CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made this 27
th
day of February, 2015 by and between
CITIBANK,
N.A.
(“
Bank
”), and
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
, a corporation incorporated
under the laws of the State of Washington, with its principal offices at 999 Lake Drive
Issaquah, Washington 98027, United States (“
Costco
”).
WHEREAS
, Bank and its Affiliates, among other things, issue and service credit
cards and other account access devices (collectively referred to hereinafter as “
Bank
Cards
”) upon which persons named on currently effective Bank Cards (“
Bank
Cardholders
”) may charge purchases of goods and services;
WHEREAS
, Costco owns and operates a chain of membership warehouse locations
within the United States;
WHEREAS
, the Parties desire to establish a co-branded credit card program
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement pursuant to which Bank will issue co-branded cards,
each of which will act as both a Bank Card and a Costco membership card; and
WHEREAS
, Bank intends to enter into a purchase agreement with American Express
whereby Bank would acquire the accounts attributable to the existing Costco co-branded
card program from American Express.
NOW, THEREFORE
, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual
covenants and conditions herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Costco and Bank hereby
agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.01 Definitions.
Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meaning ascribed to such terms in the “Definitional Supplement” attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
1.02 Headings.
The division of this Agreement into Articles and Sections and the insertion of
headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement. The terms “hereof”, “hereunder” and similar expressions
refer to this Agreement and not to any particular Article, Section or other portion hereof.
Unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith, references
herein to Articles, Sections and Schedules are to Articles and Sections of and Schedules to
this Agreement.
1
1.03Extended Meanings.
In this Agreement words importing the singular number include the plural and vice
versa, words importing any gender include all genders and words importing persons include
individuals, corporations, limited and unlimited liability companies, general and limited
partnerships, associations, trusts, unincorporated organizations, joint ventures and
Governmental Authorities. The term “including” means “including without limiting the
generality of the foregoing” and the term “third party” means any person other than Bank and
Costco or their respective Affiliates.
1.04Statutory References.
In this Agreement, unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent
therewith or unless otherwise herein provided, a reference to any statute is to that statute as
now enacted or as the same may from time to time be amended, re-enacted or replaced and
includes any regulations made thereunder.
1.05Currency & Territory.
All references to currency herein are to lawful money of the United States. This
Agreement governs the relationship of the Parties for the United States. Except as otherwise
expressly set out herein, the scope of this Agreement is specifically limited to the United
States.
1.06No Partnership Intended.
Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create a partnership or joint venture
between the Parties for purposes of the partnership laws or acts of any state, or for any
other purposes.
1.07Exhibits and Schedules.
The following are the Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement:
Exhibit A
Definitional Supplement
Exhibit B
Schedule 1.01(a)
Schedule 1.01(b)
-
Riders and Reports
[*]
Bank Marks
Schedule 1.01(c)
Schedule 1.01(d)
-
-
Costco Charge Transaction Data
Costco Marks
Schedule 1.01(f)
-
Fair Market Value
Schedule 1.01(g)
-
Program Privacy Policy
Schedule 2.06(a)
-
Competitors
Schedule 3.02(a)
-
[*]
Schedule 3.02(c)-1
-
Program Credit Policy
Schedule 3.02(c)-2
-
[*]
Schedule 3.02(e)
-
Credit Line Assignments
Schedule 4.04(d)
-
Costco Membership Program
Schedule 4.05(a)
-
Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms
Schedule 4.05(a)(ii)
-
Small Business Co-Branded Card Terms
2
Schedule 4.06(a)
-
Loyalty Program Features
Schedule 4.06(a)-1
-
Additional Co-Branded Cardholder
Benefits
Schedule 5.01(d)
-
Use of Costco Marks and Bank Marks
Schedule 5.04(a)
-
Costco Trademark Usage Policy
Schedule 6.01(c)
-
[*]
Schedule 7.01(a)
-
Data Security
Schedule 7.02
-
Operations Centers
Schedule 7.03
-
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Schedule 7.05(a)
-
Monthly Reports
Schedule 9.01
-
Program Economics
Schedule 9.07(a)(v)
-
[*]
Schedule 9.07(a)(vii) -
[*]
Schedule 9.08
-
P&L Statement
Schedule 13.02(a)
-
Information Regarding the Program
Assets
Schedule 13.02(c)
-
Appraisal Information
Schedule 13.03(b)
-
[*]
ARTICLE 2
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROGRAM
2.01The Program.
(a)Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank and Costco hereby
establish a co-branded credit card program in the United States, pursuant to which
generally: (i) Bank shall offer and issue to approved Applicants Co-Branded Cards and
extend credit to Co-Branded Cardholders pursuant to the terms of the Co-Branded
Cardholder Agreement; and (ii) Bank will promptly open a new Co-Branded Card Account
and issue a new Co-Branded Card with respect to each Co-Branded Card Application
approved in accordance with the Program Credit Policy (collectively, and as detailed in this
Agreement, the “
Program
”).
(b)In connection with the establishment of the Program, the purpose of this
Agreement is to set out the terms and conditions according to which the Parties will regulate:
(i) the commercial collaboration between Bank and Costco in connection with the promotion,
offer and issuance of Co-Branded Cards, and (ii) other services and support tasks that Bank
and Costco, respectively, shall provide in connection with the promotion, offer and issuance
of Co-Branded Cards, all toward the end of operating a Program that is Competitive in all
respects and delivers value to Costco Members.
2.02Network.
(a)Costco has selected Visa as the initial Network for the Program.
(b)Costco shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to change the Network for the
Co-Branded Cards [*] by providing written notice to Bank at least [*] that the Network for the
Co-Branded Cards will be changed from the Network to a Competitive Network or any other
card network or card association under which Bank is authorized to issue Bank Cards
(“
Other Network
”) effective on [*].
3
Promptly following any such notice, and (subject to Section 2.03) with such commercially
reasonable adjustments as may mutually be agreed to in order to account for any differing
economics to the Program, Bank shall take all steps as may be reasonably required to
transfer the Program to the Other Network.
2.03Payment and Funds from Network.
Any payments or funds of any kind received by Costco from the Network or Other
Network as a result of the agreement to use such card network or card association for the
Program at any time before, during, or after the Term shall belong entirely to Costco, and
shall not be considered related to, or part of, payment obligations of Bank under this
Agreement.
2.04Costco Exclusivity to Bank and Co-Branded Cards.
(a)In the United States, during the Term, neither Costco nor its United States
Affiliates will (i) issue a Comparable Co-Branded Card; provided, however, that Costco may
participate in the Amex Program until the Program Effective Date; or (ii) directly or in
conjunction with any Person, issue, market, or co-brand any Comparable Co-Branded Card
for acceptance at Costco Outlets or any other Acceptance Locations. This exclusivity
obligation is subject to Section 2.04(b), Section 2.04(f), Section 2.04(g), Section 2.05 and
Section 12.08.
(b)For clarity, subject to Section 2.04(c), Costco shall have the right, on its own or in
collaboration with any Person, to issue, market and promote a [*], and with any terms,
brands or marks, or value proposition as Costco in its sole discretion may elect (collectively,
“
Additional Payment Products
”).
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will any Additional Payment Product
have an associated spend-based rewards program that is equal or superior in value (e.g., a
greater percentage cash rebate) to the Unique Value Proposition offered by the Co-Branded
Cards.
(d)[*].
(e)In the event that Costco proposes to issue an Additional Payment Product during
the Term and seeks to do so via a request for proposal, tender, bid, or other, similar
competitive process, Bank shall be invited to participate in such process on the same terms,
but without preference, as all other participants (all such participants to be determined by
Costco in its sole discretion).
(f)For clarity and subject to Section 2.04(c), Costco shall have the right, on its own or
in collaboration with any third party, to issue, market and promote, any product, program or
service of any kind (other than Comparable Co-Branded Cards to the extent prohibited by
Section 2.04(a)) with any value proposition (including discounts, rebates or other
promotions), including those programs and products listed on Schedule 2.04(f) hereto.
(g)[*].
2.05Effect of Costco Acquisitions on Costco Exclusivity.
(a)If Costco or any of its Affiliates acquires (including by merger, consolidation, asset
purchase, share purchase or other business combination) a business (an “
Acquired
Business
”) that directly or through an Affiliate or unaffiliated third party issues a co-branded
card in the United States,
4
including Credit Cards similar to a Comparable Co-Branded Card (each, as applicable, an
“
Acquired Card Program
”), the exclusivity provisions of Section 2.04(a) shall only apply to
such Acquired Card Program as and to the extent provided in this Section 2.05. As a matter
of clarification, if Costco or any of its Affiliates acquires an Acquired Business (including by
merger, consolidation, asset purchase, share purchase or other business combination) that
does not have a Comparable Co-Branded Card, including in a instance where the Acquired
Business has an Other Store Card program, the exclusivity provisions of Section 2.04(a)
shall not apply.
(b)If the cards that are issued as part of the Acquired Card Program (the “
Acquired
Cards
”) are directly or indirectly issued by a third party pursuant to a program agreement or
other contractual arrangement between such third party and such Acquired Business,
Costco shall not be required to terminate such agreement or otherwise discontinue such
arrangement. Rather, following completion of such acquisition, Costco and its Affiliates shall
be entitled to continue to comply with and perform in all respects such agreements or
arrangements related to the Acquired Business, and the ongoing operation of the Acquired
Card Program (including pending election of the Conversion Option or Costco Rebranding
Option, and after the Parties’ failure to enter into a written agreement regarding one or more
such options) shall not violate the terms of this Agreement; provided that Costco continues
to comply with Section 2.04(d) as it relates to Costco Warehouses other than the Acquired
Warehouses and other locations or outlets of the Acquired Business. Without limiting its
rights and obligations hereunder, Bank shall cooperate with Costco in an effort to ensure that
the operation of the Program and the Co-Branded Card, and the Acquired Card Program,
can both continue without disruption to the customer base of Costco and its Affiliates. For
greater certainty, the ownership and operation by Costco and existence of the Acquired Card
Program shall not constitute a breach of or default under this Agreement.
(c)If the Acquired Cards are issued by Bank or any of its Affiliates, upon the written
request of Costco and subject to Applicable Laws, Bank shall integrate the Acquired Cards
into the Program by converting the Acquired Card accounts into Co-Branded Card Accounts
(with such commercially reasonable adjustments as may mutually be agreed to account for
the differing characteristics of the Acquired Card Program and the cardholders for such
Acquired Card Program), subject to the same terms and conditions as the Co-Branded Card
Accounts (and subject to any adjustments made as contemplated above) and subject to this
Agreement, and the Acquired Cards shall participate in the Program as if they were
originated under this Agreement (the “
Conversion Option
”). In the event that the
Conversion Option is exercised by Costco and the Parties agree to adjustments as
contemplated by this Section 2.05(c), then Bank shall (or, if applicable, shall cause its
Affiliates to) terminate the program agreement of the Acquired Business as of the conversion
date to the Program. As a matter of clarification, if the Parties are unable to agree upon such
commercially reasonable adjustments as are needed to account for the differences in the
Acquired Card Program, then the Acquired Card Program and Acquired Warehouses and
other locations or outlets of the Acquired Business shall not be subject to the terms of this
Agreement, including, without limitation, Sections 2.04(a), 2.04(d) or 2.07.
(d)In the event that the capital stock of Costco, or all or substantially all of the assets
of Costco, are sold, conveyed, or otherwise transferred to another Person that is not an
Affiliate of Costco, the terms of this Agreement shall not prevent such Person from carrying
on its own credit card programs, including any private label or co-branded card program, nor
shall the operation of any such programs constitute a breach of or default under this
Agreement by Costco.
(e)Subject to the terms of Section 2.05(b), in the event the Acquired Business
includes Acquired Cards, that are, in Costco’s sole discretion rebranded by Costco using the
Costco Marks (the
5
“
Costco Rebranding Option
”, with the locations so rebranded, the
“Acquired
Warehouses
”)), then the restrictions of Sections 2.04(a), 2.04(d) and 2.07 shall apply to
such Acquired Card Program or the Acquired Warehouses, commencing as of the latest of
following: (i) effective date of such rebranding, (ii) the termination of the program agreement
governing the Acquired Card Program, or (iii) the effective date for any commercially
reasonable adjustment to account for the differing characteristic of the Acquired Card
Program and the cardholder for such Acquired Card Program, as set forth in any written
agreement between the Parties as contemplated by Section 2.05(c). As a matter of
clarification, if the Parties are unable to agree upon such commercially reasonable
adjustments as are needed to account for the differences in the Acquired Card Program,
then the Acquired Card Program and Acquired Warehouses shall not be subject to the terms
of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Sections 2.04(a), 2.04(d) or 2.07.
(f)In the event of the Conversion Option or the Costco Rebranding Option, thereafter
whenever the Acquired Cards are accepted and used in any Costco Outlet, whether a
Costco Warehouse or other Costco Outlet, or any other Costco Location wherever located,
then [*].
(g)The election to exercise the Conversion Option or the Costco Rebranding Option,
or to otherwise integrate or convert any Acquired Cards to Co-Branded Cards and cause
such Acquired Cards to become subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Program,
shall be at the election of Costco in its sole discretion as provided for herein. Accordingly, in
no event shall Costco be required to integrate or convert any Acquired Cards to Co-Branded
Cards or this Program.
2.06Bank Exclusivity to Costco and Co-Branded Cards
.
(a)In the United States, during the Term, neither Bank nor its Affiliates will issue, on
its own or with any Person, (i) [*] or, (ii) as to any Person listed on Schedule 2.06(a) or any
Affiliates of those Persons listed on Schedule 2.06(a), as may be amended from time to time
(parts (i) and (ii) collectively, “
Competitors
”), a card product of the type shown thereon,
regardless of FTD form factor. Costco may modify the list of Competitors set forth on
Schedule 2.06(a) as follows:
(i)Not more [*] after the Program Effective Date, Costco may [*] to Schedule
2.06(a) upon written notice to Bank so long as such Person [*]. During each Renewal Term
(or, if Costco elects to extend the Initial Term by providing the Initial Term Extension Notice,
during such three (3) year Initial Term extension period), Costco may [*] to Schedule 2.06(a)
upon written notice to Bank so long as such Person is a seller of goods in a business
category where Costco has a presence. As of Bank’s receipt of any such notice, the
additional Person designated by Costco shall be considered a Competitor.
(ii)[*].
2.07Acceptance.
(a)Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other agreement to the
contrary, [*]. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this
Agreement shall limit or prohibit Costco from accepting Additional Payment Products.
(b)For clarity, whenever the Co-Branded Card is accepted and used in any Costco
Outlet, whether a Costco Warehouse or other Costco Outlet, or any other Costco Location,
wherever located, then [*].
6
(c)Subject to the exclusivity obligation set forth in Section 2.04(a), the parties
acknowledge that Costco has a vested interest in the types of new payment products, and in
the security features attributable to such new payment products, that may potentially be
offered to Costco Members and accepted at Costco Locations. Accordingly and
notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Bank shall not issue or offer any form factor of the
Co-Branded Card or other Financial Transaction Device with respect to the Co-Branded
Card Accounts (other than a traditional physical card) to Co-Branded Cardholders without
the prior written consent of Costco. Likewise, in no event shall Costco ever be required by
this Agreement to accept any Financial Transaction Device (other than a traditional physical
card for the Co-Branded Card) that has not been approved by Costco.
2.08Exclusivity of Program Enhancements.
[*].
2.09Purchase of Existing Provider Cards Portfolio.
Bank intends to enter into a definitive sale and purchase agreement with American
Express (the
“
Amex Purchase Agreement
”
) whereby Bank would agree to acquire the
existing accounts of the cardholders who are participating in the existing co-branded card
program subject to the Amex Program Agreement (the
“
Amex Program
”
); [*].
ARTICLE 3
OWNERSHIP OF ACCOUNTS; UNDERWRITING
3.01Ownership of Accounts.
(a)Subject always to the Purchase Right detailed in Article 13, and except to the
extent of Costco’s ownership of the Costco Marks, Bank shall be the owner and holder of all
Account Indebtedness, Co-Branded Card Accounts, Co-Branded Card Documentation, and
the Co-Branded Card Application. All purchases of goods and/or services or other
extensions of credit in connection with the Co-Branded Card Accounts and the Account
Indebtedness shall create the relationship of debtor and creditor between the Co-Branded
Cardholder and Bank, respectively.
(b)Subject to the terms of Article 9, Bank shall be entitled to (i) receive all payments
made by Co-Branded Cardholders on Co-Branded Card Accounts; and (ii) retain for its
account all Account Indebtedness and such other fees and Income authorized by the
Co-Branded Cardholder Agreements and collected by or for Bank with respect to the
Co-Branded Card Accounts.
(c)Bank shall fund all use of credit under the Co-Branded Card Accounts by a
Co-Branded Cardholder.
(d)Bank acknowledges and agrees that Costco has no liability to Bank or otherwise
with respect to any unpaid balances or other Account Indebtedness owed by Co-Branded
Cardholders (other than as may arise with respect to amounts related to purchase returns,
charge-backs or similar amounts owing or owed by Costco to Bank in accordance with the
Network Rules and relating to original sales transactions made at Costco Outlets), and that
all such risk of loss and related credit risk rests solely with Bank.
3.02Underwriting and Risk Management.
7
(a)Bank shall accept or reject any Co-Branded Card Application based solely upon
application of (i) the then-current Program Credit Policy and (ii) Bank’s then-current
anti-money laundering and customer identification program policies, provided that Bank is
also then applying such anti-money laundering and customer identification program policies
to all Other Bank Card Programs. [*]. As a matter of clarification, Bank makes no
commitments as to the results of the application of the Program Credit Policy and reserves
the right to change the Program Credit Policy from time to time so long as such Program
Credit Policy remains in compliance with this Section 3.02, Schedule 3.02(a) and the other
terms of this Agreement.
(b)Upon satisfaction of the applicable criteria set forth in the Program Credit Policy,
Bank shall promptly establish a Co-Branded Card Account. Bank shall have the right to
review periodically the creditworthiness of Co-Branded Cardholders in accordance with the
Program Credit Policy to determine the range of credit limits to be made available to
Co-Branded Cardholders and whether or not to suspend or terminate credit privileges of
such Co-Branded Cardholders; provided, however, that Bank shall only decrease credit
limits or suspend or terminate credit privileges consistent with the then current Program
Credit Policy.
(c)The initial Program Credit Policy to be in effect as of the Program Effective Date is
attached hereto as Schedule 3.02(c)-1, which Bank represents and warrants complies as of
such date with Section 3.02(a). Except in the case of Legally Mandated Changes [*] or as
the Parties may otherwise agree, Bank shall provide Costco with at least [*] prior written
notice of any proposed changes to the Program Credit Policy. In the case of a Legally
Mandated Change to the Program Credit Policy, Bank shall provide Costco with as much
advance notice as reasonably possible prior to the implementation of such Legally Mandated
Change and in any event, such notice shall be provided no later than [*] after Bank first
receives notice of or otherwise becomes aware of the requirement for the Legally Mandated
Change. [*].
(d)Bank shall perform all necessary security functions to appropriately manage fraud
in the Program (i) due to lost, stolen or counterfeit cards, fraudulent Co-Branded Card
Applications or otherwise, and (ii) in compliance with Applicable Law. Upon Bank's
reasonable request, Costco agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with
Bank in such functions (including with respect to any criminal investigations involving
possible fraud at any Costco Location or involving Co-Branded Cardholders) so long as such
efforts will not create an undue burden on Costco or require Costco to violate any Costco
policies or Applicable Laws. All fraud losses, other than fraud resulting from Bank's failure to
comply with Applicable Law, shall be [*].
(e)Subject to the Program Credit Policy, Bank agrees to comply, commencing on the
Program Effective Date, with the provisions set forth in Schedule 3.02(e) relating to initial
and average credit line assignments for Co-Branded Card Applications.
3.03Amex Accounts.
The Amex Accounts acquired by Bank pursuant to the Amex Purchase Agreement
shall become Co-Branded Card Accounts and subject to the terms of this Agreement and, in
particular, the acquired Amex Accounts shall be subject to the terms of the Program Credit
Policy.
8
ARTICLE 4
PROGRAM OPERATION
4.01Management of the Program
(a)Each of the Parties shall perform its obligations under this Agreement (i) in
compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including any policies,
procedures and practices adopted pursuant to this Agreement), (ii) in good faith, and (iii) in a
manner consistent with any reasonable annual targets and objectives set by Costco.
(b)The Program and this Agreement, and the collaboration of Bank and Costco in
implementing and administering the Program and this Agreement, shall be administered by
Program Managers and Program Executives, as detailed below.
(i)“
Program Managers
” means the individuals appointed by each of Bank
and Costco (one each), respectively, to administer the Program from a program
management perspective. Bank and Costco shall each appoint one Program Manager (the
appointee of Costco, the “
Costco Manager
”; and the appointee of Bank, the “
Bank
Manager
”). The Costco Manager and the Bank Manager shall be manager level or above
full-time employees of Bank or Costco, as applicable, and shall be the leaders of their
respective teams. The Program Managers and their teams shall conduct their responsibilities
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Costco and Bank shall endeavour to provide
stability and continuity in the Program Manager positions and other Program personnel.
(ii)“
Program Executives
” means the individuals appointed by each of Bank
and Costco (one each), respectively, to administer the Program from an executive officer
perspective and to assist in discussing and resolving Disputes.
(iii)At any time during the Term, a Program Manager or Program Executive
may be removed and promptly replaced at the discretion of the relevant Party that appointed
such person, provided that any Program Manager or Program Executive appointed
hereunder shall meet the requirements for such position set forth in this Section 4.01(b).
4.02General Obligations of Bank.
(a)Subject to the terms hereof, Bank will be responsible for all activities associated
with servicing the Co-Branded Cards, including plastic card production, mailings, fulfillments,
renewals, funding of receivables, funding of the Loyalty Program, administration of
unclaimed property obligations, billing, Co-Branded Card Account maintenance, transaction
and payment posting, authorizations, customer service, collections, handling billing disputes,
merchant inquiries and fraud; provided that Costco may, in its sole discretion, require the use
of different Co-Branded Credit Card plastics
for certain types or classifications of Costco
Members, at no charge to Costco. All services and activities shall be performed by Bank in
compliance with Applicable Law [*]. In no event shall Costco be responsible for any
Co-Branded Cardholder customer service unless and until Costco and Bank enter into an
agreement regarding the assumption of such obligations by Costco.
(b)Bank shall establish a unique bank identification number (the “
BIN Identifier
”) and
dedicated Interbank Card Association number, in accordance with the Network Rules,
specifically and solely for Co-Branded Cards. The BIN Identifier shall permit Costco’s
Systems to distinguish a Co-
9
Branded Card automatically both at a POS terminal and through backend reporting. Bank
shall not use the BIN Identifier designated for Costco for any business or purpose other than
supporting the Program. In the event that Costco or a New Card Issuer designated by
Costco acquires the Portfolio upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, and
subject to any covenants or obligations contained in the Network Rules applicable to Bank,
Costco or such New Card Issuer shall own the BIN Identifier and all rights thereto, and Bank
shall take all steps necessary or convenient to transfer to Costco or the New Card Issuer
such BIN Identifier.
(c)Bank will promptly refer to Costco any complaint regarding Costco or its goods
and services.
(d) Bank will timely submit to the Network the rider(s) or report(s) attached hereto as
Exhibit B, as the same may be amended from time to time by Costco in its reasonable
discretion. Upon the request of Costco from time to time, Bank shall provide such other
assistance and cooperation as Costco may reasonably request in connection with that
certain acceptance and co-branded incentive agreement between Costco and the Network
related to the Program.
4.03Bank’s Program Team.
(a)Bank shall be responsible for sustaining adequate and appropriate staffing levels
and training as may be necessary for the Program. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Bank shall provide dedicated staffing for the Program (collectively, the “
Bank
Program Team
”), which shall, within the time periods specified herein, consist of at least [*]
employees as set forth in Section 4.03(b) [*] (excluding the Operation Center
representatives), each of whom shall be a manager level or above, and shall provide [*]. The
Bank Program Team shall have competitive expertise and experience, including experience
in retail co-brand credit card portfolio marketing and management and account
management, and Bank shall ensure that the all personnel supporting the Program,
including the Bank Program Team, have adequate training and experience consistent with
best industry practices.
(b)The Bank Program Team provided by Bank shall specifically include the following
individuals, each of whom shall be a direct employee of Bank or its Affiliates:
(i)from and after the date hereof, the Bank Manager shall participate in
conference calls, reviews and reporting activities related to the Program as appropriate and
requested by Costco;
(ii)from and after the Program Effective Date, [*] to overseeing customer
service and training support activities related to the Program in such Region, and (3) shall
serve as the principal point of escalation for operational and other issues relating to the
Program in such Region;
(iii)from and after the Program Effective Date, [*] to overseeing finance,
reporting and analytics activities related to the Program;
(iv)from and after the date hereof, [*] to overseeing marketing activities
related to the Program;
(v)from and after the Program Effective Date, [*] to overseeing the operations
of the Program;
10
(vi)from and after the Program Effective Date, [*] to overseeing the risk
management of the Program; and
(vii)as more particularly described in Article 7 (and as necessary to fulfill
Bank’s obligations thereunder) and subject to Section 9.07(d), a sufficient number of full-time
equivalent employees of the Operation Centers [*] to ensure that, other than in
circumstances beyond Bank’s control from time to time (e.g., a third-party security breach),
at least [*] of all incoming calls from Co-Branded Cardholders and Applicants are fielded by
[*].
(c)In addition, upon Costco’s reasonable request and subject to Bank’s general
human resources guidelines, Bank shall [*].
(d)Bank will provide training and materials to Costco’s employees, including training
Costco Trainers, with respect to any aspect of the Program or the Co-Branded Cards as
Costco may reasonably request.
(e)Neither the Bank Manager nor any other member of Bank’s Program Team
(specifically excluding the individuals described in Section 4.03(b)(vii)) shall be reassigned to
any program operated by Bank or any of its Affiliates pursuant to any agreement or
arrangement with any Competitors any time up to [*] the date that such person last worked
on the Program (including any such period of time that ends after this Agreement expires or
is terminated other than in the event of any termination pursuant to Section 12.03).
(f)Costco shall not adopt, assume or otherwise become responsible for, either
primarily or as a successor employer, co-employer or joint employer, any employee benefit
plans or any assets or liabilities of any employee benefit plans, arrangements, commitments
or policies currently or hereafter provided by Bank, relating to the Bank Program Team or
otherwise; and if, and to the extent that, Costco is deemed by law or otherwise to be liable
primarily or as a successor employer or co-employer or joint employer, for such purposes or
for any other purposes, including any state or federal employment taxes, Bank shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Costco, its Affiliates, and their respective officers,
directors, and employees from and against and in respect of any and all Losses that may
result therefrom.
(i)In the event Bank personnel are injured or hurt while performing functions
under or in connection with this Agreement, whether the Bank Program Team or otherwise
and whether onsite at Costco or otherwise, Bank shall ensure that: (1) Bank’s workers
compensation coverage or other benefits provided by Bank to its employees or agents shall
be the exclusive remedy for the personnel or agents utilized by Bank as it relates to the
Program, and (2) such personnel, agents and the relevant carrier shall not have any right to
compensation from Costco.
(ii)In addition to Bank’s workers compensation coverage being the exclusive
remedy for injury to Bank personnel, whether the Bank Program Team or otherwise, while
performing functions under or in connection with this Agreement as set forth above, Bank
hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Costco, its Affiliates, and their
respective officers, directors, and employees from and against and in respect of any and all
Losses whatsoever nature brought, claimed or suffered by any of Bank’s employees, agents
and/or personnel, including the Bank Program Team, relating to any such injuries or harm.
11
4.04General Obligations of Costco.
(a)For each Applicant (who must first be a Costco Member) that completes a
Co-Branded Card Application at a Costco Warehouse, Costco shall, [*], collect the
Co-Branded Card Application or the information needed to complete a Co-Branded Card
Application, and provide said Co-Branded Card Application or information to Bank in
accordance with mutually agreed-upon procedures and subject to Applicable Laws. Costco
shall comply with all applicable disclosure and other regulatory requirements specified by
Bank when conducting the above activities. Costco shall work together with Bank to improve
the efficiency of the application process.
(b)Any Legally Mandated Changes shall be implemented by Costco as promptly as
reasonably possible after notice from Bank but in no event later than required by Applicable
Laws. In the event that Bank reasonably determines that any change to the Program or
Costco’s practices is required in order to comply with Applicable Guidelines, Bank shall
provide Costco with a written summary of such requirements. [*].
(c)Costco shall send to Bank, [*], all Costco Member information necessary to be
included on the Co-Branded Card.
(d)Costco, [*], shall maintain and operate the Costco Membership Program while this
Agreement is in effect. Attached to this Agreement as Schedule 4.04(d) is the Costco
Membership Program description as of the date hereof. Costco agrees to provide Bank with
sufficient written notice of any material modifications to the Costco Membership Program
that directly affect the Program in order to permit Bank to modify (inclusive of Bank’s
Systems) any aspect of its support of the Program, in order to comply with such
modifications. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Costco may change the terms of the
Costco Membership Program at any time.
(e)Costco will instruct its member services centers to promptly refer Co-Branded
Cardholders to Bank that have material customer complaints that are received by Costco’s
members’ services center regarding a Co-Branded Account or Co-Branded Card.
4.05Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms.
(a)The pricing, terms and conditions of all Co-Branded Card Accounts shall be the
pricing, terms and conditions set forth on Schedule 4.05(a) and Schedule 4.05(a)(ii), as the
same may be amended from time to time pursuant to this Agreement (the “
Co-Branded
Cardholder Account Terms
”). [*].
(i) [Intentionally left blank.]
(ii)Commencing as of the Program Effective Date, Bank shall also offer a
Co-Branded Card to business applicants, which shall be based upon the credit of the
business, or the proprietor, or both, and subject to the applicable pricing, terms and
conditions and specifications set forth on Schedule 4.05(a)(ii).
(iii)Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bank may implement a change to the
pricing, terms and conditions of the Co-Branded Card Accounts [*], to the extent such
change is:
12
(A)a Legally Mandated Change and in accordance with Section
4.04(b). Further, and in the case of a Legally Mandated Change to Co-Branded Cardholder
Account Terms, Bank shall provide Costco with as much advance notice as reasonably
possible prior to the implementation of such Legally Mandated Change and in any event,
such notice shall be provided no later than thirty (30) days after Bank first receives notice of
or otherwise becomes aware of the requirement for the Legally Mandated Change; or
(B)a change that affects terms and conditions [*], to the extent
applicable, and provided that (I) the terms and conditions resulting from such change are, [*],
and (II) Bank has provided Costco no less than thirty (30) days’ prior notice.
(b)Bank shall ensure that all Co-Branded Cards satisfy applicable EMV requirements
for embedded microchip and PIN technology with respect to both contact card products and
contactless card products and otherwise comply with all Applicable Laws, including security
standards promulgated by or on behalf of the Major Card Networks or other Bank Card
networks. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Costco Member number of
each Co-Branded Cardholder shall physically be printed on each Co-Branded Card and,
further, such Costco Member number shall be embedded on the embedded microchip, bar
code and magnetic stripe (or other applicable electronic component, and with respect to the
magnetic stripe, embedded on Track 1), as applicable, of such Co-Branded Cardholder’s
Co-Branded Card.
4.06Loyalty Program.
(a)Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, during the Term, all elements of
the Program set forth on Schedule 4.06(a) shall remain in effect and shall continue to be
offered [*] by Bank in connection with the cash based rewards program offered to
Co-Branded Card Accounts; provided, however, that such elements may be modified from
time to time by Costco but only in accordance with the terms set out in this Agreement (e.g.,
Section 4.07) or otherwise as mutually agreed by Bank (such elements, together with such
modifications, collectively, the “
Loyalty Program
”). The Co-Branded Cards will also have the
standard Network benefits applicable to Credit Cards of the same card tier, as set forth on
Schedule 4.06(a)-1, as such benefits may change from time to time.
(b)As provided in Schedule 4.06(a), as of the date hereof, Costco Members are
eligible to receive rewards pursuant to the Loyalty Program (“
Rewards
”). The Rewards will
be issued by the Bank in the form of one annual Costco Rewards coupon. From time to time,
and subject to Applicable Laws, Costco may require a change to the method of funding
Rewards to a gift card, statement credit, electronic credit or other electronic transfer, other
FTD, or otherwise and shall provide Bank with at least [*] notice prior to the effectiveness of
such change. Bank shall cooperate to implement the new Rewards payment method in such
a way that it is compatible with the Costco point of sale equipment and consistent with
Costco’s protocols and security requirements and that otherwise achieves Systems
interoperability between Bank’s Systems and Costco’s Systems, and Bank shall otherwise
cooperate with Costco in implementing such change, subject to Applicable Laws.
Regardless of the method or form of the Rewards, Bank (and not Costco) shall be
considered the issuer of such Rewards pursuant to the Loyalty Program, and, except with
respect to the Executive Membership program, Bank shall be solely liable to Costco
Members with respect to such Rewards. Other than its duty to redeem the Rewards in
accordance with the Loyalty Program terms and conditions, Costco shall not have any
obligation to Costco Members regarding such Rewards.
13
(c)[*]. Costco will deliver to Bank a report at a frequency as mutually agreed by the
Parties detailing all Rewards coupons (or such other method or form of Rewards provided
under the Loyalty Program at such time) redeemed by Costco Members, together with a
report setting out the aggregate value of such redeemed Rewards coupons, according to
procedures mutually agreed upon by the Parties. Unless the amount set forth in the report
regarding such redeemed Rewards coupons is disputed by Bank, and except with respect to
costs incurred by Costco to provide benefits associated with Executive Membership, Bank
will pay to Costco as a Loyalty Program Expense [*] such redeemed Rewards coupons or
other form or method of reward redemptions as soon as practicable after receipt of a report
in respect thereof by Bank, and in no event more than [*] after receipt thereof by Bank;
provided that Bank shall have no obligation to make a payment to Costco with respect to
Rewards paid by way of a statement credit. Except with respect to the Executive
Membership program, Bank shall be solely responsible for complying with all state
unclaimed property laws related to the Loyalty Program, including with respect to any
unused or unredeemed Rewards issued by Bank to Costco Members, and Bank shall be
responsible for reporting and remitting as unclaimed property to any state or other
Governmental Entity any payments that are due in connection with or related to Rewards
that are not redeemed, in accordance with such unclaimed property laws
(d)Costco may, after consultation with Bank and in accordance with Applicable Laws,
elect to offer promotions, discounts, rewards, special offers or any other incentive, whether
pursuant to the Loyalty Program or otherwise based on SKU level data to Co-Branded
Cardholders (provided appropriate consents are obtained from Co-Branded Cardholders).
Bank shall facilitate such offering by providing any and all reasonable support (including
information technology support, software programming, changes to statements, customer
service support, and other collateral, system or procedural changes) necessary to achieve
Systems interoperability between Bank’s Systems and Costco’s Systems, excluding changes
to the hardware components of Costco Systems. [*].
4.07Improvements to Program.
(a)At any time and from time to time, and subject to the terms of this Section 4.07,
Costco may request improvements, upgrades, or other value enhancements to the [*], the
Loyalty Program, or any other aspect or feature of the overall Program (collectively,
“
Program Improvements
”).
(b)[*].
(c)If the co-branded card program or private label card program for [*] includes the
requested Program Improvement, other than with respect to Co-Branded Cardholder
Account Terms (a “
Warehouse Program Improvement
”), then the cost to develop and
implement such requested Warehouse Program Improvement shall be [*]. If the co-branded
card program or private label card program for [*] includes the requested Program
Improvement or if the requested Program Improvement generally becomes available in the
market, [*] (a “
Market Program Improvement
”), then the cost to develop and implement
such requested Market Program Improvement shall [*]. On the other hand, if the Program
Improvement is not a Warehouse Program Improvement or a Market Program Improvement,
or any change to the method of funding Rewards required by Costco pursuant to Section
4.06(b) (in each case, an “
Innovative Program Improvement
”), the costs for such
Innovative Program Improvement shall be paid by Costco pursuant to the terms of Sections
4.07(e) and 4.07(f) if Costco elects to exercise its right to require an Innovative Program
Improvement to be implemented.
(d)[*].
14
(e)Costco may require Bank, in Costco’s sole discretion, to implement any Innovative
Program Improvements by agreeing to fund and pay to Bank the reasonable cost of Bank to
develop and implement the Innovative Program Improvements requested by Costco,
including the extent to which the Innovative Program Improvement would cause the
expected Bank Profits Percentage to fall below the Bank Profit Threshold Percent. Funding
for Innovative Program Improvements, and the related payments that Costco must pay to
Bank, are further distinguished for purposes of this Agreement as set forth below:
(i)Additional funding required for an Innovative Program Improvement to the
Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms (a “
Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms
Payment
”); and/or
(ii)Additional funding required for an Innovative Program Improvements to the
Loyalty Program (a “
Loyalty Program Payment
”); and/or
(iii)Additional funding required for an Innovative Program Improvements to
any other aspect or feature of the overall Program (an “
Other Program Payment
” and
together with the Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payment and the Loyalty Program
Payment, collectively, the “
Program Improvement Funding Payments
”).
(f)Costco shall be eligible for refunds from Bank of the Program Improvement
Funding Payments as and to the extent contemplated in Section 9.03.
4.08Dual Functionality of Co-Branded Cards.
(a)Co-Branded Cards will function as both (i) a Credit Card for purposes of, among
other things, charging goods and services at Acceptance Locations, and (ii) a Costco
Membership Program card which identifies (including in written form on the Co-Branded
Card plastic and in electronic form, by way of information stored in the embedded microchip,
bar code, magnetic stripe or other electronic component, as applicable, of the Co-Branded
Card) the Co-Branded Cardholder as one permitted to make purchases at Costco Outlets in
accordance with the Costco Member Program. The Co-Branded Cards shall otherwise
satisfy the requirements detailed elsewhere in this Agreement, including Section 4.05(b).
(b)Should a Co-Branded Cardholder’s Costco Membership terminate, subject to
Applicable Laws and Costco’s customer privacy policy, Costco shall notify Bank of such
termination. The Parties shall mutually agree on an orderly process for terminating the
Co-Branded Card Account. If a Co-Branded Cardholder’s Co-Branded Card Account
terminates, or a supplementary Co-Branded Card on a Co-Branded Cardholder Account
terminates, then, subject to the Program Privacy Policy, Bank shall promptly notify Costco of
such termination and, unless prohibited by Applicable Laws, the reason for such termination.
Costco, in its sole discretion, may then elect to issue that individual a new Costco
Membership card.
(c)If any Co-Branded Cardholder’s Co-Branded Card Account is terminated due to
the termination of his or her Costco Member status, or the Co-Branded Cardholder requests
his or her Co-Branded Card Account be closed, as part of the account closing process Bank
shall offer such cardholder a proprietary Credit Card issued by Bank or its Affiliates, which
Credit Card shall be approved by Costco in advance (the “
Approved Transition Card
”). If,
within [*] of any such termination, such cardholder accepts the Approved Transition Card or
any substitute offered by Bank or
15
its Affiliates (a “
Transitioned Card Account
”), Bank shall ensure that, regardless of FTD
form factor for such Transitioned Card Account: [*].
(d)In addition to Bank’s other obligations with respect to the Loyalty Program, Bank
shall maintain records of the Rewards earned by terminated Co-Branded Cardholders for the
period prior to the termination of their Co-Branded Card Account and, upon the request
Costco, Bank shall cause such Rewards to be either [*].
4.09Program Updates – Refresh Cards.
(a)Costco may, in its sole discretion, [*], require that Bank provide a modified
Co-Branded Card which bears a new card design, value proposition and/or other features
(each such Co-Branded Card, a “
Refresh Card
”); provided that the issuance of such
Refresh Card and any changes regarding the value proposition or other features would not
[*], and provided that all features and characteristics of the Refresh Card, and the issuance
thereof, comply with Applicable Laws. Subject to the foregoing, each time Costco makes
such a request, Bank will launch the Refresh Card within [*] after such request and such
Refresh Card will contain the modifications requested by Costco.
(b)Unless otherwise agreed to by Costco in writing, Bank will not force migrate
Co-Branded Card Accounts to Refresh Cards or to any other new credit card product. Bank
will develop an operational strategy for review by Costco to accommodate any Co-Branded
Cardholders who desire to migrate to the Refresh Card.
4.10Billing For Costco Membership Fee
.
Subject to Applicable Laws, the Co-Branded Card Application shall expressly
disclose to the Applicant that, if such Co-Branded Card Application is approved, the
applicable Costco Membership Fee set out in the Costco Membership Program conditions
and regulations shall be automatically charged, including on a recurring basis as the relevant
membership comes up for renewal, to the Co-Branded Card Account, unless the Applicant
opts out of such by following the opt-out procedures prominently set forth in the Co-Branded
Card Application. No Costco Membership Fee will be charged to a Co-Branded Account that
has not yet been activated by the Applicant. In the event of regulatory concerns (including
concerns expressed by any Governmental Authority) or material consumer concerns or
complaints, Bank or Costco shall have the right to modify this process to instead require the
Applicant, in the Co-Branded Card Application, to expressly opt-in for the Costco
Membership Fee to be automatically charged to the approved Co-Branded Card Account. It
is Costco’s responsibility to ensure that the amount and frequency of the Costco
Membership Fee is disclosed on the Costco Membership Program marketing materials and
agreements.
ARTICLE 5
MARKETING
5.01Active Support and Promotion of Program.
(a)In accordance with the Marketing Plan and the provisions of this Agreement, Bank
and Costco shall cooperate with each other as part of an effort to actively support and
promote the Program to both existing and potential Co-Branded Cardholders. [*].
16
(b)Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to preclude any Party from engaging
in marketing activities in support of the Program, at such Party’s expense, in addition to
those specifically contemplated by the then-current Marketing Plan or this Agreement,
provided that such additional marketing activities shall be pursued only in compliance with
the requirements and restrictions set forth in this Article 5, and otherwise in compliance with
Applicable Law and this Agreement in all respects.
(c)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 5,
the Parties agree that
Bank Cardholders (including Co-Branded Cardholders) who have opted out of receiving
marketing materials from Bank with respect to product and services offered by Bank or its
designees shall not be subject to targeted marketing pursuant to this Agreement, and Costco
Members who have opted out of receiving marketing materials from Costco with respect to
product and services offered by Costco shall not be subject to targeted marketing pursuant
to this Agreement.
(d)In addition to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, any use by one
Party of the other Party’s Marks shall be governed by the provisions and the licenses
detailed on Schedule 5.01(d). Bank shall not use the Costco Marks without the prior written
consent of Costco and any approved use of the Costco Marks shall be in compliance with
the terms set forth on Schedule 1.01(d) and the Costco trademark usage policy set forth on
Schedule 5.04(a). Costco shall not use the Bank Marks without the prior written consent of
Bank and approved use of the Bank Marks shall be in compliance with the terms and the
Bank trademark usage policy set forth on Schedule 1.01(b)-1.
5.02Annual Card Marketing Plan.
(a)Each draft marketing plan shall be prepared jointly by the Program Managers and
shall include the information contained in this Section 5.02. The proposed marketing plan
shall include specific goals and/or objectives for each Program Year, including expected
Co-Branded Card annual spend inside and outside Costco Outlets, new Co-Branded Card
Accounts by source (in-store, direct mail, online, etc.), together with the other information
detailed in Sections 5.02(b) and 5.02(c) below.
(b)On or before the date that is no later than four (4) months prior to the expected
Program Effective Date, Costco shall have the right to approve a marketing plan upon the
recommendation of the Program Managers for the period beginning on the Program
Effective Date and ending on the last day of the first Program Year. On or before the date
that is one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the end of the first Program Year, and
each Program Year thereafter, the Program Managers will deliver to the Parties a draft
marketing plan for the next Program Year, and the Parties will meet to review and discuss
the draft marketing plan. Following such discussion and any modifications, on or before the
date that is sixty (60) days prior to the end of the first Program Year or any Program Year
thereafter, as applicable, Costco upon the recommendation of the Program Managers shall
have the right to approve or reject a marketing plan for the next Program Year (the approved
marketing plan shall be referred to as the “
Marketing Plan
”).
(c)Each Marketing Plan shall outline all programs and other initiatives to be pursued
in support of the Program, and shall include at least the following information for each
program:
(i)description of offer(s), if any and as applicable;
(ii)description of target audience;
17
(iii)planned budget funding and projected return on investment with respect to the program;
(iv)target implementation date (e.g., mailing dates, calling dates and delivery
dates);
(v)measurement criteria for program performance; and
(vi)such other annual targets and objectives as Costco may prioritize in connection with the
Program.
(d)Each Marketing Plan shall address development of Solicitation Materials and
Co-Branded Card Documentation; new account acquisition strategies, including direct
mailing and “take-one” acquisitions; preparation of unique collateral materials for Costco
employees; activation, retention and usage; statement design and messaging; Onsert
schedules; advertising of the Program; and such other marketing matters as mutually agreed
by the Parties.
(e)Any Marketing Plan may be modified or supplemented by the Parties from time to
time upon mutual agreement, provided such modifications or supplements, as the case may
be, are approved by Costco upon the recommendation of the Program Managers.
5.03Annual Membership Marketing Plan.
(a)Each draft membership plan shall be prepared jointly by the Program Managers
and shall include the information contained in this Section 5.03. The proposed membership
plan shall include specific goals and/or objectives to increase Costco Membership for each
Program Year, including expected new Costco Membership by type (e.g. premium
membership, business) per Region, together with the other information detailed in Sections
5.03(b) and 5.03(c) below.
(b)On or before the date that is no later than four (4) months prior to the expected
Program Effective Date, Costco shall have the right to approve a Costco Membership plan
upon the recommendation of the Program Managers for the period beginning on the
Program Effective Date and ending on the last day of the first Program Year. On or before
the date that is one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the end of the first Program Year,
and each Program Year thereafter, the Program Managers will deliver to the Parties a draft
membership plan for the next Program Year, and the Parties will meet to review and discuss
the draft membership plan. Following such discussion and any modifications, on or before
the date that is sixty (60) days prior to the end of the first Program Year or any Program Year
thereafter, as applicable, Costco upon the recommendation of the Program Managers shall
have the right to approve or reject such a membership plan for the next Program Year (the
approved membership plan shall be referred to as the “
Membership Plan
”).
(c)Each Membership Plan shall outline all programs and other initiatives to be
pursued in support of the recruitment and retention of Costco Members, and shall include at
least the following information for each program:
(i)description of offer(s), if any and as applicable;
(ii)description of target audience;
(iii)planned budget funding and projected return on investment with respect to the program;
18
(iv)target implementation date (e.g., mailing dates, calling dates and delivery
dates);
(v)measurement criteria for program performance and aggregate number of new Costco
Members expected to be obtained; and
(vi)such other annual targets and objectives as Costco may prioritize in connection with the
Program and Costco Membership Program.
(d)Any Membership Plan may be modified or supplemented by the Parties from time
to time upon mutual agreement, provided such modifications or supplements, as the case
may be, are approved by Costco upon the recommendation of the Program Managers.
5.04Co-Branded Card Documentation; Solicitation Materials.
(a)The Co-Branded Card Documentation and the Solicitation Materials shall be in the
design and format approved by Costco subject to the Costco trademark usage policy
attached as Schedule 5.04(a); provided that Bank shall be responsible for ensuring that the
Co-Branded Card Documentation and the Solicitation Materials comply with Applicable
Laws, and for ensuring that the Co-Branded Cards and the Solicitation Materials comply with
the Co-Branded Card Documentation.
(b)[*].
(c)Bank, working directly with Costco, shall design and prepare Co-Branded Card
designs and Welcome Kits for the Program prior to the Program Effective Date. The
Co-Branded Card designs and
all components of the Welcome Kits design will be [*]. For
clarity, the production and mailing expenses related to the Welcome Kits will be [*]. The
Co-Branded Card designs and the content, form and design of the Welcome Kits will require
the prior written approval of Costco.
(d)Subject to Section 5.06, it is intended that Bank’s on-going, routine Co-Branded
Card communications shall not contain Costco Marks but may use Costco’s name to identify
the Program, and shall not require Costco’s prior approval, as follows: customer service
communications (e.g., credit dunning, acquisition decisions, inquiry and dispute servicing,
Security Breach notices, legal notifications, policy notices, generic service updates and
generic Bank Card communications not unique to the Co-Branded Card).
(e)
Ownership of Card Designs
. The Parties agree that Section 7.09(b) does not
apply to Co-Branded Card designs. [*].
5.05Communication with Co-Branded Cardholders.
(a)Subject to Sections 5.04(d), and except for any message required by Applicable
Laws or for the servicing of or collecting on any Co-Branded Card Account, Costco and its
Affiliates shall have [*] to communicate with Co-Branded Cardholders through use of onserts
(“
Onserts
”), in any and all billing statements (including electronic billing statements) that
include marketing materials and are provided by Bank to Co-Branded Cardholders, subject
to Applicable Laws, and provided that: (i) Bank shall ensure that the content and distribution
of any such Onserts shall comply with Applicable Laws relating to consumer financial
products of Bank or its Affiliates ([*]); (ii) any communication required by Applicable Laws
(including billing statements provided by Bank to Co-Branded Cardholders) and past due
Co-Branded Cardholder communications shall take precedence over any of Costco’s
messages;
19
and (iii) Costco shall provide to Bank any Onserts proposed to be circulated or used by
Costco prior to such Onserts being circulated, but solely for the purpose of the Bank
ensuring compliance with such Applicable Laws, non-infringement of Bank’s or its Affiliates’
Intellectual Property, and the exclusion of (A) materials promoting goods and services not
sold by Costco, its Affiliates or Designees, and (B) [*]. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, Bank may include communications to promote the Program. Costco will provide
all Onserts to Bank in a timely manner and within mutually agreed Bank System
specifications.
(b)Subject to Section 5.04(d), Costco shall have [*]to use billing statement (including
electronic billing statement) messages in each billing cycle to communicate with Co-Branded
Cardholders, subject to Applicable Laws; provided that: (i) Bank shall ensure that the content
and distribution of any such message or other form of correspondence or marketing material
shall comply with Applicable Laws relating to consumer financial products of Bank or its
Affiliates ([*]); (ii) any message required by Applicable Laws and past due Co-Branded
Cardholder communications shall take precedence over any of Costco’s messages; (iii)
Costco shall provide to Bank any message proposed to be circulated or used by Costco prior
to such message being circulated, but solely for the purpose of the Bank ensuring
compliance with such Applicable Laws, non-infringement of Bank’s or its Affiliates’
Intellectual Property, and the exclusion of (A) materials promoting goods and services not
sold by Costco, its Affiliates or Designees, and (B) [*]. Subject to the terms of the Marketing
Plan and this Agreement, Bank may include communications to promote the Program.
Notwithstanding the foregoing (including item (ii) of the proviso, but subject to items (i) and
(iii) of the proviso), each billing statement shall include at least one page dedicated to Costco
marketing messages (to be determined by Costco in its sole discretion), unless limited by an
applicable statement’s size, layout, or required non-marketing notifications. Billing statement
and envelope messages referred to in this Section 5.05(b) shall be included on the billing
statements and envelopes at no cost to Costco as long as the costs do not exceed standard
mailing rates. Costco shall retain all revenues it receives from all such messages.
5.06Costco Marketing Obligations.
(a)Costco shall determine, in good faith and in its sole discretion, the promotional and
marketing activities in support of the Program and the Co-Branded Card that it shall
undertake, including in and with respect to Costco Warehouses; provided, however, in all
events Costco shall comply with [*] the Marketing Plan. Further, Costco shall have exclusive
responsibility for and control of marketing the Program in all Costco Outlets and shall market
the Program benefits to Costco Members within Costco Warehouses and other Costco
Outlets, and with such marketing materials, as it determines appropriate (subject in all
events to the [*] and the Marketing Plan).
(b)Promotional and marketing activities undertaken by Costco may include, at
Costco’s sole discretion and subject to Bank’s production and delivery obligations contained
in Section 5.07(b), as appropriate:
(i) Costco placing and maintaining from time to time the following in each
Costco Warehouse promoting Co-Branded Cards: (i) large hanging banners in high traffic
locations designated by Costco, acting reasonably; (ii) signage over the Costco Membership
desk, and (iii) lane dividers on cash registers;
(ii)Providing from time to time, with respect to certain inbound telephone calls
designated by Costco, a hold message at the Costco central call center promoting the
Co-Branded Cards;
20
(iii)Marketing the Co-Branded Cards in the Costco Member magazine, which
is currently called “
The Costco Connection
”.
(c)Costco staff may promote Co-Branded Cards at the Costco Membership desk and
through Costco’s digital channels and will distribute Co-Branded Card Applications to
customers at the Costco Membership desk and other Co-Branded Card promotional
materials to customers at the Costco Membership desk and on Costco’s digital channels,
and answer general questions about the application process and the promotional materials
available at the Costco Membership desk and on Costco’s digital channels. At Costco’s
request (prior to the Program Effective Date and on an ongoing basis), Bank shall train
Costco employees, including Costco Trainers (who in turn will train Costco employees), on
how to perform the above activities, [*].
(d)Costco shall market the Co-Branded Cards on Costco’s Website, and will create
an electronic link to the Bank website with the option to return to the Costco Website, which
link and Costco website content using and surrounding the Marks, along with any changes to
same, and the proposed URL for same, must be approved in writing by Bank under
Schedule 5.01(d). Bank and Costco will work together in good faith to design and implement,
according to a mutually agreed upon timeline, an integrated apply and buy experience on the
Costco Website’s purchase and checkout path.
5.07Bank Marketing Obligations.
(a)Bank shall create, produce and deliver to Costco Warehouses all Co-Branded
Card Documentation, including the take-one Co-Branded Card Applications, tear sheet
application and other applications mutually agreed upon by the Parties. Except as provided
in Section 5.01(a) with respect to certain items that will be [*], the cost of such items will be
[*]. Placement of all Co-Branded Card Applications at Costco Warehouses shall be [*]. The
content and appearance of the Costco Marks in such Co-Branded Card Applications shall
require the prior written approval of Costco.
(b)Bank shall create, produce and deliver to Costco Warehouses the signage and
other items described in Section 5.06, including as requested by Costco. The cost of such
items will be [*] of the Program. The content and appearance of all such signage and other
items will require the prior written approval of Costco.
(c)Bank shall (i) include Co-Branded Cards [*] on the Bank’s United States website,
with a prominence at least equivalent to that of other credit cards issued by Bank on those
webpages that feature (A) all such credit cards and/or (B) the same classification of card as
the Co-Branded Cards (e.g., cashback), and (ii) provide additional website placements on
Bank’s United States website from time to time consistent with Bank’s general practice
regarding its co-brand Other Bank Card Programs. Bank shall maintain a link to the Costco
Website with the option to return to the Bank website on the Bank/Costco web page which
link and Bank website content using and surrounding the Marks, along with any changes to
same, and the proposed URL for same, must be approved in writing by Costco under
Schedule 5.01(d). The capability for an Applicant to complete and submit a Co-Branded
Card Application shall be available on the Bank website and shall comply with Applicable
Laws.
(d)Bank shall promote, in accordance with Applicable Laws, and the Program Privacy
Policy, Costco and Costco offers in its outgoing emails to Co-Branded Cardholders, including
all monthly e-mails upon mutual agreement as to promotion offers, content and timing,
excluding outgoing electronic mailing to Co-Branded Cardholders and Costco Members who
have opted out of marketing
21
messages. Bank will be deemed the sender, as that term is defined in the CAN-SPAM Act,
when sending commercial email communications, as defined in CAN-SPAM, to Co-Branded
Cardholders.
(e)Bank shall promote, in accordance with the Program Privacy Policy and Applicable
Laws, Co-Branded Cards and Costco Membership in its posts on social media platforms. To
the extent requested by Costco, Bank will allocate a percentage of its marketing commitment
to social media advertising, marketing and promotion campaigns for the Program that is [*].
For the sake of clarity, Costco may elect the percentage of marketing commitment spent for
social media up to the maximum percentage set forth above.
(f)As provided in the Marketing Plan, and subject to the Program Privacy Policy and
Applicable Laws, Bank shall promote the Costco Membership Program, Costco products,
Costco services and Costco programs via statement onserts and statement messaging to [*],
the content, targeting, and method of distribution of which shall be mutually agreed.
(i) Subject to portfolio restrictions regarding the number of mailings that can
be sent to such portfolios, such promotion shall occur [*] during the Term, with timing to be
mutually agreed by the Parties.
(ii)It is Bank’s responsibility to comply with its own marketing opt-out list. Bank
will cooperate with Costco as provided herein and as permitted under Applicable Laws and
the terms of Bank’s agreements with Bank Cardholders to enable the Parties to target
holders of [*].
(iii)Bank shall cooperate with Costco to leverage its file of target customers
participating in [*] for marketing the Program and Costco products and services, subject in all
events to Applicable Law and Bank’s Contractual Obligations.
(iv)Further, at Costco’s request, Bank shall allow reasonable promotion
through [*], for purposes of promoting the Costco Membership Program and encouraging
Bank customers to become Costco Members, subject in all events to Applicable Law and
Bank’s Contractual Obligations.
(g)Bank shall, subject to Applicable Laws and the Program Privacy Policy, market
exclusive offers to Co-Branded Cardholders to encourage an increase in Purchase Charges
made with the Co-Branded Card at Acceptance Locations outside Costco Warehouses. [*]
The content, which shall include Costco Marks, selection criteria and quantity of the direct
mail or other form of direct communication will require the prior written approval of Costco.
(h)Except as expressly set out in this Agreement (e.g., Section 5.04(d)), Bank shall
not use the Cardholder List or its knowledge of who is a Co-Branded Cardholder to direct
any advertising, marketing or promotional activities to Co-branded Cardholders that do not
include advertising, marketing or promotion of or reference to Costco or Costco Outlets
unless Bank obtains the prior written consent of Costco.
(i)Beginning [*] prior to the opening of any new Costco Warehouse during the Term
(each such Costco Warehouse, a “
New Costco Warehouse
”), Bank shall, with respect to
each New Costco Warehouse and [*]:
(i)[*];
22
(ii)[*]; and
(iii)conduct such promotional activities at mutually agreed to Acceptance
Locations and potential Acceptance Locations doing business within the Costco designated
primary and secondary market areas associated with such New Costco Warehouse.
(j)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary to this Agreement, Bank has no obligation
to market any product or service ([*]) offered or branded by another financial services
provider.
5.08Other Bank Products.
(a)During the Term [*],
except as permitted by or in accordance with Section 6.03 or
Section 14.01(e), without Costco’s prior approval:
(i)[*]:
(ii)[*]. In no event may any Bank branded proprietary card or any offer or
promotion related thereto designate Costco or warehouse clubs as a category for any
adverse treatment for value proposition or rewards purposes offered in respect of any Bank
branded proprietary cards at any time during the Term.
(b)Subject to Applicable Laws and Bank’s Contractual Obligations, Bank shall also
promote the Costco Membership Program to cardholders under [*].
(c)[*], Costco will provide to such [*] (i) an updated Costco Member list, containing a
"membership since" field, so that newly added Costco Members and the dates on which they
became Costco Members [*], and (ii) a "membership closed" list so that Bank can identify
individuals who are no longer Costco Members. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Costco Member list or identity of any Person as a Costco Member may not be
used by Bank for any purpose other than as provided in this Section 5.08(c) and Schedule
9.01, paragraphs 1 and 5.
(d)For the purposes of this Article 5, “
targets
” or “on a
targeted basis
” shall mean
advertising, marketing or promotional activities, as applicable, addressed or directed to a
Person by means of name, address, e-mail address or telephone number or the use of the
Cardholder List to conduct such activities.
ARTICLE 6
CARDHOLDER INFORMATION
6.01Customer Information.
(a)All collection, use, disclosure, retention and destruction of Personal Information
under this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of this Article 6. The Parties
acknowledge that the same or similar information may be contained in the Co-Branded Card
Account Data, Cardholder Data, the Costco Shopper Data, and other data that each Party
independently collects outside of this Program and each such pool of data shall therefore be
considered separate information subject to the specific provisions applicable to that data
hereunder.
23
(b)Bank shall provide all privacy notices to Applicants and Co-Branded Cardholders
that are required under Applicable Privacy Laws. Any changes to such privacy notices or to
the Program Privacy Policy described therein shall be made by Bank only with the approval
of Costco (other than a Legally Mandated Change or a change that Bank is making to all
Other Bank Card Programs), which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. If any
change to the Program Privacy Policy is made as a result of a Legally Mandated Change or
as part of a change that Bank is making to all Other Bank Card Programs, Bank shall
provide Costco with written notice sixty (60) days in advance of the effective date of such
change (unless a shorter period is required by Applicable Law).
(c)Each Party shall develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written
information security program that, at a minimum, is designed to: (i) ensure the security and
confidentiality of the Co-Branded Card Account Data, the Cardholder Data and the Costco
Shopper Data; (ii) protect against any reasonably anticipated threats or hazards to the
security or integrity of the Co-Branded Card Account Data, the Cardholder Data and the
Costco Shopper Data; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or modification,
destruction, disclosure or use of the Co-Branded Card Account Data, the Cardholder Data
and the Costco Shopper Data; and (iv) ensure the proper and secure disposal of
Co-Branded Card Account Data, Cardholder Data and Costco Shopper Data (collectively,
the “
Security Guidelines
”). Additionally, such Security Guidelines shall meet or exceed
current industry standards and shall be at least as protective as those used by each Party to
protect its own Personal Information. Each Party shall use the same degree of care in
protecting the Co-Branded Card Account Data, the Cardholder Data and the Costco
Shopper Data against unauthorized access, use, disclosure or modification as it accords to
its own Personal Information, but in no event less than a reasonable standard of care. In the
event an officer of a Party becomes aware of a Security Breach involving Co-Branded Card
Account Data, Cardholder Data or Costco Shopper Data, such Party shall immediately notify
the other Party and shall cooperate with the other Party (y) to assess the nature and scope
of such incident, to contain and control such incident to prevent further unauthorized access
to or use, modification, destruction or disclosure of Co-Branded Card Account Data,
Cardholder Data or Costco Shopper Data, and to the extent reasonably required by the other
Party, to provide prompt notice to affected Co-Branded Cardholders or affected Costco
Shoppers, or (z) to take such other action as required by Applicable Laws. The cost and
expenses of any such notice shall be borne solely by the Party that experienced the
unauthorized use, modification, destruction or disclosure of, or access to, Co-Branded Card
Account Data, Cardholder Data or Costco Shopper Data. Schedule 6.01(c) sets forth
additional security requirements applicable to Costco to the extent Costco, or any of its
Affiliates or Subcontractors, stores, or has in its possession or control, any Cardholder Data
or Costco Charge Transaction Data and any additional security requirements applicable to
Bank.
(d)Except as may be required by Applicable Laws or as otherwise specifically
provided by this Agreement, Bank shall not send any notice or other targeted communication
to Costco Members without Costco’s prior written approval. In particular, Bank shall not send
any communication to Co-Branded Cardholders about any Security Breach without first
providing Costco with an opportunity to review the proposed communication and, if Costco
has any comments or proposed changes to the proposed communication, Bank shall work in
good faith to incorporate such comments or proposed changes into such communication to
Co-Branded Cardholders.
(e)Each Party shall designate and identify to the other Party an individual to handle
all aspects of this Agreement that relate to the collection, use or disclosure of Personal
Information. Each Party recognizes that the other has a legitimate need and that the Parties
have a mutual need to ensure the compliance by the other Party with its obligations in
respect of Personal Information.
24
(f)Subject to Applicable Law, the Parties shall establish procedures to respond to
requests from individuals seeking access to or correction of or with any inquiries or
complaints about his or her Personal Information in connection with the Program and to
ensure that such requests are referred and responded to by the appropriate Party.
6.02Ownership of Data Elements.
(a)The Parties acknowledge and agree that as between the Parties hereto and during
the Term:
(i)All Co-Branded Card Account Data and Cardholder Data shall be the
property of and, subject to Sections 6.02(d) and 6.02(e) below, exclusively owned by Bank
(the “
Bank Owned Dat
a
”).
(ii)The Costco Shopper Data and Other Costco Data shall be the property of
and, subject to Sections 6.02(d) and 6.02(e) below, exclusively owned by Costco (the
“
Costco Owned Data
”).
(b)Except as otherwise provided by Section 6.02(d) and 6.02(e), Bank acknowledges
and agrees that it has no proprietary interest in the Costco Owned Data.
(c)Except as otherwise provided by Sections 6.02(d) and 6.02(e) below, Costco
acknowledges and agrees that it has no proprietary interest in the Bank Owned Data.
(d)Bank acknowledges that Costco gathers information about purchasers of goods
and services in and through Costco Outlets and that Costco and its Affiliates have rights to
use and disclose such information independent of whether such information also constitutes
Cardholder Data or Bank Owned Data.
(e)The definitions of Co-Branded Card Account Data, Cardholder Data, Costco
Shopper Data and Other Costco Data are not intended to be mutually exclusive. Unless
otherwise specified, to the extent that any data may fall within the definitions of more than
one category, the use of such data by a Party shall be in accordance with the rights and
restrictions applicable to such Party under the definition pursuant to which the data is used.
For example, if any Co-Branded Card Account Data also constitutes Costco Shopper Data,
such data may be used as Costco Shopper Data by Costco consistent with Costco’s rights
under this Agreement.
6.03Use of Cardholder Data and Co-Branded Card Account Data.
(a)Subject to this Section 6.03 and Sections 6.04 and 6.05, Bank shall collect, use
and disclose the Co-Branded Card Account Data and Cardholder Data (collectively, the
“
Program Data
”) solely in compliance with Applicable Laws, the Program Privacy Policy and
this Agreement; provided, however, that except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, any
use by Bank of Cardholder Data or the Cardholder List must be approved in advance and in
writing by Costco (including such approvals as may specifically be granted as part of the
Marketing Plan). In particular, and except as otherwise set forth in this Section 6.03(a), Bank
may not use or disclose the Costco Owned Data or other data regarding Co-Branded
Cardholder spend or transactions at Costco Locations for [*] without Costco’s prior written
consent.
25
(b)Bank may disclose the Program Data in compliance with Applicable Laws and the
Program Privacy Policy to its existing subcontractors (including any subcontractors thereof)
(“
Existing Subcontractors
”) as of the Program Effective Date and to authorized
subcontractors that enter into agreements with Bank after the Program Effective Date
(including any subcontractors thereof) (“
Future Bank Subcontractors
”) in connection with a
permitted use of such Program Data as specified in Section 6.03(c), provided that each such
authorized Existing Subcontractor or Future Bank Subcontractor agrees in writing to
maintain all such Program Data as confidential and not to maintain, use or disclose such
information to any Person other than Bank, except as permitted by Applicable Laws or any
Governmental Authority (after giving Bank as much prior notice and an opportunity to defend
against such disclosure as may be permitted by Applicable Law) and then only as part of
satisfying Program-related obligations under this Agreement. The rights of each such
Existing Subcontractor and Future Bank Subcontractor is further conditioned upon such
Existing Subcontractor or Future Bank Subcontractor, as applicable, agreeing in writing to
develop, implement and maintain a written information security program that is designed to
meet the objectives of the Security Guidelines, including, at a minimum, maintenance of an
information security program that is designed to: (w) protect the security and confidentiality
of the Program Data; (x) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or
integrity of the Program Data; (y) protect against unauthorized access to or modification,
destruction, disclosure or use of the Program Data; and (z) ensure the proper and secure
disposal of Program Data. [*].
(c)Bank may use the Program Data solely in compliance with Applicable Laws and
the Program Privacy Policy and:
(i)to exercise its rights and carry out its obligations hereunder and with
respect to Co-Branded Cardholder Documentation (e.g. Sections 5.02, 5.04(d), and 5.05(a))
or to otherwise operate, maintain and service the Co-Branded Card Accounts and the
Program pursuant to and in compliance with the terms of this Agreement;
(ii)for purposes of promoting the Program or promoting goods and/or services
available for purchase on a Co-Branded Account at or through any Costco Outlet or Costco
Warehouse;
(iii)for purposes of performing risk-management and other analysis, including
segmentation, and modeling; [*];
and
(iv)as required by Applicable Laws.
(d)Bank shall not use or disclose, or permit to be used or disclosed, the Program
Data, except as provided in this Section 6.03 and in accordance with Applicable Laws. Bank
shall not, directly or indirectly, sell or otherwise transfer any right in or to the Program Data
other than to Affiliates of Bank, in connection with a permitted Financing Transaction
pursuant to the terms of Section 10.04(h), or pursuant to Article 13. Bank may also disclose
the Program Data in compliance with this Agreement, Applicable Laws and the Program
Privacy Policy as follows:
(i)to any Governmental Authority with authority over Bank (A) in connection
with an examination of Bank; or (B) pursuant to a specific request to provide such Program
Data by such Governmental Authority or pursuant to Applicable Laws or any compulsory
legal process; provided that Bank requests confidential treatment for any disclosed Program
Data to the extent available under Applicable Laws governing such disclosure;
26
(ii)to its Affiliates, its and such Affiliates’ employees, lawyers and accountants
and other consultants with a need to know such Program Data and in accordance with the
Program Privacy Policy; provided that (A) any such Person is bound by terms substantially
similar to Section 6.03(a) as a condition of employment or of access to Program Data or by
professional obligations imposing comparable terms and (B) Bank shall be responsible for
the compliance by each such Person with the terms of this Section 6.03;
(iii)with the consent of the Co-Branded Cardholder or Applicant (as the case
may be); or
(iv)with respect to the conduct of the Co-Branded Card Account to any
consumer reporting agency.
(e)Subject to Applicable Laws and the Program Privacy Policy, Bank shall deliver to
Costco each day (or at such times as are otherwise agreed) by a secure (encrypted) data
feed in mutually-agreed interfaces and formats, as further detailed on Schedule 7.01(a):
(i)For any Costco Member who has been approved for a Co-Branded Card,
regardless of the marketing channel of application, such Costco Member’s account number
and whether the Costco Member has activated the Co-Branded Card; and, for Instant
Approval, the Co-Branded Card issued (or to be issued) to such Costco Member (i.e.,
specify the type of Co-Branded Card and the Costco Marks to be used on such Co-Branded
Card) and the temporary account number;
(ii)for each Co-Branded Cardholder or joint Co-Branded Cardholder any
reported change to any of the foregoing information; and
(iii)the Co-Branded Cardholder’s name and Costco Member account number
for any Co-Branded Card Account that has been closed.
(f)Subject to Applicable Laws and the Program Privacy Policy, Bank shall deliver to
Costco on a quarterly basis, in formats agreed to by Costco in advance from time to time, [*].
Subject to Applicable Laws and the Program Privacy Policy, Bank shall deliver to Costco in
time frames and in formats agreed to by Costco from time to time, such additional aggregate
data in respect of the Program available to Bank as may be reasonably requested by Costco
from time to time.
(g)Within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date hereof and from time
to time during the Term, the Parties shall cooperate to determine the Program Data that
Costco desires for Bank to provide to Costco for purposes of promoting the Program or
promoting goods and services sold in Costco Outlets. Bank, with Costco’s cooperation, shall
determine the appropriate form of consent for the purposes of this Section to ensure
compliance with requirements of Applicable Laws and shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain any such necessary consent. Costco and its Affiliates may use Program
Data disclosed to it by Bank pursuant to this Section only for the purposes described herein.
As a matter of clarification, such restriction on the use of Program Data shall not apply to
information that Costco independently develops or obtains.
(h)Costco and its Affiliates may use the Program Data in compliance with Applicable
Laws and the Program Privacy Policy; provided, that Costco and its Affiliates will not sell or
otherwise transfer any right to the Program Data to a third party in a manner that materially
diminishes the economic value of the Program to Bank. Costco may disclose the Program
Data in compliance with Applicable Laws
27
and the Program Privacy Policy to its Existing Subcontractors as of the Program Effective
Date and to authorized subcontractors that enter into agreements with Costco after the
Program Effective Date (including any subcontractors thereof) (“
Future Costco
Subcontractors
”) in connection with a permitted use of such Program Data under this
Section 6.03(h), provided that each such Existing Subcontractor and Future Costco
Subcontractor agrees in writing to maintain all such Program Data as confidential and not to
maintain, use or disclose such information to any Person other than Costco or Bank, except
as permitted by Applicable Laws or any Governmental Authority (after giving Costco prior
notice and an opportunity to defend against such disclosure) and then only as part of
satisfying Program-related obligations under this Agreement. The rights of each such Future
Costco Subcontractor or Existing Subcontractor, as applicable, is further condition upon such
subcontractor agreeing in writing to develop, implement and maintain a written information
security program that is designed to meet the objectives of the Security Guidelines,
including, at a minimum, maintenance of an information security program that is designed to:
(i) protect the security and confidentiality of the Program Data; (ii) protect against any
anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of the Program Data; (iii) protect
against unauthorized access to or modification, destruction, disclosure or use of the Program
Data; and (iv) ensure the proper and secure disposal of Program Data; [*].
(i)Costco may disclose the Program Data in compliance with Applicable Laws and
the Program Privacy Policy to any Governmental Authority with authority over Costco (A) in
connection with an examination of Costco; or (B) pursuant to a specific requirement to
provide such Program Data by such Governmental Authority or pursuant to compulsory legal
process; provided that Costco requests confidential treatment for any disclosed Program
Data to the extent available under Applicable Laws governing such disclosure.
6.04No Unlawful Collection, Use or Disclosure.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require or permit the collection, use
or disclosure of Personal Information contrary to Applicable Laws, Network Rules or the
Program Privacy Policy.
6.05Unauthorized Use or Disclosure of Information.
Each Party agrees that any unauthorized use or disclosure of Personal Information
and/or Program Data will cause immediate and irreparable harm for which monetary
damages will not constitute an adequate remedy. In that event, the Parties agree that
injunctive relief shall be warranted in addition to any other remedies the Parties may have.
6.06Return or Destruction of Costco Owned Data and Bank Owned Data.
(a)Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, Bank shall comply with
Costco’s reasonable instructions regarding the disposition of Costco Owned Data which may
include destruction or return of any and all of the Costco Owned Data (including any
electronic or paper copies, reproductions, extracts or summaries thereof); provided,
however, that Bank may retain copies of any Costco Owned Data, including summaries,
compilations or analyses thereof to the extent: (a) required by Applicable Laws; (b) required
by Bank’s internal document retention and governance policies; or (c) it would be
unreasonably burdensome to destroy (such as archived computer records). Any Costco
Owned Data retained pursuant to subsections (a), (b) or (c) shall continue to be treated as
Costco Owned Data subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, notwithstanding
any termination or expiration hereof.
28
(b)Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, except to the extent that a
Designated Purchaser has purchased the Portfolio pursuant to Article 13, and the purchase
agreement permits Costco to remain in possession of Bank Owned Data that is included in
the Portfolio and transferred to the Designated Purchaser, Costco shall comply with Bank’s
reasonable instructions regarding the disposition of Bank Owned Data, which may include
destruction or return of any and all of the Bank Owned Data (including any electronic or
paper copies, reproductions, extracts or summaries thereof); provided, however, that Costco
may retain copies of any Bank Owned Data, including summaries, compilations or analyses
thereof to the extent: (a) required by Applicable Laws; (b) required by Costco’s internal
document retention and governance policies; or (c) it would be unreasonably burdensome to
destroy (such as archived computer records). Any Bank Owned Data retained pursuant to
subsections (a), (b) or (c) shall continue to be treated as Bank Owned Data subject to the
restrictions set forth in this Agreement, notwithstanding any termination or expiration hereof.
ARTICLE 7
SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS; OPERATING STANDARDS
7.01Systems.
(a)Prior to the Program Effective Date and during the Term, Costco and Bank shall
work together to develop, implement and maintain Systems for transmitting data and reports
to each other in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement and in support of the
Program, including the requirements set out in Schedule 7.01(a). Each Party shall pay its
own out-of-pocket costs and expenses associated with such Systems, both initially and
ongoing throughout the Term in order to comply with this Section 7.01(a).
(b)Without limiting the generality of Section 7.01(a), Bank will have in place on the
Program Effective Date all Systems required to provide an Applicant with Instant Approval.
[*]. In any event, at the time of Instant Approval, Bank shall issue a Co-Branded Card
Account number to each approved Applicant and either (i) an [*], or a (ii) a temporary
shopping pass or other means instantly enabling the approved Applicant to shop at Costco
Outlets ([*]). Any developments, implementations or advancements to Bank’s Systems in
order to comply with this Section 7.01(b), including as it relates to the development and
implementation of the [*], and all costs and expenses related thereto shall be [*].
(c)In addition to the requirements set out in Section 7.01(a), Bank shall not make any
material modifications to its Systems [*].
(d)[*].
(e)At all times during the Term, each Party shall ensure that its System complies with
all Applicable Laws and the Program Privacy Policy.
(f)The Parties shall use secure protocols for the transmission of data between them
as set out in Schedule 7.01(a).
7.02Operations Centers.
29
(a)Bank shall designate the operations centers that shall be the primary locations for
providing all call center activities, including customer service, collections, fraud and credit
(“
Operations Centers
”).
(b)Initially, the Operations Centers for the Program shall be established in the
locations set forth in Schedule 7.02, and subject to the agreements of the Parties set out in
Schedule 7.01(a), staffed by Bank employees or Existing Subcontractors or Future Bank
Subcontractors who are working at Bank locations and who are managed by Bank
employees and overseen and directed by the Bank Program Team. Prior to any change,
Bank shall notify Costco of any intended changes to the primary locations or staffing for the
Operations Centers which support the Program.
(c)Operations Centers will be staffed and available during the period commencing as
of one hour before Costco Warehouses are open for business and ending one hour after
Costco Warehouses are closed for business. [*].
(d)[*].
7.03Servicing.
Bank shall service all Co-Branded Card Accounts under the Program in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the SLAs set forth in Schedule
7.03, as the same may be amended from time to time. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Bank shall be solely responsible for Co-Branded Card Application processing,
customer service, statementing, payment processing, transaction authorization and
processing, administration, collections and risk management. To the extent not otherwise
provided in this Agreement, Bank shall service the Accounts under the Program on a
Competitive basis.
7.04Customer Service Functions
(a)During the Term, and pursuant to the SLAs, Bank shall handle all inquiries from
Co-Branded Cardholders, Applicants and other prospective Co-Branded Cardholders
relating to the Program and provide all other customer service functions pertaining to the
Program, including (i) answering and responding to customer inquiries via (1) live telephone
personnel and voice recognition unit available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, and
processing such inquiries within mutually agreed-upon turn-around times; (2) mail, facsimile
or other written communications, and (3) [*]; (ii) resolving customer disputes and complaints,
including resolving disputed transactions, billing discrepancies and payment discrepancies
within mutually agreed-upon turn-around times; and (iii) handling such other customer
service functions as Bank generally makes available in the ordinary course of business (or
causes any third party to provide) in connection [*]. Bank shall provide both English and
Spanish language support to Costco commencing one hour before the opening of any
Costco Warehouse and ending one hour after the last closing of any Costco Warehouse.
(b)[*]. The Operation Centers shall provide Co-Branded Cardholder customer support
for English and Spanish, and Bank will also provide Co-Branded Cardholder customer
service in all languages and to the same extent used by Bank for its Other Bank Card
Programs, in each case consistent with Bank’s complaints handling policy and processes
generally and as required by Applicable Law and subject to Applicable Guidelines.
30
(c)Bank and Costco shall establish acceptable call quality, Co-Branded Cardholder
customer service measurement strategies and processes, and shall establish an annual third
party review system
to measure adherence to those standards. These standards shall be
reflected in, and consistent with, the SLAs and other terms of this Agreement.
(d)The call scoring model and approach used by Bank shall be agreed by the Parties
within [*] of the date hereof and, during the Term, Bank may not materially alter or change
the call score model or other provisions so agreed without the prior written consent of
Costco. Information relating to call scoring and the call scoring model shall be reported
pursuant to Schedule 7.05(a).
7.05Reporting Obligations.
(a)During the Term, Bank shall provide all standardized reports detailed in Schedule
7.05(a) to Costco in the timeframe specified by Schedule 7.05(a). Except as otherwise
prohibited by Applicable Law, Bank shall also provide Costco and its designees with real
time access to robust on-line Program-specific data feeds, reports, and other information
accessible by Bank or its Affiliates that is related to the Program or Co-Branded Card
Cardholder transactions. Subject to Applicable Law, Bank also shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to respond to Costco requests for ad-hoc reports at no additional cost to
Costco within the reasonable capacity of Bank dedicated or allocated staff. [*].
(b)Subject to Applicable Laws, Bank shall provide such other reports as Costco may
reasonably request from time to time.
(c)If Bank repeatedly fails to timely deliver reports or such reports have material
inaccuracies, then Costco shall be entitled to service credits and other remedies pursuant to
the terms set forth in the SLA.
(d)Beginning on the Program Effective Date and during the remainder of the Term,
Costco shall provide to Bank:
(i)as necessary, a report in a form, containing such information and delivered
at such frequency as the Parties shall mutually agree, documenting all Purchase Charges
and returns at Costco Outlets, organized by location, Affiliate location, and online sales and
returns, which shall permit Bank to perform and adhere to its obligations under this
Agreement;
(ii)in accordance with Section 4.06(c), a detailed report summarizing all
redemptions of Rewards coupons, or other form or method of redeemable Rewards items
issued by Bank, including the total value of all such redemptions; and
(iii)if Costco is not required to publicly file its financial results or if Costco’s
financial statements are not timely filed, (i) within ninety (90) days after Costco’s fourth fiscal
quarter, Costco’s annual audited financial statements, (ii) within forty-five (45) days after
Costco’s first, second, and third fiscal quarters, Costco’s unaudited financial statements, and
(iii) such other financial information reasonably requested by Bank to enable Bank to
accurately assess Costco’s financial condition.
7.06Service Level Standards.
(a)The Parties agree to the terms and conditions set forth in Schedule 7.03 with
respect to SLAs.
31
(b)[*]. If the implementation of any SLA Development requires an amendment to this
Agreement, then Bank and Costco shall work in good faith to promptly amend this
Agreement to reflect such terms.
7.07Technology Review.
(a)The Parties recognize and acknowledge that the technological functionality of the
Program is an essential component required to make the Program Competitive, and that
maintaining a Competitive Program is a principal objective of the Parties. Accordingly, Bank
shall, [*], undertake a review of features and technology available in the payment card
industry as a whole, including functionality that Bank makes or plans to make generally
available to any of its other clients, customers, or alliance participants and the products,
services and functionality that other co-branded and private label card issuers provide to
other large retailers. Bank shall seek to complete this industry review [*] during the Term and
shall then promptly provide Costco with a written summary of such industry review. Either
Party may propose a change to the other which it feels will cause the Program to be
Competitive. The Parties will then mutually agree on if and how to implement the change
proposed.
(b)In addition to Bank’s industry review as set forth above, Costco has an
independent right to conduct its own technology functionality review and make reasonable
requests to Bank for new functionality that either may provide more efficiency, competitive
advantage, or be comparable to other programs/functionality in the United States market.
Upon Costco’s request, Bank shall consider in good faith whether Costco’s proposed
changes are required to cause the Program to remain Competitive in the United States
market. [*].
7.08Disaster Recovery
Each Party shall maintain in effect during the Term a disaster recovery and business
continuity plan, which plan may comprise a number of related sub-plans that are designed to
minimize outage of services or permanent loss of information or data. Each Party shall make
such changes to its disaster recovery plan related to or affecting the Program as may be
requested by the other Party, acting reasonably. Each Party shall be prepared to and have
the ability to implement such plan fully and properly if necessary. Each Party will provide the
other Party access to review a high-level plan and overview with respect to its disaster
recovery and business continuity plan related to or affecting the Program, together with
summary documentation, upon request. Each Party will test such plan annually, and upon
reasonable request by the other Party shall provide the other Party with the results of such
test, and will promptly implement such plan upon the occurrence of a disaster or business
interruption, giving the Program high priority in its recovery efforts
7.09Ownership of Intellectual Property.
(a)Each Party shall continue to own and/or control all of its Intellectual Property that
is used in connection with the Program, existed as of the date hereof and exists on the
Program Effective Date. Each Party also shall own all right, title and interest in the
Intellectual Property it develops or creates independently of the other Party during the Term.
To the extent a Party (the “
Acquiring IP Party
”) acquires any rights in or to such Intellectual
Property of the other Party (the “
IP Owner
”), the Acquiring IP Party hereby assigns all such
right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property back to IP Owner.
32
(b)The Parties agree that:
(i)any Intellectual Property developed through the combined efforts of the
Parties during the Term shall be developed pursuant to a development agreement, which
shall be negotiated in good faith, and entered into, by the Parties prior to commencement of
work for the development of such Intellectual Property (each such agreement a
“
Development Agreement
”). The terms of any such Development Agreement shall govern
the Parties’ rights in and any restrictions or obligations with respect to the Intellectual
Property that is the subject of such Development Agreement;
(ii)unless and until such time as a Development Agreement has been entered
into by the Parties with regard to any jointly developed Intellectual Property, such Intellectual
Property shall be owned jointly by the Parties and each Party shall maintain a royalty-free,
perpetual worldwide, irrevocable license to use such jointly developed Intellectual Property.
(c)The Parties acknowledge and agree that notwithstanding any other provision
contained herein, all right, title and interest in and to any proprietary credit underwriting
standards and credit scoring models (collectively, the “
Bank-owned Intellectual Property
”),
including any Bank Program Model, shall be owned solely by Bank; provided, however, that
any third party models used by the parties for the Program that do not include any
Bank-owned Intellectual Property or other proprietary data shall not be deemed Bank-owned
Intellectual Property.
(d)Neither Party shall use any Intellectual Property of the other Party in connection
with the Program except as expressly provided in this Agreement and in a manner
authorized by the other Party.
(e)Each Party shall promptly inform the other Party in writing of third party activities
that it becomes aware of that infringe or may infringe upon either Party’s Intellectual Property
used in connection with the Program. [*]. Each Party will consider requests to make itself
and its employees and other personnel under its or its Affiliates’ control available to testify in
any litigation or other proceedings, execute and verify such lawful papers and make such
lawful oaths and otherwise co-operate to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party.
ARTICLE 8
MERCHANT SERVICES
8.01Settlement Procedures.
(a)If the Parties agree to establish [*], Costco shall and shall cause its United States
Affiliates to transmit Costco Charge Transaction Data to Bank on each Business Day. If
Costco Charge Transaction Data is received by Bank’s processing center before [*] (Seattle,
Washington time) on any Business Day on which Bank is open for settlement business,
Bank shall process the Costco Charge Transaction Data and initiate a wire transfer to
Costco of the payment in respect thereof before [*] (Seattle, Washington time) on the next
Business Day. Bank will provide Costco with the amount expected to be in the wire transfer
by [*] (Seattle, Washington time) on the day of the payment.
(b) After the Program Effective Date, to the extent that Bank requests that Costco
make changes to any POS terminal (including hardware and software) or any other Systems
during the Term in order to process and transmit any Costco Charge Transaction Data
specifically set forth on Schedule 1.01(c) under this Agreement, [*]. Further, notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, Costco
33
shall not be required to make any such changes that would reasonably be expected to have
an adverse effect on Costco’s Systems or the operation of its business unless, in the case of
a change related to processing Co-Branded Card Applications, such change is required in
order for Costco, the Bank, or the Program to comply with Applicable Laws.
8.02POS Terminals.
(a)Costco and its United States Affiliates shall maintain POS terminals capable of
processing Co-Branded Card Account transactions as handled as of the Program Effective
Date. To the extent that Costco is required to make changes to any POS terminal (including
hardware and software) or any other Systems during the Term in order to process Costco
Charge Transactions and transmit Costco Charge Transaction Data under this Agreement,
[*]. For greater clarity, this Section 8.02(a) shall apply only to POS terminals that process
electronic payments as of the Program Effective Date.
(b)Bank shall make available to Costco any new forms, technologies or methods of
payment for point of sale payments (“
New POS Methods
”) being used by Bank or its
Affiliates in the United States and on Bank’s Systems, provided that Bank shall not be
obligated to make available to Costco New POS Methods if Bank is prevented from doing so
pursuant to a covenant or obligation contained in a contractual arrangement to which Bank
or an Affiliate of Bank is a party. Bank shall provide Costco with a minimum of one hundred
and eighty (180) days’ notice of its proposed use or implementation of any such New POS
Methods and shall provide such New POS Method to Costco on the same date as it provides
such New POS Method to Other Bank Card Programs (excluding availability pursuant to pilot
programs or made on a test basis) or at such later date as mutually agreed. Costco shall not
be required to implement any New POS Methods unless required by Applicable Law or the
Network Rules.
8.03
[*].
8.04
[*]
.
ARTICLE 9
PROGRAM ECONOMICS
9.01Program Economics.
(a)Bank agrees to comply with the applicable financial terms and the applicable
funding obligations for the Program, including Bank’s obligations to fund a marketing fund,
pay royalties and new account bounties, pay Costco staff funding payments and cause the
Base Discount Rate to be applied, all as set forth on Schedule 9.01 (the “
Program
Economics Schedule
”). Except as otherwise specifically provided by the Program
Economics Schedule, the terms set forth on the Program Economics Schedule shall
commence as of the Program Effective Date.
(b)At any time after the third Program Year, if the amount of Net Purchase Charges at
Costco Locations exceeds [*] percent ([*]) of the total Net Purchase Charges (“
Inside Spend
Percentage
”) and the Bank Profits Percentage drops below [*]% on a Program Year basis,
calculated monthly on a rolling three-month basis, then Bank will send a notice to Costco,
and upon receipt of such notice the Parties will confer in good faith for a period of [*]days
with regard to possible changes to
34
the Program to [*] the adverse effects of such developments on Bank. If the Parties cannot
timely reach agreement on an alternate solution, the External Royalty Percentage will be
reduced by [*] basis points (beginning in the calendar month in which Bank sends the notice
referenced above) for a maximum of [*] calendar months or until the Bank Profits Percentage
equals or exceeds [*]% on a rolling three-month basis. If the Bank Profits Percentage does
not equal or exceed [*]% after the [*] calendar month, the External Royalty Percentage will
be further reduced by up to [*] basis points until the end of the calendar month in which the
Bank Profits Percentage again equals or exceeds [*]% on a rolling three-month basis. If the
External Royalty Percentage is reduced at any time in accordance with this Section 9.01(b),
then the excess of (i) the External Royalty Payment that would have been payable to Costco
had such adjustment to the External Royalty Percentage not been made,
minus
(ii) the
External Royalty Payment actually paid to Costco and reflecting such adjustment will
constitute a “
Royalty Recovery Amount
.” Costco shall be eligible for payment from Bank of
such Royalty Recovery Amount in accordance with Section 9.03.
(c)At any time after the third Program Year, if EBT during the immediately preceding
twelve calendar months was less than [*]%, then Bank will send a notice to Costco, and
upon receipt of such notice the Parties will confer in good faith for a period of [*] days with
regard to possible changes to the Program to [*] such EBT decline. If the Parties cannot
timely reach agreement on an alternate solution, the External Royalty Percentage will be
reduced by [*] basis points (beginning in the calendar month in which Bank sends the notice
referenced above) for a maximum of [*] calendar months or until the Bank Profits Percentage
equals or exceeds [*]% on a rolling three-month basis. If the Bank Profits Percentage does
not equal or exceed [*]% after the [*] calendar month, the External Royalty Percentage will
be further reduced by up to [*] basis points until the end of the calendar month in which the
Bank Profits Percentage again equals or exceeds [*]% on a rolling three-month basis. If the
External Royalty Percentage is reduced at any time in accordance with this Section 9.01(b),
then the excess of (i) the External Royalty Payment that would have been payable to Costco
had such adjustment to the External Royalty Percentage not been made,
minus
(ii) the
External Royalty Payment actually paid to Costco and reflecting such adjustment will
constitute a “
Royalty Recovery Amount
.” Costco shall be eligible for payment from Bank of
such Royalty Recovery Amount in accordance with Section 9.03. For clarity, if both this
Section 9.01(c) and Section 9.01(b) apply, any reduction in the External Royalty Percentage
pursuant to this Section 9.01(c) shall be net of any such reduction pursuant to Section
9.01(b).
(d)If Interchange during any calendar month is more than [*] basis points less than
Interchange as of the Program Effective Date as a result of [*], then Bank will send a notice
to Costco specifying the amount of the reduction, and within [*] days after receipt thereof
Costco will propose an amendment to this Agreement pursuant to which Bank’s obligations
under paragraphs (1) and (4) of Schedule 9.01 will be reduced, from and after the month
immediately following the month reported by Bank, to the extent necessary to negate the
impact on Bank of the interchange reduction to the extent it exceeds [*] basis points. Costco
shall have sole discretion with respect to the proportion of the reductions with respect to
paragraphs (1) and (4), including the right to attribute the entirety of the reduction to one
such paragraph; [*]. Upon Costco’s proposal of a conforming amendment, the Parties shall
execute such amendment promptly. For clarity, this Section 9.01(d) applies irrespective of
the applicability of Sections 9.01(b) and (c). In the event that Interchange thereafter
increases, Costco will propose an additional amendment to this Agreement pursuant to
which Bank’s obligations under paragraphs (1) and (4) of Schedule 9.01 will increase pro
rata with such increase in Interchange.
9.02Net Revenue (EBT) Payments to Costco.
35
(a)In consideration of the rights, benefits and privileges granted to Bank by Costco
under this Agreement, a fundamental feature of the benefit of the bargain of this Agreement
and the relationship hereby established is that Bank shall pay to Costco a fixed percentage
share of the pre-tax earnings related to the Program from and after such time as Bank has
achieved a minimum level of financial performance. More specifically, Bank shall pay to
Costco a portion of EBT as follows: during the Term, Bank shall: (i) retain all EBT with
respect to the Program up to the Bank Profit Threshold; and (ii) pay to Costco an amount
(each such amount a “
Program Payment
”) equal to [*] percent ([*]%) (the “
Bank EBT Share
Percentage
”) of any EBT in excess of the Bank Profit Threshold. As a matter of clarification,
in no event will Bank be obligated to pay to Costco the Program Payments unless EBT for
the Program exceeds the Bank Profit Threshold for the applicable period. Unless expressly
set out otherwise in this Agreement, all calculations pursuant to this Section 9.02 shall be on
[*].
(b)[*].
9.03Funding Program Improvements and Royalty Recovery
.
(a)As contemplated by Section 4.07, Costco may require Bank to make Program
Improvements; provided that Innovative Program Improvements are conditioned upon
Costco making Program Improvement Funding Payments. At the end of each Program Year,
Costco shall be entitled to (x) a refund of Program Improvement Funding Payments
(including any Program Improvement Funding Payments made in previous Program Years to
the extent the same have not been refunded) and (y) payment of any remaining Royalty
Recovery Amount, as follows (any such refunds effected and actually received by Costco
pursuant to this Section 9.03, “
Funding Refunds
”) if:
(i)any Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payment made during such
Program Year, up to a maximum amount (the “
Account Terms Annual Maximum
”) equal to
the amount which would, after the refund to Costco of such Co-Branded Cardholder Account
Terms Payment, cause the Bank Profits Percentage to equal the Bank Profit Threshold
Percent on a cumulative Program-to-date basis (the measurement for which cumulative
basis shall begin on the Program Effective Date);
(ii)any Loyalty Program Payment made during such Program Year, up to a
maximum amount (the “
Loyalty Program Annual Maximum
”) equal to the amount which
would, after the refund first of any Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payment (subject
to the Account Terms Annual Maximum), and then the refund to Costco of such Loyalty
Program Payment, cause the Bank Profits Percentage to equal the Bank Profit Threshold
Percent on a cumulative Program-to-date basis (the measurement for which cumulative
basis shall begin on the Program Effective Date);
(iii)any Other Program Payments, up to a maximum amount (the “
Other
Program Annual Maximum
”) equal to the amount which would, after refund to Costco first
of any Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payment (subject to the Account Terms
Annual Maximum), second of any Loyalty Program Payment (subject to the Loyalty Program
Annual Maximum), and third of the refund to Costco of such Other Program Payment, cause
the Bank Profits Percentage to equal the Bank Profit Threshold Percent on a cumulative
Program-to-date basis (the measurement for which cumulative basis shall begin on the
Program Effective Date); and
(iv)any Royalty Recovery Amount, up to a maximum amount (the “
Royalty
Recovery Annual Maximum
”) equal to the amount which would, after refund to Costco first
of any Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payment (subject to the Account Terms
Annual Maximum), second of any Loyalty Program Payment (subject to the Loyalty Program
Annual Maximum), third of the refund
36
to Costco of any Other Program Payment, and fourth of the payment to Costco of such
Royalty Recovery Amount, cause the Bank Profits Percentage to equal the Bank Profit
Threshold Percent on a cumulative Program-to-date basis (the measurement for which
cumulative basis shall begin on the Program Effective Date.
(b)No later than thirty (30) days prior to the end of each Program Year, Bank shall
refund to Costco (together with delivery to Costco of a report setting out the Co-Branded
Cardholder Account Terms Payments, Loyalty Program Payments and Other Program
Payments made and any Royalty Recovery Amount remaining during such Program Year
and the amounts to be refunded or otherwise paid by Bank to Costco as set out in Sections
9.03(b)(i) to (iv) below):
(i)first, subject to any Account Terms Annual Maximum, the total amount of all
such Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payments made during such Program Year;
and
(ii)second, subject to any Loyalty Program Annual Maximum, the total amount
of all such Loyalty Program Payments made during such Program Year; and
(iii)third, subject to any Other Program Annual Maximum, the total amount of
Other Program Payments made during such Program Year; and
(iv)fourth, subject to any Royalty Recovery Annual Maximum, the total
Royalty Recovery Amount remaining during such Program Year.
(c)If the aggregate value of all Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payments
made by Costco in a given Program Year exceeds the Account Terms Annual Maximum,
then the amount equal to the difference between (i) the aggregate value of all Co-Branded
Cardholder Account Terms Payments made by Costco in that Program Year; and (ii) the
Account Terms Annual Maximum for that Program Year, shall be deemed to constitute a
Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payment made by Costco in the immediately
following Program Year, for which Costco shall be entitled to refund pursuant to Section
9.03(b).
(d)If the aggregate value of all Loyalty Program Payments made by Costco in a given
Program Year exceeds the Loyalty Program Annual Maximum, then the amount equal to the
difference between (i) the aggregate value of all Loyalty Program Payments made by Costco
in that Program Year; and (ii) the Loyalty Program Annual Maximum for that Program Year,
shall be deemed to constitute a Loyalty Program Payment made in the immediately following
Program Year, for which Costco shall be entitled to refund pursuant to Section 9.03(b).
(e)If the aggregate value of all Other Program Payments in a given Program Year
exceeds the Other Program Annual Maximum, then the amount equal to the difference
between (i) the aggregate value of all Other Program Payments made by Costco in that
Program Year; and (ii) the Other Program Annual Maximum for that Program Year, shall be
deemed to constitute an Other Program Payment made in the immediately following
Program Year, for which Costco shall be entitled to refund pursuant to Section 9.03(b).
(f)If the value of the Royalty Recovery Amount remaining in a given Program Year
exceeds the Royalty Recovery Annual Maximum, then the amount equal to the difference
between (i) the value of the Royalty Recovery Amount remaining; and (ii) the Royalty
Recovery Annual Maximum for that
37
Program Year, shall be deemed to constitute Royalty Recovery Amount remaining for the
next Program Year, for which Costco shall be entitled to payment pursuant to Section
9.03(b).
9.04Use of Funds.
All payments made to Costco hereunder are for Costco’s account and Costco’s sole
and exclusive benefit, and Costco has no obligation of any type to apply any payments it
receives from Bank or in connection with the Program for any particular purpose. Rather,
Costco may use the funds it receives pursuant to this Agreement in any way determined by
Costco in its sole and absolute discretion.
9.05Manner and Timing of Payments.
(a)All payments of the Program Payments and any other sources of refund or
payment due by Bank to Costco hereunder (collectively, “
Bank Payment
s
”), and all sources
of payment due by Costco to Bank hereunder, shall be made by the applicable Party via wire
transfer to an account designated by the other Party in writing, except with respect to
amounts related to purchase returns, charge-backs or similar amounts owing by Costco to
Bank in accordance with Applicable Laws, which shall be made in accordance with
Applicable Laws or as the Parties may otherwise mutually agree. In addition, all such
payments shall be accompanied by documentation in a form and manner reasonably
satisfactory to the Parties in their business judgment supporting the amount of the payment.
Upon a Party’s request, the other Party shall promptly provide such additional information or
documentation as may be reasonably required in connection with its review and analysis of
such payments.
(b)Except as otherwise expressly set out in this Agreement, all Bank Payments shall
be paid within the following timeframes:
(i)Each Program Payment payable to Costco pursuant to Section 9.02(a) shall
be made by Bank to Costco no later than [*];
(ii)Reimbursement of Rewards redeemed at Costco pursuant to Section
4.06(c) shall be made [*] of submission thereof by Costco to Bank; and
(iii)All other payments shall be made pursuant to the terms set forth on the
Program Economics Schedule.
(c)All undisputed amounts due hereunder from one Party to the other Party shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. One Party shall pay interest to the
other Party on any overdue payment owing under this Agreement at a [*]; such interest to
accrue and be calculated daily; provided, however, if the undisputed amount overdue is
greater than [*] or if any undisputed amount is overdue by more than thirty (30) days or
remains unpaid after a Termination Event, then such interest rate shall be increased by an
additional [*] on all outstanding amounts due to the payee.
9.06Sales Taxes.
(a)All payments made hereunder are exclusive of any applicable Sales Taxes. The
Party liable to make a payment under this Agreement shall be liable for and shall pay all
applicable Sales Taxes. If the Party receiving payment is obligated to collect and remit any
Sales Taxes it shall add the appropriate amount of Sales Taxes to the invoice, or its
equivalent, sent to the Party making payment,
38
disclosing the amount of all applicable Sales Taxes. The Party making payment is
responsible for providing evidence of any Sales Tax exemption. The Party making payment
shall reimburse the other Party for Sales Taxes and any fee, penalty, or interest that may be
assessed against the other Party as a result of such initial Party’s failure to pay Sales Taxes
in accordance with this Section. The Party receiving payment shall reimburse the other Party
for Sales Taxes and any fee, penalty, or interest that may be assessed against the other
Party as a result of such initial Party’s failure to remit collected Sales Taxes to the
appropriate jurisdictions. Furthermore, the Party receiving payment shall be responsible for
any interest, penalty or other charges assessed to the Party making payment due to the first
Party's failure to invoice and remit Sales Taxes.
(b)Bank and Costco shall each bear sole responsibility for all Taxes on each Party’s
respectively owned property, except where provided otherwise in this Agreement.
(c)Bank and Costco shall cooperate to segregate the amounts payable pursuant to
this Agreement into the following separate payment streams for each taxing jurisdiction: (i)
those for taxable goods and services; and (ii) those for nontaxable goods and services. Each
of Bank and Costco shall provide and make available to the other any resale certificates,
information regarding out-of-state sales or use of equipment, materials or services, and any
other exemption certificates or information requested by a Party.
9.07Expense Plan.
(a)Subject to Section 9.03(b), the following expenses shall be charged to the
Program P&L Statement and paid by Bank (collectively, the “
Eligible Expenses
”):
(i)in respect of all expenses of any kind incurred in connection with or related
to operating the Program, an amount of [*];
(ii)[*] (collectively “
Marketing Expenses
”);
(iii)[*] (“
Loss Expense
”);
(iv)[*] (“
Loyalty Program Expenses
”);
(v)the cost of money amount for the Program to the extent specifically set
forth on Schedule 9.07(a)(v); [*].
(vi)[*] amounts paid to Network [*];
(vii)the [*], Outstanding Accounting Intangibles, [*];
(viii)the expenses actually incurred by Bank to compensate the dedicated
employees referenced in the second sentence of Section 4.03(a);
(ix)an amount equal to the External Royalty Payment;
(x)the expenses actually incurred by Bank in connection with the conversion
of Amex Accounts acquired by Bank pursuant to the Amex Purchase Agreement into
Co-Branded Card Accounts, up to [*] dollars ($[*]);
39
(xi)an amount up to [*] dollars ($[*]) as set forth on Schedule 9.01, paragraph
(7);
(xii)the amount of Bank’s obligation for Costco staff funding set forth on
Schedule 9.01, paragraph (3); and
(xiii)those items that are specifically designated as Eligible Expenses
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, [*].
(b)The Eligible Expenses shall be calculated [*] and on a pre-income tax basis in all
cases. In no event shall income Taxes, regulatory penalties, or SLA credits assessed and
paid pursuant to Section 7.03 ever be included as an Eligible Expense. Further, in no event
shall costs or expenses attributable to Bank’s violation of Applicable Law, the Network Rules,
this Agreement or any fraud or negligence on the part of Bank, its employees or agents ever
be included as Eligible Expenses.
(c)Except for the Eligible Expenses, no other charges, fees or expenses of any kind
may be allocated to the Program P&L Statement. Any expense, cost, liability or obligation of,
or attributable to, the Program that is not explicitly included as one of the items in Section
9.07(a)(ii) to 9.07(a)(xii) shall be an operating expense subject to Section 9.07(a)(i)
(“
Operating Expenses
”). Except for costs otherwise explicitly payable by Costco pursuant
to a specific provision of this Agreement, Bank shall be responsible for any and all costs and
expenses related to or in connection with the Program and its operations.
(d)Bank and Costco will use commercially reasonable efforts to reduce the costs
referred to in Section 9.07(c)
over the Term and to reduce correspondingly the Operating
Expenses charged to the Program P&L Statement by such reduced costs. As such, at least
once per Program Year, the Bank will present to the Program Managers and Costco a report
in written form regarding potential reductions to Operating Expenses charged to the Program
P&L Statement. The report will include details regarding the amount by which the Operating
Expenses would be reduced as a result of the successful adoption of the initiatives
described therein. The possible alternatives or initiatives described in the report delivered to
the Program Managers and Costco may include: (i) an increase in paperless billing
statements, and (ii) an increase in auto-bill pay.
9.08Program P&L Statement.
During the Term, Bank shall prepare and provide to Costco the Program P&L
Statement in a format that is substantially similar to the format set forth in Schedule 9.08 and
the contents and methodology of the Program P&L Statement shall be consistent with
Schedule 9.08. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Program P&L Statement
shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, as interpreted by Bank’s standard accounting
policies and practices. Bank shall itemize all Eligible Expenses. [*]. Bank shall prepare and
provide to Costco not less frequently than once per calendar month, no later than [*]
following the end of the month, the previous month Program P&L Statement [*]. Further,
Costco may reasonably request and Bank shall provide such ad hoc reports regarding
Program performance within a specific time frame, taking into consideration the availability of
the information, as may be mutually agreed, and Costco may recommend changes or
modifications to the various components of the Program P&L Statement.
9.09Accounting for Expenses and Revenues.
40
(a)All calculations and reporting required under this Agreement shall be done on a
pre-income tax basis. In any case where this Agreement indicates that a particular expense
shall not be included in the Program P&L Statement, such expense shall not be an Eligible
Expense and, therefore, shall be paid for by the applicable Party on their own account and in
no event shall such item be included in the EBT calculation unless otherwise expressly
agreed by Costco and Bank.
(b)Costco shall have an ongoing right to reasonably request and receive supporting
documentation relating solely to the Program P&L Statement including copies of such books
and records: (a) pertaining solely to the Program P&L Statement; (b) on which the Program
P&L Statement is based; and (c) otherwise pertaining to Bank’s operations and performance
solely in connection with the Program P&L Statement.
ARTICLE 10
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
10.01Representations and Warranties of Costco.
Costco hereby represents and warrants to Bank as follows:
(a)Costco is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Washington and is in good standing under the laws of each
jurisdiction in which any Costco Outlet or office is located. Costco has obtained all material
licenses, authorizations, registrations and approvals to carry on and conduct its business as
now conducted and as contemplated by this Agreement, and all of such licenses,
authorizations, registrations and approvals are in full force and effect in all material respects.
(b)Costco has all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
perform all of the obligations to be performed by it under this Agreement. This Agreement
has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by Costco and constitutes its
valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as such
enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, winding-up,
reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally
and equitable limitations on the availability of equitable remedies).
(c)The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Costco and the performance of
its obligations hereunder will not (i) conflict with, result in the breach of, or constitute an
event which would, or with the lapse of time or action by a third party or both could, result in
a default under, or accelerate the performance required by, the terms of any contract,
instrument or commitment to which Costco is a Party or by which it is bound, including the
Amex Program Agreement, (ii) violate its articles of incorporation or bylaws, as now or
hereafter amended, or any other equivalent organizational document, (iii) conflict with or
require any consent or approval under any judgment, order, writ, decree, permit or license to
which Costco is a Party or by which it is bound or (iv) require the consent or approval of any
other Party to any contract, instrument or commitment to which Costco is a Party or by which
it is bound.
(d)There are no actions, suits or proceedings existing, pending against or affecting
Costco before any court, arbitrator or governmental or administrative body or agency that
affect the validity or
41
enforceability of this Agreement or that would have a material adverse effect on Costco’s
ability to perform its obligations hereunder.
10.02Representations and Warranties of Bank.
Bank hereby represents and warrants to Costco as follows:
(a)Bank is duly organized and validly existing as a bank under the laws of the United
States of America. Bank has obtained all material licenses, authorizations, registrations and
approvals to carry on and conduct its business as now conducted and as contemplated by
this Agreement, and all of such licenses, authorizations, registrations and approvals are in
full force and effect in all material respects.
(b)Bank has all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
perform all of the obligations to be performed by it under this Agreement. This Agreement
has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by Bank and constitutes its
valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as such
enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, winding-up,
reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally
and equitable limitations on the availability of equitable remedies).
(c)The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Bank will not (i) conflict with,
result in the breach of, constitute a default under, or accelerate the performance required by,
the terms of any contract, instrument or commitment to which Bank is a Party or by which it
is bound, (ii) violate the articles of incorporation or bylaws, as now or hereafter amended, or
any other equivalent organizational document of Bank or the Network Rules, (iii) conflict with
or require any consent or approval under any judgment, order, writ, decree, permit or license
to which Bank is a Party or by which it is bound or (iv) require the consent or approval of any
other Party to any contract, instrument or commitment to which Bank is a Party or by which it
is bound.
(d)There are no actions, suits or proceedings existing, pending against or affecting
Bank before any court, arbitrator or governmental or administrative body or agency that
affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or that would have a material adverse
effect on Bank’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.
10.03General Covenants of Costco.
(a)The representations and warranties of Costco set out in Section 10.01 (other than
Section 10.01(d), which Costco represents and warrants only as of the date hereof) shall at
all times remain true, and Costco shall do all things necessary to ensure that such
representations and warranties remain true, during the Term as if given on each day during
the Term.
(b)Costco promptly shall notify Bank in writing if it receives written notice of any
litigation or governmental proceeding that, if adversely determined, would have a material
adverse effect on the Program, the Co-Branded Card Accounts in the aggregate or Costco’s
ability to perform its obligations hereunder.
(c)Costco will provide Bank with a written notice specifying the nature of any Costco
Termination Event, or any event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time or both,
would constitute a Costco Termination Event. Notices pursuant to this Section 10.03(c)
relating to Costco Termination Events shall be provided within five (5) Business Days after
Costco becomes aware of the
42
existence of such Costco Termination Event. Receipt of any notice provided under this
Section 10.03(c) shall be confirmed by Bank in writing to Costco within five (5) Business
Days after receipt. Awareness for purposes of this Section 10.03(c) shall be deemed to be
awareness by a Costco employee responsible for the Program at the Vice-President level or
any more senior Costco employee responsible for the Program.
(d)Costco shall at all times during the Term comply in all material respects with
Applicable Laws and Network Rules applicable to Costco and affecting its obligations under
this Agreement, including with respect to the use of subcontractors. [*].
(e)Upon the request of Bank, Costco shall cooperate with Bank in a timely manner
(but in no event less promptly than required by Applicable Laws) to resolve all disputes with
Co-Branded Cardholders, former Co-Branded Cardholders and Applicants.
(f)Costco shall keep adequate records and books of account supporting Costco
Charge Transaction Data and reflecting all of the other Costco financial transactions relating
to the Program. All such Costco records, files and books of account shall be in all material
respects complete and correct and shall be maintained in accordance with good business
practice and Applicable Laws.
(g)No later than three (3) months prior to the Program Effective Date, Costco shall
send and make accessible to a third party mutually agreed upon by Bank and Costco such
information relating to Costco Members as mutually agreed to in order for Bank to comply
with the terms of this Agreement (e.g., to make offers to potential Applicants of the
Co-Branded Card.
(h)Costco will identify those of its employees who solicit Costco Shoppers to apply for
Co-Branded Credit Cards, respond to inquiries regarding the terms of the Program, or have
senior management responsibilities respecting the Program (as well as any similarly situated
employees of its Affiliates or Subcontractors). Costco will train such persons so as to be able
to properly fulfill Costco's responsibilities under the Program with regard to compliance with
Applicable Law and Applicable Guidelines. Costco will conduct additional training if Bank
reasonably determines that employees of Costco or its Affiliates or Subcontractors are not
complying with Applicable Law or Applicable Guidelines.
10.04General Covenants of Bank.
(a)The representations and warranties of Bank set out in Section 10.02 (other than
Section 10.02(d), which Bank represents and warrants only as of the date hereof) shall at all
times remain true, and Bank shall do all things necessary to ensure that such
representations and warranties remain true, during the Term as if given on each day during
the Term.
(b)Following execution of the Amex Purchase Agreement, Bank shall use its best
efforts to close the transaction contemplated by the Amex Purchase Agreement on or before
March 31, 2016 provided that Costco uses its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
American Express to comply with and close the transaction contemplated by the Amex
Purchase Agreement on or before March 31, 2016. Bank shall undertake such actions as
may be necessary or appropriate to provide continuity of service for Amex cardholders to
become Co-Branded Cardholders as part of the conversion of the Amex Program to the
Program. Further, Bank shall take such actions as Costco may reasonably request in
connection with the purchase of the Amex Accounts and conversion of the Amex Program to
the Program.
43
(c)Bank promptly shall notify Costco in writing if it receives written notice of any
litigation or governmental proceeding that, if adversely determined, would have a material
adverse effect on the Program, the Co-Branded Card Accounts in the aggregate or Bank’s
ability to perform its obligations hereunder.
(d)Bank will provide Costco with a written notice specifying the nature of any Bank
Termination Event, or any event which, with the giving of notice or passage of time or both,
would constitute a Bank Termination Event, or any development or other information related
to Bank or the Program which is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Program, the
Co-Branded Card Accounts in the aggregate or Bank’s ability to perform its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement. Notice pursuant to this Section 10.04(d) relating to Bank
Termination Events shall be provided within five (5) Business Days after Bank becomes
aware of the existence of such Bank Termination Event. Notices relating to all other events
or developments described in this Section 10.04(d) shall be provided (i) within two (2)
Business Days after Bank becomes aware of the existence of such event or development if
such event or development has already occurred, and (ii) with respect to events or
developments that have yet to occur, as early as reasonably practicable under the
circumstances Receipt of any notice provided under this Section 10.04(d) shall be confirmed
by Costco in writing to Bank within five (5) Business Days after receipt. Awareness for
purposes of this Section 10.04(d) shall be deemed to be awareness by a Bank employee
responsible for the Program at the Managing Director level or any more senior Bank
employee responsible for the Program.
(e)Bank shall at all times during the Term comply in all material respects with
Applicable Laws and Network Rules applicable to Bank and affecting its obligations under
this Agreement, including with respect to the use of subcontractors, [*].
(f)Upon the request of Costco, Bank shall cooperate with Costco in a timely manner
(but in no event less promptly than required by Applicable Laws) to resolve all disputes with
Co-Branded Cardholders, former Co-Branded Cardholders and Applicants.
(g)Bank shall keep adequate records and books of account with respect to the
Co-Branded Card Accounts and Account Indebtedness in which proper entries, reflecting all
of the financial transactions relating to the Program, are made in accordance with GAAP.
Bank shall keep adequate records and books of account with respect to its transactions
relating to the Program, in which proper entries reflecting all of Bank’s financial transactions
relating to the Program are made in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. All such Bank records, files and books of account transactions relating to the
Program shall be in all material respects complete and correct and shall be maintained in
accordance with good business practice and Applicable Laws.
(h)[*].
10.05Insurance
.
(a)Throughout the Term and for [*] thereafter, Bank shall maintain, at its own cost and
expense, (i) statutory workers’ compensation covering all federal, state, or local
requirements; (ii) commercial general liability, including coverage for completed operations,
products liability, contractual and personal injury with a minimum limit of [*], (iii) automobile
liability insurance coverage with a minimum limit of [*], and (iv) excess liability insurance
coverage of [*]. The policies of insurance described in this Section 10.05(a) shall be written
on an occurrence basis and may be effected through blanket coverage carried by Bank’s
Affiliates. The carrying by Bank of the insurance required herein
44
shall in no way be interpreted as relieving Bank of any other obligations it may have under
this Agreement.
(b)Bank shall, at all times during the Term, provide a certificate or memorandum of
insurance naming Costco as an additional insured. The limits in this Agreement shall be
those stipulated.
(c)With respect to any other insurance available to Costco, Bank’s insurance shall be
primary only in circumstances where the claims or losses arise from Bank’s negligence with
respect to or in connection with the Program and, for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of
such claims, Costco shall not be required to make any claim against its own insurance
policies before making a claim against Bank’s policy as an additional insured. To such
extent, any insurance policies maintained by Costco are excess and noncontributory to
those policies maintained by Bank.
10.06Change in Law
.
(a)If a Change in Law occurs, the Party affected by such Change in Law (the
“
Impacted Party
”) shall provide notice to the other Party (the “
Non-Impacted Party
”), which
notice shall describe in detail the applicable Change in Law and the provision or provisions
of this Agreement affected by such Change in Law. Upon the receipt of such notice by the
Non-Impacted Party, the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations for a period of not
less than ninety (90) days as part of an effort to amend this Agreement to reduce or negate
the impact of such Change in Law (a
“Change in Law Amendment
”). During such period,
each Party shall work in good faith to enter into such Change in Law Amendment on terms
that alter this Agreement in the minimum way required to accommodate the Change in Law.
(b)If the Parties do not enter into a Change in Law Amendment during such ninety
(90) day period, the Non-Impacted Party may request an additional ten (10) day period for
the senior executives of Costco and Bank to seek to resolve the dispute and enter into a
Change in Law Amendment.
(c)In the event the Parties are unable to enter into a Change in Law Amendment,
then at any time during the thirty (30) day period after the discontinuation of the good faith
negotiations regarding such Change in Law Amendment, the Non-Impacted Party shall have
the right, at its election, to waive the Impacted Party’s performance of those provisions of
this Agreement which the Impacted Party is unable to perform as a result of the Change in
Law (a “
Change in Law Waiver
”). If the Non-Impacted Party elects to exercise the Change
in Law Waiver, the Non-Impacted Party shall provide written notice to the Impacted Party
and, as of the date of receipt of the Change in Law Waiver, those provisions of this
Agreement that cannot be performed by the Impacted Party shall be waived by the
Non-Impacted Party for as long as Applicable Law continues to prevent the performance by
the Impacted Party.
ARTICLE 11
CONFIDENTIALITY
11.01General Confidentiality.
(a)For purposes of this Agreement, “
Confidential Information
” means any of the
following: (i) information that is provided by or on behalf of either Costco or Bank to the other
Party or its agents in connection with the Program or in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement
45
(including information provided prior to the date hereof or the Program Effective Date); (ii)
information about Costco or Bank or their Affiliates, or their respective businesses,
customers, members and employees, that is otherwise obtained by the other Party in
connection with the Program, in each case including: (A) information concerning marketing
plans, objectives and financial results; (B) information regarding business systems, methods,
processes, financing data, programs and products and the terms and features and tests
thereof; (C) information unrelated to the Program obtained by Costco or Bank in connection
with this Agreement, including by accessing or being present at a non-public business
location of the other Party; and (D) proprietary technical information, including source codes;
(iii) the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and (iv) the Marketing Plan. The provisions
of this Article 11 governing Confidential Information shall not govern Personal Information,
Cardholder Data, Co-Branded Card Account Data, Other Costco Data, or Costco Shopper
Data, which shall be governed by the provisions of Article 6.
(b)The restrictions on disclosure of Confidential Information under this Article 11 shall
not apply to, with respect to Costco or Bank, information that: (i) is already rightfully known to
such Party at the time it obtains Confidential Information from the other Party; (ii) is or
becomes generally available to the public or others in the industry other than as a result of
disclosure in breach of this Agreement or any other confidentiality obligations; (iii) is lawfully
received on a non-confidential basis from a third party authorized to disclose such
information without restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (iv) is contained in
publicly available records or products; (v) is required to be disclosed by Applicable Laws
(provided that the Party subject to such Applicable Laws shall use reasonable efforts to
avoid such disclosure and notify the other Party of any such use or requirement prior to
disclosure of any Confidential Information obtained from the other Party in order to afford
such other Party an opportunity to seek a protective order to prevent or limit disclosure of the
Confidential Information to third Parties; provided, further, that such information shall be
disclosed only to the extent required by such Applicable Laws); or (vi) is developed
independently by Costco or Bank without the use of any proprietary, non-public information
provided by the other Party under this Agreement.
(c)The terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Marketing Plan shall be
included in the Confidential Information of both Costco and Bank.
(d)Subject always to Costco’s rights to use and share information pursuant to Article
13, if Costco or Bank receives Confidential Information of the other Party (including its
Affiliates or their respective businesses or employees) (the “
Receiving Pa
rty
”), the
Receiving Party shall do the following with respect to the Confidential information of the
other Party (the “
Disclosing Party
”): (i) keep the Confidential Information of the Disclosing
Party secure and confidential; (ii) treat all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party
with the same degree of care as it accords its own Confidential Information, but in no event
less than a reasonable degree of care; and (iii) implement and maintain commercially
reasonable physical, electronic, administrative and procedural security measures, including
commercially reasonable authentication, access controls, virus protection and intrusion
detection practices and procedures.
11.02Use and Disclosure of Confidential Information.
(a)Each Receiving Party shall use the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party
only for the purpose of performing its obligations or enforcing its rights with respect to the
Program or as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement, and shall not make use of
such Confidential Information for any other purpose.
46
(b)Subject always to Costco’s rights to use and share information pursuant to Article
13, each Receiving Party shall: (i) limit access to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential
Information to those employees, authorized agents, vendors, consultants, service providers,
accountants, advisors and subcontractors and Governmental Authorities who have a
reasonable need to access such Confidential Information in connection with the Program,
the sale of Program Assets or other assets of a Party and its Affiliates or the establishment
of a new Co-Branded Card or other program or arrangement, in each case, in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement; and (ii) ensure that any Person with access to the
Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information agrees to be bound by the provisions of this
Article 11.
11.03Unauthorized Use or Disclosure of Confidential Information.
(a)Each Receiving Party agrees that any unauthorized use or disclosure of
Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party will cause immediate and irreparable harm to
the Disclosing Party for which money damages will not constitute an adequate remedy. In
that event, the Receiving Party agrees that, in addition to any other remedies the Disclosing
Party may have, the Disclosing Party shall have the right to apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for and be granted an injunction compelling specific performance by the
Receiving Party of its obligations under this Agreement without the necessity of notice
posting any bond or other security, and the Receiving Party agrees not to request such bond
or other security.
(b)The Receiving Party agrees promptly to advise the Disclosing Party by telephone
and in writing via electronic mail and facsimile of any security breach that may have
compromised any Confidential Information or of any unauthorized breach, misappropriation,
disclosure or use by any Person of the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party which
may come to its attention, and to take all steps at its own expense reasonably requested by
the Disclosing Party to limit, stop or otherwise remedy such breach, misappropriation,
disclosure or use.
11.04Return or Destruction of Confidential Information.
Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Receiving Party shall
comply with the Disclosing Party’s reasonable instructions regarding the disposition of the
Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, which may include destruction or return of any
and all of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information (including any electronic or paper
copies, reproductions, extracts or summaries thereof); provided, however, that the Receiving
Party may retain copies of any Confidential Information, including summaries, compilations
or analyses thereof to the extent: (a) required by Applicable Laws; (b) required by Receiving
Party’s internal document retention and governance policies; or (c) it would be unreasonably
burdensome to destroy (such as archived computer records). Any Confidential Information
retained pursuant to subsections (a), (b) or (c) shall continue to be treated as Confidential
Information subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, notwithstanding any
termination or expiration hereof. The return or destruction of Confidential Information shall
not relieve the Receiving Party of its obligations set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 12
TERM AND TERMINATION
12.01TERM AND TERMINATION
47
(a)This Agreement shall be effective on the date hereof, and the Program shall
commence on April 1, 2016, or such other date as may be agreed by the Parties (the
“
Program Effective Date
”). The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof,
and shall continue until the date that is ten (10) years after the Program Effective Date (the
“
Initial Term
”); provided, however, in Costco’s sole discretion the Initial Term may be
extended by three (3) years (such that the Initial Term shall be a total of thirteen (13) years in
duration, as measured from the Program Effective Date) upon written notice given to Bank
and electing such extension at any time during the Term on not less than [*] prior to the
expiration of the then-current Initial Term (an “
Initial Term Extension Notice
”). For clarity,
and regardless of the relative timing of an Initial Term Extension Notice and a Non-Renewal
Notice given pursuant to Section 12.01(b), in the event of a conflict, including a circumstance
where a Non-Renewal Notice is given in advance of any Initial Term Extension Notice, the
Initial Term Extension Notice shall always govern and control and be binding upon the
Parties, and any previously, contemporaneously, or subsequently given Non-Renewal Notice
by Bank shall be of no force or effect.
(b)This Agreement shall be automatically renewed after the Initial Term for
successive two (2) year terms (each a “
Renewal Term
”) unless a Party provides a written
notice of non-renewal to the other Party (a “
Non-Renewal Notice
”) not less than [*] prior to
the date that is the last day of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as the case may be (the
“
Natural Termination Date
”). If this Agreement terminates as a result of a Party providing a
written notice of non-renewal to the other Party, such termination shall constitute “
Natural
Termination
”. The twelve (12) month period prior to the Natural Termination Date shall be
known as the “
Natural Termination Period
”. Additionally, this Agreement may be
terminated in accordance with Section 12.02, 12.03 or 12.07 (in each case, such termination
shall constitute “
Early Termination
”).
12.02Early Termination by Costco.
If a Bank Termination Event occurs, then, within sixty (60) days after the expiration of
any applicable cure period with respect to such Bank Termination Event, Costco may
terminate this Agreement by delivering a written notice to Bank (a “
Notice of Termination
”),
which termination shall take effect on the date specified in the Notice of Termination
delivered by Costco but in any event no later than twelve (12) months after the date of
delivery of the notice.. The period of time between the date on which Costco provides written
Notice of Termination to Bank of its intention to terminate and the date on which this
Agreement is terminated shall be the “
Costco Termination Pe
riod
”. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if Notice of Termination is provided by pursuant to terms of Section 12.04(d) or
12.05(d), termination shall take effect five (5) days after Costco’s delivery of such Notice of
Termination to Bank.
12.03Early Termination by Bank.
If a Costco Termination Event occurs, then, within sixty (60) days after the expiration
of any applicable cure period with respect to such Costco Termination Event, Bank may
terminate this Agreement by delivering a written notice to Costco, which termination shall
take effect on the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of delivery of the notice. The
period of time between the date on which Bank provides written notice to Costco of its
intention to terminate and the date on which this Agreement is terminated shall be the “
Bank
Termination Period
”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Notice of Termination is provided by
pursuant to terms of Section 12.04(d), termination shall take effect five (5) days after Bank’s
delivery of such Notice of Termination to Costco.
12.04Mutual Termination Events.
48
The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall, subject to Section
12.07, constitute a “
Termination Eve
nt
” by a Party hereunder and, in turn, may be
considered a “
Bank Termination Event”
(pursuant to Section 12.05(h), or a “
Costco
Termination Event
” pursuant to Section 12.06(b), as applicable:
(a)Such Party fails to make a payment of:
(i)any material amount due and payable pursuant to this Agreement and such
failure remains unremedied for a period of ten (10) Business Days after the non-defaulting
Party gives written notice thereof; or
(ii)the settlement of material amounts due in respect of Costco Charge
Transaction Data (with respect to which such failure remains unremedied for a period of (5)
five Business Day(s)) after the non-defaulting Party gives written notice thereof; other than
due to a failure by Bank to process Costco Charge Transaction Data.
(b)Such Party fails to perform, satisfy or comply with any obligation, condition,
covenant or other provision contained in this Agreement, and:
(i)such failure has a material adverse effect on the Program or the Marks of
the non-defaulting Party, materially diminishes the economic value of the Program to the
non-defaulting Party, or constitutes a material violation of Applicable Laws; and
(ii)such failure remains unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the
other Party gives written notice thereof specifying the nature of such failure in reasonable
detail; provided, however, that such failure shall not constitute a Termination Event if:
(A)the Party responsible for such failure initiates and diligently pursues
a cure within such thirty (30) day period, and such cure is completed within forty-five (45)
days from the date of written notice regarding such failure, or
(B)the failure is acknowledged by the Party responsible for such
failure, such Party has submitted to the other Party a resolution plan for resolving such
failure that is approved by the non-defaulting Party, and the defaulting Party is adhering to
the terms of such resolution plan as approved by the non-defaulting Party.
(c)Any representation or warranty by such Party contained in this Agreement fails to
be true and correct in any material respect as of the date when made or at any time during
the Term, and:
(i)such failure has a material adverse effect on the Program or the Marks of
the non-defaulting Party, materially diminishes the economic value of the Program to the
non-defaulting Party, or constitutes a material violation of Applicable Laws; and
(ii)the Party making such representation or warranty fails to cure the event
giving rise to such failure within thirty (30) days after the other Party gives written notice
thereof specifying the nature of such failure in reasonable detail; provided, however, that
such failure shall not constitute a Termination Event if:
49
(A)the Party responsible for such failure initiates and diligently pursues
a cure within such thirty (30) day period, and such cure is completed within forty-five (45)
days from the date of written notice regarding such failure, or
(B)the failure is acknowledged by the Party responsible for such
failure, such Party has submitted a resolution plan for resolving such failure that is approved
by the non-defaulting Party, and the defaulting Party is adhering to the terms of such
resolution plan as approved by the non-defaulting Party
(d)Bank and American Express do not enter into a definitive Amex Purchase
Agreement on or prior to December 31, 2015.
12.05Bank Termination Events.
The occurrence of any one or more of the following events (regardless of the reason
therefor) shall, subject to Section 12.07, constitute a “
Bank Termination Event
”:
(a)A Bankruptcy Event or Change of Control with respect to Bank occurs;
(b)Bank experiences a reduction of its unsecured debt rating to [*] by Moody’s
Investor Service, or [*] by Standard & Poor’s, or if Moody’s Investor Service or Standard &
Poor’s [*];
(c)[*]
;
(d)the occurrence [*] in any consecutive [*] month period of Co-Branded Cardholders
being unable to make Purchase Charges at Costco Outlets using their Co-Branded Cards as
a result of a networking or Systems failure caused by Bank and/or Bank’s Systems that
persists for a consecutive [*] period ([*]);
(e)if (i) Bank and American Express do not enter into the Amex Purchase Agreement
within one hundred twenty (120) days of the date hereof for any reason, or (ii) the Amex
Purchase Agreement is executed but is terminated or the transaction contemplated by the
Amex Purchase Agreement otherwise fails to close on or before April 1, 2016;
(f)if (i) Costco becomes subject to a Change in Law, (ii) the Parties are unable to
enter into a Change in Law Amendment pursuant to the terms of Sections 10.06(a) and
10.06(b), and (iii) Bank does not provide a Change in Law Waiver pursuant to the terms of
Section 10.06(c); or
(g)the occurrence of any Termination Event by or with respect to Bank as set forth in
Section 12.04.
12.06Costco Termination Events.
The occurrence of any one or more of the following events (regardless of the reason
therefor) shall, subject to Section 12.07, constitute a “
Costco Termination Event
”:
(a)A Bankruptcy Event or Change of Control with respect to Costco occurs;
(b)the occurrence of any Termination Event by or with respect to Costco set forth in
Section 12.04;
50
(c)Costco experiences a reduction of its unsecured debt rating to [*] by Moody’s
Investor Service, or [*] by Standard & Poor’s, or if Moody’s Investor Service or Standard &
Poor’s [*];
(d)Costco’s aggregate sales volume during any twelve month period during the Term
is less [*] Costco’s aggregate sales volume during the twelve month period ending on the
Program Effective Date; or
(e)If (i) Bank becomes subject to a Change in Law, (ii) the Parties are unable to enter
into a Change in Law Amendment pursuant to the terms of Sections 10.06(a) and 10.06(b),
and (iii) Costco does not provide a Change in Law Waiver pursuant to the terms of Section
10.06(c).
12.07Force Majeure.
(a)If a Party is unable to perform or is delayed in performing, in whole or in part, its
obligations under this Agreement, other than the obligation to pay funds when due or the
obligations described in Section 12.05(d), as a direct result of a Force Majeure Event
affecting such Party, then that Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the Force
Majeure Event with reasonably full particulars and timing of such event. Such Party also
shall promptly notify the other Party when the Force Majeure Event terminates or no longer
adversely affects its ability to perform under this Agreement. The obligations of the Party
giving notice, so far as they are affected by the Force Majeure Event, shall be suspended
during, but not longer than, the continuance of the Force Majeure Event, and any failure to
perform or adhere to any obligation or covenant hereunder shall not constitute a Termination
Event, Bank Termination Event, or Costco Termination Event, as applicable.
(b)If a Force Majeure Event materially affects either Party's performance under this
Agreement and exists for thirty (30) consecutive days, then the Party that is not subject to
such Force Majeure Event shall have the right to terminate this Agreement on not less than
twelve (12) months’ prior written notice to the other Party without further liability, cost or
obligation to other Party (other than as provided herein) and such termination shall constitute
a Natural Termination for the purposes of this Agreement.
12.08Termination of Exclusivity.
If Costco delivers a notice of Early Termination pursuant to Section 12.02 or a notice
of termination pursuant to the occurrence of a persisting Force Majeure Event pursuant to
Section 12.07(b), then, in addition to any other rights available to Costco, Costco shall
thereafter have the right, exercisable immediately upon prior written notice to Bank, to elect
that the provisions of Section 2.04 shall cease to apply to Costco and, accordingly, Costco
and its Affiliates shall be entitled to (i) issue a Comparable Co-Branded Card for acceptance
at Costco Outlets; and/or (ii) in conjunction with any other card issuer, association or network
issue, market, or co-brand any Comparable Co-Branded Card for acceptance at Costco
Outlets. In the event that Costco elects to exercise such right to terminate exclusivity
pursuant to this Section 12.08, then Bank may elect to discontinue originating new
Co-Branded Card Accounts upon written notice to Costco. If Bank delivers a notice of Early
Termination pursuant to Section 12.03 or a notice of termination pursuant to the occurrence
of a persisting Force Majeure Event pursuant to Section 12.07(b), then, in addition to any
other rights available to Bank, Bank shall thereafter have the right, exercisable immediately
upon prior written notice to Costco, to elect that the provisions of Section 2.06 cease to apply
to Bank and its Affiliates. For clarity, if either Party sends a termination notice but thereafter
elects not to terminate, the applicable exclusivity provisions will be reinstated as of the date
of such election
51
12.09Pre-Launch Termination.
If [*], this Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms of [*], the Purchase Rights and
other applicable terms of Article 13 and Article 14 as it relates to the wind down of an active
Program shall not apply.
ARTICLE 13
REPLACEMENT PROGRAM AND PORTFOLIO PURCHASE RIGHTS
13.01Costco’s Right to Meet Regarding Replacement Programs.
(a)Bank acknowledges and agrees that, [*].
(b)In the event that Costco launches or intends to launch a Replacement Program,
Costco may take any steps to notify Costco Members, prospective Costco Members, former
and current Co-Branded Cardholders and Applicants (including by way of direct mail, online,
by electronic mail and in Costco Outlets) beginning [*] prior to the termination or expiration of
the Program (or immediately upon any Notice of Termination pursuant to Section 12.02).
Bank covenants and agrees that it shall cooperate in all such efforts by Costco, as
reasonably requested and instructed by Costco.
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties will cooperate to reconcile returns,
address customer service issues and any other transitional matters relating to planning and
implementing any Replacement Program.
13.02Costco’s Right to Request Information Regarding the Program Assets.
(a)Costco may request in writing that Bank deliver to Costco such information
regarding the Program, the Co-Branded Accounts and Co-Branded Cardholders as is set out
on Schedule 13.02(a). For clarity, this request may be made [*].
(b)If Costco requests in writing that Bank delivers to Costco such information
regarding the Program, the Co-Branded Accounts, and Co-Branded Cardholders as is set
out on Schedule 13.02(a), then Bank will deliver to Costco the requested information within
[*] following receipt by Bank of Costco’s written request for such information. Costco may
share any such information with prospective New Card Issuers provided that any such
prospective New Card Issuer must execute a customary confidentiality agreement
satisfactory to Costco prior to receiving any such information and such customary
confidentiality agreement must name Bank as a third party beneficiary.
(c)Bank will also provide the information on Schedule 13.02(c) to any appraiser
designated pursuant to Schedule 1.01(f) and will deliver such information (and such other
information as reasonably requested by the appraisers) to such appraiser no later than [*]
following written receipt by Bank of such request from Costco, provided that any such
appraiser must first execute Bank’s customary confidentiality agreement with Bank.
52
13.03Costco’s Right to Purchase the Program Assets; Purchase Price Calculation.
(a)On and after the date upon which a termination notice is provided in accordance
with this Agreement, for any reason, Costco or the New Card Issuer designated by Costco
shall have the right (the “
Purchase Right
”), but not the obligation, to purchase in
accordance with and pursuant to Section 13.04, all of the Program Assets (other than
Solicitation Materials) (the “
Portfolio
”), on such terms and conditions as are reasonably
acceptable to Costco (or such New Card Issuer) and to Bank and as are customary for
transactions of similar size and complexity, and for a purchase price equal to the sum of:
[*]
(b)[*].
(c)[*].
13.04Mechanics of Exercising Purchase Right.
(a)Either the New Card Issuer, if one has been selected by Costco, or Costco (the
“
Designated Purchaser
”) must notify Bank in writing if it intends to purchase the Portfolio,
which notification (a “
Notification of Intent to Purchase the Portfolio
”) must be sent to
Bank no later than [*] prior to the end of the Term or the Termination Period, as applicable.
Upon receipt from Costco of a Notification of Intent to Purchase the Portfolio and from the
Designated Purchaser of an executed confidentiality agreement in a form reasonably
determined by Bank, Bank shall [*], provide to the Designated Purchaser (i) an update to the
information on Schedule 13.02(a) and the information on Schedule 13.02(c), and (ii) a
master file (with accompanying data dictionary) of the Portfolio accounts which shall include
data [*] period preceding the month in which the file is delivered. In addition, Bank shall
provide such other information customary for a transaction of this size and nature as may be
reasonably and customarily requested to facilitate the due diligence review by the
Designated Purchaser, including customary information pertaining to litigation matters
relating to the Portfolio or the Program.
(b)Within [*] following the delivery of the Notification of Intent to Purchase the
Portfolio, Bank and the Designated Purchaser shall establish a deconversion plan containing
customary provisions for a transaction of such nature. In connection with such deconversion
plan, Bank and Costco shall cooperate reasonably in respect of deconversion issues. Each
Party shall pay its own deconversion expenses, except where a deconversion occurs
following the delivery by Party of a notice of Early Termination, in which case [*].
(c)The sale of the Portfolio will be completed pursuant to a purchase agreement
between Bank and the Designated Purchaser containing customary and commercially
reasonable representations and warranties, terms, covenants, conditions, [*] costs, and
indemnities for a sale of such nature. Such purchase agreement will be executed within [*] of
the delivery of the Notification of Intent to Purchase the Portfolio.
(d)The purchase shall be completed within [*] after delivery of the Notice of Intent to
Purchase the Portfolio; provided, however, that consummation of the purchase shall occur
no earlier than the end of the Term or the Termination Period, as applicable. The date of
such completion shall be the “
Program Purchase Date
”. The Parties shall, subject to receipt
of any necessary regulatory
53
approvals, take actions as may be reasonably required in order to consummate the
purchase of the Portfolio as contemplated by this Section 13.04.
13.05Obligations of the Parties if Purchase Option Exercised.
(a)In connection with effecting the Purchase Right and with respect to the
Co-Branded Card Accounts, Bank shall cooperate in such process and shall transfer any
and all right to Program interchange fees and any dedicated Program bank identification
numbers and dedicated Interbank Card Association numbers to the Designated Purchaser
as of the Program Purchase Date.
(b)If a Designated Purchaser elects to purchase the Portfolio as provided in Section
13.03, Bank shall comply with the reasonable instructions of Costco regarding the
disposition of information that was obtained by Bank in connection with the Program
(including any electronic or paper copies, reproductions, extracts or summaries thereof);
provided, however, that Bank may use and disclose such information only in conjunction with
the wind-down of the Program, and thereafter may retain such information as may be
required by Applicable Laws and Bank’s policies to be retained, including one archived copy
of such material as well as any electronic copy that is automatically retained by Bank’s
backup recovery system, which may be used solely for legal and regulatory purposes, and
shall so certify to Costco in writing. Bank will certify to Costco within [*] of the sale of the
Portfolio that it has destroyed all information obtained by Bank in connection with the
Program other than the information explicitly excluded in this Section 13.05(b).
(c)If a Designated Purchaser has entered into a purchase agreement with Bank to
purchase the Portfolio pursuant to Section 13.04, then, as of the Program Purchase Date:
(i)the Designated Purchaser may directly or indirectly provide credit card
products and related services to the Co-Branded Cardholders, former Co-Branded
Cardholders and others; and
(ii)Bank acknowledges that the Program Assets that are the subject of the
purchase shall become the property of Designated Purchaser and that as such, subject to
the terms of this Agreement, Bank’s rights powers and privileges with respect to such
Program Assets shall cease.
(d)After the Program Purchase Date, Bank shall have no further rights in or to any
Program-related data, except as provided in Article 11 and Article 6, and excluding any
Bank-owned Intellectual Property that is licensed to Costco.
13.06Rights of the Parties if Purchase Option not Exercised.
(a)In the event that: a notice regarding Natural Termination or Early Termination of
this Agreement is delivered pursuant to Section 12.01, 12.02, 12.03, or 12.07 as applicable,
and Costco gives written notice that it shall not exercise the Purchase Right, or Costco does
not provide a Notification of Intent to Purchase the Portfolio pursuant to Section 13.04(a)
within the time period set forth in Section 13.04(a), Costco’s Purchase Right shall have
expired and Costco shall have no further rights whatsoever in the Program Assets except
any Other Costco Data and the Costco Marks.
(b)If Costco’s Purchase Right expires pursuant to Section 13.06(a), then,
notwithstanding anything in Section 5.08(a) to the contrary and subject to the terms of the
Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement and Applicable Laws, Bank shall have each of the
following rights:
54
(i)the right to issue to Co-Branded Cardholders a replacement or substitute
credit card (which card must not bear any Costco Mark or other design, logo, trademark,
trade dress or service mark confusingly similar thereto) with such characteristics as Bank
considers appropriate (the cost of card re-design and re-issue being borne solely by Bank);
provided, however, that (i) Bank shall not issue such a replacement or substitute card in
cooperation with, branded by or with any name associated with, any Competitor, and (ii)
Bank shall provide each Co-Branded Cardholder with the option to opt-out of receiving any
replacement or substitute credit card or any solicitation from Bank or its Affiliates. Costco
shall be permitted to add an enclosure to the last two (2) billing statements sent prior to the
date on which this Agreement is terminated to the effect that the Program will be or has been
terminated;
(ii)the right to sell the Co-Branded Accounts and associated Program Assets
to a third party purchaser selected by Bank at a price agreed between Bank and such
purchaser; provided, however, that Bank shall not sell the Co-Branded Accounts and
associated receivables to or for the benefit of a Competitor or any financial institution that
issues or co-brands credit cards together with or on behalf of a Competitor; and
(iii)the right to exercise any combination of the rights set forth in subsection (i)
or subsection (ii) above.
(c)Any exercise by the Bank of its rights pursuant to Section 13.06(b) shall occur [*].
Beginning no earlier than Bank’s completion of its exercise of its rights pursuant to Section
13.06(b), Bank shall no longer use any of the Costco Marks (or any other trademarks,
service marks, trade names, logos or proprietary designations confusingly similar thereto).
(d)If Costco’s Purchase Right expires pursuant to Section 13.06(a), then in no event
may Bank, in exercising its rights pursuant to Section 13.06(b), re-brand the Co-Branded
Cards retained by Bank with the brand of any Competitor of Costco or otherwise, on a
targeted basis, solicit or facilitate the solicitation of Co-Branded Cardholders by any
Competitor of Costco. Specifically, Bank may not enter into any agreement with any
Competitor of Costco that is (i) designed to convert Co-Branded Cardholders to a
Competitor’s co-branded or private label program, or (ii) otherwise encourage any
Co-Branded Cardholder to form a business relationship with a Competitor of Costco, either
as part of a program with Bank or otherwise.
(e)If Costco’s Purchase Right expires pursuant to Section 13.06(a), then upon
termination of this Agreement, Costco shall promptly comply with the reasonable instructions
of Bank regarding the disposition of all Co-Branded Card Account Data, Cardholder Data or
other Bank-owned information obtained by Costco in connection with the Program (including
any electronic or paper copies, reproductions, extracts or summaries thereof); provided,
however, that, [*], Costco may use and disclose Co-Branded Card Account Data and
Cardholder Data only in the ordinary course to wind down the Program, and thereafter may
retain one archived copy of such material as well as any electronic copy that is automatically
retained by Costco’s backup recovery system, which may be used solely for regulatory
purposes, and shall so certify to Bank in writing.
(f)[*].
(g)[*].
13.07
[*].
55
ARTICLE 14
EFFECTS OF TERMINATION
14.01General Effects.
(a)Subject to the terms of this Agreement, and except as the Parties may mutually
agree, all obligations of the Parties shall continue upon the delivery of a notice of Early
Termination or non-renewal of this Agreement by either Party, until the later of the end of the
Termination Period and, if a Notification of an Intention to Purchase the Portfolio has been
given pursuant to Article 13, the Program Purchase Date, including:
(i)Costco’s obligation to accept the Co-Branded Cards at each Costco Outlet
and Costco Warehouse; provided, however, Costco, at its option, may elect to discontinue
accepting Co-Branded Cards if Bank exercises its rights under Section 13.06(b);
(ii)the operation of the Program and servicing of the Co-Branded Card
Accounts in good faith and in the ordinary course of their respective businesses including the
adherence to the SLAs;
(iii)the review and processing of Co-Branded Card Applications, the issuing of
new Co-Branded Cards and the opening and servicing of Co-Branded Card Accounts
consistent with past practices immediately prior to the notice of Early Termination or
non-renewal of this Agreement;
(iv)the payment of compensation as set forth in Article 9; and
(v)the extension of credit on Co-Branded Card Accounts and funding of
Eligible Receivables.
(b)If either Party delivers a notice of Early Termination or non-renewal of this
Agreement to the other, the Parties will cooperate in good faith to ensure the orderly
wind-down or transfer of the Program, including providing all transition support reasonably
requested by the other Party at such rates as were applied for such services during the
Term, and otherwise complying with this Article 14 and with Article 13.
(c)[*].
(d)The Parties will use good-faith efforts to agree on a communication plan to advise
Co-Branded Cardholders and the general public of the impending termination of this
Agreement no later than [*] following receipt of any notice of an Early Termination, a Bank
Termination Event or a Costco Termination Event, as applicable, and in any other case no
later than [*] prior to the date on which this Agreement terminates. Other than as
contemplated and allowed by Section 14.01(e) any communication with respect to the
Co-Branded Card Accounts given by either Party after notice of termination or non-renewal
will be subject to the terms and conditions of such joint communication plan. If the Parties
are unable to agree on a communication plan prior to the date on which this Agreement
terminates despite such good-faith efforts, the Parties shall jointly communicate only a
statement as to the fact that this Agreement and the Program have been terminated and the
alternative arrangements being made by the Parties with respect to the Co-Branded Card
Accounts; provided, the statement shall
56
not assert any blame with respect to the termination or offering any opinions or reasons as to
the cause of such termination.
(e)Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, Bank shall
cooperate with Costco, and Costco shall cooperate with Bank, to develop a communication
to all Co-Branded Cardholders
(other than those Co-Branded Cardholders whose accounts
have been charged-off in accordance with Bank’s policies and procedures relating to
charged-off accounts), and, subject to Applicable Laws, such communication shall:
(i)be promptly communicated to such Co-Branded Cardholders at least [*]
prior to the end of the Termination Period;
(ii)disclose the date of the discontinuation of the Program and that,
notwithstanding any such discontinuation, the Co-Branded Cards may continue to be used
as Costco membership cards and the Loyalty Program in effect as of the date of such
communication shall remain in effect for such period time as the Co-Branded Cards may
continue to be used for Charges;
(iii)provide that the method of redemption of the Loyalty Program shall remain
unchanged unless otherwise agreed by the Parties;
(iv)disclose that Costco will offer a new card program on such date as Costco
is eligible to start a new program; and
(v)if Portfolio is not purchased by Costco or its Designated Purchaser,
disclose that Bank will offer a new card on such date as Bank is eligible to contact
Co-Branded Cardholders.
14.02Payment of Fees Upon Termination.
(a)In addition to any other rights or remedies available to the Parties at law or in
equity, upon the occurrence of a Termination Event pursuant to Section 12.04, 12.05 or
12.06, the Party terminating the Agreement shall be entitled to collect from the other Party
any undisputed amount payable plus interest from the date on which such amount was due
at a rate per annum equal to the [*].
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if this
Agreement is terminated for any reason, within thirty (30) days following end of (x) the
Termination Period, or (y) if a Notification of an Intention to Purchase the Portfolio has been
given, the Program Purchase Date, the Parties will have determined an amount (the
“
Settlement Amo
unt
”) equal to:
(i)all payments due and payable by Costco to Bank pursuant to this
Agreement for all periods through the end of (x) the Termination Period, or (y) if a Notification
of an Intention to Purchase the Portfolio has been given, the Program Purchase Date,
including a pro-rata share of any payments for the month, quarter and/or Program Year in
which the termination occurs; minus
(ii)all payments due and payable by Bank to Costco pursuant to this
Agreement for all periods through the end of (x) the Termination Period, or (y) if a Notification
of an Intention to Purchase the Portfolio has been given, the Program Purchase Date,
including a pro-rata share of any payments for the month, quarter and/or Program Year in
which the termination occurs.
(c)If the Settlement Amount is negative, the absolute value of the Settlement Amount
shall be paid by Bank to Costco within five (5) Business Days of the date of determination of
the Settlement
57
Amount. If the Settlement Amount is positive, the value of the Settlement Amount shall be
paid by Costco to Bank within five (5) Business Days of the date of determination of the
Settlement Amount.
ARTICLE 15
INDEMNIFICATION
15.01By Bank.
Bank shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Costco, its Affiliates and each of
their officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any and all losses, liabilities,
damages, costs and expenses of whatever nature, including reasonable legal and consultant
fees and expenses (collectively, “
Losses
”) which are caused or incurred by, result from,
arise out of or relate to:
(a)the gross negligence, recklessness or wilful misconduct (in each case including
acts or omissions) of Bank or of its Affiliates or any of their officers, directors, employees,
agents, or Subcontractors in the performance of the duties and obligations of Bank under
this Agreement;
(b)any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in any representation or warranty of Bank in
this Agreement;
(c)any breach by Bank (including acts or omissions of its Subcontractors) of any of
the terms, covenants or other provisions contained in this Agreement;
(d)[*] the failure by Bank to comply with Applicable Laws or Network Rules in the
performance of its obligations [*];
(e)any claim, suit or proceeding by any third party arising out of the failure of Bank to
comply with Applicable Laws [*];
(f)Bank’s Onserts, Co-Branded Cardholder billing statement messages or Solicitation
Materials distributed by Bank or its Affiliates;
(g)any allegation by a third party that the Bank-owned Intellectual Property, or use
thereof by Costco or its Affiliates in accordance with this Agreement, constitutes: (i)
infringement, misappropriation, misrepresentation, dilution or other violation of any
Intellectual Property right of any third party; (ii) unfair competition or misappropriation of
another’s ideas or trade secrets; (iii) invasion of rights of privacy or publicity; or (iv) breach of
contract or tortious interference;
(h)the failure of any Bank-created or Bank-approved Program-related disclosures to
comply with Applicable Law;
(i)the use by Bank of any advertising materials relating to Costco goods and services
that have not been approved by Costco; or
(j)any unclaimed property claim, liability or amount due to a state or other
Governmental Entity, including interest and penalties, related to or in connection with the
Loyalty Program or the failure of a Co-Branded Cardholder to redeem Rewards (other than
rewards attributable to the Executive Program).
58
15.02By Costco.
Costco shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Bank, its Affiliates and each of
their officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any Losses which are
caused or incurred by, result from, arise out of or relate to:
(a)the gross negligence, recklessness or wilful misconduct (including in each case
acts or omissions) of Costco or of its Affiliates or any of their officers, directors, employees,
agents, or Subcontractors in the performance of the duties and obligations of Costco under
this Agreement;
(b)any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in any representation or warranty of Costco in
this Agreement;
(c)any breach by Costco (including acts or omissions of its Subcontractors) of any of
the terms, covenants or other provisions contained in this Agreement;
(d)The failure by Costco to comply with Applicable Laws [*];
(e)Costco’s Onserts or billing statement messages (other than (i) Losses caused or
incurred by, resulting from, arising out of or relating to the failure of such Onserts or billing
statement messages to comply with Applicable Laws relating to consumer financial products
of Bank or its Affiliates), or (ii) to the extent incurred by, resulting from, arising out of or
related to any changes to such Onserts or billing statement messages made by Costco at
the request of Bank to comply with such Applicable Laws in accordance with Sections
5.05(a) and 5.05(b));
(f)any allegation by a third party that any Intellectual Property belonging to, or
controlled or supplied by, Costco ([*]), or the use thereof by Bank or its Affiliates in the United
States in accordance with this Agreement constitutes: (i) infringement, misappropriation,
misrepresentation, dilution or other violation of any Intellectual Property right of any third
party; (ii) unfair competition or misappropriation of another’s ideas or trade secrets; (iii)
invasion of rights of privacy or publicity; or (iv) breach of contract or tortious interference;
(g)the failure of Costco’s advertising materials relating to Costco’s products or
services (other than any Program-related disclosures included therein or otherwise approved
by Bank) to comply with Applicable Law; or
(h)the use by Costco of any advertising materials relating to Costco’s products or
services that contain any Program-related disclosures that have not been approved by Bank.
15.03Notification of Claims.
(a)The Parties will adhere to the indemnification procedures set out in this Section
15.03 and in Section 15.04 with respect to the indemnification provided under this
Agreement.
(b)If a Third Party Claim is instituted or asserted against an Indemnified Person, the
Indemnified Person shall as soon as reasonably possible notify the Indemnitor in writing of
the Third Party Claim. The notice must specify in reasonable detail, the identity of the Person
making the Third Party Claim and, to the extent known, the nature of the Claim and the
estimated amount needed to investigate, defend, remedy or address the Third Party Claim
(which estimate shall not be conclusive of the final amount of such Third Party Claim).
59
(c)If an Indemnified Person becomes aware of a Direct Claim, the Indemnified
Person shall promptly notify the Indemnitor in writing of the Direct Claim.
(d)Notice to an Indemnitor under this Section 15.03 of a Direct Claim or a Third Party
Claim is an assertion of a claim for indemnification against the Indemnitor under this
Agreement. Upon receipt of such notice, the provisions of Section 15.04 will apply to any
Third Party Claim.
(e)The omission to timely notify the Indemnitor shall not relieve the Indemnitor from
any obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Person, unless (and only to that extent that) the
omission to timely notify has a material prejudicial effect on the defenses or other rights
available to the Indemnitor with respect to such Third-Party Claim.
15.04Procedures for Third Party Claims.
(a)Subject to the terms of this Section 15.04, upon receiving notice of a Third Party
Claim, the Indemnitor may investigate and defend (to the extent described in Section
15.04(h)) the Third Party Claim. An election to assume the investigation and defense of a
Third Party Claim is acknowledgement by the Indemnitor of its obligations to indemnify the
Indemnified Person under Article 15 of this Agreement in respect of the claim for which the
investigation and/or defense has been assumed. If the Indemnifier contests that it is obliged
to indemnify the Indemnified Person in respect of the particular claim any such dispute will
be subject to the dispute resolution process and may be dealt with contemporaneously or
put on hold without prejudice and tabling any limitation period for resolution later.
(b)The Indemnitor may not assume from the Indemnified Person the investigation
and defense of a Third Party Claim if the Indemnitor is also a Party to the Third Party Claim
and joint representation would be inappropriate. In addition to the foregoing, in the event that
joint representation with respect to a Third Party Claim would be inappropriate because the
Indemnitor is also a Party to the Third Party Claim, the Indemnitor may not be entitled to
share information that is obtained by the Indemnified Person in its investigation of the Third
Party Claim.
(c)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither Party shall be
required to obtain the other Party’s consent to make any payment with respect to a Third
Party Claim which the first Party is compelled by Applicable Laws to make to any Person,
provided that if the paying Party intends to seek reimbursement of such payment from the
other Party, it shall advise such other Party with respect thereto prior to making such
payment.
(d)In order to assume the investigation and defense of a Third Party Claim, the
Indemnitor must give the Indemnified Person written notice of its election within fifteen (15)
days
of the Indemnitor’ s receipt of notice of the Third Party Claim. The Indemnitor may
select counsel for the defense of such Third Party Claim. After notice from the Indemnitor to
such Indemnified Person of its election to so assume the investigation and defense thereof,
except as set forth in Section 15.04(b) and (i), the Indemnitor shall not be liable to such
Indemnified Person under this Section for any attorneys’ fees or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with the investigation and
defense thereof.
(e)If the Indemnitor assumes the investigation and defense of a Third Party Claim,
then (i) the Indemnified Person shall not contact or communicate with the Person making the
Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnitor, unless required by
Applicable Laws, and (ii) upon written notice to the Indemnified Person, the Indemnitor shall
have the right to compromise and
60
settle any Third Party Claim on behalf of the Indemnified Person absent the written consent
of the Indemnified Person if the Indemnitor:
(A)obtains a full release of all Third Party Claims against the
Indemnified Person;
(B)includes within the settlement agreement or release a statement to
the effect that the Indemnified Person admits no liability; and
(C)does not agree to a settlement which provides for any
nonmonetary relief.
(f)If the Indemnitor elects not to assume the investigation and defense of a Third
Party Claim, whether by not giving the Indemnified Person notice required by this Agreement
of its desire to so assume the investigation and defense or otherwise, the Indemnified
Person has the right (but not the obligation) to undertake the defense of the Third Party
Claim.
(g)If, under Section 15.04(f), the Indemnified Person undertakes the investigation and
defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Person may compromise and settle the
Third Party Claim but the Indemnitor shall not be bound by any compromise or settlement of
the Third Party Claim effected without its consent.
(h)If the Indemnitor assumes the investigation and defense of a Third Party Claim,
the Indemnified Person shall, at the request and expense of the Indemnitor, use its
reasonable efforts to make available to the Indemnitor, on a timely basis, those employees
whose assistance, testimony or presence is necessary to assist the Indemnitor in
investigating and defending the Third Party Claim. The Indemnified Person shall, at the
request and expense of the Indemnitor, make available to the Indemnitor, or its
representatives, on a timely basis all documents, records and other materials in the
possession, control or power of the Indemnified Person, reasonably required by the
Indemnitor for its use solely in defending any Third Party Claim which it has elected to
assume the investigation and defense of. The Indemnified Person shall cooperate on a
timely basis with the Indemnitor in the defense of any Third Party Claim.
(i)Where the Indemnitor assumes the investigation and defense of a Third Party
Claim, the Indemnified Person may (at its expense, in the event it elects to participate and at
the Indemnitor’ s expense, in the event the Indemnitor requests its participation), to the
extent requested by the Indemnitor, participate in the defense of any Third Party Claim and
any negotiations for its settlement. Each Party participating in the defense shall do so by
actively participating with the other’s counsel. If the Indemnified Person is requested by the
Indemnitor to participate in or conduct the defense of any such Third Party Claim, the
Indemnitor shall, at the request of the Indemnified Person, use its reasonable efforts to make
available to the Indemnified Person, on a timely basis, those employees whose assistance,
testimony or presence is necessary to assist the Indemnified Person in investigating and
defending the Third Party Claim. The Indemnitor shall, at the request of the Indemnified
Person, make available to the Indemnified Person, or its representatives, on a timely basis
all documents, records and other materials in the possession, control or power of the
Indemnitor, reasonably required by the Indemnified Person for its use solely in defending any
Third Party Claim for which it has assumed the investigation and defense. The Indemnitor
shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible on a timely basis with the Indemnified Person in
the defense of any Third Party Claim and any related settlement negotiations.
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(j)[*].
15.05Third Party Data Breach Recovery.
If Bank, as the card issuer, obtains a recovery or compensation related to a third party
Security Breach involving or related to Co-Branded Cardholders or the Program, whether
such recovery is pursuant to the Network Rules or otherwise, the portion of such recovery
relating to the Program will be allocated to the Program P&L Statement.
ARTICLE 16
MISCELLANEOUS
16.01Audit/Access Rights.
(a)Upon written request from one Party (the “
Claimant
”) to the other Party, the
Claimant, or any third party auditor appointed by such Party, [*] and upon at least ten (10)
Business Days prior notice to the other Party or such other period as any Governmental
Authority may require, may conduct an audit of those of the financial and operational records
relating to the Program (other than any Personal Information contained therein, unless
required by a Governmental Authority) of the other Party (including any Affiliates or
Subcontractors of the other Party) that are under the control and/or direction of the other
Party (or its Affiliates or Subcontractors) and relate to the Program; provided that such
requests may not be made more frequently than once in any twelve month period with
respect to a particular aspect of the other Party’s compliance with this Agreement, unless
required by a Governmental Authority. Such audit shall be conducted by a mutually-agreed
third-party auditor, be conducted during normal business hours in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards or the standards of the applicable Governmental Authority and
Claimant shall cause the third party auditor appointed by it to employ, such reasonable
procedures and methods as necessary and appropriate in the circumstances, minimizing
interference with the other Party’s (or its Affiliates’ or Subcontractors’) normal business
operations. The other Party shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the review of
the third party auditor appointed by Claimant, including making reasonably available such
personnel of the other Party and its Affiliates and Subcontractors to the third party auditor as
reasonably requested. The other Party shall deliver or cause to be delivered any document
or instrument necessary for the third party auditor appointed by Claimant to obtain such
records from any Person maintaining records for the other Party and shall maintain records
pursuant to its regular record retention policies. Each Party shall, and shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to cause its Affiliates and Subcontractors to: (i) promptly cooperate with
any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Party or its Affiliates and
Subcontractors in connection with any examination, audit, or inquiry required by such
Governmental Authority, and (ii) comply (in a manner and over a time period reasonably
acceptable to the Parties) with any guidance, recommendations or requirements of a
Governmental Authority arising from any such examination, audit or inquiry, all at the
expense of the Party regulated by such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding the
generality of the foregoing, the other Party (and its Affiliates or Subcontractors) shall not be
required to provide audit rights or access to records to the extent that (a) such audit rights or
access is prohibited by Applicable Laws or inconsistent with such other Party’s third party
agreements (provided that, except in the case of third party agreements with credit card
alliance participants or other related parties, such other Party shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to have such contractual access limitations waived), (b) such records are
legally privileged or (c) such records relate to other customers of, or credit programs
operated by, the other Party or to personnel records not normally disclosed in connection
with audits.
62
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 16.01 related to Subcontractors
shall only apply to those Subcontractors that have access to Cardholder Data or perform
services on behalf of a Party in connection with the Program.
(b)In addition to the audit rights set out in Section 16.01(a):
(i)Costco may at any time and from time to time request such documentation
from Bank as it may reasonably determine is necessary to support the information regarding
expenses and revenues outlined in the reports described in Section 7.05. Subject to
Applicable Privacy Laws, Bank will provide such documentation to Costco within ten (10)
Business Days of any such request made by Costco.
(ii)Subject to the last sentence of 16.01(a) and upon reasonable request,
each Party shall have the right to review the other Party’s information security standards
(including those of its Affiliates and Subcontractors, if any, that have access to Co-Branded
Card Account Data, Cardholder Data, or Costco Shopper Data), including through use of
security questionnaires, to assess the other Party’s compliance with the requirements of
Section 6.01(c) and each Party will permit the other Party to visit its facilities related to the
Program during normal business hours with reasonable advance notice to audit the Party’s
compliance with its obligations in respect of the handling of Personal Information under this
Agreement, provided that with respect to Bank access to Costco Warehouses, entry will be
at such times as may be approved by Costco in its sole discretion.
16.02Dispute Resolution
(a)Any dispute between the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
including with respect to the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement and with
respect to the performance by either Party (a “
Dispute
”), shall be resolved as provided in
this Section 16.02 but specifically excluding any dispute to the extent principally related to
either party’s trademarks. The Parties agree that the existence of a Dispute and any informal
efforts or proceedings to resolve a Dispute shall be held in confidence, shall be treated as
compromise and settlement negotiations under applicable evidence rules, and shall be
governed by the terms and conditions of this Section 16.02; provided, that the Parties may
disclose such matters to the extent necessary to obtain temporary or preliminary injunctive
relief, or to litigate claims in third party cases pursuant to Section 16.02(a)(iii), or obtain
judgment and enforce arbitration awards obtained under this Section 16.02.
(i)The Program Managers and other appropriate personnel of each Party
shall, in good faith, first attempt to resolve the Dispute. If such efforts are unsuccessful,
either Program Manager may, at any time and upon notice to the Parties, refer the Dispute to
the Program Executives.
(ii)The Program Executives shall promptly meet by telephone to review and
discuss the Dispute and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve Disputes within
twenty (20) days after receiving notice thereof.
(iii)In the event the Program Executives are unable to resolve the Dispute
within the time frame set forth above, and should either Party desire to continue to pursue
the Dispute toward formal resolution, then the Dispute shall be finally resolved by arbitration,
in English, by a sole arbitrator in Seattle, Washington, in accordance with the Rules of the
Center for Public Research (“
CPR Rules
”) for Non-Administered Arbitration, and judgment
upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction
thereof. The arbitrator may permit such depositions or other
63
discovery deemed necessary for a fair hearing. The hearing may not exceed two days. The
award shall be rendered within one-hundred and twenty (120) days of the demand. The
arbitrator may award interim and final injunctive relief and other remedies, including
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, but may not award punitive damages. No time
limit herein is jurisdictional. Notwithstanding the above,
Costco or Bank may bring court
proceedings or claims against each other (A) solely as part of separate litigation commenced
by an unrelated third party, or (B) if not first sought from the arbitrator, solely to obtain in the
state or federal courts in King County, Washington, temporary or preliminary injunctive relief
or other interim remedies pending conclusion of the arbitration. In the case of contradiction
between the provisions of this Section and the CPR Rules, this Section 16.03(a)(iii) shall
prevail.
16.03Survival.
Upon the later of the end of the Post Termination Transition Period or, if a Notification of an
Intention to Purchase the Portfolio has been given pursuant to Article 13, the Program
Purchase Date, all obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall cease, except that
the obligations of the Parties pursuant to Section 2.08 (for up to eighteen months); Sections
3.01(a), (b), and (d), Section 4.02(d) (for up to one year, to the extent required by Costco’s
agreement with the Network with respect to the last Program Year or portion thereof),
Section 5.01(d), Section 5.04(e), Section 6.02, Sections 6.03(c) and (d) (in each case except
as appropriate for Bank to exercise its rights under Section 13.06), Section 6.06, Sections
7.09(a)-(d), Section 9.05, Section 9.06 (for the longer of 10 years, or if there is any tax audit
or controversy regarding the Program, the date of resolution of such audit or controversy),
Section 10.03(e), Section 10.04(f), Section 10.04(h), Section 11.04, Article 13 (Replacement
Program And Portfolio Purchase Rights), Article 14 (Effects of Termination), Article 15
(Indemnification), Article 16 (Miscellaneous)(except 16.01), Section 16.01 (for one year), and
such other provisions and definitions as are necessary for the interpretation thereof will
survive expiration or termination of this Agreement subject to any time limitations determined
by Applicable Laws.
16.04Non-Assignability; Non-Transferability.
(a)This Agreement shall not be assignable by either Party hereto without the prior
written consent of the other Party, except that either Party may assign this Agreement to any
of their respective Affiliates without the prior written consent of the other Party, provided,
however, that Bank or Costco, as the case may be, shall continue to be liable hereunder for
the obligations of their respective assignees after such assignment unless released by the
other Party in writing. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, provided that the terms of the
preceding sentence have been met.
(b)During the Term, and other than as may occur pursuant to a permissible Financing
Transaction as set out in Section 10.04(h), Bank may not directly or indirectly sell, assign, or
otherwise transfer any of the Program Assets, or its rights in the Program Assets, to any
Person that is not an Affiliate of Bank without the prior written consent of Costco, provided
that Bank shall be permitted to sell to a third party without the consent of Costco any and all
Co-Branded Accounts that have been charged-off by Bank in accordance with Bank’s
charged-off accounts policies.
16.05Limitation of Liability.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, in no event shall
either Party be liable to the other Party for any indirect, consequential, incidental, special,
punitive or
64
exemplary damages, whether in contract, tort (including negligence and strict liability) or any
other legal or equitable principles, or for any loss of profits or revenue, regardless of whether
such Party knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing
limitations shall not apply to claims for breach of the obligations of confidentiality (which
includes misuse of Cardholder Data), claims for damages resulting from gross negligence,
wilful misconduct or fraud by a Party, indemnification for Third Party Claims, or infringement
of Marks licensed by one Party to the other.
16.06Press Releases.
Neither Costco nor Bank nor any of their respective Affiliates shall issue a press
release relating to the Program, except with the prior consent of the other Party, which
consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.
16.07Cooperation; Further Assurances.
Each Party shall cooperate with and provide such assistance to the other and will
from time to time execute and deliver all such documents and things as such other Party
may reasonably request with respect to the establishment and operation of the Program
including during any Termination Period or Transition Period, and the resolution of disputes,
claims and other matters relating to transactions by Co-Branded Cardholders.
16.08Entire Agreement.
This Agreement, including all schedules, exhibits and attachments to this Agreement,
contain the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the Co-Branded Card Program in
the United States.
16.09Conflicts.
To the extent this Agreement and any other agreement, arrangement or
understanding between or among the Parties or their Affiliates are in conflict, the terms of
this Agreement shall govern and control with respect to the Program.
16.10Modification or Waiver.
No modification, amendment, supplement to or waiver of this Agreement or any of its
provisions shall be binding upon any Party unless made in writing and signed and delivered
by all Parties. A failure or delay of either Party to this Agreement to enforce at any time any
of the provisions of this Agreement, or to exercise any option which is hereby provided, or to
require at any time performance of the provisions hereof, shall in no way be construed a
waiver of, nor preclude the exercise of, any of the provisions of this Agreement.
16.11Notice.
All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder must be in writing and shall
be deemed given when hand-delivered or sent, by certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, as follows:
65
To Bank:
Citicorp Credit Services
1000 N. West Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Attention: Managing Director, Co-Brand
Partnerships
With a mandatory
copy to:
Citibank, N.A.
One Court Square
Long Island City, New York 11120
Attention: General Counsel of Citi Cards
To Costco:
Costco Wholesale Corporation
999 Lake Drive
Issaquah, Washington 98027
Attention: Paul Latham
With a mandatory
copy to:
Costco Wholesale Corporation
999 Lake Drive
Issaquah, Washington 98027
Attention: General Counsel
provided, however, that if any of the above Parties shall have designated a different address
by notice to the other, then to the last address so designated.
16.12Governing Law.
This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the [*].
16.13Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, all
other provisions shall remain valid and be enforced and construed as if such invalid
provision were never a part of this Agreement.
16.14Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, which counterparts
may be delivered by way of electronic transmission (in .PDF, .PIF, .JPG, or other similar
format) from one Party or its representatives to the other, all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument, but in making proof of this Agreement, it shall not
be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart.
66
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, the Parties, by their duly authorized representatives, have
hereunto set their hands as of the date first above written.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION CITIBANK, N.A.
By: Richard Galanti By: Ralph Andretta
Signature: /s/ Richard Galanti Signature: /s/ Ralph Andretta
Title: EVP, CFO Title: MD - Head of U.S. Cards
Date: 2/27/15 Date: 2/27/15
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: Paul Latham
Signature: /s/ Paul Latham
Title: VP - Membership, Marketing, Services
Date: 2/27/15
67
Exhibit A
Definitional Supplement
The following terms shall have the following meanings as and when used in this
Agreement:
“
Acceptance Location
” means a merchant or other provider of goods, services or
things of value that accepts Network Cards in payment for goods, services or other things of
value.
“
Account Indebtedness
” means (i) all amounts charged and owing by Co-Branded
Cardholders with respect to Co-Branded Card Accounts (including principal balances,
finance charges (whether or not billed), billed NSF fees, billed foreign exchange fees and
other billed fees and charges), less (ii) the amount of any credit balances owing to
Co-Branded Cardholders, including any credits associated with returns of goods and/or
services, payments and other credits, whether or not billed.
“
Account Terms Annual Maximum
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(a)(i).
“
Acquired Business
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(a).
“
Acquired Cards
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).
“
Acquired Card Program
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(a).
“
Acquired Warehouses
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(e).
“
Acquiring IP Party
” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.09(a).
“
Additional Payment Products
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(b).
“
Affiliate
” means, with respect to and Person, any other Person that directly or
indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person. For
purposes of this definition, “control” means possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
vote 50% or more of the securities or other ownership interests that have ordinary voting
power for the election of directors or other persons performing similar functions of any entity,
or to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity, whether
through ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
“
Amex Account
”
means the existing cardholders’ accounts for the Amex Program
and subject to the Amex Purchase Agreement.
“
Amex Program Agreement
”
means that certain American Express/Costco
Co-Branded Card Program Agreement, dated as of April 2004, by and among Costco,
American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., and American Express Bank FSB
regarding the Amex Program, as amended.
“
Amex Program
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09.
“
Amex Purchase Agreement
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09.
“
ANR
” means, for the applicable period, the amount obtained by dividing (i) the sum
of the daily Eligible Receivables for the period by (ii) the number of days for the applicable
period.
68
“
Applicable Laws
” means all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, codes,
ordinances, treaties, orders, judgments, decrees, directives, and [*] of any Governmental
Authority having jurisdiction, including, without limitation, usury laws, the Truth-In-Lending
Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, and Applicable Privacy Laws. For clarity, where a
provision states that it is subject to Applicable Laws or the like, the provision also does not
require a Party to take any action that would cause such Party to be a consumer reporting
agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
“
Applicable Guidelines
” means [*].
“
Applicable Privacy Laws
” means (i) all federal, state and local laws, rules,
regulations, directives and governmental requirements currently in effect and as they
become effective relating in any way to the privacy, confidentiality or security of Personal
Information, including Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing
Act (“
CAN-SPAM Act
”); the Federal “Privacy of Consumer Financial Information” Regulation
(12 CFR Part 30), as amended from time to time, issued pursuant to Section 504 of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. §6801, et seq.) (“
GLB
”), as well as any other
federal or state regulations issued pursuant to GLB; the FTC Disposal of Consumer Report
Information and Records Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 682 (2005); and all other similar federal, state
and local requirements, (ii) all industry standards concerning privacy, data protection,
confidentiality or information security currently in effect and as they become effective, and
(iii) the Program Privacy Policy, in each case applicable to either Costco or Bank, as
applicable, or to the Program.
“
Applicant
” means any Person who is a Costco Member (or prospective Costco
Member) and applies for a Co-Branded Card.
“
Approved Transition Card
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(c).
[*]
“
Bank Cards
” has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this Agreement.
“
Bank Cardholders
” has the meaning set forth in the first recital of this Agreement.
“
Bank EBT Share Percentage
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(a).
“
Bank Manag
er
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).
“
Bank Marks
” means business names, trade names, logos, trademarks, service
marks or other proprietary designations claimed, owned, licensed to or used by Bank and set
forth in Schedule 1.01(b) attached hereto.
“
Bank Owned Data
” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(a)(i).
“
Bank-owned Intellectual Property
” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.09(c).
“
Bank Payments
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(a).
“
Bank Profits Percentage
” means, on a Program Year or annual basis, as
applicable, with respect to the Program, the value of EBT divided by the value of ANR (i.e.
EBT / ANR).
69
“
Bank Profit Threshold
” means, on a Program Year or annual basis, the product of
the Bank Profit Threshold Percent and ANR. To the extent that Bank Profit Threshold needs
to be calculated on a less than full Program Year basis, the calculation shall be performed on
a proportional basis for the applicable period then annualized.
“
Bank Profit Threshold Percent
” means, on a Program Year or annual basis, with
respect to the Program, a Bank Profits Percentage of [*]% (i.e. EBT/ANR = [*]%).
“
Bank Program Model
” means any proprietary model or analysis developed by Bank
for use in connection with the Program, including any additions, modifications or
enhancements to such models during the Term.
“Bank Program Team”
has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03.
“
Bank Secrecy Act
” means the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of
1970, as amended.
“
Bank Termination Event
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.04.
“
Bank Termination Period
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.03.
“
Bankruptcy Event
”, in respect of a Person means:
(i)that the Person or any subsidiary of such Person shall (i) commence a
voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or other federal
bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage
of any other Applicable Law, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, winding up, or composition or adjustment of debts, or any other similar
conservatorship or receivership proceeding instituted or administered by any regulatory
agency or body, (iii) consent to or fail to contest, in a timely and appropriate manner, any
petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other Applicable
Law or consent to an Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding, (iv) apply for or consent to, or fail
to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, the appointment of, or the taking of
possession by, a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or similar entity of such person or of
all or any substantial part of its assets, domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing its inability to
pay its debts as they become due, (vi) make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors, (vii) make a conveyance fraudulent as to creditors under any Applicable Law, or
(viii) take any corporate action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
(ii)that a case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Person or
any subsidiary of such Person in any court of competent jurisdiction, or through any
regulatory agency or body, seeking (i) relief under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as
amended, or other federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect) or under any other
Applicable Law, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
winding up, or composition or adjustment of debts, or (ii) the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of such person, or of all or any substantial part of
the assets, domestic or foreign, of such person, or any other similar conservatorship or
receivership proceeding instituted or administered by any regulatory agency or body.
70
“
Base Discount Rate
” means the total fees and charges, expressed as a percentage
of the amount of a Net Purchase Charge, that Costco pays Bank for the acceptance of
Co-Branded Cards at Costco Outlets and Costco Locations, as set forth and determined
pursuant to the Program Economics Schedule.
“
BIN Identifier
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(b).
“
Business Day
” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday, a federal holiday in the
United States, or any other day in which financial institutions in the state of Washington are
authorized to be closed.
“
Cardholder Data
” means all Personal Information about a Co-Branded Cardholder
received by Bank in connection with the Co-Branded Card Accounts or the Program and
includes the Cardholder List.
“
Cardholder List
” means any list (whether in hardcopy, magnetic tape, electronic or
other form) that identifies or provides a means of differentiating Co-Branded Cardholders
and contains Personal Information regarding any Co-Branded Cardholders.
“
Change in Law
” means a change in Applicable Laws or Network Rules that will [*].
“
Change in Law Amendment
” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(a).
“
Change in Law Waiver
” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(c).
“
Change of Contro
l
” means, with respect to any Party (the “
Subject Party
”): (i) a
Person or group that is not an Affiliate becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting rights attached to all the then outstanding
voting securities of the Subject Party; (ii) a merger, consolidation, or other form of business
combination of the Subject Party with another company that is not an Affiliate which results
in the holders of voting securities of that other non-Affiliate company holding, in the
aggregate, voting securities carrying more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all then
outstanding voting securities of the company resulting from the business combination; (iii)
the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the Subject Party,
other than in the ordinary course of business of the Subject Party or to a Person that is not
an Affiliate of the Subject Party. For clarity, a purely internal corporate reorganization or
restructuring involving a Party and one or more of its Affiliates, and only Affiliates of it, shall
not be deemed to be a Change of Control so long as the resulting organization or structure
has sufficient financial, managerial and operational capacity to perform a Party’s obligations
hereunder.
“
Charges
” means transactions completed with Co-Branded Cards and billed to
Co-Branded Card Accounts, including Purchase Charges, cash advances, balance transfers,
foreign exchange fees or service fees and other transactions completed with a Co-Branded
Card. For avoidance of doubt, Charges are inclusive of Purchase Charges at Costco Outlets
as well as outside of Costco Outlets.
“
Claimant
” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.01(a).
“
Co-Branded Card
” means any version of a revolving general purpose credit card
established under the Program which (i) is marketed to Costco Members or prospective
Costco Members; (ii) is issued by Bank in the United States; (iii) acts as a Costco
membership card; (iv) contains certain of the
71
Bank Marks and certain of the Costco Marks referencing that the Co-Branded Cardholder is
a Costco Member; (v) contains Network Marks; and (vi) is linked to a Co-Branded Card
Account.
“
Co-Branded Card Account
” means a revolving credit account established by Bank
under the Program pursuant to which one or more Co-Branded Cardholders may obtain
credit from Bank for purchases of goods and services at Acceptance Locations and obtain
cash advances subject to the terms of the Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement, and obtain
associated benefits.
“
Co-Branded Card Account Data
” means all information relating to specific
Co-Branded Card Accounts that is obtained, generated or created in connection with
Co-Branded Card Account processing and maintenance activities, including Co-Branded
Card Application processing, Co-Branded Card Account statementing, customer service and
collections. Co-Branded Card Account Data shall specifically include transaction data,
customer service and collections data, telephone logs and records and other documents and
information necessary for the processing and maintenance of Co-Branded Card Accounts,
but shall specifically exclude any Bank-owned Intellectual Property, including any proprietary
credit underwriting standards, credit scoring models or any other Intellectual Property
developed by or on behalf of Bank.
“
Co-Branded Card Application
” means the credit application that must be fully
completed and submitted (regardless of the form thereof or the means of delivery thereof) in
order for Bank to determine whether to establish a Co-Branded Card Account (i.e., an
approved application) or not [*].
“
Co-Branded Card Documentation
” includes, with respect to Co-Branded Card
Accounts, Co-Branded Cardholder Agreements, Co-Branded Cards, Welcome Kits, PIN
mailers and billing statements relating to such Co-Branded Card Accounts.
“
Co-Branded Cardholder
” means a Person who has been issued a Co-Branded
Card.
“
Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms
” has the meaning set forth in Section
4.05(a).
“
Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms Payment
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.07(e)(i).
“
Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement
” means the agreement between Bank and a
Co-Branded Cardholder governing the use of a Co-Branded Card and Co-Branded Card
Account.
“
Comparable Co-Branded Card
” means [*].
“
Competitive
” means [*].
“
Competitive Network
” means [*].
“
Competitive Network Mark
” means the proprietary business names, trade names,
trademarks, service marks, logos or other proprietary designations claimed, owned, licensed
to or used by any Competitive Network
“
Competitors
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a).
“
Confidential Information
” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).
72
“
Contractual Obligations
” means any binding contractual obligation that Bank owes
to any counterparty with respect to any Other Bank Card Program;
provided, however, in no
event shall any agreement entered into for the purpose of circumventing any obligation
under this Agreement be deemed to be a Contractual Obligation.
“
Conversion Option
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(c).
[*]
“
Costco Charge Transaction Data
” means the transaction information with regard
to each purchase of goods and/or services from Costco Outlets or a United States Affiliate
thereof by a Co-Branded Cardholder on credit under a Co-Branded Card Account, each
return of goods and/or services for credit and/or each other adjustment under a Co-Branded
Card Account, including the information set forth Schedule 1.01(c).
“
Costco Gasoline Outlet
” means any fuel or diesel dispensing station available for
Costco Members at Costco Warehouse locations in the United States or Puerto Rico.
“
Costco Location
” means any and all of the following as and to the extent branded
with the Costco Marks: (i) all retail establishments owned or operated by Costco or its
Affiliates, including Costco Warehouses and Costco Gasoline Outlets (and similar outlets
located outside the United States and Puerto Rico), (ii) mail order, catalogue, electronic
outlets and other direct media owned or operated by Costco or its Affiliates, (iii) online stores
owned or operated by Costco or its Affiliates, (iv) third parties designated in writing by
Costco who offer goods or services for sale in or immediately adjacent to Costco
warehouses, including the pharmacies located in Costco warehouses, optical centers
located in Costco warehouses, and such others as Costco may reasonably designate in
writing from time to time, (v) call centers owned or operated by Costco or its Affiliates, and
(vi) other Costco programs, including travel programs offered by Costco or its Affiliates.
“
Costco Manager
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).
“
Costco Marks
” means business names, trade names, trademarks, service marks,
logos or other proprietary designations claimed, owned, licensed to or used by Costco and
set forth on Schedule 1.01(d) attached hereto.
“
Costco Member
” means any Person entitled to make purchases at Costco
Warehouses in accordance with the Costco Membership Program.
“
Costco Membership Fee
” means the fee charged to Costco Members for
membership in the Costco Membership Program.
“
Costco Membership Program
” means the plan described in Schedule 4.04(c), as
such plan is amended from time to time by Costco.
“
Costco Outlets
” means any and all of the following, in each instance as and to the
extent (1) located in the United States or Puerto Rico, and (2) branded with Costco Marks: (i)
Costco Warehouses and all retail establishments owned or operated by Costco or its United
States Affiliates, including Costco Gasoline Outlets, (ii) mail order, catalogue, electronic
outlets and other direct media owned or operated by Costco or its United States Affiliates,
(iii) online stores owned or operated by
73
Costco or its United States Affiliates, (iv) third parties designated in writing by Costco who
offer goods or services for sale in or immediately adjacent to Costco Warehouses, including
the pharmacies located in Costco Warehouses, optical centers located in Costco
Warehouses, hearing aid centers located in Costco Warehouses, and such others as Costco
may reasonably designate in writing from time to time, (v) call centers owned or operated by
Costco or its United States Affiliates, and (vi) other Costco programs, including travel
programs offered by Costco or its United States Affiliates. Further, for purposes of this
definition, “Costco Outlets” shall not include any new store format or concept that is not
Costco branded or otherwise differs materially from the Costco branded Costco Outlet
formats existing as at the date hereof.
“
Costco Owned Data
” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(a)(ii).
“
Costco Rebranding Option
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(e).
“
Costco Shopper
”
means any Person who makes purchases of goods and/or
services in Costco Outlets and prospective customers and other Persons making inquiries or
supplying information to Costco or its Affiliates.
“
Costco Shopper Data
” means all Personal Information regarding a Costco Shopper
that is obtained by (or on behalf of) Costco or its Affiliates at any time (including prior to the
date hereof) in obtaining Costco Member applications including Personal Information
obtained in connection with such Costco Shopper making a purchase of goods and/or
services through a Costco Outlet.
“
Costco Termination Event
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.04.
“
Costco Termination Period
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.02.
“
Costco Trainers
” means the individuals designated by Costco to serve as
designated trainers for Costco employees about the terms, conditions, features, operation,
and other aspects of the Program and the Co-Branded Card.
“
Costco Warehouses
” means Costco’s membership warehouse locations branded
with the Costco Marks that are in operation now or may be operated in the future, in the
United States or Puerto Rico. For purposes of this Agreement, the defined term “Costco
Warehouses” shall include Costco Gasoline Outlets.
“
Costco Website
” means the website used by Costco in the United States in
connection with the sale of good, services or products.
“
CPR Rules
” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.02(a)(iii).
“
Credit Card
” means any revolving credit or charge card.
[*]
“
Designated Purchaser
” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.04(a).
“
Designee”
means any third party service provider selected by Costco to market [*],
but solely with respect to such product.
74
“
Development Agreement
” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.09(b)(i).
“
Direct Claim
” means any cause, matter, thing, act, omission or state of facts not
involving a Third Party Claim which entitles an Indemnified Person to make a claim for
indemnification under this Agreement.
“
Disclosing Party
” has the meaning set forth in 11.01(d).
“
Dispute
” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.02(a).
“
Early Termination
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(b).
“
EBT
”
means, with respect to any defined period of time (e.g., a Program Year), the
total of all Income less Eligible Expenses and less all eligible Funding Refunds made to
Costco pursuant to Section 9.03.
“
Eligible Expenses
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(a).
“
Eligible Receivables
” means all aggregate Account Indebtedness less any Account
Indebtedness that has been charged-off in accordance with Bank’s policies and procedures
relating to charged-off accounts.
[*]
[*]
[*]
“
Executive Membership
”
means the program administered by Costco independently
of the Program as set forth in Schedule 4.04(d) attached hereto.
“
Existing Subcontractors
” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(b).
[*]
“
External Royalty Payment
” has the meaning set forth in Schedule 9.01.
“
External Royalty Percentage
” has the meaning set forth in Schedule 9.01.
“
Fair Market Value
” has the meaning set forth in, and shall be determined in
accordance with, Schedule 1.01(f).
"
Financial Transaction Device
" or "
FTD
" means account access or financial
transaction devices whatever their form factor, including but not limited to cards, electronic
checks, fobs, mobile phones, or other devices utilizing NFC, RFID, WAP or similar,
evolutionary technology, used for the purpose of obtaining credit or debiting accounts, that
are now or hereafter utilized in effecting credit or debit transactions with merchants.
“
Financing Transaction
” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.04(h).
75
“
Fiscal Year
” means Costco’s fiscal year, which ends on the Sunday nearest the end
of August of each year.
“
Force Majeure Event
”
means, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, the following
events that are beyond the reasonable control of the applicable Party: any act of God, acts
of war, acts of nature, terrorism, acts of public enemy, civil insurrection or disobedience,
insurrections, riots, civil strife, vandalism, blockades, quarantine, interferences of civil and
military authority, epidemics, earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, hurricanes, storms, perils
of the sea, volcanic eruption, explosions, fires, floods, civil disturbances and nuclear
accidents; provided, however, that in no event shall lack of funds, changes in economic
circumstances, Changes in Law, failure to comply with Applicable Laws or the failure by a
Party’s supplier be deemed to be Force Majeure Events.
“
Funding Refund
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(a).
“
Future Bank Subcontractor
” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(b).
“
Future Costco Subcontractors
” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(h).
“
GAAP
” means the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US
GAAP).
“
Governmental Authority
” means any federal, state, or municipal legislative,
executive, judicial, regulatory or administrative body or Person in the United States, and
solely as and to the extent applicable to Bank any such Person outside the United States,
having or purporting to have jurisdiction in the relevant circumstances.
“
Impacted Party
” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(a).
“
Income
” means, [*].
“
Indemnified Person
” means a Person with indemnification rights or benefits under
this Agreement.
“
Indemnitor
” means a Party against which a claim may be made for indemnification
under this Agreement.
“
Initial Term
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(a).
“
Initial Term Extension Notice
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(a).
“Innovative Program Improvement
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(c).
[*]
“
Instant Approval
” means an expedited process for an Applicant to be approved,
with such approval being solely determined by Bank, for a Co-Branded Card Account, within
a brief period of time in accordance with and as described in the SLAs, following receipt of
all the required Co-Branded Card Application information, coupled with the ability to make
purchases immediately thereafter.
[*]
76
“
Intellectual Property
” means intellectual property of any nature and kind, however
designated, whether arising by operation of law, contract, license or otherwise, whether
registered or not registered; including: all domestic and foreign trade-marks, business
names, trade names, service marks, logos, domain names, generic top-level domains
(“
gTLDs
”), universal resource locator addresses, telephone numbers (including toll free
numbers), trading styles, and the goodwill associated therewith; rights associated with works
of authorship and literary property, including copyrights and moral rights of an author of a
copyrightable work (including any right to be identified as the author of the work or to object
to derogatory treatment of the work); patents, trade secrets, algorithms, software, trade
dress, ideas, concepts, techniques, industrial designs and copyrights, and all applications for
registration thereof, including initial applications (including intent to use and provisional
applications), renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions or reissues thereof, and
inventions, formulae, recipes, product formulations, processes and processing methods,
technology, techniques and know-how.
“
Interchange”
means, with respect to any calendar month of the Term, the Network
published rate that is designated as interchange or the like and is applicable to Co-Branded
Cards, expressed in basis points.
“
IP Owner
” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.09(a).
“
Legally Mandated Change
” means a change to the Program that is required by
Applicable Laws.
“
LIBOR
” means the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate, as published by
The Wall Street Journal on the applicable due date.
“
Loss Expense
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(a)(iii).
“
Losses
” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.01.
“
Loyalty Program
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.06(a).
“
Loyalty Program Expenses
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(a)(iv).
“
Loyalty Program Payment
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(e)(ii).
“
Loyalty Program Annual Maximum
” has the meaning set forth in Section
9.03(a)(ii).
“
Major Card Network
” means any of American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa,
and any Affiliate or successor organization to the foregoing.
“
Major Card Network Mark
” means business names, trade names, trademarks,
service marks, logos or other proprietary designations claimed, owned, licensed to or used
by any Major Card Network.
“
Market Program Improvement
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(c).
“
Marketing Expenses
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(a)(ii).
“
Marketing Plan
” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.02(b).
77
“
Marks
” means the Costco Marks or the Bank Marks, as the case may be.
“
Membership Plan
” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(b).
“
Natural Termination
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(b).
“
Natural Termination Date
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(b).
“
Natural Termination Period
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(b).
“
Net Purchase Charges
” means Purchase Charges net of returns, chargebacks,
credits, and refunds.
“
Network
” means Visa, or any successor thereto, in each case, as amended in
accordance with Section 2.02.
“
Network Cards
” means any cards or other account access devices carrying the
same Network Marks as the Co-Branded Cards.
“
Network Marks
” means business names, trade names, trademarks, service marks,
logos, or other proprietary designations claimed, owned, licensed to or used by the Network.
“
Network Rules
” means the operating rules, guidelines, and other requirements of
the Network applicable to Bank and/or the Program or Co-Branded Card; provided that, in
reference to compliance with such rules, guidelines, and other requirements by Costco,
“Network Rules” shall be read to mean such rules, guidelines, and requirements only as and
to the extent they apply to retailers. “
New Card Is
suer
” has the meaning set forth in Section
13.01(a).
“
New Costco Warehous
e
” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.07(i).
“
New POS Methods
” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(b).
“
Non-Impacted Party
” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(a).
[*]
“
Non-Renewal Notice
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(b).
“
Notice of Termination
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.02.
“
Notification of Intent to Purchase the Portfolio
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 13.04(a).
[*]
“
Onserts
” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.05(a).
“
Operations Centers
” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(a).
“
Operating Expenses
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.07(c).
78
“
Other Bank Card Programs
” means [*].
“
Other Costco Data
” means (i) transaction data and other Costco Shopper Data
relating to spending by Costco Members for goods and/or services offered by Costco and its
Affiliates, (ii) Costco membership information, and (iii) any information obtained by Costco,
other than through the Program, from any other source other than Bank.
“
Other Program Payment
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(e)(iii).
“
Other Program Annual Maximum
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(a)(iii).
“
Other Network
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(b).
“
Other Store Card
” means a credit card or charge card which (i) is accepted for the
purpose of purchasing goods and services at a particular business (and may also be
accepted at establishments other than such business), (ii) is marketed for and focused on
customers of the business; (iii) is issued by a third party in the United States; (iii) contains
certain trademarks of the issuer and the business on the card.
[*]
“
Party
” means a party to this Agreement.
“
Par Value
” means the face value in United States dollars of the aggregate Account
Indebtedness on Bank’s books with respect to the Portfolio (calculated in accordance with
GAAP and exclusive of any Co-Branded Card Accounts that have been charged-off in
accordance with Bank’s policies and procedures relating to charged-off accounts.
“
Person
” includes an individual, partnership, trust, trustee, executor, administrator,
legal personal representative, government, governmental body or authority, corporation,
body corporate, limited liability corporation, unlimited liability corporation or other
incorporated or unincorporated entity.
“
Personal Information
” means information about an identifiable individual, including
non-public personal information as defined in Applicable Privacy Laws.
“
Physical Security
” means physical security at any location housing systems
maintained by a Party or its Affiliates, agents or subcontractors in connection with the
Program and in the course of physical transportation of assets used by a Party in performing
its obligations with respect to the Program and physical media including Co-Branded Card
Account Data, Cardholder Data and Costco Shopper Data.
“
Portfolio
” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.03(a).
[*]
[*]
“
Process
,” or “
Processing
” means any operation or set of operations which is
performed upon Personal Information, whether or not by automatic means, such as viewing,
hosting, generating, accessing, printing, backing up, collection, recording, organization,
storage, adaptation or alteration,
79
retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making
available, alignment or combination, blocking, erasure, disposal or destruction.
“
Program
” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“
Program Assets
” means assets solely used in the Program, including the
Co-Branded Card Accounts, the Co-Branded Card Documentation, Cardholder List,
Cardholder Data, Solicitation Materials, and all Eligible Receivables.
“
Program Credit Polic
y
”
means the contents of Schedule 3.02(c)-1 as revised by
Bank from time to time, provided that no such revision shall reduce the volume of information
or the level of detail set forth in Section 3.02(c)-1.
“
Program Data
” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(a).
“
Program Economics Schedule
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.
“
Program Effective Date
” means the date set forth in Section 12.01(a).
“
Program Executives
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(ii).
“Program Improvements”
has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(a).
[*]
“
Program Managers
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).
“
Program Payment
” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(a).
“
Program P&L Statemen
t
” means a profit and loss statement generated by Bank
under the Program in the format, content and methodology mutually agreed upon by the
Parties as set forth in Schedule 9.08.
“
Program Privacy Policy
” means the policy attached as Schedule 1.01(g), including
any notices regarding the disclosure of non-public personal information required pursuant to
the Gramm-Leach-Blilely Act, as it may be amended from time to time pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement; [*].
“
Program Purchase Date
” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.04(d).
“
Program Year
” means each consecutive 12-month period after the Program
Effective Date of this Agreement.
“
Purchase Charges
” means Charges for goods and services (inclusive of applicable
sales tax) which do not include Charges for such things as cash advances, balance
transfers, convenience checks, service fees and other Charges which are not for the
purchase of goods and services.
[*]
“
Purchase Right
” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.03(a).
80
“
Receiving Party
” has the meaning set forth in 11.01(d).
“
Refresh Card
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.09(a).
“
Region
” means the geographical operating units of Costco as designated by Costco
from time to time.
“
Renewal Term
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(b).
“
Replacement Program
” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.01(a).
[*]
“
Rewards
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.06(b).
“
Sales Tax
” means any sales, use, transaction privilege, or similar Tax owing to any
state, county, or municipal authority (including local taxing districts).
“Security Breach”
means: (A) any circumstance pursuant to which Applicable Law
or the Program Privacy Policy or Costco’s privacy policy requires notification of such breach
to be given to affected parties or other activity in response to such circumstance; or (B) any
actual compromises (or attempted compromises, to the extent that they are unsuccessfully
deflected and result in the material impairment of a security control) that permit unauthorized
Processing, use, disclosure or acquisition of or access to any Co-Branded Card Account
Data, Cardholder Data or Costco Shopper Data developed, maintained, processed or
transmitted by a Party or its Affiliates, agents or subcontractors in connection with the
Program
.
“
Security Guidelines
” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(c).
“
Settlement Amount
” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.02(b).
[*]
[*]
“
SKU
” means a stock-keeping unit, a unique identifier for each distinct product and
service that can be purchased at a Costco Outlet or other Acceptance Location.
“
SLAs
” means the performance standards set forth in Schedule 7.03.
“
Solicitation Materials
” means works of authorship, documentation, materials,
artwork, copy, brochures, Co-Branded Card Application, any other written or recorded
materials and any advertisements in any format or media (including television, internet and
radio), used to promote or identify the Program to Co-Branded Cardholders and potential
Co-Branded Cardholders or Bank Cardholders, as applicable, including direct mail
solicitation materials, electronic mail solicitation materials and coupons.
“
Subcontractors
” means Existing Subcontractors, Future Bank Subcontractors and
Future Costco Subcontractors, where applicable.
81
“
Systems Enhancements
” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(d).
“
Systems
” means hardware, software, databases, computers, systems and networks
which either Bank or Costco utilizes in support of the Program.
“
Systems Security
” means security control measures of computer, electronic or
telecommunications systems of any variety (including data bases, hardware, software,
storage, switching and interconnection devices and mechanisms), and networks of which
such systems are a part or communicate with, used directly or indirectly by a Party or its
Affiliates, agents or subcontractors in connection with the Program.
“
Taxes
” means any taxes, levies, duties, withholdings, imposts, levies, premiums,
assessments, fees or dues of any kind or nature whatsoever imposed by any federal, state,
local or other jurisdiction having power to tax, or any deduction, charge or withholding on
account thereof, including sales, transfer, use, goods and services, value added excise and
other federal, state, or local taxes, and any interest, fines, additions to tax and penalties
payable thereon or in respect thereof, excluding a Party’s income taxes.
“
Term
” means the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable.
[*]
“
Termination Event
” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.04.
“
Termination Period
” means the Natural Termination Period, the Costco Termination
Period, or the Bank Termination Period, as applicable, and the end of the Termination Period
is the effective date of termination of this Agreement.
“
Third Party Claim
” means any action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, claim or demand
that is instituted or asserted by a third party, including a Governmental Authority, against an
Indemnified Person which entitles the Indemnified Person to make a claim for
indemnification under this Agreement.
“
Transitioned Card Account
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.08(c).
[*]
[*]
“
Unique Value Proposition
” means a cash reward component (a cash rebate)
based upon card spend at Costco Warehouses, or any successor spend-based rewards
program that is associated with a Co-Branded Card. The comparative value of a
cash-reward Unique Value Proposition is determined by reference to the percentage cash
reward (rebate) being offered, where, for example, a 1.25% cash reward on card spend at
Costco Warehouses is superior to a 1.00% cash reward on card spend at Costco
Warehouses.
“
United States
” means each of the fifty states of the United States of America, all
United States territories, and the District of Columbia.
[*].
82
“
Welcome Kits
” means the welcome fulfillment packages provided to new
Co-Branded Cardholders, which shall include the Co-Branded Card, any terms, conditions
and disclosure required by Applicable Laws, promotional messages and onserts designed to
encourage activation (including activation incentives) and use of Co-Branded Cards both at
Costco Outlets and at other Acceptance Locations.
83
Exhibit B
Riders and Reports
(attached)
84
RIDER 4
Visa Co-Brand Supplemental Quarterly Documentation
(Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings given them in the Agreement)
In the event of a conflict between this Rider and the Agreement, the Agreement will govern.
Program: Costco Visa Co-Brand Card
Program Issuer: Citibank, N.A.
Program Year: From ________________________ to ________________________
Program Quarter: From ________________________ to ________________________
Gross Program Volume* for the
recently completed Program Quarter
Total Gross Program Volume* for the
Program Year
Total Cumulative Visa Gross
Program Volume from the Launch
Date
*Exclude all chargebacks, credits and other reversals and cash transactions, which include:
convenience checks, balance transfers, cash disbursements (including ATM and manual
cash disbursements), and point-of-sale cash back transactions.
BIN #: _____________________________
Account Ranges: ______________ to __________________
I certify that on behalf of Program Issuer, that to the knowledge of Program Issuer, the
information contained in this document is accurate and complete. Program Issuer
understands that Visa may audit all applicable records and the records of our processor to
verify the accuracy of these reports.
[Name of Program Issuer]
Signed: _____________________________________________________
Printed Name: _______________________________________________
Title: _______________________________________________________
(Must be an officer of Program Issuer)
Date: _______________________________________________________
“
Gross Program Volume
” means the U.S. dollar amount of Visa-branded transactions for
purchases of goods and services originating on Program Cards that are cleared and settled
through [*], excluding Cash Transactions and In-Store Sales.
85
Visa Acceptance and Co-Brand Incentive Agreement
RIDER 5
Costco Visa Co-Brand Program Launch Date
(Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings given them in the Agreement)
1. Launch Date:
Program Launch Date for: Costco Visa Co-Brand Card
Month, Day and Year of Program Launch:
__________________________,
____________
I certify that on behalf of Program Issuer that to the knowledge of Program Issuer, the
information contained in this document is accurate and complete.
[Name of Program Issuer]
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
(Must be an officer of Program Issuer)
Date: _____________________________
86
Visa Acceptance and Co-Brand Incentive Agreement
RIDER 7
Costco Co-Brand Card BIN Update
(Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings given them in the Agreement)
To be submitted to Visa within 15 days of the Program Issuer’s assignment of a new
Co-Brand BIN or a change to an existing Co-Brand BIN (e.g., conversion to non-co-brand
BIN, etc.).
This form is for informational purposes only and does not replace the signatory’s
responsibilities for fulfilling Visa’s other obligations regarding BIN licensing, etc.
Change Request #1
BIN # (6 numeric digits): ____________
BIN Activity (please circle one) add change delete other
Explanation:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________
Program Launch: _____________
Change Request #2
BIN # (6 numeric digits): ____________
BIN Activity (please circle one) add change delete other
Explanation:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________
Program Launch: _____________
I certify that on behalf of Program Issuer that the information contained in this document is
accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge
.
[Name of Program Issuer]
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
(Must be an officer of Program Issuer)
Date: _____________________________
87
Defined Terms used in the Riders
“
Gross Program Volume
” means the U.S. dollar amount of Visa-branded transactions for
purchases of goods and services originating on Program Cards that are cleared and settled
through Standard Visa Networks, excluding Cash Transactions and In-Store Sales.
“
Cash Transactions
” means convenience checks, balance transfers, cash disbursements,
including ATM and manual cash disbursements, and point-of-sale cash back transactions.
“
In-Store Sales
” means the sale of goods and/or services through the use of a Program
Card at any Merchant Location. “In-Store Sales” shall not include Cash Transactions
occurring on Program Cards.
“
Launch Date
” means April 1, 2016.
“
Merchant Location
” means: (a) any physical retail location at which a sales transaction can
occur and that has a unique address, city, state, and zip code in the Territory (including, for
the sake of clarity, gas stations and car washes adjacent to Costco warehouse locations); (b)
an electronic commerce platform, mail order channel, or telephone order channel aimed
principally at residents in the Territory and through which a sales transaction can occur; and
in the case of (a) or (b) that are owned and operated by Merchant using Merchant’s
trademarks or owned and operated by an Affiliate of Merchant using Merchant’s trademarks
“
Program Cards
” mean any and all co-branded Credit Cards, issued pursuant to the
Program, including Credit Cards issued to consumers and small to medium sized
businesses, but excluding Commercial Credit Cards.
“
Program Quarter
” means the three-month period starting on the Launch Date each
succeeding three-month period thereafter during the Term.
“
Program Year
” means the 12-month period starting on the Launch Date and each
succeeding 12-month period thereafter during the Term.
[*].
“
Territory
” means the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
88
Schedule 1.01(a)
[*]
89
Schedule 1.01(b)
Bank Marks
CITI, US Reg. No. 1181467
CITIBANK, US Reg. No. 691,815
CITI and Arc Design US Reg. No. 2424088

All use must be in accordance with Bank’s Trademark Usage Policy and the Bank Marks
Style Guidelines attached hereto.
90
Bank Marks Style Guidelines
[*]
91
Schedule 1.01(c)
Costco Charge Transaction Data
1. Transaction Date
2. Description of the goods or services
3. Price including taxes

4. Customer name
5. Costco name
6. Costco Warehouse address
7. Costco customer service phone number
8. Other information required Network
92
Schedule 1.01(d)
Costco Marks
Costco may update this Schedule in accordance with Section 5.01(d).
Costco Word Marks
Costco Wholesale, Word mark unregistered
Costco, US Registration Nos. 3937730, 3937727, 3324704, 2895701, 3657105, 2850353,
2498170, 2459542, 2459541, 2463677, 2463676, 2461439, 2481924, 2459540, 2299961,
2306055, 2299958, 2299957, 2220450, 1954925, 1994826, 1954932, 1976242, 2029565
Costco Wholesale Cash Card, word mark unregistered
Kirkland Signature, US Registration Nos. 3952607, 2325788, 2111464, 3146864, 2724087,
4029875, 2251582, 2263801, 2309372, 2102368, 2729125, 2363308, 2787088, 2251581,
2265601, 2102369, 2304295, 2296255, 2111456, 2193866, , 2102370, 2264258, 2133426,
2780567, 3330638, 2105724, 2195925, 2532373, 3876918, 2296256, 2192373, 2239804,
2127878, 2560144, 2464040, 2192372, 2779825, 2133430, 2508127, 2309500, 2195960,
2779779, 2133429, 2251578, 2131406, 2866982, 2127876, 2925867, 3178169
Executive Member, US Registration No., 2413557, 2501213, 2484183, 2501212
Gold Star, US Registration Nos. 2596795, 3960218, 2850003, 2427089
Costco.com, US Registration No. 2440636
Costco Design Marks
US Registration No. 4334343,
2244972, 2261409, 2243349, 2241879, 2250148, 2250149, 2299960, 2302095





US Registration No. 3471209
93
US Registration Nos. 3952609, 2201547, 2547575, 4316489, 2268493, 2267825, 3435833,
3435834, 3435835, 3435836, 3386103, 2547573, 2196092, 3093327, 2196094, 3498209,
3498210, 2373426, 3435838, 3435839, 3453214, 2547574, 2196095, 4142255, 2559126,
2196091, 4142257, 2502333, 2196089, 2547572, 2196090, 3453215, 3453216, 3317882,
3331905, 3749582, 3865966
Costco Wholesale Cash Card US Registration No. 4334345
94
Schedule 1.01(f)
Fair Market Value
(i)Notwithstanding that the purchaser of the Portfolio may be Costco or its Affiliate, for the
purpose of conducting the fair market valuation of the Portfolio provided for in this
Schedule 1.01(f), it will be assumed that the Portfolio would be purchased by an
independent third party that would enter into an agreement with Costco for the
continuing operation of the Portfolio on terms that are no less favorable to such
third-party purchaser than those set forth in this Agreement.
(ii)The Fair Market Value of the Portfolio determined pursuant to this Schedule 1.01(f) must
be expressed as a percentage that can be applied to the Eligible Receivables with
respect to the Portfolio as of the Program Purchase Date of the Portfolio.
(iii)Within ten (10) days after Bank’s delivery of the information set forth in section 13.04(a),
the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations for a period [*] to determine the
Fair Market Value of the Portfolio.
(iv)If the Parties have not agreed on the Fair Market Value of the Portfolio within such [*] day
period, each of Bank and Costco shall within five (5) days retain an independent
appraiser of nationally recognized standing and experience in valuing credit card
portfolios to determine the purchase price for the Portfolio.
(v)Each of Costco and Bank shall promptly instruct its respective independent appraiser to
execute a separate confidentiality agreement with Bank in a form reasonably
determined by Bank. Bank shall promptly provide identical information and
instructions to both appraisers (which shall include the items set forth on this
Schedule 1.01(f) and Schedule 13.02(c)) as is necessary to permit each of the
appraisers to provide a valuation of the Portfolio as of a valuation date selected by
the Parties for such purpose. The appraisals will be performed on the basis of the
parameters and assumptions set forth on this Schedule 1.01(f) and the Parties shall
instruct the appraisers to complete their respective appraisals within twenty (20) days
after receiving the information from Bank. No Party shall have any ex-parte
communications with any designated appraiser while the valuation processes is
ongoing. The Fair Market Value of the Portfolio will be the average of the valuations
received from the appraisers, unless the valuations made by the two (2) appraisers
differ by more than an amount equal to [*] of the aggregate outstanding Eligible
Receivables as of the appraisal date.
(vi)If the valuations made by the two appraisers differ by more than an amount equal to [*] of
the aggregate outstanding Eligible Receivables, such appraisers will jointly select a
third independent appraiser of nationally recognized standing and experience in
valuing credit card portfolios. Costco and Bank shall jointly retain the third appraiser
within five (5) days and cause such third appraiser to execute a separate
confidentiality agreement with Bank and Costco in a form reasonably determined by
Bank and Costco. The third appraiser will provide a valuation of the Portfolio as of the
valuation date selected by the Parties (as described above) using the parameters,
assumptions and instructions set forth on this Schedule 1.01(f) and the same
information that was made available to the initial two appraisers, and the Parties shall
instruct the third appraiser to complete such appraisal within twenty (20) days of the
appraiser receiving the necessary information. No Party shall have any ex parte
communications with such third appraiser while the valuation process is ongoing.
(vii)If (A) the valuations delivered by the initial two appraisers differ by an amount equal to or
less than [*] of the aggregate outstanding Eligible Receivables as of the appraisal
date, and (B) the valuation delivered by the third appraiser is [*] of the aggregate
outstanding Eligible Receivables as of the appraisal date, the Fair Market Value of
the Portfolio will be [*].
(viii)If (A) the valuations delivered by the initial two appraisers differ by an [*] of the
aggregate outstanding Eligible Receivables as of the appraisal date and the third
appraisal is not between the two valuations delivered by the initial two appraisers and
differs from both valuations by an
95
amount greater than [*] of the aggregate outstanding Eligible Receivables as of the appraisal
date, the Fair Market Value of the Portfolio will be [*].
(ix)Costco shall bear the expenses of any appraiser nominated by Costco and Bank shall
bear the expenses of any appraiser nominated by Bank. Costco and Bank shall
share equally the expenses of any jointly-retained appraiser.
(x)The provision for the transfer of the Portfolio shall include, without limitation, provisions
that will terminate any right, title or interest whatsoever held by Bank in or to the
Portfolio, including any data or records related thereto that do not need to be retained
pursuant to Applicable Law and will prohibit Bank from soliciting Co-Branded
Cardholders for any credit card or other payment services product by using any
information (including the Costco member list) obtained by Bank in connection with
the operation of the Program pursuant to this Agreement.
96
Portfolio Appraisal Parameters and Assumptions
Parameter
Source/Assumption
[*]
[*]
[*]
97
Schedule 1.01(g)
Program Privacy Policy
A.Consumer
FACTS
WHAT DOES CITIBANK DO WITH
YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?
Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.
Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing.
Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect
your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand
what we do.
What?
The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the
product or service you have with us. This information can include:
Social Security number and income
Account balances and employment information
Credit history and transaction history
How?
All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run
their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial
companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons
Citibank chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
Reasons we can share your personal information
Does Citibank
share?
Can you limit
this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes –
such as to process your transactions, maintain
your account(s), respond to court orders and legal
investigations, or report to credit bureaus
Yes
No
For our marketing purposes –
to offer our products and services to you
Yes
No
For joint marketing with other financial companies
Yes
No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your transactions and experiences
Yes
No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your creditworthiness
Yes
Yes
For our affiliates to market to you
Yes
Yes
For our non-affiliates to market to you
Yes
Yes
To limit
our sharing
Call 1-877-640-3983 – our menu will prompt you through your choice(s).
Please note:
If you are a
new
customer, we can begin sharing your information 30 days
from the date we sent this notice. When you are
no longer
our customer, we
continue to share your information as described in this notice.
However, you can contact us anytime to limit our sharing.
98
Questions?
Call 1-877-640-3983 or call the Customer Service number on the back of
your credit card or on your billing statement.
Who we are
Who is providing
this notice?
You are receiving this notice from Citibank, N.A., the bank that issues
your credit card.
What we do
How does
Citibank protect
my personal
information?
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use,
we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures
include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does
Citibank collect
my personal
information?
We collect your personal information, for example, when you
provide account information or give us your contact information
provide employment information or apply for a loan
use your credit or debit card
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit
bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
Why can’t I limit
all sharing?
Federal law gives you the right to limit only
sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes—information about
your creditworthiness
affiliates from using your information to market to you
sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to
limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
Definitions
Affiliates
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be
financial and nonfinancial companies.
Our affiliates include companies with a Citi name; financial companies
such as Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banamex USA.
Nonaffiliates
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be
financial and nonfinancial companies.
Nonaffiliates we share with can include companies engaged in direct
marketing and the selling of consumer products and services.
Joint marketing
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that
together market financial products or services to you.
Our joint marketing partners include insurance companies and other
financial companies.
Other Important Information
99
For Vermont Residents:
We will not share information we collect about you with nonaffiliated
third parties, except as permitted by Vermont law, such as to process your transactions or to
maintain your account. In addition, we will not share information about your creditworthiness
with our affiliates except with your authorization.
For California Residents:
We will not share information we collect about you with
nonaffiliated third parties, except as permitted by California law, such as to process your
transactions or to maintain your account.
Important Information about Credit Reporting
We may report information about your account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed
payments or other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report.
© 2014 Citibank, N.A. Citi and Citi with Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup
Inc.
B.Small Business
FACTS
WHAT DOES CITIBANK DO WITH
YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?
Financial companies choose how they share your personal
information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not
all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect,
share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice
carefully to understand what we do.
What?
The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the
product or service you have with us. This information can include:
Social Security number and income
Account balances and employment information
Credit history and transaction history
How?
All financial companies need to share customers’ personal
information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list
the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal
information; the reasons Citibank chooses to share; and whether you
can limit this sharing.
100
Reasons we can share your personal
information
Does
Citibank
share?
Can you
limit this
sharing?
For our everyday business purposes –
such as to process your transactions, maintain your
account(s), respond to court orders and legal
investigations, or report to credit bureaus
Yes
No
For our marketing purposes –
to offer our products and services to you
Yes
No
For joint marketing with other financial
companies
Yes
No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your transactions and experiences
Yes
No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your creditworthiness
Yes
Yes
For our affiliates to market to you
Yes
Yes
For our nonaffiliates to market to you
Yes
Yes
To limit our
sharing
Call 1-800-750-7453.
Please note:
If you are a new customer, we can begin sharing your information 30
days from the date we sent this notice. When you are no longer our
customer, we continue to share your information as described in this
notice.
However, you can contact us anytime to limit our sharing.
Questions?
Call 1-800-750-7453.
Who we are
Who is providing
this notice?
You are receiving this notice from Citibank, N.A., the bank that
issues your credit card.
101
How does
Citibank protect
my personal
information?
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access
and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These
measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does
Citibank collect
my personal
information?
We collect your personal information, for example, when you
provide account information or give us your contact information
provide employment information or apply for a loan
use your credit or debit card
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit
bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
Why can’t I limit
all sharing?
Federal law gives you the right to limit only
sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about
your creditworthiness
affiliates from using your information to market to you
sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to
limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
Definitions
Affiliates
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be
financial and nonfinancial companies.
Our affiliates include companies with a Citi name; financial companies
such as Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banamex USA.
Nonaffiliates
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be
financial and nonfinancial companies.
Nonaffiliates we share with can include companies engaged in direct
marketing and the selling of consumer products and services.
Joint marketing
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that
together market financial products or services to you.
Our joint marketing partners include insurance companies and other
financial companies.
Other Important Information
For Vermont Residents:
We will not share information we collect about you with
nonaffiliated third parties, except as permitted by Vermont law, such as to process your
transactions or to maintain your account. In addition, we will not share information about
your creditworthiness with our affiliates except with your authorization.
Important Information about Credit Reporting
We may report information about your account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed
payments or other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report.
102
© 2014 Citibank, N.A. Citi and Citi with Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup
Inc.
103
Schedule 2.06(a)
Competitors
[*]
104
Schedule 3.02(a)
[*]
105
Schedule 3.02(c)-1
Program Credit Policy
[*]
106
Schedule 3.02(c)-2
[*]
107
Schedule 3.02(e)
Credit Line Assignments
See Schedule 3.02(c)-1.
108
Schedule 4.04(d)
Costco Membership Program
The following are the terms of the Costco Membership Program as displayed to consumers
as of the date hereof:
Gold Star Membership - $55 per year
Gold Star Membership at Costco Wholesale allows you to purchase products for personal
use at any Costco throughout the world. One additional card is also provided for a member
of your household at no additional charge. Your Gold Star Membership is valid for one year
at any Costco Wholesale worldwide, and at costco.com. All memberships must be renewed
annually.
A membership number will be emailed to you within 2 business days.
Note: Gold Star Membership fees are for U.S. residents only.
Business Membership - $55 per year
Business Membership at Costco Wholesale allows you to purchase products for business,
personal and resale* use. Your membership fee includes an additional household card. Your
Business Membership is valid for one year at any Costco Wholesale worldwide, and at
Costco.com. All memberships must be renewed annually.
A membership number will be emailed to you within 2 business days.
Business identification (business license, resale certificate, or three pieces of business ID)
is required when applying for a Business Membership. Please bring your new membership
cards and present the appropriate documentation at the membership counter of any US
warehouse location.
Business members also may add up to six additional cardholders (add-ons) as Business
Members to their membership at $55.00 each per year, which includes one household card
per add-on. To add these additional cards, visit the Membership counter at any Costco
Location or call 1-800-774-2678.
Note: Business Membership fees are for U.S. residents only.
*A household card is available to any cardholders spouse, domestic partner or any
immediate family member over the age of 18 and living at the same address.
Executive Gold Star Membership - $110 per year
Executive Gold Star Membership is available to anyone who wants the benefits of a Costco
Gold Star Membership with the added value of an Executive Membership.
A membership number will be emailed to you within 2 business days.
109
The Executive Gold Star Membership includes a free household card*, and allows you to
purchase products for your home and family. Your Executive Gold Star Membership is valid
for one year at any Costco Wholesale location worldwide, and at Costco.com. All
memberships must be renewed annually.
Executive Membership is our highest level of membership. Executive Members enjoy an
annual 2% Reward (up to $750) on most Costco purchases. They also receive additional
benefits and greater discounts on many Costco Services including Travel. Terms and
conditions apply. See the membership counter for details.
*A household card is available to any cardholder's spouse, domestic partner or any
immediate family member over the age of 18 and living at the same address.
Executive Business Membership - $110 per year
Executive Business Membership is available to owners or operators of businesses who want
the benefits of a Costco Business Membership, with the added value of an Executive
Membership.
A membership number will be emailed to you within 2 business days.
The Executive Business Membership includes a free household card*, and allows you to
purchase products for business, personal and resale** use. Your Executive Business
Membership is valid for one year at any Costco Wholesale location worldwide, and at
costco.com. All memberships must be renewed annually.
Executive Membership is our highest level of membership. Executive Members enjoy an
annual 2% Reward on most Costco purchases, as well as additional values on member
services, such as lower prices on check printing, payroll services and identity protection; an
account bonus for money market and online investing accounts; free roadside assistance for
vehicles covered through the auto insurance program; and extra travel benefits.
For more information on Executive Membership, please visit the warehouse or call
1-800-220-6000.
Business identification (business license, resale certificate, or three pieces of business ID)
is required when applying for an Executive Business Membership. Please bring your new
membership cards and present appropriate documentation at the membership counter of
any US warehouse location.
Executive Business Members also may add up to six additional cardholders (add-ons) as
Business Members to their membership at $55.00 each per year, which includes one
household card per add-on.* (Please note that 2% Rewards are calculated on purchases by
the primary member and spouse but additional cardholders and their spouses are not
eligible for Executive Membership benefits or the 2% Reward.) To add these additional
cards, visit the membership counter at any Costco location, or call 1-800-774-2678.
*A household card is available to any cardholders spouse, domestic partner or any
immediate family member over the age of 18 and living at the same address.
**Executive Business Members who wish to purchase for resale must provide the Costco
110
warehouse membership counter with the appropriate resale information.
As a service to our Business Members who purchase tobacco products for resale, we
provide certain information to the tobacco manufacturers representative to process retail
incentives for our Business Members. The information we provide is the Business Member
name, address, the brand name, and the amount of tobacco products purchased. Pursuant
to California law, if you are a Business Member in California and you do not want us to
disclose this information on your behalf, you can notify us at any U.S. location, by calling
800-774-2678 or by e-mailing us.
Member Privileges and Conditions
We look forward to serving you as a Costco member. Your membership and the privileges
and conditions of membership are described below. If you have any questions, please ask
our member services personnel at any Costco membership counter, call our toll-free number
at 1-800-774-2678, or visit us on the Internet at Costco.com.
MEMBERSHIP
•Membership is available to all qualifying individuals 18 years of age and over.
•Costco reserves the right to refuse membership to any applicant and membership is
revocable without cause.
•Membership is subject to any and all rules adopted by Costco including our privacy policies
and practices, and they may be amended from time to time without notice.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS AND FEES
•Membership fee is for one twelve (12)-month period from the date of enrollment of the
primary cardholder.
•Your card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide.
•You will be requested to show your card when entering Costco warehouses and when
checking out at the register.
•Your membership card must have a card number and your photo to be valid. If your photo is
not on your card, stop by the membership counter to have your photo taken and added
to your card.
•If your card is ever lost or stolen, your picture prevents unauthorized use.
•Report lost or stolen cards to any Costco membership counter immediately, or call
1-800-774-2678.
•Memberships may be terminated at Costco's discretion. Cards remain the property of
Costco and must be returned upon request.
•Cards are not transferable.
•A free Household Card is available to a primary or add-on cardholder's spouse, domestic
partner, or immediate family member over the age of 18 and living at the same address.
Household Cardholders will be asked to present proof that they live at the same address
as either the primary or add-on cardholder.
•Limit one Executive Membership per household or business.
•You may bring up to two guests in the warehouse each time you shop, though only Costco
members may purchase items.
RENEWING, ADDING OR DELETING CARDS
•The primary member must authorize renewal or cardholder changes, including additions or
deletions, and is responsible for the membership.
•You will receive a renewal notice by mail each year. Renewal fees are due no later than the
last day of the month your membership expires. You may remit your renewal fee by mail,
online at
111
Costco.com or at any warehouse. Costco Credit Card holders may charge their membership
fees automatically on their Costco Credit Cards; the card will be charged on the first day of
your renewal month. Members who autobill their membership will not receive a renewal
notice in the mail.
•Membership renewal must be completed for all cardholders on the membership when the
renewal is processed.
•You will not receive new membership cards each year.
•Memberships renewed within 2 months after expiration of the current membership year will
be extended for 12 months from the expiration date. Memberships renewed more than 2
months after such expiration will be extended for 12 months from the renewal date.
•Primary Business Members may add up to six additional cardholders (add-ons) to their
membership. The add-on membership fee is $55, and includes one free Household Card
for a married spouse, common-law spouse, same sex spouse or immediate family
member over the age of 18 and living at the same address. To add cardholders to your
Business Membership, visit the membership counter at any warehouse or call
1-800-774-2678.
RISK-FREE 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
•On Membership: We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are
dissatisfied.
•On Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell, and will refund
your purchase price, with the following exceptions:
1.Electronics: Costco will accept returns within 90 days from the date of purchase for
Televisions and Projectors, Computers, Touchscreen Tablets, Cameras, Camcorders,
iPod/MP3 players and Cellular Phones.
2.Diamonds: 1.00ct or larger: Members returning a diamond over 1.00ct must also present
all original paperwork (IGI and/or GIA certificates) at which time they will receive a
Jewelry Credit Memo. Within 48 hours, our Costco Graduate Gemologist will inspect for
authenticity.
3.Cigarettes and alcohol: Costco does not accept returns on cigarettes or alcohol where
prohibited by law.
4.Special Order Kiosk and Home Installed Programs.
PRICES
•Each item is marked with an item number or a UPC Code. The price of the item, along with
the description and identifying number, is posted above the item.
PAYMENT
•We welcome cash,* checks,* debit/ATM cards,** Costco Cash Cards, Costco Credit
Cards**, EBT Cards, and American Express Cards.** Checks may require picture
identification and approval by a supervisor or manager.
* Not accepted at Costco Gas Stations.
** Not accepted at Costco Food Courts.
•Costco does not accept manufacturers' discount coupons or other retail establishment
discount coupons (other than those distributed by Costco).
•Personal checks must be written in the exact amount, issued on the member's checking
account, pre-printed with the member's name, address and telephone number and
presented by the member. Any exceptions must be pre-approved by the warehouse
manager.
•The primary member is responsible for purchases made by any additional cardholders. In
the event that either the primary member or additional cardholder has a check returned
by the bank, the primary will make good the face amount of the check upon demand,
plus a reasonable service charge and other expenses incurred.
112
•If any legal action is brought by or on behalf of Costco to collect payment on a check, the
member writing the check will be liable for reasonable fees and costs of collection.
SALES AND USE TAXES, AND RESALE CERTIFICATES
•The member agrees to pay Costco any sales, excise, use or ad valorem tax that is imposed
on the sale price of the items purchased. The member agrees that in the event they fail
to pay Costco such tax, they will hold Costco harmless and indemnify Costco from any
claim, loss, assessment or expense occasioned by such non-payment. In addition,
Costco membership will be subject to immediate forfeiture.
•If any merchandise is being purchased for resale, the member shall have a valid resale
license number on file with Costco and shall notify the cashier prior to recording the sale
on the cash register. Such declaration, and the products purchased thereunder, shall be
recorded on a "Certificate for Resale.” Sales tax will not be charged at the time of
purchase only on those products the member states are specifically for resale; all other
products subject to tax will be deemed taxable.
•In the event any product that was purchased for resale (tax free) is subsequently consumed
or used in any manner which creates or imposes a sales or use tax, member agrees to
report and pay to the proper taxing authority any tax due, including penalties and
interest.
•Resale of liquor prohibited except where expressly allowed by state law.
GENERAL POLICIES
•Shirts and shoes are required.
•Members are welcome to bring their children and up to two guests into the warehouse,
however, only Costco members may purchase items.
•Parents are responsible for their children and should not leave them unattended.
•Members are responsible for their guests and other family members.
•Costco reserves the right to inspect any container, backpack, briefcase, etc., upon entering
or leaving the warehouse.
•To ensure that all members are correctly charged for the merchandise purchased, all
receipts and merchandise will be inspected as you leave the warehouse.
•Liquor and tobacco sales cannot be made to minors.
•Costco policy prohibits firearms to be brought into the warehouse, except in the case of
authorized law enforcement officers.
PRIVACY
•We respect your right to privacy. Our Privacy Statement outlines our policies and practices
in detail. Please obtain a copy from our membership counter, or view/ read the privacy
statement at Costco.com.
©2012 Costco Wholesale Corporation. All rights reserved.
113
Schedule 4.05(a)
Consumer Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms
114
Co-Brand Credit Card Disclosures
Annual Percentage Rate
(APR) for purchases*
0.0%
introductory APR for 6 months from date of account
opening.
After that, your APR will be
15.24%.
This APR will vary
with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Balance Transfers 15.24%
on balance transfers completed within 2 months
from date of account opening.
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime
Rate.
APR for Cash Advances
25.24%
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime
Rate.
Penalty APR and When it
Applies
27.24%
. This APR will vary with the market based on the
Prime Rate.
This APR may be applied to your account if you:
(1) Make a late payment or
(2) Make a payment that is returned.
How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?
[If your APRs
are increased for either of these reasons, the Penalty APR
may apply indefinitely.]*
Paying Interest
Your due date is at least [23][25]* days after the close of
each billing cycle. We will not charge you any interest on
purchases if you pay your entire balance by the due date
each month. We will begin charging interest on cash
advances and balance transfers on the transaction date.
For Credit Card Tips from
the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau
To learn more about factors to consider when applying for
or using a credit card, visit the website of the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau at
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore
.
Annual Fee
No annual fee for this credit card with your paid Costco
Membership
Transaction Fees
• Balance Transfer
• Cash Advance
• Foreign Purchase
Transaction
Either
$5
or
3%
of the amount of each transfer, whichever
is greater.
Either
$5
or
3%
of the amount of each cash advance,
whichever is greater.
[
2.7
][
3
]*
%
of each purchase transaction in US dollars.
Penalty Fees
• Late Payment
• Returned Payment
Up to
$38
Up to
$38
115
How We Will Calculate Your Balance
: We use a method called “daily balance (including
new purchases).” For further details, please see Additional Disclosures or Card Agreement
that will be provided to you before you can begin using your new card.
Loss of Introductory APR
: We may end your introductory APR and apply the Penalty APR
if you make a late payment.
*Will be determined by the Parties following due diligence.
116
Schedule 4.05(a)(ii)
Small Business Co-Branded Card Terms
Co-Brand Credit Card Disclosures
Annual Percentage Rate
(APR) for purchases*
0.0%
introductory APR for 6 months from date of account
opening.
After that, your APR will be
15.24%
(Prime Rate + 11.99%).
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Cash Advances
21.24%
(Prime Rate + 17.99%)
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Penalty APR and When it
Applies
[[
27.24
][
29.99
]
%
(Prime Rate + [23.99%])]*. This APR will vary
with the market based on the Prime Rate.
This APR may be applied to your account if:
(1) You make a late payment or
(2) You make a payment that is returned.
How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?
[If your APRs are
increased for either of these reasons, the Penalty APR may
apply indefinitely.]*
Paying Interest
Your due date is at least [23][25]* days after the close of each
billing period. We will not charge you interest on purchases if
you pay your entire balance by the due date each month. We
will begin charging interest on cash advances on the
transaction date.
Annual Fee
No annual fee for this credit card with your paid Costco
Membership
Transaction Fees
• Cash Advance
• Foreign Purchase
Transaction
Either
$5
or
3%
of the amount of each cash advance,
whichever is greater.
[2.7][3]
*%
of each purchase transaction in US dollars.
Penalty Fees
• Late Payment
• Overlimit
• Returned Payment
Up to
$38
None
$38
How We Will Calculate Your Balance
: We use a method called “daily balance (including
new purchases).”
Loss of Introductory APR
: We may end your introductory APR and apply the Penalty APR
if you make a late payment. Your introductory APR will also end if the Penalty APR applies to
your Account.
*Will be determined by the Parties following due diligence.
117
Schedule 4.06(a)
Loyalty Program and Rewards
Consumer Card Loyalty Program (Cash Rebate portion only)
Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an annual reward based on the eligible purchases on their
Co-Branded Card from Costco and Citi during an annual reward period. An annual reward
period is 12 billing periods, starting with the one that begins in February. Eligible purchases
are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do
NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of
traveler's checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of any cash
equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an
annual reward of: 3% on the first $4,000 of purchases each annual reward period (1%
thereafter) of gasoline at Costco and at gas stations located in the U.S. (excluding
superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and warehouse clubs other than Costco);
2% at restaurants located in the U.S.; 2% for eligible travel purchases (eligible travel
purchases are: airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier, hotel stays (excluding
timeshares, banquets and events), car rentals from select major car rental companies listed
at https://www.cardbenefits.citi.com/, and other purchases from Costco Travel, cruise lines,
travel agencies and tour operators); and 1% on all other eligible purchases, including at
Costco.
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn a
higher percentage reward if the merchant's code is not eligible. Purchases made through a
third-party payment account or on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not earn
a higher percentage reward. A purchase may not earn a higher percentage reward if the
merchant submits the purchase using a mobile or wireless card reader or if the Co-Branded
Cardholder uses a mobile or digital wallet.
Reward is distributed and valid at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico, for
merchandise or cash. Requests for cash may be fulfilled in the form of a check at the Costco
warehouse's discretion. Coupon must be redeemed in person prior to its expiration date of
August 31st in the year in which it is issued. Additional terms and conditions apply. See
Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement for full terms and conditions.
Small Business Loyalty Program (Cash Rebate portion only)
Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an annual reward based on eligible purchases on their
small business Co-Branded Cards from Costco during an annual reward period. An annual
reward period is 12 billing periods, starting with the one that begins in February. Eligible
purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible
purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances,
purchases of traveler's checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of any
cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Co-Branded Cardholders will earn
an annual reward of: 4% on the first $7,000 of purchases each annual reward period (1%
thereafter) of gasoline at Costco and at gas stations located in the U.S. (excluding
superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and warehouse clubs other than Costco);
2% at restaurants located in the U.S.; 2% for eligible travel purchases (eligible travel
purchases are: airfare for a scheduled flight
118
on a passenger carrier, hotel stays (excluding timeshares, banquets and events), car rentals
from select major car rental companies listed at https://www.cardbenefits.citi.com/, and other
purchases from Costco Travel, cruise lines, travel agencies and tour operators); and 1% on
all other eligible purchases, including at Costco.
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn a
higher percentage reward if the merchant's code is not eligible. Purchases made through a
third-party payment account or on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not earn
a higher percentage reward. A purchase may not earn a higher percentage reward if the
merchant submits the purchase using a mobile or wireless card reader or if the Co-Branded
Cardholder uses a mobile or digital wallet.
Reward is distributed and valid at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico, for
merchandise or cash. Requests for cash may be fulfilled in the form of a check at the Costco
warehouse's discretion. Coupon must be redeemed in person on or prior to its expiration
date of August 31st in the year in which it is issued.
Additional terms and conditions apply.
See Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement for full terms and conditions.
119
Schedule 4.06(a)-1
Additional Co-Branded Cardholder Benefits
Car Rental
No country exclusions.
No vehicle exclusions.
Price Protection
Citi Price Rewind searches for a lower price. If
found within 60 days, Citi refunds the
difference. Up to $300 per item, $1,200 per
year.
Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Up to 120 days post purchase. Up to $1,000
per claim, $50,000 per year.
Travel Accident
Up to $250,000
Trip Cancellation
From date of deposit/purchase through trip
conclusion, up to $1,500.
Extended Warranty
Extended up to one year additional on
warranties of 5 years or less.
Travel & Emergency
Assistance
Emergency travel arrangements, cash
transfers, medical referrals, etc.
Roadside Assistance Dispatch service for roadside support.
120
Schedule 5.01(d)
Use of Costco Marks and Bank Marks
1.
Costco License.
Subject to the terms set forth in Section 9 below, Costco hereby grants to Bank and Bank’s
Affiliates a royalty-free, nontransferable, non-sublicenseable (except as set forth in Section 3
of this Schedule), non-exclusive license to use the Costco Marks [*]. Bank shall obtain
Costco’s prior written approval of each use by Bank of any Costco Mark in accordance with
Section 4 below. Bank may not use any Costco Mark as part of a top level domain name
without a written agreement signed by the parties.
2.
Bank License.
Subject to the terms set forth in Section 9 below, Bank hereby grants to Costco a
royalty-free, limited, non-exclusive, nontransferable, non-sublicenseable (except as set forth
in Section 3 of this Schedule), license [*]. Costco shall obtain Bank’s prior written approval
with respect to each use by Costco of any Bank Mark in accordance with Section 4 below.
Costco may not use any Bank Mark as part of a top level domain name without a written
agreement signed by the parties.
3.
Delegates.
To the extent a Party delegates any of its rights or obligations hereunder to any vendor,
third-party service provider or agent (“Delegate”) to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and such Delegate would require rights to use the other Party’s Marks, [*].
4.
Approval
Process.
Any approval or rejection of such materials must be communicated electronically or in such
other form as the Program Managers for the Parties establish. The Party from which
approval has been requested will respond to the approval request within 7 Business Days
after such Party’s receipt of the approval request and, if any materials are not approved shall
provide specific reasons for such non-approval. Failure of a Party from which an approval
has been requested to grant such approval in writing within such period of 7 Business Days
will be deemed to constitute a disapproval. Any materials resubmitted after non-approval will
be similarly reviewed under this Section 4. Subject to Section 7 below, once approval is
received, with respect to the use or placement of Marks in a specific material, no further
review or approval will be required for its continued use.
5.
Guidelines.
Without limiting either Party’s pre-approval rights above, each Party, in connection with its
use of the other Party’s Marks (each Party in such capacity as user of the other’s Marks,
“Licensee”), shall comply with any written rules provided to the other Party governing the
manner of usage of one or more Marks that such licensing Party has provided in writing to
the Licensee, including those set forth in Schedules 1.01(b), 1.01(d), or 5.04(a), provide that
a Party will not be in breach of this Section if it obtains written consent of the other Party for
usage not in accordance with the foregoing schedules. Licensee shall not use the other
Party’s Marks for any purpose not specifically authorized under this Agreement without the
express prior written consent of such other Party.
121
6.
Acknowledgments; Goodwill.
Licensee shall ensure that each use by Licensee of any Mark of the other Party does not
injure or diminish the goodwill associated with such Mark. The goodwill associated with each
Party’s Marks will inure solely to the benefit of the Party owning such Marks. The Parties
acknowledge that (a) each Party shall retain exclusive ownership of its Marks, all rights
therein, and the goodwill associated therewith and (b) each Party shall neither contest nor
take any other action that shall adversely affect the other Party’s exclusive ownership of its
Marks or the goodwill associated therewith. Nothing herein shall give the Parties any
proprietary interest in or to the other Party’s Marks. Nothing shall preclude either Party from
using descriptive or generic terms contained within the Marks.
7.
Changes.
Costco will have the right to add, replace, or modify the Costco Marks on Schedule 1.01(d)
on written notice to Bank, and Bank will have the right to add, replace, or modify the Bank
Marks on Schedule 1.01(b) on written notice to Costco, in each case subject to the approval
of the other Party (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).
Each Party will have the right to amend its usage guidelines on written notice to the other
Party, in each case subject to the approval of the other Party (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). The Party from which approval is requested
pursuant to this section shall respond to the approval request in writing within five Business
Days after receipt of the request. If Costco amends Schedule 1.01(d) or 5.04(a), or Bank
amends Schedule 1.01(b), Licensee shall at its own expense conform its use of the other
Party’s Marks hereunder to such amended Schedule (a) immediately with respect to
materials not yet produced and (b) with respect to materials previously produced, at the
earliest date on which such materials normally would be re-printed, re-fabricated, updated,
modified or altered in the ordinary course of business. If the Party that amends a Schedule
pursuant to this section requests that conforming modifications be made to material
previously produced by or for Licensee before the date described in clause (b), and making
such modifications would result in additional out-of-pocket cost to Licensee, Licensee shall
notify the other Party in writing of such anticipated costs and shall not be required to
implement the modifications unless the other Party agrees to reimburse Licensee for such
costs.
8.
Remedies.
Each Party, in its capacity as a Licensee, acknowledges that any use of a Mark of the other
Party in a manner that exceeds the scope of the license granted herein or that otherwise
constitutes a breach of this Schedule 5.01(d) may cause the licensing Party irreparable harm
for which the licensing Party has no adequate remedies at law, and that the licensing Party
will be entitled to seek immediate injunctive and other equitable relief with respect to any
such breach.
9.
Term and
Termination.
The licenses set forth in this Schedule 5.01(d) shall commence as of the date hereof and
terminate as follows: (a) if Costco does not exercise the Purchase Right under Section
13.03, (i) all license rights of Costco to use the Bank Marks granted shall terminate and
Costco shall immediately discontinue all use of Bank’s Marks; and (ii) Bank may exercise the
license rights to use the Costco Marks for the time period and as set forth in Section
13.06(c); (b) if Costco exercises the Purchase Right, then the licenses from each Party to
the other shall survive until
122
such time as the Designate Purchaser has re-issued credit card products and marketing
materials relating to the Portfolio but no longer [*]; or (c) [*] termination of the Agreement for
breach or any other reason not set forth in Sections 9(a) or (b) above. Upon termination of
the licenses granted hereunder, all rights in a Party’s Marks granted thereunder shall revert
to the licensing Party and each Party shall discontinue immediately all use of the other
Party’s Marks. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Party shall
have the right at all times after the termination of the licenses granted in this Schedule
5.01(d) to use the other Party’s Marks on any archival or legal documents. Neither Party will
have an obligation to retrieve documents bearing the other Party’s Marks from a third party
other than Delegates, if the Licensee cannot reasonably control or retrieve the documents
from such third party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Bank and its Delegates may
not use the Costco Marks for any external purposes prior to the Program Effective Date.
123
Schedule 5.04(a)
Costco Trademark Usage Policy
[*]
124
Exhibit 1 to Schedule 5.04(a)
Costco Wholesale Logo Standards

(attached)
125
126
Schedule 6.01(c)
[*]
127
Schedule 7.01(a)
Data Security
With respect to each type of report or file transmission under the Agreement, the Parties will
use the following transmission method:
[*]
128
Schedule 7.02
Operations Centers
•Florence, KY
•Jacksonville, FL
•Sioux Falls, SD
•Tucson, AZ
•Boise, ID
[*]
129
Schedule 7.03
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
[*]
130
Schedule 7.05(a)
Monthly Reports
Note: no report will include any Personal Information
[*]
131
Schedule 9.01
Program Economics
(1)
External Royalty Payment
. Subject to Sections 9.01(b) and (c), Bank will pay to Costco
an amount (the “
External Royalty Payment
”) equal to Net Purchase Charges at
Acceptance Locations other than Costco Locations (“
Outside Spend
”)
multiplied by
(i) in
the first Program Year, [*] basis points, and (ii) for each subsequent Program Year, the
basis points indicated in the table below (the “
External Royalty Percentage
”).
[*]
Basis Points
[*]
[*]
(2)
New Account Bounty
. Bank will pay to Costco $[*] for each new Co-Branded Card
Account generated from an Applicant originating from a Costco Location.
(3)
Costco Staff Funding
. Bank will pay to Costco [*] Program Year to compensate Costco
staff in accordance with the first sentence of Section 9.01(a).
(4)
Rewards
Funding
. Bank will accrue and fund an amount equal to (i) Net Purchase
Charges (other than Accelerator Spending)
multiplied by
[*]%, plus (ii) Net Purchase
Charges attributable to Accelerator Spending
multiplied by
[*]%
multiplied by
the
applicable multiplier for such category (i.e., 2, 3 or 4). “
Accelerator Spending
” means
purchases for which a multiplier applies with respect to Co-Branded Cardholders earning
a rewards coupon or the equivalent (i.e., 3x or 4x on gas, 2x on dining and travel) as
described in the Loyalty Program set forth in Schedule 4.06(a). [*]. Except with respect to
costs incurred by Costco to provide benefits associated with Executive Membership,
Bank will pay to Costco as a Loyalty Program Expense [*] of all such redeemed Rewards
coupons or other form or method of reward redemptions as soon as practicable after
receipt of a report in respect thereof by Bank, and in no event more than [*] after receipt
thereof by Bank; provided that Bank shall have no obligation to make a payment to
Costco with respect to Rewards paid by way of a statement credit. If Bank disputes an
amount set forth in the report regarding such redeemed Rewards in good faith, Bank
may hold-back such disputed amount until such dispute is resolved pursuant to Section
16.02. All other payments shall be made pursuant to the terms set forth on the Program
Economics Schedule.
(5)[*].
(6)
Marketing Fund
. Bank will allocate an amount equal to Net Purchase Charges multiplied
by [*]% ([*] basis points) to be used to reimburse approved expenses incurred by the
Parties in the implementation of the Marketing Plan.
(7)
Launch Fund
. Bank will allocate $[*] to be used to reimburse eligible expenses incurred
by Costco in connection with the launch of the Program.
(8)
Promotional Rate Offer
. Bank will offer an introductory promotional purchase rate for
Co-Branded Cardholders of [*] percent ([*]%) interest for six months.
132
(9)
Timing of Payments
. Bank will pay to Costco the amounts in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
this Schedule 9.01 within fifteen (15) Business Days following the end of the month to
which such payments relate. Bank will pay to Costco the amount in paragraph (5) of this
Schedule 9.01 within thirty (30) Business Days following provision by Costco of the
Costco Membership list information enabling the calculation contemplated in paragraph
(5).
(10)
Base Discount Rate
. Bank shall ensure that the Base Discount Rate shall be [*]%;
accordingly, [*].
133
Schedule 9.07(a)(v)-1
[*]
134
Schedule 9.07(a)(vii)
[*]
135
Schedule 9.08
Monthly P&L
[*]
136
Schedule 13.02(a)
Information Regarding the Program Assets
Bank shall provide Costco with customary data by product (e.g. consumer cobrand credit
card, small business cobrand credit card etc.) [*]:
[*]
137
Schedule 13.02(c)
Appraisal Information
[*]
138
Schedule 13.03(b)
[*]
139
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This First Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of November 6, 2015, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.
Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.[*]. The following is added after the first sentence of Section 2.09: [*]
3.[*]
.
The first sentence of Section 13.03(c) is deleted and replaced with the following:
[*]
4.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
5.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or
waiver of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by
the Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
6.
Counterparts.
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
1
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul Latham
Name: Paul Latham
Title:
SVP - Membership, Marketing,
Services
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Douglas C. Morrison
Name: Douglas C. Morrison
Title: Vice President
2
SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Second Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of December 31, 2015, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.
Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.
Loyalty Program Funding.
The Agreement is amended as follows:
a.
Section 4.06(a):
Section4.06(a) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement (e.g., Schedule 9.01, paragraph 4), during
the Term, all elements of the Program set forth on Schedule 4.06(a) shall remain in effect
and shall continue to be offered [*] by Bank in connection with the cash based rewards
program offered to Co-Branded Card Accounts (such elements, collectively, the “
Loyalty
Program
”). [*]. The Co-Branded Cards will also have the standard Network benefits
applicable to Credit Cards of the same card tier, as set forth on Schedule 4.06(a)-1, as such
benefits may change from time to time.
b.
Section 4.06(b):
The following is added after the words “except with respect to the
Executive Membership program” in the next-to-last sentence: “and except as set forth in
Schedule 9.01, paragraph 4”.
c.
Section 4.06(c):
i.The following is added after the phrase “As more particularly set out in Section 9.07(a)(iv),”
in the first sentence: “[*]”.
ii.The following is added after the words “except with respect to the costs incurred by Costco
to provide benefits associated with Executive Membership” in the third sentence: “and as
set forth in Schedule 9.01, paragraph 4”.
d.
Section 9.07(a)(iv):
The following is added at the beginning: “[*]”.
e.
Schedule 4.06(a):
i.In the last sentence of the first paragraph, “3%” is replaced with “[*]%”, “$4,000” with “$[*]”
and “2%” both places it appears with “[*]%”; “[*]” is inserted immediately preceding “and
1%”; and “[*]” is deleted. A new sentence is added at the end as follows: “[*]”
1
ii.In the last sentence of the fourth paragraph “2%” is replaced both places it appears with
“[*]%”; “[*]” is inserted immediately preceding “and 1%”; and “[*]” is deleted. A new
sentence is added at the end as follows: “[*]”
iii. “August 31
st
” is changed to “December 31
st
in both instances.
f.
Schedule 9.01, paragraph 4 is deleted and replaced with the following:
“
(4) Rewards
Funding
.
(a)Bank will accrue an amount equal to (i) Net Purchase Charges (other than Accelerator
Spending) multiplied by [*]%, plus (ii) Net Purchase Charges attributable to Accelerator
Spending multiplied by [*]% multiplied by the applicable multiplier for such category (i.e.,
2, 3 or 4), less (iii) breakage. “
Accelerator Spending
” means purchases for which a
multiplier applies with respect to Co-Branded Cardholders earning a rewards coupon or
the equivalent as described in the Loyalty Program set forth in Schedule 4.06(a).
(b)Bank will first fund Rewards based on Net Purchase Charges at Costco Locations
pursuant to the then current Loyalty Program and will then fund Rewards based on
Outside Spend, but (notwithstanding anything in Section 4.06(a)) [*] Except with respect
to costs incurred by Costco to provide benefits associated with Executive Membership,
Bank will pay to Costco as a Loyalty Program Expense [*] of all such redeemed Rewards
coupons or other form or method of reward redemptions as soon as practicable after
receipt of a report in respect thereof by Bank, and in no event more than [*] after receipt
thereof by Bank; provided that Bank shall have no obligation to make a payment to
Costco with respect to Rewards paid by way of a statement credit. If Bank disputes an
amount set forth in the report regarding such redeemed Rewards in good faith, Bank
may hold-back such disputed amount until such dispute is resolved pursuant to Section
16.02. All other payments shall be made pursuant to the terms set forth on the Program
Economics Schedule.
(c)Any Costco funding for amounts [*] is a Loyalty Program Payment and will be considered
revenue to the contractual P&L as described in Schedule 9.08 “Costco Investments”. [*]
(d)Within [*] after the end of each Costco fiscal period, Bank will calculate and report to
Costco the projected net costs of the Loyalty Program and [*] for the applicable period
and calendar year to date. Within 15 days of the mailing of the annual rewards coupons,
Costco will make a payment for [*]. At the end of each calendar year, a true up payment
will be made [*].
g.
Schedule 9.08:
the schedule is deleted and replaced with new Schedule 9.08 attached
hereto as Attachment 4.
2
3.
Inside Spend Percentage; External Royalty Payment.
a.
Section 9.01(b) is deleted and replaced with the following:
At any time after the Program Effective Date, if the amount of Net Purchase Charges at
Costco Locations exceeds [*] percent ([*]%) of the total Net Purchase Charges (“
Inside
Spend Percentage
”) and the Bank Profits Percentage drops below [*]% on a Program Year
basis, calculated monthly on a rolling three-month basis, then Bank will send a notice to
Costco, and upon receipt of such notice the Parties will confer in good faith for a period of [*]
days with regard to possible changes to the Program to [*] the adverse effects of such
developments on Bank. If the Parties cannot timely reach agreement on an alternate
solution, the External Royalty Percentage applicable on the date Bank sent the notice in the
preceding sentence (after taking into consideration any adjustments made pursuant to
Schedule 9.01, Paragraph 1(a)) will be reduced by [*] basis points (beginning in the calendar
month in which Bank sends the notice referenced above) until the Bank Profits Percentage
equals or exceeds [*]% or Inside Spend Percentage is below [*]% on a rolling three-month
basis. If the External Royalty Percentage is reduced at any time in accordance with this
Section 9.01(b), then the excess of (i) the External Royalty Payment that would have been
payable to Costco had such adjustment to the External Royalty Percentage not been made,
minus (ii) the External Royalty Payment actually paid to Costco and reflecting such
adjustment will constitute a "Royalty Recovery Amount." Costco shall be eligible for payment
from Bank of such Royalty Recovery Amount in accordance with Section 9.03.
b.
Schedule 9.01, paragraph 1:
i.Paragraph 1 is deleted and replaced with the following:
“(1)
External Royalty Payment
. Subject to Sections 9.01(b) and (c), Bank will pay to Costco
an amount (the “
External Royalty Payment
”) equal to Net Purchase Charges at
Acceptance Locations other than Costco Locations (“
Outside Spend
”)
multiplied by
[*]
basis points; as such [*] basis point amount is adjusted in accordance with the following
(the “
External Royalty Percentage
”).
(a) Outside Spend Percentage Calculation. At the end of each Program Year, Bank will
calculate the Outside Spend Percentage for the Program Year.
“
Outside Spend Percentage
” means the Outside Spend for a Program Year divided by Net
Purchase Charges for that Program Year.
In any Program Year in which (i) purchases at Costco Locations (excluding gas, restaurants
or travel purchases at Costco Locations) constitute Accelerator Spending and (ii) Bank
Profits Percentage is [*]%, for each [*] that the Outside Spend Percentage is [*]%, the
number of
3
basis points indicated in column 2 of the table below will be subtracted from [*]% to
determine the adjusted External Royalty Percentage, [*].
(1)
Program Year ending
during Program Year
(2)
Basis Points
[*]
1
[*]
[*]
2
[*]
[*]
3
[*]
[*]
4
[*]
[*]
5
[*]
[*]
6
[*]
[*]
7
[*]
[*]
8
[*]
[*]
9
[*]
[*]
10 and thereafter
[*]
[*]
(b) Payment for Program Years. Bank will make the External Royalty Payment for the first
Program Year using an External Royalty Percentage of [*] basis points. Bank will make
the External Royalty Payment for each other Program Year using the adjusted External
Royalty Percentage calculated at the end of the prior Program Year pursuant to
subsection (a) of this paragraph (1).
(c)
Annual External Royalty Payment Adjustment. With respect to adjustments to the
External Royalty Percentage made pursuant to this paragraph (1) of Schedule 9.01:
(i)If the External Royalty Payment made during an Program Year is less than the External
Royalty Payment would have been if the External Royalty Percentage as adjusted
pursuant to subsection (a) of this paragraph 1 at the end of such Program Year had been
multiplied by Outside Spend for such Program Year, Bank will pay the difference to
Costco along with its first monthly External Royalty Payment for following Program Year.
(ii)If the External Royalty Payment made during an Program Year is more than the External
Royalty Payment would have been if the External Royalty Percentage as adjusted
pursuant to subsection (a) of this paragraph 1 at the end of such Program Year had been
multiplied by Outside Spend for such Program Year, Bank will reduce its first monthly
External Royalty Payment of following Program Year by the difference (and if the
difference is greater than the External Royalty Payment for such month, Bank will reduce
the next monthly External Royalty Payment accordingly).
4.
Customer Service.
4
a.
Sections 7.02(b), 7.02(c), and 7.02(d
)
:
The following is added at the end of the first
sentence of Section 7.02(b), the second sentence of Section 7.02(c), and the first and
second sentences of Section 7.02(d), respectively: “, other than as set forth on Schedule
7.02”.
b.
Section 7.04(b):
The first word of the first sentence is deleted and replaced with the
following: “Other than as set forth on Schedule 7.02, customer”.
c.
Schedule 7.02:
The following is added at the end:
“Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, the Parties agree that the
following Subcontractors (and their successors) of Bank may perform the following customer
service functions at the following locations (which may be Operations Center locations):
Subcontractor
Function
Location
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
5.
Initial Cardholder Terms.
a.
Section 4.05(b):
The following is added after the word “PIN” in the first sentence: “or
signature”.
b.
Schedule 4.05(a)(i):
the schedule is deleted and replaced with new Schedule 4.05(a)(i)
attached hereto as Attachment 2.
c.
Schedule 4.05(a)(ii):
the schedule is deleted and replaced with new Schedule 4.05(a)(ii)
attached hereto as Attachment 3.
6.
Direct Connect.
In Section 8.03 the following is added after the words “Within nine
(9) months of Costco’s written request,”: “[*]”.
7.
Termination Events
.
a.In Section 12.04(d) “[*]” is deleted and replaced with “[*]”
b.In Section 12.05(e) subpart (i) is deleted and replaced with: “(i) Bank and American
Express do not enter into the Amex Purchase Agreement on or prior to [*] for any
reason”
8.
Addition of Costco Anywhere Mark.
Schedule 1.01(d) is deleted and replaced
with new Schedule 1.01(d) attached hereto as Attachment 1.
9.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
5
10.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or
waiver of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by
the Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
11.
Counterparts.
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
6
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul Latham
Name: Paul Latham
Title:
SVP - Membership, Marketing,
Services
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Donna VanBockern
Name: Donna VanBockern
Title: Senior Vice President
7
Attachment 1 to First Amendment
Schedule 1.01(d)
Costco Marks
Costco may update this Schedule in accordance with Section 5.01(d).
Costco Word Marks
Costco Anywhere, Word mark unregistered
Costco Wholesale, Word mark unregistered


Costco, US Registration Nos. 3937730, 3937727, 3324704, 2895701, 3657105, 2850353,
2498170, 2459542, 2459541, 2463677, 2463676, 2461439, 2481924, 2459540, 2299961,
2306055, 2299958, 2299957, 2220450, 1954925, 1994826, 1954932, 1976242, 2029565
Costco Wholesale Cash Card, word mark unregistered
Kirkland Signature, US Registration Nos. 3952607, 2325788, 2111464, 3146864, 2724087,
4029875, 2251582, 2263801, 2309372, 2102368, 2729125, 2363308, 2787088, 2251581,
2265601, 2102369, 2304295, 2296255, 2111456, 2193866, , 2102370, 2264258, 2133426,
2780567, 3330638, 2105724, 2195925, 2532373, 3876918, 2296256, 2192373, 2239804,
2127878, 2560144, 2464040, 2192372, 2779825, 2133430, 2508127, 2309500, 2195960,
2779779, 2133429, 2251578, 2131406, 2866982, 2127876, 2925867, 3178169
Executive Member, US Registration No., 2413557, 2501213, 2484183, 2501212
Gold Star, US Registration Nos. 2596795, 3960218, 2850003, 2427089
Costco.com, US Registration No. 2440636
8
Costco Design Marks
US Registration No. 4334343,
2244972, 2261409, 2243349, 2241879, 2250148, 2250149, 2299960, 2302095
US Registration No. 3471209




US Registration Nos. 3952609, 2201547, 2547575, 4316489, 2268493, 2267825, 3435833,
3435834, 3435835, 3435836, 3386103, 2547573, 2196092, 3093327, 2196094, 3498209,
3498210, 2373426, 3435838, 3435839, 3453214, 2547574, 2196095, 4142255, 2559126,
2196091, 4142257, 2502333, 2196089, 2547572, 2196090, 3453215, 3453216, 3317882,
3331905, 3749582, 3865966
Costco Wholesale Cash Card US Registration No. 4334345
9
10
Attachment 2 to First Amendment
Schedule 4.05(a)
Consumer Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms
Co-Brand Credit Card Disclosures
Annual Percentage
Rate (APR) for
Purchases
0%
introductory APR for 6 months from date of account opening.
After that, your APR will be
15.24%.
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Balance
Transfers
15.24%
for transfers completed within
2
months from date of
account opening.
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Cash
Advances
25.24%
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Penalty APR and When
it Applies
Up to
29.99%,
based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary
with the market based on the Prime Rate.
This APR may be applied to your account if you:
(1) Make a late payment or
(2) Make a payment that is returned.
How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?
If your APRs are
increased for either of these reasons, the Penalty APR may apply
indefinitely.
How to Avoid Paying
Interest on Purchases
Your due date is at least 23 days after the close of each billing
cycle. We will not charge you any interest on purchases if you pay
your entire balance by the due date each month.
For Credit Card Tips
from the Consumer
Financial Protection
Bureau
To learn more about factors to consider when applying for or using
a credit card, visit the website of the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau at ww.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.
Minimum Interest
Charge
If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than 50
cents.
Annual Fee
No annual fee for this credit card with your paid Costco
membership
11
Transaction Fees
●Balance Transfer
●Cash Advance
●Foreign Purchase
Transaction
Either
$5 or 3%
of the amount of each transfer, whichever is
greater.
Either
$10 or 5%
of the amount of each cash advance, whichever
is greater.
3%
of each purchase transaction in US dollars.
Co-Brand Credit Card Disclosures
Penalty Fees
•
Late Payment
• Returned Payment
Up to
$37.
Up to
$37.
How We Will Calculate Your Balance:
We use a method called “daily balance.”
Loss of Introductory APR:
We may end your introductory APR and apply the Penalty APR
if you make a late payment.
12
Attachment 3 to First Amendment
Schedule 4.05(a)(ii)
Small Business Co-Branded Card Terms
Co-Brand Credit Card Disclosures
Annual Percentage
Rate (APR) for
Purchases
0%
introductory APR for 6 months from date of account opening.
After that, your APR will be
15.24%.
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Cash
Advances
21.99%
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Penalty APR and When
it Applies
Up to
29.99%,
based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary
with the market based on the Prime Rate.
This APR may be applied to your account if you:
(1) Make a late payment or
(2) Make a payment that is returned.
How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?
If your APRs are
increased for either of these reasons, the Penalty APR may apply
indefinitely.
How to Avoid Paying
Interest on Purchases
Your due date is at least 23 days after the close of each billing
cycle. We will not charge you any interest on purchases if you
pay your entire balance by the due date each month.
Minimum Interest
Charge
If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than 50
cents.
Annual Fee
No annual fee for this credit card with your paid Costco
membership
Transaction Fees
• Cash Advance
• Foreign Purchase
Transaction
Either
$10 or 5%
of the amount of each cash advance, whichever
is greater.
3%
of each purchase transaction in US dollars.
Penalty Fees
•
Late Payment
•
Returned Payment
Up to
$37.
Up to
$37.
How We Will Calculate Your Balance:
We use a method called “daily balance.”
13
Loss of Introductory APR:
We may end your introductory APR and apply the Penalty APR
if you make a late payment.
14
Attachment 4 to First Amendment
Schedule 9.08
Monthly P&L
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
15
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
16
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Third Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of June 13, 2016, and amends that certain
Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco, dated
February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.
Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.
Section 12.01(a).
The Program Effective Date shall be June 20, 2016. Any
quarterly reporting obligations set forth in the Agreement will commence on the Program
Effective Date and be included in reporting for the calendar quarter ending on September 30,
2016.
3.
Schedule 3.02(c)-1 Amendments.
[*]
4.
Schedule 9.01 Amendments
. Paragraph 5 of Schedule 9.01 is deleted and
replaced with the following:
“
(5)
[*]
5.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
6.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or
waiver of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by
the Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
7.
Counterparts.
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
1
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul
Latham______________________
Name: Paul
Latham_____________________
Title: SVP - Membership, Marketing,
Services_
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Valerie Greer_____________________
Name: Valerie Greer_____________________
Title: Managing Director, Co-Brand
Partnerships
2
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Fourth Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of January 1, 2018, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 and 4.05(a) of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as
follows:
1.
Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.
Amendments to Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms.
a.
No Introductory Rate
. Effective January 25, 2018, the Co-Branded Cardholder Account
Terms will no longer include an introductory rate of 0% for 7 months from date of account
opening on purchases. Accordingly, as of January 25, 2018, the first row of the chart in
Schedule 4.05(a)(Consumer Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms) and first row of the
chart in Schedule 4.05(a)(ii)(Small Business Co-Branded Card Terms) are each deleted
and replaced with the following:
Annual Percentage Rate
(APR) for purchases
Your APR will be
16.24%.
This APR will vary with
the market based on the Prime Rate.
b.
No Foreign Exchange Fee and Incremental Rewards Costs
. Effective January 25, 2018,
the Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms will no longer include a fee for foreign
purchases of 3% of the US dollar amount of each purchase.
i.Accordingly, as of January 25, 2018, the references in the penultimate row of the chart in
Schedule 4.05(a)(Consumer Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms) and the penultimate
row of the chart in Schedule 4.05(a)(ii)(Small Business Co-Branded Card Terms) to “
3%
of
each purchase transaction in US dollars” are deleted and replaced with the following: “No
fee”.
ii.A new Paragraph (11) is added to Schedule 9.01 as follows:
“(11) Bank will reimburse Costco for the annual net incremental Rewards costs (“Foreign
Sales Rewards Reimbursement”) Costco incurs due to the removal of the foreign exchange
fee from the Co-Branded Cardholder Account Terms on January 25, 2018, up to a maximum
amount of [*] per year. The applicable annual reimbursement amount will be calculated as
set forth on Exhibit 1 to this Schedule 9.01, using the agreed-upon baseline numbers as set
forth therein. Bank will make the resulting reimbursement payment annually on or about the
date that the true up payment referenced in Paragraph (4)(d) above is made. Calculation for
partial calendar year 2026 will be performed following the Expiration of the Agreement
unless the Agreement is renewed.”
iii.Exhibit 1 to Schedule 9.01 is attached to this Amendment as Attachment 1.
3.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or
waiver of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by
the Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
5.
Counterparts.
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
-2-
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul Latham
Name: Paul Latham
Title: SVP - Membership, Marketing, Services
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Val Greer
Name: Val Greer
Title: MD, Citi Cards
-3-
Attachment 1 to Amendment 4
Exhibit 1
Foreign Sales Rewards Reimbursement Calculation
The Foreign Sales Rewards Reimbursement will be calculated as [*]:
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
If the Foreign Sales Rewards Reimbursement calculation results in a negative number, [*].
The Foreign Sales Rewards Reimbursement payment from Citi to Costco is capped at [*].
Definitions
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
•[*]
Note: Letters in { } correspond to the sample calculation provided by Citi attached to this
Exhibit 1.
-4-
Exhibit 1: Foreign Exchange Related Rewards Cost Reimbursement Calculation
[*]
FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Fifth Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of December 1, 2018, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.
Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.
Amendments to Schedule 9.01.
a.Paragraph 2 of Schedule 9.01 is deleted and replaced with the following:
“(2)
New Account Bounty
. Bank will pay to Costco [*] for each new Co-Branded Card
Account generated from an Applicant originating from a Costco Location [*].”
b.Paragraph 3 of Schedule 9.01 is deleted and replaced with the following:
“(3)
Costco Staff Funding
. Bank will pay to Costco [*] to compensate Costco staff in
accordance with the first sentence of Section 9.01(a).”
c.A new Paragraph 12 is added to Schedule 9.01 as follows:
“(12) [*]”
d.The following is added to the end of Paragraph 9 of Schedule 9.01:
“Bank will pay to Costco the amounts in paragraphs (3) and (12) within fifteen Business
Days after the end of each month.”
3.
Amendment to Section 5.06.
a.A new subsection to Section 5.06 shall be added as follows:
“(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 5, the Parties agree to [*]. In
furtherance of this goal, [*].”
4.
Dispute Resolution.
Any dispute between the Parties arising out of or relating to
this Amendment shall be resolved as provided in Section 16.02 of the Agreement.
5.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
6.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or
waiver of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by
the Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
7.
Counterparts.
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
-2-
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul Latham
Name: Paul Latham
Title: SVP
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Valerie Greer
Name: Valerie Greer
Title: MD
-3-
SIXTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Sixth Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”),
is effective as of January 1, 2020, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”). This Amendment supersedes all prior
amendments to Paragraph 5 of Schedule 9.01.
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.Schedule 9.01 Amendments.
Paragraph 5 of Schedule 9.01 is deleted and
replaced with the following:
“(5)
[*].
Beginning in calendar year [*] and continuing through calendar year [*], Bank
shall pay to
Costco an amount equal to [*]. In [*], Bank shall pay to Costco an amount equal to [*]. [*].”
And paragraph 9 of Schedule 9.01 is deleted and replaced with the following:
“(9)
Timing of Payments.
Bank will pay to Costco the amounts in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
this Schedule 9.01 within fifteen (15) Business Days following the end of the month to which
such payments relate. Bank will pay to Costco the amounts in paragraph (5) of this Schedule
9.01 in equal quarterly payments within fifteen (15) Business Days following the end of each
calendar quarter.”
3.Full Force and Effect. The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4.No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or waiver of
this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the Parties.
The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this Amendment,
all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
This
Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed together as a
single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the Agreement
as amended by this Amendment.
5.
Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul
Latham_____________________
Name: Paul
Latham_____________________
Title: SVP
____________________________
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Valerie Greer_____________________
Name: Valerie Greer_____________________
Title: MD______________________________
-2-
SEVENTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Seventh Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of January 4th, 2021, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.
Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.
Amendments.
a.
Section 4.06 (c)
. The following is added after the words “with respect
to Rewards paid by way of a statement credit” in the next to last sentence: “or electronic
transfer.”
b.
Section 4(b) of Schedule 9.01 (Program Economics)
. The following
is added after the words “with respect to Rewards paid by way of a statement credit” in the
second sentence: “or electronic transfer. Additionally, Bank shall have no obligation to fund a
duplicate electronic transfer where bank establishes the original electronic transfer was
made to the account provided by the Co-branded Cardholder in the event of a claim by a
Co-Branded Cardholder that Rewards were not distributed and such obligation shall be that
of Costco if a duplicate electronic transfer is requested by Costco.”
3.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or
waiver of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by
the Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
5.
Counterparts.
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
1
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul Latham
Name: Paul Latham
Title: SVP
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ John LaCoste
Name: John LaCoste
Title: MD
-2-
EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Eighth Amendment ("
Amendment
")
is between Citibank, N.A. ("
Bank
")
and Costco
Wholesale Corporation ("
Costco
"), is effective as of December 1, 2021, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the "
Agreement
").
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2. Amendments.
a.
Section 5.06 (e)
shall be struck in its entirety and replaced with the following:
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 5, the Parties agree to integrate
the Co-Branded Cards into Costco's digital Membership interface available via Costco's
United States mobile device application. In furtherance of this goal, Costco will, for
Co-Branded Cardholders, exclusively integrate the Co-Branded Cards as the payment
option with the Costco membership within the Costco mobile device application initially for
use at front-end points of sale inside warehouses and upon notice to Bank and as Costco
may determine and implement for use in Costco Outlets for gasoline purchases or any other
points of sale so long as requisite functionality testing, including but not limited to friendly
user testing (FUT) has been completed. In consideration for the exclusivity described in the
previous sentence, Bank agrees Bank, not Costco, will be financially responsible for fraud
losses related to the use of Co-Branded Cards via the Costco mobile device application and
that fraud losses associated with payment for purchases made through the Costco digital
application shall be included as a Loss Expenses as defined in Section 9.07 (iii). For the
avoidance of doubt, exclusivity as set forth in this paragraph shall mean that the Co-Branded
Cards shall be the only payment method that can be provisioned to the Costco mobile
device application. If Costco chooses to end the integration of Co-Branded Cards or chooses
to end exclusivity the protection on fraud protection in this paragraph shall also end.
3
.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force and
effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any other
provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions of
the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4. No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or waiver of this
Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the Parties.
The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this Amendment,
all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and
construed together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter
refer to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
5
.
Counterparts
. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so executed will
be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts, including by
facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION CITIBANK, N.A.
By:
/s/ Nak-He Evans
By:
/s/ Matthew Brem
Name:
Nak-He Evans
Name:
Matthew Brem
Title:
AVP, Credit Cards
Title:
VP, Citibank NA
-2-
NINTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Ninth Amendment ("
Amendment
")
is between Citibank, N.A. ("
Bank
")
and Costco
Wholesale Corporation ("
Costco
"), is effective as of August 13, 2022, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the "
Agreement
").
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2. Amendments.
a.
Schedule 4.06(a).
Schedule 4.06(a) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the
attached Schedule 4.06(a).
b.
Schedule 7.05(a).
The bullet for “Purchases and transactions at Costco (gas only)” is
amended to read, “Purchases and transactions at Costco (gas and electric vehicle charging
only)”. The bullet under “Purchases transactions outside Costco by type” is amended to add
a bullet that says, “Electric vehicle charging”.
3
.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force and
effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any other
provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions of
the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4. No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or waiver of this
Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the Parties.
The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this Amendment,
all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed together as a
single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the Agreement
as amended by this Amendment.
5
.
Counterparts
. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so executed will
be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts, including by
facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CITIBANK, N.A.
By:
/s/ Sandy Torrey
By:
/s/ Matthew Brem
Name:
Sandy Torrey
Name:
Matthew Brem
Title:
SVP, Corporate Marketing
Title:
Vice President, Citibank N.A.
-2-
Schedule 4.06(a)
Loyalty Program and Rewards
Consumer Card Loyalty Program (Cash Rebate portion only)
Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an annual reward based on the eligible purchases on their
Co-Branded Card from Costco and Citi during an annual reward period. An annual reward
period is 12 billing periods, starting with the one that begins in February. Eligible purchases
are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do
NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of
traveler’s checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of any cash
equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an
annual reward of: 4% on the first $7,000 of purchases each annual reward period (1%
thereafter) of gasoline and electric vehicle charging transactions at Costco, gas stations and
electric vehicle charging locations in the U.S. (excluding superstores, supermarkets,
convenience stores, and warehouse clubs other than Costco); 3% at restaurants located in
the U.S.; 3% for eligible travel purchases (eligible travel purchases are: airfare for a
scheduled flight on a passenger carrier, hotel stays (excluding timeshares, banquets and
events),
car
rentals
from
select
major
car
rental
companies
listed
at
https://www.cardbenefits.citi.com/, and other purchases from Costco Travel, cruise lines,
travel agencies and tour operators); 2% on eligible purchases at Costco Locations (unless a
higher reward applies, such as at Costco gas, Costco electric vehicle charging, or Costco
travel); and 1% on all other eligible purchases. Bank is obligated to fund the annual rewards
up to the Loyalty Funding Cap.
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn a
higher percentage reward if the merchant’s code is not eligible. Purchases made through a
third-party payment account or on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not earn
a higher percentage reward. A purchase may not earn a higher percentage reward if the
merchant submits the purchase using a mobile or wireless card reader or if the Co-Branded
Cardholder uses a mobile or digital wallet.
Reward is distributed and valid at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico, for
merchandise or cash. Requests for cash may be fulfilled in the form of a check at the Costco
warehouse’s discretion. Coupon must be redeemed in person prior to its expiration date of
December 31st in the year in which it is issued. Additional terms and conditions apply. See
Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement for full terms and conditions.
Small Business Loyalty Program (Cash Rebate portion only)
Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an annual reward based on eligible purchases on their
small business Co-Branded Cards from Costco during an annual reward period. An annual
reward period is 12 billing periods, starting with the one that begins in February. Eligible
purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible
purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balances transfers, cash advances,
purchases of traveler’s checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of any
cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Co-Branded Cardholders will earn
an annual reward of: 4% on the first $7,000 of purchases each annual reward period (1%
thereafter) of gasoline and electric vehicle charging transactions at Costco, gas stations and
electric vehicle charging
-3-
locations in the U.S. (excluding superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and
warehouse clubs other than Costco); 3% at restaurants located in the U.S.; 3% for eligible
travel purchases (eligible travel purchases are: airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger
carrier, hotel stays (excluding timeshares, banquets and events), car rentals from select
major car rental companies listed at https://www.cardbenefits.citi.com/, and other purchases
from Costco Travel, cruise lines, travel agencies and tour operators); 2% on eligible
purchases at Costco Locations (unless a higher reward applies, such as at Costco gas,
Costco electric vehicle charging, or Costco travel); and 1% on all other eligible purchases.
Bank is obligated to fund the annual rewards up to the Loyalty Funding Cap.
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn a
higher percentage reward if the merchant’s code is not eligible. Purchases made through a
third-party payment account or on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not earn
a higher percentage reward. A purchase may not earn a higher percentage reward if the
merchant submits the purchase using a mobile or wireless card reader or if the Co-Branded
Cardholder uses a mobile or digital wallet.
Reward is distributed and valid at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico, for
merchandise or cash. Requests for cash may be fulfilled in the form of a check at the Costco
warehouse’s discretion.
Coupon must be redeemed in person on or prior to its
expiration date of December 31st in the year in which it is issued.
Additional terms and
conditions apply. See Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement for full terms and conditions.
-4-
TENTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Tenth Amendment ("
Amendment
")
is between Citibank, N.A. ("
Bank
")
and Costco
Wholesale Corporation ("
Costco
"), is effective as of November 11, 2022, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the "
Agreement
").
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2. Amendments.
a. Section 4.06(a)-1.
Schedule 4.06(a)-1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the
attached Schedule 4.06-1.
3
.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force and
effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any other
provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions of
the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4. No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or waiver of this
Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the Parties.
The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this Amendment,
all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed together as a
single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the Agreement
as amended by this Amendment.
5
.
Counterparts
. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so executed will
be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts, including by
facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CITIBANK, N.A.
By:
/s/ Sandy Torrey
By:
/s/ Jennifer Longino
Name:
Sandy Torrey
Name:
Jennifer Longino
Title:
SVP, Corporate Marketing
Title:
Vice President
-2-
Schedule 4.06(a)-1
Additional Co-Branded Cardholder Benefits
Car Rental
No country exclusions.
No vehicle exclusions
Damage & Theft
Purchase Protection
Up to 120 days post purchase. Up to $1,000 per claim, $50,000 per
year.
Travel Accident
Up to $250,000
Travel & Emergency
Assistance
Emergency travel arrangements, cash transfers, medical referrals,
etc.
Roadside Assistance
Dispatch service for roadside support.
-3-
ELEVENTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Eleventh Amendment ("
Amendment
")
is between Citibank, N.A. ("
Bank
")
and Costco
Wholesale Corporation ("
Costco
"), is effective as of February 6, 2023, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the "
Agreement
").
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2. Amendments.
a.
Section 9.05 Manner and Timing of Payments.
Section 9.05(c) is amended by
replacing “LIBOR” with “SOFR plus twenty-one and four tenths basis points (0.214%)”.
b.
Section 14.02 Payment of Fees Upon Termination.
Section 14.02(a) is amended by
replacing “LIBOR” with “SOFR plus twenty-one and four tenths basis points (0.214%)”.
c.
Exhibit A Definitional Supplement.
Exhibit A is amended by deleting LIBOR and the
corresponding definition in their entirety and adding the following in their place:
“SOFR”
means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the
SOFR Administrator (Federal Reserve Bank of New York or successor). For purposes of this
Agreement, the 3 month average SOFR rate will be used, as published by Bloomberg under
ticker “USOSFRC BGN Curncy”, on the applicable due date.
d.
Schedule 7.05(a).
The bullet for “Money cost (split by actual 1-Month LIBOR and
spread)” is amended to read, “Money cost (split by actual SOFR and spread)”.
e.
Schedule 9.07(a)(v)-1.
Schedule 9.07(a)(v)-2 is deleted in its entirety and replaced
with the attached Schedule 9.07(a)(v)-1.
3
.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force and
effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any other
provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions of
the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4. No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or waiver of this
Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the Parties.
The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this Amendment,
all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed together as a
single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the Agreement
as amended by this Amendment.
5
.
Counterparts
. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so executed will
be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts, including by
facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
-2-
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CITIBANK, N.A.
By:
/s/ Sandy Torrey
By:
/s/ Jennifer Longino
Name:
Sandy Torrey
Name:
Jennifer Longino
Title:
SVP, Corporate Marketing
Title:
Vice President
-3-
Schedule 9.07(a)(v)-1
Money Cost Calculation
The funding rates for each balance category of asset will be calculated as follows:
-
Variable Revolving Balances:
◦1 month SOFR + Spread -19.5 basis points, or
◦1 month SOFR, whichever is higher
-
Promotional Balances:
◦10% of balance at 6 month SOFR Caterpillar + Spread
◦10% of balance at 1 year SOFR Caterpillar + Spread
◦80% of balance at 5 year SOFR Caterpillar + Spread
-
Transactor/Intro Rate Balances:
◦5% of balance at 1 month SOFR + Spread
◦95% of balance at 5 year SOFR Caterpillar + Spread
The Bloomberg tickers for the SOFR rates are as follows:
- 1-month SOFR: USOSFRA BGN Curncy
- 6-month SOFR: USOSFRF BGN Curncy
- 1-year SOFR: USOSFR1 BGN Curncy
- 5-year SOFR: USOSFR5 BGN Curncy
All SOFR rates will be sourced from Bloomberg on the last Business Day of the month.
Funding costs will be applied to balances based on the Actual/365 day count convention; i.e.
Monthly funding cost = Balance * Rate * Actual/365.
The
“Spread”
means the month’s average spread, weighted 80% as the AAA 7-year Credit
Card Asset Backed Security spread, and 20% as the BBB 7-year Credit Card Asset Backed
Security spread, in each case, using an average (excluding the high and the low) from major
third party secuirty dealers (e.g., BAC, MUFG, BARC, RBC, BNP, WFC). The
weighted-average spread will be capped at one hundred and forty-five (145) basis points.
The
“Caterpillar”
will comprise a strip of equally-weighted funding tickets of the targeted
tenor. For example, a 5-year SOFR Caterpillar will have sixty (60) tickets, which are the
previous sixty (60) months’ actual 5-year SOFR rates. The 5-year SOFR Caterpillar rate will
be the simple average of those sixty (60) tickets. Each month, the oldest funding ticket will
drop out of the Caterpillar, and will be replaced with a new ticket at the current rate. For
example, the 5-year SOFR Caterpillar would have the 5-year SOFR rate from sixty (60)
months ago drop out, and that would be replaced with the current 5-year SOFR rate.
-4-
TWELFTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Twelfth Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of August 18, 2023, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.
Defined Terms
. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.
Amendments
.
a.
Section 4.03 Bank’s Program Team
. Section 4.03(b)(vii) is deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following:
“(vii) as more particularly described in Article 7 (and as necessary to fulfill Bank’s obligations
thereunder) and subject to Section 9.07(d), a sufficient number of full- time equivalent
Operations Center Employees who are dedicated exclusively to the Program to ensure that,
other than in circumstances beyond Bank’s control from time to time (
e.g.
, a third-party
security breach), at least [*] of all incoming calls from Co- Branded Cardholders and
Applicants are fielded by [*].”
b.
Section 4.06 Loyalty Program
. Section 4.06(b) is deleted in its entirety and
replaced with the following:
“(b) As provided in Schedule 4.06(a), as of the date hereof, Costco Members are eligible to
receive rewards pursuant to the Loyalty Program (“
Rewards
”). Subject to Applicable Law,
the Rewards will be issued by the Bank in the form of one annual Costco Rewards coupon. If
Bank is required by Applicable Law to issue Rewards in a different manner, Costco will
cooperate with Bank in the implementation of the required changes at no cost to Costco.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for deceased Co-Branded Card Accounts and small business
Co-Branded Card Account closures, Bank may issue Rewards in the form of a check or
statement credit, which shall be captured as a redemption. From time to time, and subject to
Applicable Laws, Costco may require a change to the method of funding Rewards to a gift
card, statement credit, check, electronic credit or other electronic transfer, other FTD, or
otherwise and shall provide Bank with at least [*] notice prior to the effectiveness of such
change. Bank shall cooperate to implement the new Rewards payment method in such a
way that it is compatible with the Costco point of sale equipment and consistent with
Costco’s protocols and security requirements and that otherwise achieves Systems
interoperability between Bank’s Systems and Costco’s Systems, and Bank shall otherwise
cooperate with Costco in implementing such change, subject to Applicable Laws.
Regardless of the method or form of the Rewards, Bank (and not Costco) shall be
considered the issuer of such Rewards
pursuant to the Loyalty Program, and, except with respect to the Executive Membership
program and except as set forth in Schedule 9.01(4) with respect to duplicate electronic
transfers requested by Costco where Bank establishes the original electronic transfer was
made to the account provided by the Co-branded Cardholder, Bank shall be solely liable to
Costco Members with respect to such Rewards. Other than its duty to redeem the Rewards
in accordance with the Loyalty Program terms and conditions, Costco shall not have any
obligation to Costco Members regarding such Rewards.”
c.
Section 4.08 Dual Functionality of Co-Branded Cards
. Section 4.08(c) is
deleted in its entirety.
d.
Section 4.11 Citi
®
Flex Pay
. A new Section 4.11 is added to the Agreement as
follows:
“
4.11 Citi Flex Pay
. Bank and Costco agree to provide Costco Co-Branded Cardholders
(excluding Co-Branded Cardholders with corporate guarantee small business cards)
(“
Eligible Co-Branded Cardholders
”) with the option to finance eligible purchases made on
their Co-Branded Card using the Citi Flex Pay feature, as such feature is described in the
Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement, and which may be updated from time to time (“
Citi Flex
Pay Offers
”). Eligibility will be consistent with how Bank determines cardholders and
transactions are eligible across other portfolios (
e.g.
, Eligible Co-Branded Cardholders must
be in good standing and under their credit limit and have appropriate terms in their
Co-Branded Cardholder Agreement). After the initial [*] in market, either Party may seek to
discontinue offering Citi Flex Pay Offers or modify the Citi Flex Pay Offers if they reasonably
determine that the program is having a material negative impact on the Program’s
profitability or Co-Branded Cardholder satisfaction. The Parties will work in good faith to
remediate any Co- Branded Cardholder satisfaction concerns. The initial pricing, terms and
conditions of all Citi Flex Pay Offers shall be the pricing, terms and conditions set forth on
Schedule 4.11, which may be amended from time to time upon mutual agreement.”
e.
Schedule 4.11 Citi Flex Pay Offers
. The attached Schedule 4.11 is added to
the Agreement.
f.
Section 5.02 Annual Card Marketing Plan
.
(i)
Section 5.02(e)
. Section 5.02(e) of the Agreement is deleted in its entirety and replaced
with the following:
“(e) Any Marketing Plan may be modified or supplemented by the Parties from time to time
upon mutual agreement, provided such
modifications or supplements, as the case may be, are approved by Costco upon the
recommendation of the Program Managers. No later than thirty (30) days after the end of the
first, second,
-2-
and third calendar quarters of each Program Year, Bank shall provide an update of expected
Net Purchase Charges for the Program Year. If expected Net Purchase Charges will fall
above or below the budgeted funding, the Program Managers will present to Costco a
revised plan to scale back or expand the plan based on the revised expectation.”
(ii)
Section 5.02(f)
. A new Section 5.02(f) is added to the Agreement as follows:
“(f) Any Marketing Plan shall include funding of up to [*] in rewards and network fees for High
Line Accounts. The funding shall be calculated as Net Purchase Charges attributable to High
Line Accounts multiplied by one hundred and thirty basis points (1.30%), plus associated
network fees calculated as [*].”
g.
Section 5.03 Annual Membership Marketing Plan
. Section 5.03 is deleted in
its entirety.
h.
Section 5.07 Bank Marketing Obligations
. Sections 5.07(f) and 5.07(i) are
deleted in their entirety.
i.
Section 5.08 Other Bank Products
.
(i)
Section 5.08(a)
. Section 5.08(a)(i) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“(i) [*]”
(ii)
Section 5.08(a)(ii)
. Section 5.08(a)(ii) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the
following:
[*]. In no event may any Bank branded proprietary card or any offer or promotion related
thereto designate Costco or warehouse clubs as a category for any adverse treatment for
value proposition or rewards purposes offered in respect of any Bank branded proprietary
cards at any time during the Term.
(iii)
Section 5.08(b)
and
Section 5.08(c)
. Sections 5.08(b) and 5.08(c) are deleted in their
entirety.
(iv)
Section 5.08(d)
. Section 5.08(d) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“(d) For the purposes of this Article 5, “target” shall mean advertising, marketing or
promotional activities, as applicable, addressed or directed to a Person by means of name,
address, e-mail address or telephone number and the use of the Cardholder List to conduct
such activities.”
-3-
j.
Section 7.02 Operations Centers
.
(i)
Section 7.02(b)
. Section 7.02(b) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“(b) Initially, the Operations Centers for the Program shall be established, and subject to the
agreements of the Parties set out in Schedule 7.02(a), staffed by Bank employees or
Existing Subcontractors or Future Bank Subcontractors (collectively, “
Operations Center
Employees
”) who are managed by Bank employees and overseen and directed by the Bank
Program Team, other than as set forth on Schedule 7.02.”
(ii)
Section 7.02(c)
. Section 7.02(c) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Operations Center Employees will be available during the period commencing as of one
hour before Costco Warehouses are open for business and ending one hour after Costco
Warehouses are closed for business. Bank shall not in the future transfer to any other third
party or outsource any Operations Center function regarding the Program, except for
late-stage collections, recoveries, and Citi Identity Theft Solutions, without the prior written
consent of Costco, other than as set forth on Schedule 7.02.”
(iii)
Section 7.02(d)
. Section 7.02(d) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“[*]”
(iv)
Section 7.02(e)
. A new Section 7.02(e) is added to the Agreement as follows:
“Notwithstanding Section 7.02(d), Bank may utilize Operations Center Employees outside of
the United States for fraud calls when [*]. Bank will use Operations Center Employees
located in the United States for fraud calls at all other times, with the exception of [*].”
k.
Schedule 7.02 Operations Centers
. Schedule 7.02 is deleted in its entirety
and replaced with the attached Schedule 7.02 Operations Centers.
l.
Schedule 7.03 Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
.
1. “Payment Processing” in Schedule 7.03 is amended as follows:
[*]
-4-
m.
Schedule 9.01 Program Economics
. Schedule 9.01 is amended by deleting
“(8) Promotional Rate Offer” in its entirety.
n.
Exhibit A Definitional Supplement
.
(i)Exhibit A is amended to delete “Approved Transition Card” and its corresponding definition
in its entirety.
(ii)Exhibit A is amended to add the following definition:
““
High Line Account
” means small business Co-Branded Card Account with joint and
several liability that has a credit limit of [*] or higher, or small business Co-Branded Card
Account with corporate guarantee.”
(iii)Exhibit A is amended to delete “[*]” and its corresponding definition in its entirety.
(iv)Exhibit A is amended to delete “Transitioned Card Account” and its corresponding
definition in its entirety.
3.
Full Force and Effect
. The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
4.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation
. No modification, amendment or
waiver of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by
the Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
5.
Counterparts
. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
-5-
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Sandy Torrey
By: /s/ Jennifer Longino
Name: Sandy Torrey
Name: Jennifer Longino
Title: SVP, Corporate Marketing
Title: Vice President
-6-
Schedule 4.11
Citi Flex Pay Offers
(a)Eligible Co-Branded Cardholders must make a purchase of $75 or more for the
transaction to be eligible for Citi Flex Pay;
(b)Eligible Co-Branded Cardholders will be offered three (3) months with a $0 fee and no
interest on any purchase with a “COSTCO” transaction tag sent to Bank, which includes
purchases made in Costco warehouses, on
Costco.com
and on Special Order Kiosks
(“
Costco Purchases
”);
(c)Purchases made through Costco Travel are eligible for Citi Flex Pay, however, they will
generally not be eligible for the Flex Pay Offer stated above in (b) since the majority of
those purchases are not sent to Bank with a “COSTCO” transaction tag;
(d)Flex Pay Offers will not exceed [*] months in duration unless mutually agreed upon by the
Parties; and
(e)The fee for Flex Pay Offers other than the one described in (b) above will be determined
by Bank, but in no event will the fee exceed the equivalent APR that the Co-Branded
Cardholder would be charged for non-Flex Pay purchases (
i.e.
, either the Standard
Purchase Rate or the Penalty APR, whichever is applicable).
-7-
Schedule 7.02
Operations Centers
Subject to Section 7.02(d), Bank may employ Operations Center Employees in any physical
site, or utilize online, remote or hybrid work models.
Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, the Parties agree that the
following Subcontractors (and their successors) of Bank may perform the following customer
service functions at the following locations (which may be Operations Center locations):
Subcontractor
Function
Location
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
-8-
THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE
CO-BRANDED CREDIT CARD PROGRAM AGREEMENT
This Thirteenth Amendment (“
Amendment
”) is between Citibank, N.A. (“
Bank
”) and Costco
Wholesale Corporation (“
Costco
”), is effective as of September 11, 2024, and amends that
certain Co-Branded Credit Card Program Agreement, by and between Bank and Costco,
dated February 27, 2015 (the “
Agreement
”).
Pursuant to Section 16.10 of the Agreement, the Bank and Costco agree as follows:
1.
Defined Terms.
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment will
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
2.
Extension
. Costco hereby exercises its right pursuant to Section 12.01(a) to
extend the Initial Term by three years. Therefore, the parties acknowledge that the Initial
Term will continue through June 19, 2029.
3.
Tiered Pricing
. The single purchase APR listed in the Co-Branded Cardholder
Account Terms will be replaced by the following four APRs based on Bank’s FICO tiers (for
both consumer and small business Co-Branded Card Accounts):
FICO Tier
Prime Rate +
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
Bank and Costco anticipate that tiered pricing will become effective by October 31, 2024 for
new Co-Branded Card Accounts, and, for eligible existing Co-Branded Cardholders, upon
the effectiveness of a change in terms notice issued to such Co-Branded Cardholders (which
notices will be issued starting in November 2024).
4.
Amendments
.
a.
Section 3.02(f) Resiliency
. New Section 3.02(f) is added as follows:
“(f) Costco and Bank acknowledge that, in connection with Applicable Laws and Applicable
Guidelines, Bank has developed, applies, and adjusts from time to time, resiliency standards
that measure the performance of the Program (the “
Resiliency Standards
”). Costco will
work with Bank in good faith to achieve the Resiliency Standards [*] and throughout the
Term. Both parties will review Bank’s portfolio resiliency metric (Risk Appetite Ratio) as part
of the quarterly business reviews and discuss opportunities (such as expense reductions or
revenue generating activities) intended to maintain resiliency and ongoing Program growth.
Costco and Bank will test for potential expansion of offshore call
handling and implement other mutually agreed upon efficiencies intended to enhance and
maintain resiliency.”
b.
Section 4.06 Loyalty Program
. Section 4.06(b) is deleted and replaced with the following:
“As provided in Schedule 4.06(a), as of the date hereof, Costco Members are eligible to
receive rewards pursuant to the Loyalty Program (“
Rewards
”). Subject to Applicable Law,
the Rewards will be issued by the Bank in the form of one annual Costco Rewards coupon.
Bank will test the functionality of the Rewards issuance processes annually before the
issuance of the Costco Rewards coupon. If Bank is required by Applicable Law to issue
Rewards in a different manner, Costco will cooperate with Bank in the implementation of the
required changes at no cost to Costco. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for deceased
Co-Branded Card Accounts and small business Co-Branded Card Account closures, Bank
may issue Rewards in the form of a check or statement credit, which shall be captured as a
redemption. From time to time, and subject to Applicable Laws, Costco may require a
change to the method of funding Rewards to a gift card, statement credit, check, electronic
credit or other electronic transfer, other FTD, or otherwise and shall provide Bank with at
least ninety (90) days’ notice prior to the effectiveness of such change. Bank shall cooperate
to implement the new Rewards payment method in such a way that it is compatible with the
Costco point of sale equipment and consistent with Costco’s protocols and security
requirements and that otherwise achieves Systems interoperability between Bank’s Systems
and Costco’s Systems, and Bank shall otherwise cooperate with Costco in implementing
such change, subject to Applicable Laws. Regardless of the method or form of the Rewards,
Bank (and not Costco) shall be considered the issuer of such Rewards pursuant to the
Loyalty Program, and, except with respect to the Executive Membership program and except
as set forth in Schedule 9.01(4) with respect to duplicate electronic transfers requested by
Costco where Bank establishes the original electronic transfer was made to the account
provided by the Co-branded Cardholder, Bank shall be solely liable to Costco Members with
respect to such Rewards. Other than its duty to redeem the Rewards in accordance with the
Loyalty Program terms and conditions, Costco shall not have any obligation to Costco
Members regarding such Rewards.”
c.
Section 9.02 Net Revenue (EBT) Payments to Costco
.
i.The definition of “Bank EBT Share Percentage” is deleted.
ii.The definition of “Bank Profits Percentage” is deleted and replaced with the following:
“Bank Profits Percentage” means, on a Program Year or annual basis, as applicable, with
respect to the Program, the value of EBT divided by the value of ANR (i.e. EBT / ANR). To
the extent that Bank Profit Percentage needs to be calculated on a less than full Program
Year or calendar year
2
basis, the calculation shall be performed on a proportional basis for the applicable period
then annualized.
iii.Effective January 1, 2025, Section 9.02(a) is deleted and replaced with the following:
“(a) Within 45 days after the end of each calendar year during the Term (beginning with
2025) and within 45 days after the end of any partial calendar year during the Term, Bank
shall pay to Costco the percentage of the EBT for such calendar year corresponding to each
of the Bank Profits Percentages tiers below (each a “
Program Payment
”):
Tiers
Percentage of
corresponding EBT
paid to Costco
For EBT corresponding to Bank Profits
Percentage of less than [*]
[*]
For EBT corresponding to Bank Profits
Percentage equal to or greater than [*] and
less than [*]
[*]
For EBT corresponding to Bank Profits
Percentage equal to or greater than [*]
[*]
Program Payments will not be included as Eligible Expenses. For transparency, Bank will
share with Costco annually the calculation of EBT after taking Program Payments into
consideration. 9.05(b)(i) is deleted.
d.
Section 9.07 Expense Plan
. Section 9.07(a)(vi) is deleted and replaced with the following:
“(vi) those net expenses actually incurred by Bank, as communicated by and net amounts
paid to Network on a monthly basis and calculated as a percentage of total volume of
purchase transactions charged to Co-Branded Cards for the applicable time period, and
Bank will notify Costco if any network fees change over time;”
e.
Schedule 1.01(f) Fair Market Value.
i.The following is added to the Portfolio Appraisal Parameters and Assumptions chart in
Schedule 1.01(f):
[*]
[*]
[*]
[*]
3
ii.The following text is added below the Portfolio Appraisal Parameters and Assumptions
chart in Schedule 1.01(f):
“[*]”
f.
Schedules 4.05(a) and 4.05(a)(ii).
Effective as set forth in Paragraph 3 of this
Amendment, (x) Schedule 4.05(a) will be replaced with new Schedule 4.05(a) attached
hereto, and (y) Schedule 4.05(a)(ii) will be replaced with new Schedule 4.05(a)(ii).
g.
Schedule 4.06(a).
The parties intend to implement an enhancement to the Loyalty
Program by the end of February 2025. Upon implementation,
i.The first paragraph of the “Customer Card Loyalty Program (Cash Rebate portion only)”
section of Schedule 4.06(a) will be deleted and replaced with the following:
ii.“Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an annual reward based on
the eligible purchases on their Co-Branded Card from Costco and Citi during an annual
reward period. An annual reward period is 12 billing periods, starting with the one that begins
in January. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other
credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash
advances, purchases of traveler's checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or
purchases of any cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Co-Branded
Cardholders will earn an annual reward of: [*] on gasoline and electric vehicle charging
transactions at other gas stations and electric vehicle charging locations worldwide
(excluding superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and warehouse clubs other than
Costco) on the first $7,000 of such purchases (as an aggregate of gasoline and electric
vehicle charging transactions both at Costco and non-Costco locations) each annual reward
period (1% thereafter); [*] at restaurants worldwide; [*] for eligible travel purchases (eligible
travel purchases are: airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier, hotel stays
(excluding timeshares, banquets and events), car rentals from major car rental companies,
and other purchases from Costco Travel, cruise lines, travel agencies and tour operators); [*]
on eligible purchases at Costco Locations (unless a higher reward applies, such as at
Costco gas, Costco electric vehicle charging, or Costco travel); and [*] on all other eligible
purchases. Bank is obligated to fund the annual rewards up to the Loyalty Funding Cap.”
iii.The first paragraph of the “Small Business Loyalty Program (Cash Rebate portion only)”
section of Schedule 4.06(a) will be deleted and replaced with the following:
4
“Co-Branded Cardholders will earn an annual reward based on eligible purchases on their
small business Co-Branded Cards from Costco during an annual reward period. An annual
reward period is 12 billing periods, starting with the one that begins in January. Eligible
purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible
purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances,
purchases of traveler's checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of any
cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Co-Branded Cardholders will earn
an annual reward of: [*] on gasoline and electric vehicle charging transactions at other gas
stations and electric vehicle charging locations worldwide (excluding superstores,
supermarkets, convenience stores, and warehouse clubs other than Costco) on the first
$7,000 of such purchases (as an aggregate of gasoline and electric vehicle charging
transactions both at Costco and non-Costco locations) each annual reward period (1%
thereafter); [*] at restaurants worldwide; [*] for eligible travel purchases (eligible travel
purchases are: airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier, hotel stays (excluding
timeshares, banquets and events), car rentals from major car rental companies, and other
purchases from Costco Travel, cruise lines, travel agencies and tour operators); [*] on
eligible purchases at Costco Locations (unless a higher reward applies, such as at Costco
gas, Costco electric vehicle charging, or Costco travel); and [*] on all other eligible
purchases. Bank is obligated to fund the annual rewards up to the Loyalty Funding Cap.”
h.
Schedule 7.02 Operations Centers
. The following is added to the chart in Schedule 7.02:
Subcontractor
Function
Location
[*]
[*]
[*]
i.
Schedule 7.05(a) Monthly Reports
. The following reporting elements are deleted from the
“Portfolio Performance Reports” section of Schedule 7.05(a):
“[*]”
“[*]”
“[*]”
5.
Full Force and Effect.
The Agreement, as modified hereby, will remain in full force
and effect and this Amendment will not be deemed to be an amendment or a waiver of any
other provision of the Agreement except as expressly stated herein. All such other provisions
of the Agreement will also be deemed to apply to this Amendment.
6.
No Modification or Waiver; Incorporation.
No modification, amendment or waiver
of this Amendment will be effective or binding unless made in writing and signed by the
Parties. The Parties agree that, except for those modifications expressly set forth in this
Amendment, all terms and provisions of the Agreement will remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment and the Agreement will hereafter be read and construed
together
5
as a single document, and all references to the Agreement will hereafter refer to the
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
7.
Counterparts.
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts and if so
executed will be enforceable and effective upon the exchange of executed counterparts,
including by facsimile or electronic transmissions of executed counterparts.
[Signature page follows]
6
Duly authorized representatives of the Parties have executed this Amendment.
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION
By: _/s/ Peter Gruening______________
Name: Peter Gruening
Title: Senior Vice President
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: _/s/ John P. LaCosta_______________
Name: John P. LaCosta
Title: Vice President, Citibank, NA
7
Schedule 4.05(a)
Citi Disclosures – Consumer Co-Branded Card
Interest Rates and Interest Charges
Annual Percentage
Rate (APR) for
Purchases
20.49% to 28.49%,
based on your creditworthiness
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
a
APR for Balance
Transfers
20.49% to 28.49%,
based on your creditworthiness. Balance
transfers must be completed within 2 months from date of account
opening.
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
a
APR for Cash
Advances
29.99%
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
b
APR for Citi Flex Plan 20.49% to 28.49%,
based on your creditworthiness
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
a
Penalty APR and When
it Applies
Up to
29.99%
, based on your creditworthiness.
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
c
This APR may be applied to your account if you:
(1) Make a late payment or
(2) Make a payment that is returned.
How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?
If your APRs are
increased for either of these reasons, the Penalty APR may apply
indefinitely.
How to Avoid Paying
Interest on Purchases
Your due date is at least 23 days after the close of each billing
cycle. We will not charge you interest on purchases if you pay
your monthly Citi Flex Plan Payment Amount plus your entire
balance, excluding any Citi Flex Plan balances, by the due date
each month. If you do not pay your monthly Citi Flex Plan
Payment plus your entire balance, excluding any Citi Flex Plan
balances, by the due date each month, you will pay interest on
your purchases from the date they're posted to your account. We
will begin charging interest on cash advances, balance transfers,
and Citi Flex Loans on the transaction date. We will begin
charging interest on a Citi Flex Pay balance subject to an APR at
the start of the billing cycle following the billing cycle during which
you created the Citi Flex Pay.
Minimum Interest
Charge
If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than 50
cents.
Plan Fee (Fixed
Finance Charge)
A monthly fee of up to
1.72%
of each Transaction moved to a Citi
Flex Plan subject to such fee based on the Citi Flex Plan duration,
the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other
factors.
8
For Credit Card Tips
from the Consumer
Financial Protection
Bureau
To learn more about factors to consider when applying for or
using a credit card, visit the website of the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau at
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.
Fees
Annual Fee
No annual fee for this credit card with your paid Costco
Membership.
Transaction Fees
Balance Transfer
Cash Advance
Foreign Purchase
Transaction
Either
$5
or
5%
of the amount of each transfer, whichever is
greater.
Either
$10
or
5%
of the amount of each cash advance, whichever
is greater.
None
Penalty Fees
Late Payment
Returned Payment
Up to
$41
Up to
$41
How We Will Calculate Your Balance:
We use a method called "daily balance (including
new transactions)."
For more information call Citibank at 1-877-625-6382 (For TTY: Use 711 or other Relay
Service). New York residents may contact the New York State Department of Financial
Services at (800) 342-3736 or www.dfs.ny.gov for comparative information on credit card
rates, fees and grace periods.
Payment Allocation:
We may apply the portion of your payments up to your Minimum
Payment Due to lower APR balances first. Generally, payments above your Minimum
Payment Due will be applied to your highest APR balance first.
Prime Rate:
The variable rates shown here are accurate based on a 8.5% Prime Rate.
a
We add 11.99% to 19.99% to the Prime Rate to determine the Purchase/Balance
Transfer/Citi Flex Plan APR.
9
b
We add 21.99% to the Prime Rate to determine the Cash Advances APR.
c
We add up to 26.74% to the Prime Rate to determine the Penalty APR.
Variable rate APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
Note:
Balance Transfers and Flex Plans are made available at our discretion.
10
Schedule 4.05(a)(ii)
Citi Disclosures – Small Business Co-Branded Card
Interest Rates and Interest Charges
Annual Percentage
Rate (APR) for
Purchases
20.49% to 28.49%,
based on your creditworthiness
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
a
APR for Cash
Advances
29.99%
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
b
APR for Citi Flex Plan 20.49% to 28.49%,
based on your creditworthiness
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
a
Penalty APR and When
it Applies
Up to
29.99%
, based on your creditworthiness.
This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
c
This APR may be applied to your account if you:
(1) Make a late payment or
(2) Make a payment that is returned.
How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?
If your APRs are
increased for either of these reasons, the Penalty APR may apply
indefinitely.
How to Avoid Paying
Interest on Purchases
Your due date is at least 23 days after the close of each billing
cycle. We will not charge you interest on purchases if you pay
your monthly Citi Flex Plan Payment Amount plus your entire
balance, excluding any Citi Flex Plan balances, by the due date
each month. If you do not pay your monthly Citi Flex Plan
Payment plus your entire balance, excluding any Citi Flex Plan
balances, by the due date each month, you will pay interest on
your purchases from the date they're posted to your account. We
will begin charging interest on cash advances, balance transfers,
and Citi Flex Loans on the transaction date. We will begin
charging interest on a Citi Flex Pay balance subject to an APR at
the start of the billing cycle following the billing cycle during which
you created the Citi Flex Pay.
Minimum Interest
Charge
If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than 50
cents.
Plan Fee (Fixed
Finance Charge)
A monthly fee of up to
1.72%
of each Transaction moved to a Citi
Flex Plan subject to such fee based on the Citi Flex Plan duration,
the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other
factors.
Fees
11
Annual Fee
No annual fee for this credit card with your paid Costco
Membership.
Transaction Fees
Cash Advance
Foreign Purchase
Transaction
Either
$10
or
5%
of the amount of each cash advance, whichever
is greater.
None
Penalty Fees
Late Payment
Returned Payment
$41
$41
How We Will Calculate Your Balance:
We use a method called "daily balance (including
new transactions)."
Payment Allocation:
We may apply the portion of your payments up to your Minimum
Payment Due to lower APR balances first. Generally, payments above your Minimum
Payment Due will be applied to your highest APR balance first.
Prime Rate:
The variable rates shown here are accurate based on an 8.5% Prime Rate.
a
We add 11.99% to 19.99% to the Prime Rate to determine the Purchase/Citi Flex Plan
APR.
b
We add 21.99% to the Prime Rate to determine the Cash Advances APR.
c
We add up to 26.74% to the Prime Rate to determine the Penalty APR.
Variable rate APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
Note:
Flex Plans are made available at our discretion.