasi-Cash Transactions"
including, but not limited to, the sale of casino gaming chips, money orders, opening deposits on financial
or other accounts, wire transfer money orders, or the issuance of scrip; (xvi) not accept a Card to collect
or refinance an existing debt that has been deemed uncollectible by Merchant; (xvii) not enter into
interchange a Charge that represents collection of a dishonored check or a Chargeback; (xviii) not require
a Cardholder, as a condition of honoring a Card, to sign a statement that waives the Cardholder's rights
to dispute the transaction with the Card Issuer; (xix) as applicable, accept CNP Transactions in
accordance with the terms of the CNP ADDENDUM; (xx) provide Bank with evidence of the original
purchase.
d. Merchant, and not Bank, is responsible for any advice from, acts of, as well as omissions,
acts of fraud or acts of misconduct by Merchant's employees, processors, consultants, advisors,
contractors, agents, officers and directors. Merchant, and not Bank, is responsible for the use,
unauthorized use or misuse of Merchant's equipment, POS terminals, or software.
e. Merchant consents to receiving electronically rather than in paper form all written notices,
disclosures and other documents ("Documents") which are to be provided by Bank to Merchant under this
Agreement. Bank will notify Merchant that a Document is available at Processor's web site with a link to
that specific page of the web site containing the Document. Merchant agrees that such notification will be
sent to Merchant at the e-mail address provided as part of the Application.
Merchant understands and acknowledges that access to the Internet, e-mail and the
worldwide web are required for Merchant to access a Document electronically and Merchant confirms that
Merchant has such access. Merchant understands that there are costs related to access Documents
electronically and Merchant agrees that Merchant is responsible for these related access costs.
At any time and without giving Merchant advance notice, Merchant Bank and/or
Processor may elect not to send a Document electronically, in which case a paper copy of the Document
will be sent to Merchant or such Document shall otherwise be provided as provided for herein.
4. PROCEDURES FOR CARD TRANSACTIONS.
a. Operating Procedures for Card Transactions. In accepting Cards for the purchase of
Merchant's goods and services, Merchant shall comply with the requirements of this Agreement, including
but not limited to the Operating Rules and applicable law, as the same are revised from time to time.
i. Authorization Unless specifically exempted by Operating Rules, Merchant
agrees to obtain Authorization for the total amount of the transaction, including the tip and tax, if
applicable, and shall record the positive Authorization Code on the sales draft prior to completing the
transaction. Such Authorization must be obtained for every Card Transaction on the transaction date and
prior to completing the transaction, unless otherwise specified in the Operating Rules. Procedures for
obtaining Authorizations are set forth in the Operating Rules. If a Merchant completes a Charge without
Authorization, Merchant will be responsible for any Chargeback of the Charge and this Agreement shall
be subject to immediate termination without notice. Obtaining Authorization does not assure that the
person using the Card is the Cardholder and will not prevent a Chargeback to Merchant for any of a
variety of reasons under the Operating Rules, including use of the Card by an unauthorized user or a
Cardholder claim or defense relating to the Charge. Merchant shall use its best efforts, by reasonable
and peaceful means, to retain or recover any Card, (a) if Merchant is advised by the authorizing center to
retain it, (b) if Merchant has reasonable grounds to believe such Card is counterfeit, fraudulent or stolen,
or (c) if the Card's embossed account number, indent printed account number and/or encoded account
number do not match, or an unexpired Card does not have the appropriate hologram on the Card face.
Merchant's efforts to recover a Card will at all times be reasonable under the circumstances. The
obligation of Merchant of retain or recover a Card imposed by this section does not authorize a breach of
the peace or any injury to persons or property, and Merchant will hold Bank harmless from any claim
arising from any injury to person or property or other breach of the peace.
ii. Recording a Charge. Merchant must record each Charge and Credit Voucher by
following procedures in a format and manner specified by Bank and using records such as sales drafts,
sales slips or electronic processing records and methods, as set forth in the Operating Rules. Merchant
will complete each sale as a single Charge, except as alternative methods are specifically approved by
Bank in writing. Merchant will deliver to the Cardholder an accurate and complete copy of the Charge, no
later than the time of delivery of the goods or performance of services, using a format approved by the
Card Networks and supplied by Bank. Merchant must provide on the Cardholder's copy of the Charge
the truncated Card account number of the Cardholder.
For receipts completed by Internet Payment Service Providers, Payment Service Providers, or Payment
Facilitators, see additional requirements set forth in the Operating Rules.
iii. Refunds; Adjustments; Credit Vouchers.
(A) Merchant Policy: Merchant may limit returned merchandise or limit price
adjustments, to the same extent as for sales not involving a Card, provided Merchant properly discloses
its policy to the Cardholder before the sale, the limits are properly disclosed on the Charge Record before
the Cardholder signs it, and the purchased goods or services are delivered to the Cardholder at the time
the Charge takes place. Proper disclosure means the words "NO REFUND," "EXCHANGE ONLY," or "IN
STORE CREDIT ONLY" are printed in large letters near the signature line on all copies of the Charge
Record prior to obtaining the Cardholder's signature on the Charge Record. Merchant will submit any
changes to its return policy to Bank in writing at least thirty (30) days before the change and will not
implement any change to which Bank reasonably objects. Merchant's policies will not override the
Operating Rules and will not prevent Chargebacks to Merchant under those rules.
(B) Credit Vouchers: Merchant will not make a refund or Adjustment for a
Charge in cash (except when required by law), but will deliver to Bank a Credit Voucher for a refund or
Adjustment to the Cardholder Account within three (3) days of the refund or Adjustment and deliver to the
Cardholder a copy of the Credit Voucher at the time the refund or Adjustment is made. Merchant will
include the refund date and amount and a brief description of the refund or Adjustment on the Credit
Voucher in sufficient detail to identify the Card used and original Charge. The amount of the Credit
Voucher must not exceed the amount of the original Charge except for any amount which Merchant
agrees to reimburse the Cardholder for return postage. Merchant may not deliver a Credit Voucher to
Bank for any refund or Adjustment of a purchase not originating as a Charge with the same Cardholder
requesting the refund or Adjustment, a Charge not made with Merchant, or a Charge not originally
processed by Bank. Merchant will not complete a Credit Voucher for a Card issued to it or its Principals
or employees except for a valid refund of a Charge originating with Merchant. Merchant may not receive
money from a Cardholder and subsequently deliver to Bank a Credit Voucher to make a deposit to the
account of the Cardholder. Bank may delay processing Credit Vouchers on any day to the extent they
exceed the total of valid Charges presented on that day and the balance in the Settlement Account
available to cover the Credit Vouchers, until the sum of valid Charges and the balance in the Settlement
Account is sufficient to cover the Credit Vouchers
(C) Credit Vouchers After Agreement Termination: After this Agreement
terminates, Bank is not obligated to process any Credit Vouchers that Merchant submits. All Chargebacks
related to Credit Voucher disputes will be Merchant's responsibility. If Merchant enters into a new card
processing service agreement with a new processor and provides Bank the name and address of
Merchant's new processor, Bank will work with the new processor at Merchant's expense to reasonably
resolve disputes.
iv. Submission of Valid Charges. Merchant will submit to Bank a Charge only if the
Charge is made or approved by the Cardholder who is issued the Card used for the Charge. Except as
otherwise permitted by the Operating Rules and as approved by Bank in advance, Merchant will not
submit a Charge for processing by Bank until Merchant has delivered or shipped the goods and/or
performed all its services. Merchant will not submit directly or indirectly: (1) any Card Transaction
previously submitted to Bank; (2) any Card Transaction that Merchant knows or should have known to be
fraudulent or not authorized by the Cardholder; (3) any Card Transaction that results from a transaction
outside of Merchant's normal course of business, as described on the Application; (4) any Card
Transaction that results from a transaction not involving Merchant or not originated as the result of an act
between Merchant and a Cardholder; or (5) any Card Transaction containing the account of a Card
issued to Merchant or any account numbers issued to Merchant's business owners, family members and
Principals for transactions that do not represent a purchase of goods or services from Merchant or a
related credit. Merchant is responsible for its employees' actions while in Merchant's employ. Merchant
will submit Charges and Credit Vouchers within the applicable time limits specified in the applicable
Operating Rules (including, without limitation, those referred to in Section 4.a.vi below).
v. Deposit Requirements and Restrictions. Merchant must deposit only
transactions that directly result from cardholder transactions with Merchant. However, a Merchant
Servicer which acts in the capacity of an Internet Payment Service Provider (IPSP) or Payment Facilitator
(PF) or Payment Service Provider (PSP) in accordance with the applicable Operating Rules, may deposit
transaction receipts on behalf of Merchant, as long as such Merchant Servicer has been approved in
advance by the Merchant Bank (in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement including but not
limited to Section 7.f) to act in such IPSP, PF or PSP capacity for the Merchant. Except as otherwise set
forth in the Operating Rules: such Merchant Servicer's name may appear in the clearing record only if
both these conditions are met: Cardholder accesses the web site of the Merchant Servicer directly, and
the name of the Merchant Servicer is visible to the cardholder during the selection, order, and payment
processing services; if the cardholder accesses the Merchant's web site and is then linked to the web site
of the Merchant Servicer for payment, the Merchant Servicer's name must appear in the clearing record in
conjunction with the Merchant's name. Merchant must not deposit a transaction until it does one of the
following: (a) completes the transaction, (b) ships or provides the goods, (c) performs the purchased
service, or (d) obtains the cardholder's consent for a recurring transaction. Merchant may deposit a
prepayment, within the time limits specified in Section 4.a.vi below, if the Merchant advises the cardholder
of the immediate billing at the time of the transaction, for (1) Prepayment of services, excluding estimates
for services to be provided, and (2) Full prepayment of custom-ordered merchandise, manufactured to the
cardholder's specifications. For prepayment of services, the transaction date is considered to be the date
of cardholder prepayment. An Advance Payment Service Merchant must only deposit a transaction
representing a partial or complete advance payment, provided Merchant informs the cardholder of the
following, (1) Total price of the services or activity, (2) Advance payment amount, (3) Advance payment
confirmation code, and (4) Cancellation terms. For more information on restrictions related to Advance
Payment Service transactions, see the Special Services Addendum, section 2. In the case of Installment
Billing Transactions, Merchant must not deposit the first Installment Billing Transaction with Bank until the
shipment date of the goods. The Merchant must deposit subsequent Installment Billing Transaction
Receipts at either of the following intervals: (1) 30 calendar days or more; or (2) Monthly anniversary of
the shipment date (same day of each month). For more information on restrictions related to Installment
Billing Transactions, see the Card Not Present (CNP) Addendum, section 5. If Merchant has multiple
outlets, Merchant must ensure that Processor and Merchant Bank are able to: 1) Identify the location of
each transaction on the transaction receipt, and 2) Include this identification in the clearing record.
vi. Visa Deposit Time Limits. Except as may otherwise be set forth in the Visa
Operating Rules or as may otherwise be required by applicable law: (1) Merchant must deposit Charge
transaction receipts within 5 calendar days of the transaction date and Credit transaction receipts within 3
calendar days of the transaction date, except as specified below; (2) Merchant must deposit Charge
transactions for Delayed Delivery Transactions within 5 calendar days of the date of both the deposit and
final payment; (3) Merchants with multiple outlets (and which accumulate transaction receipts at a central
office or facility) and these business types: transportation companies subject to federal or foreign
regulations, oil companies, car rental companies, hotels, motels, and restaurant chains, must deposit
transactions as follows: (a) Charge transaction receipts within 15 calendar days of the transaction date.
(b) Credit transaction receipts within 5 calendar days of the transaction date.
vii. Payments to Merchant for Valid Charges.
(A) Merchant Bank will provide provisional credit to Merchant for each valid
Charge which Merchant submits to Bank by crediting Merchant's Settlement Account, provided
Merchant Bank has received settlement for the valid Charge through the interchange procedures
specified by the Card Network applicable to the Card used for the Charge (Bank does not provide
payment for all Card types for which Authorization services are provided). Merchant Bank is not
obligated to provide provisional credit to Merchant for Charges submitted that are not valid Charges,
and may suspend or discontinue any provisional credit in Merchant Bank's and/or Processor's sole
and absolute discretion, including for any reason that would justify termination of this Agreement.
Each provisional credit from Merchant Bank to Merchant will be subject to Adjustment, including
revocation, upon Bank's further review and verification. Provisional credit to Merchant for a Charge
disputed by a Cardholder for any reason is not final.
(B) Merchant Bank may deduct from any payment to Merchant the amount
of any Credit Voucher processed for Merchant, any Chargeback to Merchant, any amount to be
deposited in the Reserve Account and any Processing Fees and Card Network fines or charges due
from Merchant or due from an entity related to Merchant under a separate agreement with Merchant
Bank. Merchant must immediately pay Bank the amount by which a Credit Voucher processed on any
day exceeds valid Charges submitted on that day. Without limiting Bank's remedies, Merchant Bank
may obtain the amount due by deducting it from the Settlement Account, Reserve Account or other
accounts of or funds due Merchant.
(C) Merchant acknowledges that all payments and credits provided to
Merchant are provisional and subject to suspension, to Chargebacks and to Adjustments in
accordance with this Agreement and the Operating Rules.
viii. Retrieval Requests. If Merchant deposits Charge Records with Bank through
magnetic tape, electronic transmission, or electronic data capture terminal, upon the request of a
Card Network or Bank, Merchant shall respond to all transaction documentation (retrieval) requests
within the time frames specified in the applicable Operating Rules. If Merchant does not respond or
responds late to a transaction documentation request, Merchant may be without recourse as
Chargebacks for "non receipt of requested item" in most cases, cannot be reversed.
b. Procedures for On-Line Debit Card Transactions. Merchant must obtain Authorization
for each On-line Debit Card Transaction before Merchant can complete the transaction. Merchant will not
complete an On-line Debit Card Transaction unless it has been authorized by the Card Issuer by using
the POS Equipment (defined in Section 4.d) and following the procedures of the Card Network. Merchant
may not complete an On-line Debit Card Transaction without entry of the PIN by the Cardholder.
Merchant will comply with Regulation E, all applicable law, and all applicable Operating Rules in
connection with each On-line Debt Card Transaction.
c. CNP Transactions. The CNP ADDENDUM applies to all Card Transactions wherein
neither the Cardholder nor the Card is physically present at the Point of Sale. CNP Transactions include
mail order and telephone order, electronic commerce (internet), and Preauthorized Transactions. A
Merchant may only accept CNP Transactions if the Merchant has completed the appropriate areas on the
Application and has been authorized by Merchant Bank and Processor to accept such Card Transactions.
d. Equipment; Supplies; Displays.
i. At Merchant's request, Processor will supply Merchant with POS equipment
and/or Software, including electronic terminals, other processing equipment and, for On-line Debit Card
Transactions, PIN pads (collectively "POS Equipment") that comply with the Operating Rules. Processor
will use good faith efforts to program the POS Equipment to operate at Merchant's location in compliance
with the Operating Rules. However, Processor makes no representations or warranties that Processor's
programming of the POS Equipment furnished by Processor will operate in compliance with the Operating
Rules. Merchant acknowledges and agrees that it is Merchant's obligation to operate in compliance with
the Operating Rules.
ii. All third party software, equipment and services provided or procured by
Processor under this Agreement are provided "AS-IS" but Processor will, at Merchant's expense, use
reasonable commercial efforts to assist Merchant in enforcing any warranty offered by the third party
supplier of such software, equipment or services.
iii. Merchant will use only the forms for Charges and electronic processing formats
provided or approved in advance by Bank. Bank may change the forms from time to time, and, upon
notification, Merchant will comply with any changes. Merchant will use Charge forms or materials
provided by Bank only for Charges which Merchant submits to Bank.
iv. Merchant shall display Visa, MasterCard, Discover Network and, if applicable,
other Card Network decals, program marks, and advertising and promotional materials in compliance
with the Operating Rules. Merchant shall only display Visa and MasterCard and Discover Network
approved decals, program marks and advertising and promotional materials for the Card type(s) that
Merchant selected under Section 3.b. Merchant is prohibited from using each Card Network's
program marks other than as expressly authorized in writing by Merchant Bank. Program marks
mean the brands, emblems, trademarks and/or logos that identify the applicable Card Network's
Cards. Additionally, Merchant shall not use the program marks other than to display decals, signage,
advertising and other forms depicting the program marks that are provided to Merchant by Merchant
Bank pursuant to the Merchant program provided for in this Agreement, or otherwise approved in
advance in writing by Merchant Bank. Merchant may use the program marks only to promote the
services covered by the program marks by using them on decals, indoor and outdoor signs, websites,
advertising materials and marketing materials; provided that all such uses by Merchant must be
approved in advance by Merchant Bank in writing. Merchant shall not use the program marks in such
a way that customers could believe that the products or services offered by Merchant are sponsored
or guaranteed by the owners of the program marks. Merchant recognizes that it has no ownership
rights in the program marks. Merchant shall not assign to any third party any of the rights to use the
program marks.
v. Merchant may not (a) indicate or imply that the Card Networks or Bank endorses
any Merchant goods or services, (b) refer to a Card Network or Bank in stating eligibility for
Merchant's products, services or membership, or (c) use any marks, symbols or logos owned by any
Card Network or Bank for any purpose other than those permitted in the Operating Rules.
5. CHARGEBACKS.
a. Bank will charge back to Merchant and Merchant will pay Bank, the amount of each
Charge which Merchant or a Merchant Affiliate submits to Bank for processing that is subject to
Chargeback to Bank for any reason under the Operating Rules, or to the extent Bank receives claims
regarding the Charges from Cardholders under other provisions of law.
b. A Chargeback may occur for any one or more of several reasons under the Operating
Rules or through operation of consumer protection laws, such as the Truth in Lending Act and the Fair
Credit Billing Act. Chargeback reasons include, without limitation:
i. The Charge Record or any material information it contains as provided by
Merchant (such as the Card account number, expiration date of the Card, merchant description,
purchase amount, Charge date and Authorization date) is illegible, incomplete, incorrect, or unsigned,
or is not transmitted to Bank within the required time limits;
ii. Merchant knew or, by following proper practices, should have known that the
Card was not to be honored;
iii. The Charge was completed with a counterfeit or altered Card or before the valid
date or after the expiration date of the Card;
iv. Merchant did not obtain Authorization, or did not provide a correct and legible
Authorization Code on the Charge Record;
v. The Charge Record is a duplicate of another Charge Record, represents one of
two or more Charges arising from a single purchase, or the Charge has been submitted to another
merchant card processor;
vi. The Cardholder disputes participating in or approving the Charge, signing the
Charge Record, or the sale, delivery, quality or performance of the purchase; the Cardholder alleges
that return of goods or a Credit Voucher was improperly refused; or the Cardholder alleges that a
Credit Voucher issued by Merchant was not processed for the Cardholder Account;
vii. The amount on the Charge Record submitted to Bank differs from the amount on
the copy required to be delivered to the Cardholder;
viii. The Charge was fraudulent or the related purchase was not a bona fide purchase
in Merchant's ordinary course of business, was subject to any claim of illegality, cancellation,
avoidance, or offset for any reason, including, without limitation, negligence, fraud or dishonesty on
the part of Merchant or Merchant's agents or employees or was submitted in violation of Section 6;
ix. The Cardholder has asserted what the Cardholder believes is a good faith claim
or defense against the Charge;
x. The Charge is in violation of any law;
xi. The Card Transaction is one that Bank, for any reason, is or would be required to
pay, repurchase or Chargeback by virtue of Operating Rules or otherwise, and was processed under
this Agreement or any agreement with any Merchant Affiliate.
c. Merchant may not enter into interchange any Charge for a Card Transaction that was
previously charged back to the Merchant Bank and returned to Merchant, irrespective of Cardholder
approval.
d. If Bank determines that Merchant has or is reasonably likely to have a monthly ratio of
Chargebacks to Charges exceeding one percent (1%), Bank, may, but is not obligated to, notify Merchant
of new procedures it should adopt and additional Processing Fees imposed for processing Chargebacks,
and/or may terminate this Agreement, at Merchant Bank's or Processor's discretion, without advance
notice. Merchant must immediately pay any fines or fees imposed by a Card Network or Bank relating to
Chargebacks to Merchant.
e. The Card Networks have established guidelines, merchant monitoring programs and
reports to track merchant activity such as, but not limited to excessive credits and Chargebacks, and
increased deposit activity. In the event Merchant exceeds the guidelines or submits suspicious
transactions as identified by a Card Network or any related program or reports, Merchant may be subject
to: (a) operating procedure requirement modifications; (b) incremental Chargebacks and/or fees; (c)
settlement delay or withholding; (d) termination of this Agreement; and/or (e) audit and imposition of fines.
Merchant hereby releases Bank from any and all damages, liability, costs or expenses that Merchant may
incur as a result of Bank's compliance with Card Network directives.
f. Each Chargeback to Merchant is immediately due and payable by Merchant. Without
limiting Bank's other remedies or Bank's security interest described in Section 16 below, Merchant Bank
may deduct, debit and withhold the amount of a Chargeback or anticipated Chargeback from the
Settlement Account, Reserve Account, or any Merchant account at Merchant Bank, or other property of
Merchant held by Bank, or any Settlement Account or Reserve Account of a Merchant Affiliate. Bank will
send Chargeback reports to Merchant as debits occur. To the extent funds are not available from the
previously described accounts of the Merchant or Merchant Affiliate, Merchant irrevocably authorizes
Merchant Bank to attach and initiate withdrawals of funds from Merchant's accounts at other financial
institutions, by ACH entry, sight draft, preauthorized checks, reverse wires or otherwise to cover the
Chargebacks, and Merchant hereby irrevocably authorizes the other financial institutions to withdraw the
funds from Merchant's accounts and pay Bank the amount of the Chargebacks. Merchant Bank will
release to Merchant any of Merchant's deposits, funds or property after Bank determines in its sole and
absolute discretion that the deposits, funds or property are not likely to be needed to cover any
Chargebacks.
6. MERCHANT'S WARRANTIES.
Upon signing the Application, and each time Merchant submits a Charge, Merchant represents
and warrants that:
a. Merchant has abided by this Agreement, and all applicable laws and Operating Rules for
the Charge;
b. Each statement made on the Application was true as of the date Merchant signed the
Application agreeing to be bound by this Agreement;
c. There have been no materially adverse changes in information provided in the
Application or in Merchant's financial condition, or management;
d. Merchant does not do business under a trade name or style not previously disclosed in
writing, and there has been no change in the nature of Merchant's business or the product lines that
Merchant sells not previously disclosed;
e. The Charge is genuine and arises from a bona fide sale of merchandise or services by
Merchant, represents a valid obligation for the amount shown on the Charge Record and does not
involve the use of the Card for any other purpose;
f. Merchant has title to the Charge, there are no liens or other encumbrances on it, and
Merchant has the authority to convey the Charge for processing;
g. The Charge is not subject to any dispute, set-off or counterclaim;
h. The Charge has not been previously presented for processing unless allowed by the
Operating Rules;
i. Each statement on the Charge is true, and Merchant has no knowledge of facts that
would impair the validity or collectability of the amount of the Charge;
j. Merchant has completed only one Charge per sale, or one Charge per shipment of
merchandise where the Cardholder has agreed to partial shipments;
k. The person who executes the Application on behalf of the Merchant has the full power
and authority to execute the Application and to enter into this Agreement;
l. This Agreement is the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Merchant enforceable
against the Merchant in accordance with its terms;
m. Merchant shall submit transactions and/or Charges only in accordance with the
information contained in the Application and this Agreement;
n. Merchant has the power and authority to authorize the automatic funds transfer provided
for in Section 14.h;
o. The Settlement Account described in Section 14 is owned and controlled by the Merchant
and is a valid account for processing debit and credit transactions under this Agreement.
p. That Merchant will immediately notify Merchant Bank and Processor of any material
changes to any information provided herein including but not limited to a change in Merchant's legal
entity, location, business type, or the types of goods and services offered for sale by Merchant.
q. Merchant is not (i) a Sanctioned Person, under any of the regulations of the Office of
Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury, (ii) located in or operating under a license issued by a
jurisdiction whose government has been identified by the U.S. Department of State as a sponsor of
international terrorism under 22 U.S.C. 2371 or 50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j), (iii) located in or operating
under a license issued by a jurisdiction that has been designated as non-cooperative with
international anti-money laundering principles or procedures by an intergovernmental group or
organization of which the U.S. is a member, or (iv) located in or operating under a license issued by a
jurisdiction that has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of Treasury pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 5318A
as warranting special measures due to money laundering concerns.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY; DATA SECURITY.
a. Merchant will retain in a secure and confidential manner original or complete and legible
copies of each Charge Record, and each Credit Voucher required to be provided to Cardholders, for at
least two (2) years or longer if required by law or the Operating Rules. Merchant shall render all materials
containing Cardholder Account numbers unreadable prior to discarding.
b. Merchant will store Charge Records in an area limited to selected personnel, and when
record-retention requirements have been met, Merchant will destroy the records so that Charge Records
are rendered unreadable.
c. Merchant will not:
i. Provide Cardholder Account numbers, personal Cardholder information or Card
Transaction information to anyone except Bank, Card Networks, or Merchant's agents/Merchant
Servicers (but only those who have been approved by Bank as required under this Agreement and are
properly registered with the Card Networks) for the purpose of assisting Merchant in completing Card
Transactions, or as specifically required by law.
ii. Retain or store Card Magnetic Stripe, CVV, CVV2, CVC2 or CID data (including
Track Data) subsequent to Authorization for a Card Transaction.
iii. Sell, purchase, provide or exchange Card account number information or other
Card transaction or Cardholder information to any third party, or to any entity other than Merchant's
authorized agents/Merchant Servicers (but only those who have been approved by Bank as required
under this Agreement and are properly registered with the Card Networks), the Bank, the Card Networks,
or in response to valid legal process or subpoena.
iv. Release any Cardholder information over the telephone under any
circumstances.
d. Merchant may not, in the event of its (and Merchant shall ensure, and by contract
provide, that Merchant's agents/Merchant Servicers shall not, in the event of their or Merchant's) failure,
including bankruptcy, insolvency, or other suspension of business operations, sell, transfer, or disclose
any materials that contain Cardholder Account numbers, personal information or Card Transaction
information to third parties. In the event that Merchant's (or such an agent's/Merchant Servicer's)
business fails or ceases to exist, Merchant is required to return (and shall ensure and by contract provide,
that such agent/Merchant Servicer shall return) to Bank all such information or provide proof of
destruction of this information to Bank.
e. Merchant confirms that it is, and shall be, in full compliance during the term of this
Agreement with all federal, state and local statutes, rules and regulations (including without limitation the
information privacy and security requirements of the Gramm Leach Bliley Act and regulations
thereunder), as well as all rules and operating regulations and bylaws of the Card Networks, relating to
the establishment and maintenance (pursuant to a comprehensive written information security program,
to the extent required by any of such laws, rules or regulations, or by any such rules, operating
regulations or bylaws of the Card Networks) of appropriate administrative, technical and physical security
procedures and safeguards to ensure the security, confidentiality and integrity of Card transaction and
Cardholder information and Merchant shall comply, and shall demonstrate its compliance with, with the
Visa Cardholder Information Security Program ("CISP"), MasterCard's Site Data Protection ("SDP")
Program, Discover Information Security Compliance Program ("DISC"), the Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard (PCI DSS) and Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS), and any other
similar requirements contained in the Operating Rules. Merchant may find the details of the CISP
program at www.visa.com/cisp. Merchant may find details of the DISC program at
http://www.discovernetwork.com/fraudsecurity/disc.html. Merchant may find details of the SDP program
at http://www.mastercard.com/us/sdp/merchants. The Card Networks or Bank, and their respective
representatives, may inspect the premises of Merchant or any independent contractor or agent or
Merchant Servicer engaged by Merchant for compliance with security requirements. Merchant
acknowledges that any failure to comply, or to demonstrate compliance, with security requirements may
result in the imposition of restrictions on Merchant or the permanent prohibition of Merchant's participation
in Card acceptance programs by the Card Networks. Without limitation as to Merchant's obligations or
liabilities under other provisions hereof, (i) Merchant hereby agrees to indemnify Processor and Merchant
Bank, including their officers, directors, employees, and agents, and to hold them harmless from any
fines and penalties that may be assessed by the Card Networks or any governmental agency in regards
to PCI-DSS or PA-DSS or otherwise in regards to data security or any actual or suspected data breaches
that may occur, as well as all costs of forensic exam/audit, card replacement fees, all claims and
demands of cardholders, card issuers, Card Networks, governmental agencies, or others, and all litigation
costs and expenses including reasonable attorneys fees, and all other costs of any kind, associated with
any actual or suspected data security breach or noncompliance with Card Network data security
requirements or data security requirements of applicable law; and (ii) in the event of a computer or other
data security breach, or suspected computer or other data security breach, Merchant agrees to abide by
Card Network requirements which may include without limitation a forensic network exam by a Qualified
Incident Response Assessor (QIRA), and (iii) Merchant agrees to cooperate with Processor and Merchant
Bank in order to effectively manage breach response.
Mandatory Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and Payment
Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) and PIN Security Compliance. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Merchant understands that the payment card industry requires all merchants
to be PCI DSS compliant. Processor and Merchant Bank, in compliance with payment brand mandates,
will not board merchants for the Card Program services provided for in this Agreement, who are not PCI
DSS compliant. In signing this Agreement, Merchant and Merchant's principals agree that they are PCI
DSS compliant. Processor and Merchant Bank also require compliance with the PA-DSS in compliance
with industry mandates, and with all applicable Card Network mandates relating to PIN and PIN entry
device (PED) security, including without limitation, and as applicable, the applicable Payment Card
Industry PCI PIN Security Requirements, PCI PIN-Entry Device Security Requirements, and PCI
Encrypting PIN Pad Security Requirements. Merchant agrees that all point-of-sale (POS) and/or terminal
hardware and software (make and version) is PA-DSS compliant, and compliant with all applicable PIN
and PED security requirements, and that any future changes in POS hardware or software will be in
compliance with the PA-DSS and all applicable PIN and PED security requirements.
f. Merchant must notify Bank and receive Bank's approval prior to engaging, directly or
indirectly, any independent contractor or agent or Merchant Servicer in connection with Merchant's
acceptance of Cards or the submission of Charges or Credit Vouchers to Bank, or otherwise to assist
Merchant in the performance of Merchant's obligations under this Agreement, and including without
limitation any such person or entity who will have access to Cardholder or card transaction data. Such
third parties may include, but are not limited to, Merchant's software providers and/or equipment
providers. Merchant shall provide Merchant Bank and Processor at least sixty (60) days advance written
notice of Merchant's election to use an agent or independent contractor or Merchant Servicer. Merchant
Bank and/or Processor may individually approve or deny the use of an agent, independent contractor or
Merchant Servicer in their sole and absolute discretion and at any time. If any such entity is required to be
designated a service provider or Merchant Servicer under any applicable Operating Regulation or is
otherwise required to certify, register, or act in any fashion pursuant to the Operating Rules, Merchant
shall cause such Agent to cooperate with Merchant Bank in completing any steps required for registration
and/or certification and/or action. Merchant is solely responsible for any and all applicable fees, costs,
expenses and liabilities associated with such registration and/or certification and/or action. Bank shall in
no event be liable to Merchant or any third party for any actions or inactions of any agent, independent
contractor or Merchant Servicer used by Merchant, and Merchant hereby expressly assumes all such
liability. Merchant's agreement with any such third party must contain provisions obligating the third party
to comply with applicable law, with CISP and SDP and DISC and PCI-DSS, PA-DSS, PIN and PED
security requirements, and all other Card Network requirements pertaining to confidentiality and security
and integrity of Cardholder and Card transaction data, with all rules prohibiting storage of certain Card
transaction data, and with all other applicable Operating Rules.
Merchant will immediately notify Bank if Merchant decides to use electronic authorization or data capture
software or terminals provided by any entity other than Bank or its authorized designee ("Third Party
Terminals") to process transactions, including leasing a terminal from a third party. If Merchant elects to
use Third Party Terminals, (i) the third party providing the terminals will be Merchant's Merchant Servicer
in the delivery of Card transactions to Bank; and (ii) Merchant assumes full responsibility and liability for
any failure of that third party to comply with the requirements of Bank, the Operating Rules, applicable
laws, rules or regulations, or this Agreement. Bank will not be responsible for any losses or additional
fees incurred by Merchant as a result of any error by a third party agent or Merchant Servicer or a
malfunction in a Third Party Terminal.
The use of an agent or Merchant Servicer or an agent's or Merchant Servicer's software application that
has connectivity to the Internet poses an increased risk, and Merchant assumes all liability for such
increased risks. If Merchant utilizes software or hardware with a connection to the Internet and such
hardware or software interacts in any capacity with the provision of services contemplated pursuant to
this Agreement, Merchant is solely liable without limitation for any and all consequences of such
interaction.
g. Merchant agrees and shall ensure (and by contract shall require) that Merchant's agents
and Merchant Servicers provide the same levels of security as those required of Merchant, and that such
agents and Merchant Servicers transmit data in accordance with: (1) the required format(s) of the Card
Networks; (2) the Operating Rules; and (3) the requirements of Bank.
h. Merchant must immediately notify Merchant Bank and Processor of any suspected or
confirmed loss or theft of materials or records that contain Cardholder Account numbers or Card
Transaction information. In the event of a suspected or confirmed loss or theft Merchant shall provide
immediate access to all facilities, systems, procedures, equipment, and documents as may be deemed
appropriate by Bank or its designated representatives for inspection, audit, and copying as deemed
appropriate by both Merchant Bank and Processor in their individual sole discretion. Merchant shall be
responsible for all costs associated with such inspection, audit, and copying however such costs may
occur.
i. Merchant authorizes Bank to release its name and address to any third party whom the
Bank determines needs to know such information in order for Bank to perform the Card Program services
under this Agreement and who has requested such information. Merchant authorizes Bank to disclose
Card Transaction data and other information relating to the Merchant, Guarantor and each of their
principals, to the Card Networks, current and prospective Card Issuers, current and prospective acquirers,
regulatory authorities, and other entities to whom Bank or any such entity may be required to provide
such information and to Bank's and each such entity's affiliates, agents, subcontractors and employees,
for purposes Bank or such other entities deem necessary in Bank's or their reasonable discretion,
including without limitation, in connection with the performance of their various obligations hereunder or
under their other applicable agreements or under the Operating Rules or applicable law.
j. [Intentionally Omitted]
k. Federal regulations enacted pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act and other applicable laws
require financial institutions to verify the identity of every person who seeks to open an account with a
financial institution. As a result of Merchant's status as an account holder with Merchant Bank, Merchant
shall provide documentary verification of Merchant's identity, such as a driver's license or passport for an
individual and certified copy of organization documents for an entity in manner acceptable to Bank. Bank
reserves the right to verify Merchant's identity through other non-documentary methods as Bank deems
appropriate in its sole discretion. Bank may retain a copy of any document it obtains to verify Merchant's
identity with the financial institution.
l. Merchant is responsible for ensuring its Merchant Identification Number ("MID") is kept
confidential. When a change to a Merchant account is required, Merchant shall disclose its MID to the
Bank representative as confirmation that the person requesting the change has authority. If the person
requesting the change discloses the proper MID, Bank shall assume that person has the proper authority
to make the change. Merchant shall be fully liable for any changes to its account after disclosure of the
MID. Bank may request from Merchant additional information to further verify Merchant's identity.
m. MasterCard: Merchant must not store in any system or in any manner, discretionary
card-read data, CVC2 data, Card Identification Data (CID), PIN data, Address Verification Service (AVS)
data, or any other prohibited information as set forth in the MasterCard Merchant Rules Manual, except
during the Authorization process for a Transaction, that is, from the time an Authorization request
message is transmitted and up to the time the Authorization request response message is received.
MasterCard permits storage of only the card account number, expiration date, cardholder name, and
service code, in a secure environment to which access is limited, and then only to the extent that this data
is required for bona fide purposes and only for the length of time that the data is required for such
purposes. The MasterCard Merchant Rules Manual may be accessed at:
http://www.mastercard.com/us/merchant/support/rules.html.
n. Merchant will not contact any Cardholder with respect to any matter arising under the
Operating Rules, except as required or permitted under the Operating Rules.
8. OPERATING RULES.
a. Merchant must comply with the Operating Rules, as the same may be amended from
time to time. The Operating Rules may change with little or no advance notice to Merchant and Merchant
will be bound by all such changes. If Merchant objects to any change in the Operating Rules, it must
immediately stop accepting new Charges for Cards governed by the change. The Operating Rules will
govern in the event that there is any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Operating Rules.
However, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to impose on Merchant a requirement (including a
requirement under the Operating Rules) the imposition of which on Merchant is prohibited by mandatory
provisions of applicable law (i.e., where the applicability of such provisions of law to this Agreement, and
of the law's prohibition to the particular requirement which otherwise would be imposed on Merchant
hereunder, cannot lawfully be waived by agreement), but the requirement hereunder shall be construed to
continue in effect and to be imposed on Merchant in all respects and at all times to the fullest
extent possible without violating the law's prohibition, with only those particular applications of the
requirement which would violate the law's prohibition deemed severed from the provisions hereof.
b. Operating Rules of the Debit Networks may differ among them with respect to the
transactions they allow. Bank, at its discretion, may require that the most restrictive requirements of one
Debit Network apply to all of Merchant's On-line Debit Card Transactions, regardless of Card type.
c. If Merchant selects, and Bank provides Card Program services for, any one or more of
American Express, Diners Club/Carte Blanche or JCB as payment options and Merchant's selection is
approved by Bank, Merchant understands that Merchant's acceptance of any of those payment options
may require execution of a separate merchant card acceptance agreement with those individual Card
Issuers, as applicable, and that agreement will govern the completion, processing, settlement and other
procedures relating to transactions with those Card Issuers. If Merchant experiences problems with
transmission or delivery of those Card Issuers' transactions, Merchant will be obligated to contact the
appropriate service provider(s) for service.
9. MERCHANT'S BUSINESS; OTHER PROCESSORS.
a. Merchant will comply with all laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to laws
and regulations regarding anti-money laundering compliance and Office of Foreign Asset Control
compliance, in completing Charges, submitting them to Bank, performing its obligations under this
Agreement, and otherwise conducting its business.
b. Merchant will give Merchant Bank and Processor at least thirty (30) days' prior written
notice before any change in Merchant's name or location, any change in ownership or management of
Merchant's business, any sale, assignment, rental, lease or transfer of ownership of any location that
accepts Cards, or any material change in information concerning Merchant in the Application, and
material change in the type or nature of the business carried out by Merchant or otherwise required to be
provided to Bank.
c. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Merchant agrees that it will not participate in a
Card Program with another financial institution or processor without Bank's written approval
10. CREDIT REPORTS AND OTHER INFORMATION.
a. Reports about Merchant. From time to time, Bank may obtain credit and other
information on Merchant, owners of Merchant and officers of Merchant, from others (such as customers
and suppliers of Merchant, lenders and credit reporting agencies), and furnish information on Merchant's
relationship with Bank and Bank's experience with Merchant to others seeking the information.
b. Reports from Merchant. Merchant will provide Bank with updated business and
financial information concerning Merchant, including financial statements, tax returns, evidence of
required licenses and other information and documents Bank may reasonably request from time to time.
All material marked "confidential" which Bank receives from Merchant will be used only by Bank or Card
Network in performing the Card Program services under this Agreement or related services and reporting,
or as necessary to comply with any requirements of applicable law or of a Card Network or of any state or
federal governmental agency with supervisory authority over Merchant Bank. At any reasonable time,
Bank, any Card Network or any other entity having authority has the right to audit Merchant's records
relating to this Agreement. Merchant understands and agrees that if at the time of signing this Merchant
Agreement Merchant is undergoing a forensic investigation, Merchant must notify Bank and must fully
cooperate with the investigation until it is completed.
11. ASSIGNMENT; BANKRUPTCY.
a. Assignment. This Agreement is binding upon the successors and assigns of Bank and
Merchant. Merchant will not assign this Agreement to another entity without Bank's prior written consent
and any purported assignment made without Bank's consent will be void.
b. Bankruptcy.
i. Merchant will notify Bank immediately if any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
petition is filed by or against Merchant. Merchant acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes an
executory contract to extend credit or financial accommodations as defined in 11 U.S.C. §365(c)(2) and
that the Agreement cannot be assumed or assigned in the event of bankruptcy. Merchant and Bank
agree that in the event of Merchant's bankruptcy, Bank shall be entitled to suspend further performance
under this Agreement.
ii. Merchant acknowledges and agrees that in the event of a bankruptcy
proceeding, Merchant must establish a Reserve Account or maintain a previously established and then
current Reserve Account in amounts required by Bank and in accordance with any Reserve Account
provision specified in this Agreement. Merchant Bank will have the right to setoff against the Reserve
Account for any and all obligations which Merchant may owe Bank, without regard as to whether the
obligations relate to Charges initiated or created before or after the filing of the bankruptcy petition.
12. AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.
a. Amendments. Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, Bank may amend this
Agreement at any time by providing Merchant with fifteen (15) days' prior notice by: (a) sending Merchant
written notice of such amendment, or (b) posting such amendment to the Processor's web site and
providing Merchant with electronic notice as provided in Section 3.e. The amendment will become
effective unless Bank receives Merchant's notice terminating this Agreement before the effective date.
Bank may amend this Agreement upon less than fifteen (15) days' prior notice if Bank reasonably
determines immediate modification is required by laws, Operating Rules or any adverse change in
Merchant's financial condition. Amendments submitted by Merchant will bind Bank only if in writing and
approved and signed by Merchant Bank and Processor.
b. Waivers. Bank's failure to enforce this Agreement will not waive Bank's rights under this
Agreement. Waivers of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by Merchant Bank
and Processor. A waiver in one instance will not apply to other occasions unless that intent is clear from
the signed waiver.
13. TERM; TERMINATION.
a. Term/Renewal. The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the term of six (6) months
(the "Initial Term") commencing on the date this Agreement is executed by authorized officers of
Merchant Bank and Processor. At the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement will automatically
renew for successive one (1) month periods ("Renewal Term") unless a party provides the other parties
with notice of its intent not to renew this Agreement at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the
then current term.
b. Termination.
i. Termination without Cause. Processor may terminate this Agreement as to all
Card types or individually specified Card types, without cause, upon thirty (30) days advance written
notice. Merchant Bank may terminate this Agreement as to Visa and MasterCard and Discover Card
types without cause upon thirty (30) days advance written notice.
ii. Termination for Cause by Bank. Merchant Bank or Processor may terminate this
Agreement in either's sole and absolute discretion, effective immediately, upon written, electronic or oral
notice to Merchant if Merchant Bank or Processor reasonably determines that any of the following
conditions exists:
(A) Merchant has violated any provision of this Agreement or any Card
Network requires Bank to terminate this Agreement as to any Card type.
(B) There is a material adverse change in Merchant's financial condition or a
change in Merchant's products/services or volume or mix thereof, or otherwise in Merchant's business, or
in Merchant's customer acceptance policy which increases Processor's or Merchant Bank's risks.
(C) A petition in bankruptcy has been filed by or against Merchant, the
Merchant is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, a receiver, custodian, trustee,
liquidator or similar official is appointed for a substantial portion of Merchant's business, there is a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, Merchant transfers assets in a fraudulent transfer, or the
Merchant's business terminates.
(D) Any information which Merchant provided to Bank, including Application
information, was false, incomplete or misleading when received.
(E) At any time during the term of this Agreement, Merchant has had a
monthly ratio of Chargebacks to Charges exceeding one percent (1%), or Chargebacks are in excess of
three percent (3%) of any monthly dollar amount of Charges.
(F) There is an overdraft for three (3) days or more in the Settlement
Account, or overdrafts in the Settlement Account are otherwise excessive.
(G) Merchant or any of Merchant's officers or employees has been involved
in processing Charges with Bank or other parties arising from fraudulent or otherwise unauthorized
transactions.
(H) Merchant is or will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under
this Agreement or any applicable laws.
(I) Merchant has failed to pay Bank any amount when due.
(J) Merchant has failed to promptly perform or discharge any obligation
under this Agreement, the Settlement Account or the Reserve Account.
(K) Any of Merchant's representations or warranties made in connection with
this Agreement was not true or accurate when given.
(L) Merchant has defaulted on any agreement it has with Bank.
(M) Bank is served with legal process seeking to attach or garnish any of
Merchant's funds or property in Bank's possession, and Merchant does not satisfy or appeal the legal
process within fifteen (15) days of the Bank being served.
(N) The Operating Rules are amended in any way so that the continued
existence of this Agreement would cause Bank to be in breach of such Rules.
(O) Any Guaranty supporting Merchant's obligations is breached, revoked,
withdrawn or terminated or altered in any way.
(P) If any circumstances arise regarding Merchant or its business that create
harm or loss of goodwill to any Card Network, or Merchant Bank, or Processor, or the payment system.
(Q) Merchant engages in any activity which causes Bank to be in breach of
the Operating Rules.
(R) The circumstances otherwise warrant immediate termination.
(S) Merchant appears on any Card Association's security reporting.
(T) If a judgment in excess of $1,000 is entered against Merchant or any
Guarantor and not discharged or bonded off within fifteen (15) days after the entry of the judgment.
(U) If Merchant submits for processing Charges that were not originated as a
result of a direct Charge transaction between a Cardholder and Merchant in the normal course of
business.
iii. Termination for Cause by Merchant. Merchant may terminate this Agreement in
the event of a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Bank, provided Merchant gives Bank
written notice of any alleged breach and such breach remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days
following receipt of written notice by the Bank.
iv. Damages for Termination by Merchant.
(A) Bank and Merchant acknowledge and agree that in addition to all other
remedies available to Bank under this Agreement or as otherwise available in law or equity, if this
Agreement is terminated by Merchant prior to the expiration of the applicable Term of the Agreement or
for any reason other than for a material, uncured breach by Bank, Merchant agrees to pay Bank damages
(the "Damages") determined by (except to the extent prohibited by law):
(1) $75 early cancellation fee; and
(2) Equipment. Prior to the date of termination, merchant must
return all equipment owned by Processor or immediately pay any amounts owed to Processor
for equipment costs.
(B) Merchant agrees that such Damages shall also be due to Bank if
Merchant discontinues submitting Card Transactions for processing during the Term for a
period of ninety (90) consecutive days, and is not designated on the Application, or by notice to
Bank, as a seasonal merchant or as otherwise agreed to by Bank.
(C) Merchant acknowledges and agrees that the Damages are not a penalty
but rather are a reasonable computation of the financial harm caused by the termination of this
Agreement by the Merchant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Merchant is located in Arkansas,
the Damages shall not exceed $50.
v. Bank's rights of termination under this Agreement are cumulative. A specific right
of termination shall not limit any other right of Bank to terminate this Agreement expressed
elsewhere in this Agreement. Notice of termination may be given orally or in writing, and if given
orally, shall be confirmed in writing.
vi. Upon termination, Merchant's rights to complete Charges and Credit Vouchers
and submit them to Bank, and to use Charge form or formats, promotional material and any other
items provided by Bank, will cease. Termination of this Agreement will not terminate the rights
and obligations of Merchant and Bank relating to acts or omissions occurring before termination,
including for example, any Processing Fees or other service fees owed to Bank, any Charges
processed for Merchant by Bank (whether before or after termination), Merchant's Chargeback
and indemnity obligations, and the Security Interest granted to Bank in this Agreement.
vii. It is understood that a file for terminated merchants referred to herein as
"MATCH" (whether referred to by the applicable Card Network as "MATCH" or as "Consortium
Merchant Negative File", or by any other name) is maintained by Card Networks containing the
names of any business (and its principals) which have been terminated for certain reasons,
including fraud, depositing excessive counterfeit paper, excessive unauthorized transactions,
depositing paper for others (laundering), bankruptcy or breach of Merchant Agreement. Merchant
acknowledges that Bank is required to report Merchant to the MATCH if this Agreement is
terminated for any of the foregoing reasons or other reasons as may be modified by the Card
Networks. Merchant agrees and consents to such reporting in the event of the termination of this
Agreement for any of the foregoing reasons.
viii. Sections 5, 7, 10.a, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 25 will survive
termination of this Agreement.
14. SETTLEMENT ACCOUNT.
a. Merchant must maintain a Settlement Account in Merchant's name in satisfactory
condition at a depository institution under arrangements acceptable to Bank. The Settlement Account will
be subject to the provisions of Section 16.
b. [Intentionally Omitted].
c. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank agrees to provisionally credit
Merchant for each Charge that Bank accepts from Merchant. Merchant agrees that the Merchant Bank
may charge the Settlement Account for the amount of any sales draft processed under this Agreement, or
any agreement Bank may have with any Merchant Affiliate that results in a Chargeback, or for any Credit
Voucher or other reimbursement or Processing Fees to which Bank may be entitled.
d. Merchant agrees that Bank may audit all Charge calculations and that Merchant Bank
shall have the right, without notice, to make withdrawals, deposits, or other Adjustments to or from the
Settlement Account for any deficiencies or overages.
e. Bank shall presume that any amounts the Bank pays to or debits from Merchant are
correct unless Merchant disputes these by sending Bank written notice within thirty (30) days of the date
of the applicable statement containing any disputed payments or debits.
f. If Merchant chooses to rent or lease processing equipment from Processor or utilizes
software provided by Processor for use in processing transactions, Merchant agrees to pay Bank: (1) a
pre-determined monthly rental fee; (2) any initial upfront costs as required; and (3) all applicable taxes for
such Card processing equipment or software utilization.
g. If the Settlement Account is closed, Merchant Bank or Processor may terminate this
Agreement, effective immediately, upon written or oral notice (with written confirmation in the event of oral
notice) unless Merchant opens another Settlement Account acceptable to Bank. Merchant may change
the Settlement Account upon prior written approval by Bank, which approval will not be unreasonably
withheld.
h. Merchant authorizes Merchant Bank or its agents or designated representatives to initiate
debit and credit entries and Adjustments to the Settlement Account or the Reserve Account (described in
Section 15) through the ACH settlement process for amounts due under this Agreement. This
authorization will remain in full force and effect until termination of the Agreement and the full and final
payment of all obligations of Merchant due under this Agreement. Merchant agrees to be bound by all
applicable terms and provisions of the ACH Rules or other applicable network(s), in effect from time to
time. Merchant acknowledges and agrees that Bank will not be liable for any delays in receipt of funds,
any failure by Merchant to receive funds, or errors in debit or credit entries caused by Merchant, or third
parties, including but not limited to any Card Network or any financial institution.
15. ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL SECURITY; RESERVE ACCOUNT.
As a condition for providing Card Program services, Merchant may be required to provide
additional collateral security for Merchant's obligations hereunder, which additional collateral security
shall be of a kind, and in amounts, satisfactory to Bank in Bank's sole discretion, and which shall be in
addition to all other collateral provided for in Section 16 hereof. Such additional collateral security may
include, for example, (A) a letter of credit, if issued in an amount and on terms acceptable to Bank by a
letter of credit issuing bank acceptable to Bank, or (B) the pledge to Bank of a certificate of deposit owned
by Merchant in amount satisfactory to Bank and provided all agreements (including agreements of third
parties) in form and substance satisfactory to Bank and all filings and/or other actions necessary in order
to perfect in Bank a continuing first priority security interest therein on terms acceptable to Bank, are
entered into, made and/or taken as the case may be. Bank may require that all or any part of the
additional collateral take the form of a Reserve Account, established as hereinafter set forth in this
Section 15, at any time when:(i) the Agreement, or the provisions of Card Program services hereunder,
shall have terminated for any reason or any party hereto shall have given notice of termination thereof, or
(ii) there shall have occurred an event which entitles Bank to terminate this Agreement or the provision of
Card Program services hereunder or which, with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time would
entitle Bank to terminate this Agreement or the provision of Card Program services hereunder, and
Merchant has not provided alternative additional collateral security of a kind, and in amounts, satisfactory
to Bank as set forth above in this Section, or (iii) neither (i) nor (ii) above in this Section is applicable, but
Bank has determined that additional collateral security is required, has requested that Merchant provide
same, and Merchant has failed to provide alternative additional collateral security of a kind, and in
amounts satisfactory to Bank as set forth above in this Section. Any Reserve Account that is established
shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 16 and all other terms and conditions of this
Agreement relating to the "Reserve Account". Whenever Bank requires that additional collateral security
take the form of a Reserve Account, the following provisions of this Section 15 shall apply:
a. Reserve During Term of Agreement.
i. Merchant may be required to deposit, or Merchant Bank may deposit by
deducting from any payment due to Merchant or from any funds in the Settlement Account or any
other deposit account of Merchant, into an account maintained by Merchant Bank (or at another
approved depository institution) (the "Reserve Account"), initially or at any time in the future as
requested by Bank, sums sufficient to satisfy Merchant's current and/or future obligations as
determined by Bank in its sole and absolute discretion.
ii. The Reserve Account will be separate from the Settlement Account. Merchant
shall have no right of withdrawal from the Reserve Account. The Reserve Account shall be under the
sole control of Merchant Bank, and Processor shall not have access to or hold funds in the Reserve
Account. Any and all earnings from deposits of the Merchant to the Reserve Account shall be the sole
property of the Bank.
b. Reserve Account Deposits.
i. At any time in Bank's sole and absolute discretion, Bank may (i) designate the
minimum balance required to be deposited in the Reserve Account, (ii) require that the amount on
deposit in the Reserve Account be increased, (iii) require that the Merchant deposit, or Merchant
Bank may deposit for Merchant into the Reserve Account a percentage of, or a fixed amount from
each Charge processed, or (iv) otherwise determine the amount to be deposited in the Reserve
Account. Bank at its sole and absolute discretion may require that each month Merchant deposit, or
Merchant Bank may deposit by deducting from any payment due to Merchant or from any funds in the
Settlement Account or any other deposit account of Merchant sums into the Reserve Account no later
than the twentieth (20th) day of the month. Bank shall notify the Merchant as to the amount of the
funds to be deposited each month.
ii. Merchant acknowledges and agrees that the Reserve Account may contain both
funds deposited by the Merchant and funds of other merchants of the Bank.
c. Deductions from Reserve Account. If funds are not available in the Settlement
Account, Bank without prior notice to Merchant may deduct from the Reserve Account any obligation of
Merchant to Bank under this Agreement, including all Processing Fees, Chargebacks, Credit Vouchers,
Damages, and any and all additional fees, and sums sufficient to reimburse Bank for the amount of any
fines, penalty amounts and charges due the Card Networks.
d. Replenishment of Reserve Account Deficiencies. Whenever the balance in the
Reserve Account is less than the minimum balance required, or is otherwise deficient, Merchant Bank
may, without prior notice, deposit the deficiency into the Reserve Account by reducing any payment to
Merchant required by this Agreement or deduct the deficiency from the Settlement Account or any other
deposit account of Merchant with another depository institution (including accounts of general partners if
Merchant is a partnership) and deposit it into the Reserve Account. Merchant authorizes deductions from
its accounts by ACH entry, sight draft, preauthorized check, reverse wire, or otherwise as Bank deems
appropriate under the circumstances. In addition, Merchant will deposit any deficiency into the Reserve
Account within one (1) Business Day after receiving Bank's oral or written request. Without limiting Bank's
remedies, Merchant's failure to deposit any deficiency on time will permit Bank, without advance notice, to
suspend or cease processing additional Charges and Credit Vouchers. Bank will give Merchant written
notice of any suspension or cessation of processing.
e. Additions to Reserve Account. If Bank has reason to believe that Merchant may be
liable to customers or to Bank for Chargebacks exceeding the balance in the Reserve Account, Merchant
Bank may: (A) immediately place in the Reserve Account payments due to Merchant and/or stop
processing transactions for Merchant until such time as the extent of Merchant's obligations to Bank, or
Merchant's liability for Chargebacks, or Merchant's liability to customers are known, and Bank no longer
deems itself insecure, and/or (B) demand from Merchant an amount that in Bank's judgment is needed to
ensure payment of Merchant's obligations and liabilities. Merchant's failure to pay any amount will permit
Merchant Bank or Processor to terminate this Agreement immediately without advance notice.
f. Reserve Account After Agreement Terminates. Merchant Bank may continue to hold
or deposit funds in the Reserve Account after termination of this Agreement, regardless of whether
termination is by Merchant or Bank. Upon termination of the Agreement by Merchant or Bank, Bank may
retain sufficient funds to satisfy any and all Processing Fees, Chargebacks, Credit Vouchers, Damages,
and any and all additional fees, and sums sufficient to reimburse Bank for the amount of any fines,
penalty amounts and charges due the Card Networks. If no funds have been deposited into the Reserve
Account before termination, Bank, at Bank's option, may notify Merchant to deposit funds into the
Reserve Account upon termination of this Agreement. All provisions which apply to a pre-termination
Reserve Account will apply after termination, including replenishment of deficiencies. The funds will be
held by Bank or its designated agent for a period of not less than one hundred eighty (180) days from the
date of the last Card Transaction processed under the Agreement, plus the period of any warranty,
guarantee, and/or return policy on goods and/or services sold. Bank will return the balance in the
Reserve Account to Merchant after Bank reasonably determines that the risk of Chargebacks and other
Processing Fees has ended and after deducting all amounts that Merchant owes to Bank under this
Agreement or any other agreement.
16. SECURITY INTEREST.
a. Merchant's Grant of Security Interest.
i. To secure Merchant's performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and
any other agreement with Bank, Merchant grants Bank a security interest in each Charge and its
proceeds, the Settlement Account, the Reserve Account and any other deposit account of Merchant with
a financial institution, whether now existing or established in the future, and in the proceeds of all those
accounts, any funds due Merchant from Bank and any of Merchant's property held by Bank. Bank may
enforce these security interests without notice or demand. The security interests granted under this
Agreement will continue after this Agreement terminates, until Merchant satisfies all its obligations to
Bank.
ii. Furthermore, and with respect to any security interests granted herein, Bank will
have all rights afforded under the Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may, from time to time, be in
effect in the State of Georgia; provided, however, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of
law, any or all of the attachment, perfection or priority of the security interests granted herein is governed
by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of Georgia, then Bank
will have all rights afforded under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such
other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions relating to such attachment, perfection or priority of the
security interests, as well as any other applicable law.
b. Perfection of Security Interest. Upon request of Bank, Merchant will execute one or
more financing statements or other documents to evidence the security interests granted to Bank under
this Section 16. Merchant shall cooperate with Bank in obtaining any control agreement or similar
agreement with a depository bank necessary to perfect the security interests granted herein. In addition,
Merchant agrees that its signature on the Application will be considered Merchant's signature agreeing to
any control agreement as defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code among Merchant, Bank
and any other financial institution under which Bank, Merchant and any other financial institution agree to
the disposition of funds in the Settlement Account, the Reserve Account or any other deposit account
without further consent by Merchant.
17. CUSTOMER CLAIMS.
To the extent that Bank has paid or may pay a Chargeback or Credit Voucher, Merchant will be
obligated to reimburse Bank for any sums Bank pays. If Merchant does not reimburse Bank, Bank will
have all of the rights and remedies of Cardholders, including the Cardholders' rights under 11 U.S.C.
§507(a)(6). Bank may assert any claim on behalf of a Cardholder individually or on behalf of all
Cardholders as a class.
18. PROCESSING FEES.
a. Merchant will pay Processing Fees in the amount specified in the FEE SCHEDULE
attached to the Application or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or an Addendum thereto.
Merchant Bank may increase the Processing Fees by giving Merchant thirty (30) days advance written
notice effective for Charges and Credit Vouchers submitted on and after the effective date of the
increase. Processing Fees will include a monthly investigation fee of up to ten percent (10%) of the dollar
amount investigated for any suspicious or unusual transaction activity or any transaction activity which
deviates from this Agreement.
b. Bank will not be required to provide the Merchant with thirty (30) days notice of an
increase in Processing Fees in the event that any Card Network, or any other entity having such authority
increases the Processing Fees and the effective date for implementation of the increase in the
Processing Fees is less than thirty (30) days. In such cases, the Bank shall make reasonable efforts
including, but not limited to, written correspondence, notification on statements, website notification,
email, fax and direct contact via the telephone or otherwise, to provide reasonable notification to
Merchant. However, failure to provide advance notice of the increase in Processing Fees will not affect
Merchant's obligation to pay the increased Processing Fees. The increase(s) in Processing Fees shall be
effective on the date specified by Bank.
c. Processing Fees and other service charges owed by Merchant to Bank may be deducted
by Merchant Bank from amounts due Merchant, or from the Settlement Account or from the Reserve
Account. Merchant will pay the amounts due by the next Business Day if sufficient funds are not
available in the Settlement Account.
d. (i) In the FEE SCHEDULE, "Discount" refers to a percentage of the gross dollar
bankcard sales processed by Merchant. "Per Item" refers to a fee per bankcard transaction processed by
Merchant. "Interchange" refers to the fees assessed by the Card Networks on all bankcard sales that are
paid to the bankcard issuing financial institution. "Assessments" refers to the fees assessed and retained
by the Card Networks on all bankcard sales. "Fees" or "Processing Fees" refers to all the foregoing and,
in addition, to amounts charged for any other purposes or services as described in the Merchant Account
Application.
(ii) The Visa and MasterCard and Discover interchange fees and assessments are based
on the current interchange rates and assessments set by Visa and MasterCard and Discover Network.
Any increases in these interchange fees and assessments will be passed through to Merchant either as
part of the separately stated interchange fees and assessments or as an increase in any percentage-
based or per item processing fee. Merchant acknowledges that whenever Merchant's transactions fail to
qualify for any reduced interchange fees, Bank will process such transactions at the applicable
interchange fees as set by the applicable Card Network, and Merchant will pay Bank the corresponding
increased interchange fees (or as an increase in any percentage-based or per item processing fee based
on the corresponding interchange fees). Merchant acknowledges that the fees specified as "qualified" or
"mid-qualified" in the Application, as they may be updated or amended from time to time, are basic fees
which will apply only to Card transactions which exactly meet certain processing criteria or "qualify" or (in
the case of "mid-qualified") partially qualify for those basic fees according to the Rules. Criteria for
determining qualification will include, but not be limited to, whether a Card transaction is: (1) hand entered
(the required data is not electronically captured by a point-of-sale device reading the information encoded
in or on a Card); (2) voice authorized; (3) not authorized; (4) transmitted for processing within twenty-four
(24) hours of the Card transaction; or (5) deemed "Non-Qualifying" by the Rules, such as, but not limited
to, Card transactions involving foreign Cards or Cards issued as business, commercial, purchasing or
government Cards. In the event that Card transactions submitted to Bank for processing only
partially qualify or do not at all qualify for the qualified discount rate quoted in accordance with
the Application and/or the Operating Rules, Merchant may be assessed, and agrees to pay, an
additional Non-Qualified or Mid-Qualified Surcharge as set forth on the Application (or, if not set
forth therein, or if set forth therein at a rate or in an amount less than that specified in the
Operating Rules) as set forth in the Operating Rules.
(iii) Initial Discount: Merchant understands that initial discount rates assessed by Bank
are based on Merchant's projected sales volume, average transaction amount, and card acceptance
practices. If Merchant's actual sales volume and average transaction amount are less than Merchant's
projected sales volume and average transaction amount, Bank reserves the right to adjust discount rates
to reflect Merchant's actual sales volume and average transaction amount with 30 days advanced written
notice.
19. INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; WARRANTY.
a. Indemnification. Merchant agrees to indemnify Bank, including their officers, directors,
employees, and agents against and to hold them harmless from any and all claims and demands of any
party arising from or based upon any act or omission of Merchant, Merchant's employees, Merchant's
designated representatives or agents, or Merchant's Merchant Servicers in connection with or arising out
of this Agreement, the duties to be performed by Merchant pursuant to this Agreement, any Charges
which Merchant submits to Bank, or Merchant's violation of the Operating Rules or any applicable law. In
the event that Bank shall be made a party to any litigation, proceeding, arbitration, bankruptcy
proceeding, or other legal process (collectively "Actions") commenced by any third party, Merchant shall
protect and hold Bank harmless from and with respect to the Actions and shall pay all costs, expenses,
and attorney's fees incurred or paid in connection with the Action, together with any judgments rendered.
Merchant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Bank for any hacking, infiltration, or compromise of
Merchant's systems or the systems of Merchant's Merchant Servicers, designated representatives, or
other agents.
b. Limitation of Liability. Bank will not accept responsibility for errors, acts, or failure to act
by others, including but not limited to, agents, third party suppliers of software, equipment or services; or,
banks, communication common carriers, data processors or clearinghouses through which transactions
may be passed, originated and/or authorized. Bank will not be responsible for any loss, liability or delay
caused by fires, earthquakes, war, civil disturbances, power surges or failures, acts of governments, acts
of terrorism, labor disputes, failures in communication networks, legal constraints or other events beyond
the reasonable control of Bank. Bank undertakes no duties to Merchant other than the duties expressly
provided for in this Agreement, and any and all other or additional duties that may be imposed upon Bank
in law or equity are hereby irrevocably waived and released to the maximum extent permitted by law. In
any event, Bank's cumulative liability to Merchant, whether arising in contract, tort (including, without
limitation, negligence and strict liability) or otherwise, shall not exceed the lesser of $10,000 or, an
amount equal to the aggregate of monthly net Processing Fees paid by Merchant in the three (3) month
period prior to the month that the incident giving rise to liability occurred.
IN NO EVENT SHALL BANK BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT,
CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OR FOR ANY INTERRUPTION OR LOSS OF USE,
DATA, BUSINESS OR PROFITS, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGES WERE
FORESEEABLE OR BANK WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF AND REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER ANY LIMITED REMEDY HEREIN FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
BANK SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER. WITHOUT
LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, BANK DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR WARRANT
THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE.
20. NOTICES.
Except to the extent oral or electronic notice is explicitly authorized herein, each notice required
by this Agreement will be in writing and will be effective when delivered, addressed to Merchant Bank at
the address designated on the Application, to Processor at the address designated on the Application and
to Merchant at Merchant's address designated in the Application, or at such other address as any party
may provide by written notice to the other parties. Any address Merchant designates will also be the
address to which Bank mails Merchant's statements, if a mailed statement is required. Otherwise,
merchant statements are made available to Merchant by Processor through Processor's website Delivery
by facsimile transmission will be considered effective when the sender receives electronic confirmation of
the transmission.
21. GEORGIA LAW; JURISDICTION; VENUE.
This Agreement is made at Columbus, Georgia and this Agreement is governed by Georgia law,
as applied to agreements made and performed entirely in Georgia without reference to conflict of laws
provisions. All performances due and transactions undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be
deemed to be due or have occurred in Columbus, Georgia, and Merchant's entry into this Agreement, and
any Guarantor's entry into a Continuing Guaranty relating to this Agreement, shall conclusively be
deemed to be a transaction of business in Georgia within the meaning of Official Code of Georgia
Annotated §9-10-91 or any successor statute. Merchant and any Guarantor agree that the exclusive
venue and place of jurisdiction for any litigation arising from or relating to this Agreement shall be the
county and district courts in and for Columbus, Georgia, and Merchant and any Guarantor irrevocably and
unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of such courts with respect to any such litigation.
22. ATTORNEY FEES; ARBITRATION.
a. Attorney Fees. Merchant and/or Guarantor will be liable for and will indemnify and
reimburse Bank for all attorneys' fees and other costs and expenses paid or incurred by Bank in the
enforcement of this Agreement or in matters relating to this Agreement, in collecting any amounts due
from Merchant to Bank, or arising from any breach by Merchant of this Agreement, or any other
wrongdoing by Merchant or Guarantor.
b. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim between or among the Merchant and/or any
Guarantor, on the one hand, and Processor and/or Merchant Bank, on the other hand, including,
but not limited to, those arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any agreements or
instruments relating hereto and any claim based on or arising from an alleged tort, shall at the
request of a party be determined by arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted in Columbus
or Atlanta, Georgia in accordance with the United States Arbitration Act (Title 9, U.S. Code),
notwithstanding any choice of law provision in this Agreement, and under the auspices and rules
of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Each party may serve a single request for
production of documents. If disputes arise concerning these requests, the arbitrators shall have
sole and complete discretion to determine the disputes. The arbitrators shall give effect to
statutes of limitation in determining any claim, and any controversy concerning whether an issue
is arbitrable shall be determined by the arbitrators. The arbitrators shall deliver a written opinion
setting forth findings of fact, conclusions of law and the rationale for the decision. Judgment
upon the decision rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or
ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of either party to submit the controversy
or claim to arbitration if the other party contests such action for judicial relief.
23. ADDENDUM.
The following Addenda are made a part of this Agreement: CARD NOT PRESENT (CNP)
ADDENDUM; SPECIAL SERVICES ADDENDUM; MERCHANT USE AND DISCLOSURE OF BIN
INFORMATION ADDENDUM. The applicability of these Addenda depends upon the Merchant's
business, and the Card Program services requested by Merchant. In its sole and absolute discretion
(except as otherwise set forth in the Merchant Use and Disclosure of BIN Information Addendum), Bank
may accept or reject Merchant's request for services provided in the Addenda. Merchant understands
and agrees that any attached Addendum is considered a part of the Agreement and Merchant will comply
with the terms therein. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the
provisions of an Addendum, the provisions of the Addendum will control.
24. FINAL AGREEMENT; EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Agreement is the complete and final agreement between Merchant and Bank for the Card
Program services covered by this Agreement and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous negotiations,
stipulations or agreements. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the other
provisions remain effective. This Agreement becomes effective when the Application is signed and
approved by Bank.
25. CONTINUING GUARANTY.
a. As a primary inducement to Bank to enter into this Agreement, and to approve the
Application of Merchant, the Guarantor(s), individually and severally, who signed on the Guarantor
signature line(s) on the Application, agree to be bound by all terms and provisions of this Agreement to
the same extent and in the same manner as Merchant, and unconditionally and irrevocably, personally
guarantee the continuing full and faithful performance and payment by Merchant of each and all of
Merchant's duties and obligations to Bank under this Agreement or any other agreement currently in
effect or in the future entered into between Merchant or its Principals and Bank, as such agreements now
exist or are amended from time to time, with or without notice to Guarantor(s).
b. Merchant and Guarantor(s) further agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of any
Merchant Card Processing Agreement between Bank and any Merchant Affiliate (as that term is defined
in this Agreement), regardless of whether such agreement currently exists or is executed, amended or
supplement at some future date. Merchant and Guarantor(s) unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee
the full payment and performance of each and all duties and obligations owed to Bank by Merchant
Affiliate pursuant to any Merchant Card Processing Agreement. The provisions of Section 25.c apply to
the guarantee by Merchant and Guarantor(s) of the Merchant Affiliate's obligations to Bank under any
Merchant Card Processing Agreement.
c. Guarantor(s) understands that Bank, without notice to Guarantor(s), may from time to
time renew or extend the Agreement, modify rates, limits, charges and fees, or modify the amount or type
of services provided to Merchant all of which may increase the Guarantor's obligations under this
Guaranty. Guarantor(s) further understands that Bank may proceed directly against Guarantor(s) without
first exhausting Bank's remedies against the Merchant, any other person or entity responsible to Bank or
any security held by Bank. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and will not be discharged or affected
by the release or discharge of Merchant or the death of the Guarantor(s). This Guaranty will bind all heirs,
administrators, and representatives of the Guarantor(s) and may be enforced by or for the benefit of any
successor of Bank. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, Guarantor(s) waives any and
all rights of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnity derived from Merchant, all other rights and defenses
available to Merchant, and all other rights and defenses available to Guarantor(s).
26. OTHER PROVISIONS.
The Federal E-Sign Act (HR-1714) on Final Digital Signature provides that all electronic
signatures hold equivalent legal status as traditional handwritten signatures. By completing the online
application at the website for merchant, merchant and each individual signing in any capacity, certifies
that his/her/its digital signature is the equivalent of his/her/its handwritten signature. Also, the merchant
declares that it has read and understands all of the Terms and Conditions and agrees to and does sign
each section of these Terms and Conditions with its digital signature.
CARD NOT PRESENT (CNP) ADDENDUM
This CARD NOT PRESENT (CNP) ADDENDUM is made a part of the terms and conditions
of the Merchant Card Processing Agreement (the "Agreement") and the Application for processing
services signed by Merchant (the "Application"). Under the Agreement, Merchant has agreed to comply
with all terms and conditions of the Addendum. The following terms and conditions describe the
procedures for CNP transactions. All capitalized terms used in this Addendum and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement or Application. Requirements set
forth herein are in addition to requirements set forth in the Agreement, the Operating Guide and the
Operating Rules.
1. Additional Definitions.
a. 3-D Secure - A Visa-approved method that is the global authentication standard for Electronic
Commerce Transactions.
b. Authentication Request - A request for Cardholder authentication from a Merchant utilizing 3-
D Secure to a Card Issuer.
c. Deferred Payment Transaction - A CNP Transaction for which the Cardholder is billed once no
more than 90 days after the first shipment of merchandise.
d. Electronic Commerce Transaction - A Card Transaction conducted over the Internet or other
network.
e. Order Form - A document bearing the Cardholders signature, either written or electronic,
authorizing goods or services to be charged to his or her account. An Order Form may be: (a) a mail
order form, (b) a Recurring Transaction form, (c) a Preauthorized Health Care Transaction form, or (d) an
e-mail or other electronic record that meets the requirements of applicable law.
f. Permanent Establishment - a fixed place of business through which an Electronic Commerce
or Mail Order/Phone Order Merchant conducts its business, regardless of its Web site or server locations.
2. Acceptance of Card Not Present (CNP) Charge Transactions.
a. Merchant may accept Card Not Present (CNP) transactions and related Charges ("CNP
Transactions") based upon the description of Merchant's business ("Business") on the Application and as
authorized by the Bank. Bank reserves the right to terminate CNP Transactions in the event that there is
any material change in the Business, including any material change in the customers, products,
management or employees of the Business.
b. Merchant agrees that, except as expressly permitted by the Operating Rules, no CNP
Transactions shall be submitted for processing prior to shipping of the product purchased and/or the
implementation of the service offered.
c. Merchant understands and agrees that CNP Transactions: (1) do not require the Cardholder's
signature on the Charge, sales draft or sales slip (with the exception of Order Forms authorizing a
Recurring Transaction);
(2) require the Merchant to obtain the valid Expiration Date for each Card used for a CNP Transaction;
and
(3) require the Expiration Date of the Card be submitted as part of the Authorization process.
d. Merchant understands and agrees that Authorizations for CNP Transactions are subject
to Chargeback and such Authorizations do not guarantee the validity or collectability of the Card
Transaction. Merchant agrees to take reasonable additional steps to verify the identity of the authorized
Cardholder on these types of transactions, especially when merchandise is shipped to a third party.
Merchant acknowledges and agrees that the receipt of an Authorization Code indicating approval does
not guarantee Merchant against Chargebacks. Merchant is encouraged to use (when not prohibited under
applicable law) fraud reduction systems offered by the Card Networks, such as AVS and CVV2/CVC2 in
CNP Transactions.
e. Generally, in order to satisfy a retrieval request for CNP Transactions, the following
transaction receipt information must be provided by Merchant: (I) the Cardholder Account number, (2) the
Card expiration date, (3) the Cardholder name, (4) the transaction date, (5) the Transaction amount, (6)
the Authorization Code, (7) Merchant's Name, (8) Merchant's location, (9) a description of the goods or
services, (10) the "ship to" address, and (11) the AVS response code (if AVS was used).
3. Processing Restrictions. If at any time the volume of CNP Transactions, substantially exceeds
the projected annual volume stated on the Application, or if at any time Bank suspects fraud, money
laundering or violations of the Operating Rules, Bank may, in its sole and absolute discretion and in
addition to other remedies that the Bank may have: (1) refuse to process the excessive or suspect CNP
Transactions; (2) process the CNP Transactions and retain the funds received from processing until such
time as the excess or suspect Charges are found to be valid or invalid and processed in accordance with
the Operating Rules; (3) suspend the CNP Transactions and/or terminate the Agreement; or (4) amend
the Agreement to protect the interests of Bank.
4. Electronic Commerce Transactions.
a. If Bank authorizes Merchant to accept Electronic Commerce Transactions, Merchant agrees
to comply with all the provisions of the Operating Rules pertaining to Electronic Commerce Transactions.
b. Merchant shall at all times maintain a secure site for the transmission of data relating to the
processing of Electronic Commerce Transactions. Merchant shall be responsible for ensuring, obtaining
and maintaining site security, for the encryption of all data, and for any and all storage of data both in
electronic and physical form.
c. Each Electronic Commerce Transaction must be identified as such when submitted by
Merchant by using the appropriate Electronic Commerce Transaction indicator values specified by the
Card Networks.
d. Merchant may not submit a request for Authorization for an Electronic Commerce Transaction
that has failed a 3-D Secure authentication request.
e. Merchant shall display on Merchant's web site in a prominent manner: (I) the address of the
Merchant's Permanent Establishment, including Merchants country of domicile, located on the same
screen view as the checkout screen used to present the total purchase amount, or within the sequence of
web pages the Cardholder accesses during the checkout process; (2) a complete and accurate
description of the goods or services offered; (3) Merchants merchandise return and refund policy clearly
displayed on either the checkout screen, or on a separate screen that allows the purchaser to click an
acceptance button; (4) Merchant's consumer data privacy policy and the method of transaction security
used to secure cardholder account data during the ordering and payment process; (5) a customer service
contact, including electronic mail address or telephone number; (6) transaction currency; (7) export
restrictions (if known); (8) Merchant's delivery/fulfillment policy.
f. Merchant shall provide Cardholders a secure transaction method, such as Secure Socket
Layer or 3-D Secure.
g. Each web site operated by Merchant must display the marks of the Card Networks for the
Card types which are accepted by the Merchant, as specified in the Operating Rules.
h. Merchant cannot refuse to complete an Electronic Commerce Transaction using a
MasterCard-branded Card solely because the Cardholder does not have a digital certificate or other
secured protocol.
i. Merchant agrees to include, in addition to the other data required under the Operating Rules,
the following data on a transaction receipt completed for an Electronic Commerce Transaction: (1)
Merchant's name most recognizable to the cardholder, such as: Merchant "doing business as" name or
Merchant's "universal resource locator" (URL), or Merchant name used in the VisaNet Clearing Record.
(2) Customer service contact information including telephone country code and area code. If Merchant
delivers goods or services internationally, Merchant must list both local and internationally accessible
telephone numbers. (3) Terms and conditions of sale, if restricted. (4) The exact date any free trial
period ends, if offered. (5) Cancellation policies. (6) Merchant's online address. (7) A unique
transaction identification number.
For receipts completed by Internet Payment Service Providers, Payment Service Providers, or Payment
Facilitators, see additional requirements set forth in the Operating Rules.
j. Merchant will provide a completed copy of the transaction record to the Cardholder at the time
the purchased goods are delivered or services performed. Merchant may deliver the transaction receipt in
either of the following formats: (1) electronic (e.g., e-mail or fax), or (2) paper (e.g., hand-written or
terminal-generated). Merchant may not transmit the Cardholder Account number or card expiration date
to the Cardholder over the Internet or on the transaction receipt.
5. Installment Billing Transactions. If Merchant is so permitted by Bank, Merchant may offer
Cardholders involved in Electronic Commerce Transactions or mail order/telephone order transactions an
Installment Billing Transaction option. If Merchant offers an Installment Billing Option, Merchant must
comply with the requirements set forth in the Operating Rules, including without limitation, those set forth
or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Installment Billing
Transaction Receipt Deposit - U.S. Region" and "Installment Billing Transaction Option - U.S. Region".
6. Deferred Payment Transaction. Merchant shall comply with all applicable Operating Rules,
including without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations,
Chapter, 6, under "Deferred Payments - U.S. Region".
7. Recurring Transactions. Merchant must complete a Recurring Charge in accordance with the
requirements set forth in the Operating Rules, including without limitation, those set forth or referred to at
Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Recurring Transactions"..
8. Delayed Delivery Transactions. Merchant must comply with the requirements set forth in the
Operating Rules, including without limitation, those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating
Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Delayed Delivery Transaction Receipts - U.S. Region" and "Delayed
Delivery Transactions".
9. MasterCard Direct Mail Cardholder Solicitation Merchant. Merchant, if a Direct Mail
Cardholder Solicitation Merchant (as defined in the MasterCard Operating Rules), agrees that: Merchant
acknowledges that the trademark "MasterCard" and the corresponding logotype are the property of
MasterCard International Incorporated. Merchant shall not infringe upon the mark or logo, nor otherwise
use the mark or logo in such a manner as to create the impression Merchant's goods or services are
sponsored, produced, affiliated with, offered, or sold by MasterCard. Merchant shall not use the mark or
logo on its stationery, letterhead, envelopes, or the like nor in its solicitation; provided, however, that
Merchant may use one of the mark or logo in close proximity to the payment or enrollment space in the
solicitation in a size not to exceed 1 1/4 inches in horizontal length if a logo is employed, or, if a mark is
used, in type not to exceed the size of the type used in the major portion of the text on the same page;
provided further that the legend, "Accepted for Payment" must accompany the mark or logo used and
must be the equivalent size of the mark or logo. In no case, however, shall Merchant use any of the logo
on the front or first page of its solicitation. One truthful statement that Merchant is directing or limiting its
offer to MasterCard Cardholders may appear in the body of the solicitation, other than in close proximity
to the payment or enrollment space, subject to the limitation that: (i) only the word mark may be used; (ii)
the word mark may not (a) exceed in type size the size of any other type on the same page, (b) differ in
color from the type used in the text (as differentiated from the titles) on the same page, (c) be as large or
as prominent as the name of Merchant, (d) be the first item appearing on any page, nor (e) in any other
way be the most prominent element of the page; (iii) Merchant's name and/or logo must appear
prominently on the same page as the mark; and (iv) the following disclaimer must appear in close
proximity to the mark on the same page and in an equal size and type of print: "MasterCard International
Incorporated is not affiliated in any way with Merchant and has not endorsed or sponsored this offer."
Merchant further agrees to submit its first direct mail solicitation(s), prior to mailing, to the MasterCard
Law Department, to be reviewed only for compliance with MasterCard's trademark rules and shall
furthermore not distribute in any manner such solicitations until Merchant shall have obtained
MasterCard's written approval of the manner in which it uses MasterCard mark and logo on such
solicitations. Merchant shall likewise, upon request, submit to the Corporation any amended solicitations
prior to mailing
10. Delegation Of Duties. Card Program duties may, from time to time, be delegated to and among
the Processor's business units without giving notice to Merchant, provided, however, Bank will remain
responsible for any obligation owed by Bank under the Agreement.
11. Suspension and Termination. Should Merchant, at any time, fail to agree or comply with this
Addendum, Bank shall have the right to immediately and without prior notice suspend and/or terminate
CNP Transactions and/or the Agreement.
SPECIAL SERVICES ADDENDUM
This SPECIAL SERVICES ADDENDUM is made a part of the terms and conditions of the
Merchant Card Processing Agreement (the "Agreement") and the Application for processing services that
Merchant signed (the "Application"). Under the Agreement, Merchant has agreed to comply with all terms
and conditions of the Addendum. This Addendum describes additional requirements that Merchant is to
follow for the special card processing services referred to herein. Requirements set forth herein are in
addition to requirements set forth in the Agreement, the Operating Rules. All capitalized terms used in
this Addendum and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Agreement or Application.
1. Definitions.
a. Account Funding Transaction - Use of a Card to find another account, such as a prepaid
Card account.
b. Advance Payment Service - A Visa service that allows a Cardholder to use his or her Card
for a partial or complete advance payment for recreational services or activities provided by an Advance
Payment Service Merchant.
c. Advance Payment Service Merchant - A non-T&E Merchant participating in the Advance
Payment Service, whose primary function is to provide recreational services to tourism and travel.
d. Advance Payment Service Transaction - A Transaction completed by an Advance Payment
Service Merchant.
e. Car Rental Company - A merchant whose primary business is the rental of passenger
vehicles.
f. Central Reservations Service - An entity that acts as a reservations resource for lodging
establishments located in close proximity to each other.
g. CPS/Small Ticket - A Visa-offered service designed to meet the special Card acceptance
and operating procedures of certain Merchants involving small dollar transactions.
h. Dynamic Currency Conversion - A conversion of currency in which goods or services are
normally priced into a different currency, as agreed upon by the Cardholder and Merchant.
i. Small Ticket Payment Service - A Visa service that permits certain Merchants (e.g., certain
local commuter passenger transportation, taxicabs and limousines, bus lines, toll and bridge fees,
restaurants, fast food restaurants, news dealers, newsstands, laundries-family, commercial, dry
cleaners, quick copy, reproduction, and blueprinting services, parking lots and garages, car washes,
motion picture theaters and video tape rental stores) to process Card Transactions using special
procedures as outlined in the Visa Operating Rules.
j. Lodging Merchant - A merchant that sells overnight accommodations intended for a limited
period of time.
k. No Signature Required Service -- A Visa Point of Sale service that permits certain No
Signature Required Merchants (e.g., certain local commuter passenger transportation, taxicabs and
limousines, bus lines, toll and bridge fees, restaurants, fast food restaurants, news dealers, newsstands,
cigar stores/stands, laundries-family, commercial, dry cleaners, quick copy, reproduction, and
blueprinting services, parking lots and garages, car washes, motion picture theaters and video tape
rental stores; or certain convenience stores, filling stations-automotive gasoline, and drug stores,
pharmacies, U.S. Postal Service) to process Card Transactions under $25 using special procedures as
outlined in the Visa Operating Rules.
l. Priority Check-Out Service - A Visa service provided that allows a Cardholder to authorize
the use of the Cardholder's Card for payment of the total obligation to the Lodging Merchant with or
without prior knowledge of the total amount, by signing a completed Priority Check-Out Agreement.
m. Priority Check-Out Agreement - A written agreement that, when bearing the Cardholder's
signature, authorizes a Lodging Merchant participating in Visa's Priority Check-Out Service to deposit a
Charge without the Cardholder's signature for the total amount of the Cardholder's obligation.
n. Supermarket Incentive Program - A Visa program that permits certain supermarket
merchants to qualify' for reduced interchange reimbursement fees.
o. T&E Advance Deposit Service - A Visa service that a Lodging Merchant or Car Rental
Company provides to a Cardholder, allowing use of a Visa Card to pay in advance deposit required to
reserve accommodations or a vehicle.
p. [Intentionally Omitted]
q. T&E Merchant - A merchant whose primary function is the provision of travel related
services.
r. Telephone Service Transaction - A Card Transaction in which a Cardholder uses a Visa
Card to purchase a telephone call.
s. Visa Cash Back Service - A Visa service whereby cash in obtained from a qualified
Merchant through the use of a Visa Check Card II in conjunction with, and processed as a PIN-based
transaction.
2. Advance Payment Service. A Merchant participating in the Advance Payment Service must
comply with all applicable Operating Rules, including without limitation those set forth or referred to at
Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Advance Payment Transactions - U.S.
Region". The copy of the transaction receipt mailed to the Cardholder along with the written confirmation
and cancellation policy, must have the card expiration date and all but the last four digits of the card
number suppressed). In event of cancellation, the copy of the credit transaction receipt mailed to the
Cardholder must have the Card expiration date and all but the last 4 digits of the Card account number
suppressed.
3. Reservation Service. If Merchant provides lodging (hotel, motel, resort or inn) or car rentals only
for "Specialized Vehicles" (e.g., a unique class of vehicle not in the Merchant's main rental fleet and not
constituting more than five percent (5%) of Merchant's rental fleet), Merchant may use certain Card types
specified by Bank to guarantee a reservation by obtaining the name of Cardholder, the Card account
number and expiration date, and the Cardholder's address if written confirmation is requested, and by
complying with all applicable Operating Rules, including without limitation the procedures and
requirements set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Visa
Reservation Service for Car Rentals - U.S. Region", and under "Hotel Guaranteed Reservations". A
written confirmation or the written confirmation of a cancellation provided the cardholder, should suppress
the card expiration date and all but the last four digits of the card number to the extent such suppression
is required by applicable law.
4. T&E Advance Deposit Service. Merchants shall comply with the Operating Rules, including
without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6,
under "Car Rental Advance Deposit" and under "Advance Deposit Service". The copy of the Charge
(reflecting the advance deposit) mailed (together with the Merchant's cancellation policy) to the
Cardholder must have the card expiration date and all but the last four digits of the card number
suppressed. In the event of cancellation, in the copy of the credit transaction receipt mailed to the
cardholder the card expiration date and all but the last four digits of the card number must be suppressed.
Merchant indemnifies and holds harmless Bank and any Card Organization from any loss, damage, claim
or suit (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from use of a Card for a Deposit.
5. Central Reservation Service: After application to and approval by Merchant Bank (which shall
be in Merchant Bank's absolute discretion), and performance of a site inspection, Merchant may
participate in the Central Reservation Service. Merchant shall comply with all applicable Operating Rules,
including without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations,
Chapter 6, under "Central Reservation Service".
6. Priority Check-Out Service. Any lodging merchant participating in the Central Reservation
Service or T&E Advance Deposit Service participating in the Priority Check-Out Service, must comply
with all applicable Operating Rules including without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa
International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Priority Check-Out Service". The merchant must
ask the Cardholder to complete, sign and return a Priority Check out Agreement v which provides for at
least the following: (a) The Card account number; (b) Merchant name, location and telephone number, (c)
The departure date of the Cardholder: (d) The Cardholder name and room number; (e) A statement
authorizing Merchant to charge the Cardholder Account for the amount of the bill without the
Cardholder's signature on the Charge; (f) The Cardholder's signature on the Priority Check-Out
Agreement; and (g) A provision allowing the Cardholder to request from Merchant specific billing
receipts, including the name and address where Merchant should mail the receipts. The transaction
receipt copy to be mailed to the Cardholder with the itemized bill and (if requested) signed Priority Check
out Agreement, should have the card expiration date and all but the last four digits of the card number are
suppressed.
7. Account Funding Transaction. Merchant must comply with all applicable Operating Rules
including without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations,
Chapter 6, under "Account Funding Transactions".
8. CPS/Small Ticket. A qualified merchant (refer to Visa International Operating. Regulations,
Chapter 10, "CPS/Small Ticket") which participates in this service must comply with all applicable
Operating Rules, including without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating
Regulations, Chapter 10, under "CPS/Small Ticket".
9. Dynamic Currency Conversion. A Merchant that offers Dynamic Currency Conversion
services must comply with all applicable Operating Rules including without limitation those set forth or
referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Dynamic Currency
Conversion". Merchant must not misrepresent, either explicitly or implicitly, that its Dynamic Currency
Conversion service is a Visa service. The copy of the transaction receipt provided to the Cardholder must
have the card expiration date and all but the last four digits of the card number suppressed.
10. Small Ticket Payment Service. A qualifying Merchant (refer to Visa International Operating
Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Small Ticket Transactions") may participate in the Small Ticket Payment
Service on qualifying transactions subject to the requirements set forth in the Operating Rules, including
without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6,
under "Small Ticket Transactions".
11. Preauthorized Health Care. Participating Health Care Merchants must comply with all
applicable Operating Rules including without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International
Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Health Care Transactions".
12. CPS/Supermarket Incentive Program. A merchant location may participate in the
CPS/Supermarket Incentive Program, provided Merchant is assigned a Merchant Category Code of 5411
and meets the criteria and requirements set forth in the Operating Rules, including without limitation those
set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 10, under
"CPS/Supermarket".
13. Telephone Service Transactions. A telephone service Merchant must comply with all
applicable Operating Rules including without limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International
Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Telephone Service Transactions - U.S. Region".
14. Visa Cash-Back Service. A qualified Merchant may offer this service provided Merchant meets
the conditions and complies with the requirements set forth in the Operating Rules, including without
limitation those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under
"Cash-Back Services".
15. VisaNet Copy Request and Fulfillment Service. (a) Prior to participating in this service,
Merchant must execute and deliver to Visa a VisaNet Letter of Agreement Merchant will not have any
property or other right, claim, or interest, including any patent right, trade secret right, or copyright
interest, in the V.I.P. System, BASE II, or in any systems, processes, equipment, software, data, or
materials that Visa U.S.A. or its subsidiaries use with the V.I.P. System, BASE II, or in connection with a
Visa program, except for Merchant-supplied data or equipment.
(b) The V.I.P. System and Base II consist of confidential and proprietary information belonging to
Visa. Merchant must take appropriate action, by agreement or otherwise, to ensure that its employees or
agents with access to the V.I.P. System or BASE II or related documentation: (1) are advised of the
confidential and proprietary nature of these systems and documentation; (2) are prohibited from: (a)
providing access to or disclosing these systems and documentation to any third party and (b) using these
systems and documentation for any purpose not authorized in the Operating Rules; and (c) use their best
efforts to protect the VisaNet Access Points. Merchant must not disclose any confidential information of
Visa International, Visa U.S.A., or their subsidiaries to a nonmember.
(c). Merchants right to use the V.I.P. System or BASE II is not assignable and its duties are non-
delegable without prior written consent from Visa. However, Merchant may use a nonmember processing
organization that has executed and delivered a VisaNet Letter of Agreement to Visa.
(d). Merchant must restrict its use of the V.I.P. System or BASE II to purposes specifically
approved by Visa.
(e). Merchant must not make or attempt to make any repair, adjustment, alteration, or
modification to a VisaNet Access Point, except as expressly authorized by Visa.
(f) Merchant must provide the same level of security for its VisaNet Access Points that it provides
to its other proprietary systems.
(g). Merchant must not modify or enhance Visa-owned software without the prior written consent
of Visa U.S.A.
(i) Merchant must provide, without cost to Visa, reasonable support requested by Visa for
installing the V.I.P. System or BASE II, including: (I) providing a location that meets the requirements of
Visa for installing one or more VisaNet Access Points on Merchants premises; (2) providing a sufficient
number of qualified personnel that the Merchant will train to meet Visa specifications; (3) maintaining
V.I.P. System and Base II records, documents, and logs required by Visa and providing them at the
request of Visa; (4) providing access to its premises and cooperating with Visa and its authorized agents
in conjunction with the installation, service. repair, or inspection of the VisaNet Access Points: (5)
notifying Visa promptly of any failure of a VisaNet Access Point to operate properly on its premises or the
premises of its agent or independent contractor; and (6) providing computer time and a sufficient number
of qualified personnel required to ensure prompt and efficient installation and use of the V.I.P. System or
BASE II Edit Package software supplied by Visa.
16. No Signature Required Service. A qualifying Merchant may participate in the No Signature
Required Service subject to the requirements set forth in the Operating Rules, including without limitation
those set forth or referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 6, under "No Signature
Required Transactions (NSR)".
17. Health Care Eligibility Service. A Health Care Merchant that participates in the Health Care
Eligibility service must comply with the Operating Rules including without limitation those set forth or
referred to at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 5, under "Health Care Eligibility Service -
U.S. Region".
18. Visa ReadyLink. Participating Merchants must comply with the applicable Operating Rules
including without limitation those referred to in the Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 5,
under "Visa ReadyLink Acquirer Requirements - U.S. Region" and "Visa ReadyLink Acquirer
Requirements for Load Partners - U.S. Region".
19. Proximity/Contactless Payment Terminal Transactions. Participating Merchants must comply
with the applicable Rules including without limitation those set forth at Visa International Operating
Regulations, Chapter 6, under "Proximity/Contactless Payment Terminals".
20. Fleet Service Merchants. Participating Merchants must comply with all applicable Operating
Rules including without limitation those set forth at Visa International Operating Regulations, Chapter 5,
under "Fleet Service Data Requirements - U.S. Region" and Chapter 6, under "Fleet Service Merchants
Terminal Requirements - U.S. Region".
Merchant Use and Disclosure of BIN Information Addendum
Bank may provide BIN information or other product-identifying data to the Merchant or its Merchant
Servicer solely for purposes of identifying Visa or MasterCard Card product types at the point of sale.
Bank must provide this Visa BIN information to any Merchant requesting it for the permitted purpose.
Bank must provide a complete list of the BINs that apply to Debit MasterCard Cards to Merchants upon
any form of reasonable request.
A U.S. Merchant or its Merchant Servicer that receives BIN information or other product-identifying data
from Bank must not use such information for any reason other than to identify Visa or MasterCard Card
product types at the point of sale and to implement acceptance practices permitted by the Visa or
MasterCard Operating Rules (including, without limitation, "Discount Offer - U.S. Region 5.2.D.2" in the
Visa International Operating Regulations; and Rule 5.11.1 "Discrimination" in the MasterCard Rules
manual) based on such information, unless authorized by Visa or MasterCard, as applicable.
A U.S. Merchant or its Merchant Servicer must not disclose BIN information or other product-identifying
data to any third party without prior written permission from Visa or MasterCard, as applicable.
If Merchant provides BIN or other product data information to a Merchant Servicer, Merchant must:
* Ensure that the Merchant Servicer complies with the substance of these "Merchant Use and
Disclosure of BIN Information" requirements
* Include the substance of these requirements in Merchant's agreement or contract with its
Merchant Servicer
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(c)Synovus Bank [ver 1.0 022013]