TERMS AND CONDITIONS

As provided by the Merchant Application, United Merchant Processing Association, (“ISO”) and Merrick Bank Corporation (“Bank”) have agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions.  Bank and ISO are collectively referred to herein as the “Provider” and, subject to the requirements of the applicable Card Association rules, ISO and Bank allocate the duties and obligations allocated to Provider as they deem appropriate in their sole discretion in and my jointly or individually assert or exercise the rights or remedies provided to Provider hereunder.  Bank, ISO and Merchant agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I – DEFINITIONS

In addition to terms otherwise defined in this Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Article I.

1.01     “Account” means a commercial checking or demand deposit account maintained by Merchant referred to in Section 5.16 for the crediting of collected funds and the debiting of fees and charges under this Agreement.

1.02      “ACH” means the Automated Clearing House paperless entry system controlled by the Federal Reserve Board.

1.03     “Agreement” means these terms and conditions, any supplementary documents referenced herein, and valid schedules and amendments to the foregoing.

1.04     “American Express” means the Cards bearing the Marks of, and Card Network operated by, American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., or its affiliates.

1.05     “Authorization” means a computerized function or a direct phone call to a designated number to examine individual Transactions to obtain approval from the Card Issuer to charge the Card for the amount of the sale.

1.06     “Bank” has the meaning set forth on the Merchant Application.

1.07     “Card” means (i) a valid credit card in the form issued under license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa International, Inc., Discover Network and MasterCard International, Inc. (“Bank Card”); or (ii) any other valid credit card accepted by Merchant by agreement with Bank.

1.08     “Card Association” means Visa U.S.A., Inc., Visa International, Inc., MasterCard International, Inc., Discover Network or any other Card Issuers that provide Cards accepted by Merchant by agreement with Bank.

1.09     “Card Issuer” means the financial institution or company which has provided a Card to a Cardholder.

1.10     “Card Network” means Visa U.S.A., MasterCard International, Inc., American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., DFS Services LLC (the owner of Discover) and their affiliates, or any other payment networks approved by Bank that provide cares accepted by Merchant.

1.11     “Card Not Present (CNP)” means that an Imprint of the Card is not obtained at the point-of-sale.

1.12     “Cardholder” (sometimes referred to as “Card Member” in certain Card Network materials) shall mean any authorized to use the Cards or the accounts established in connection with the Cards.

1.13     “Cardholder Information” means any non-public, sensitive information about a Cardholder, including any combination of Cardholder name plus the Cardholder’s social security number, driver’s license or other identification number or credit or debit card number, or other bank account number.

1.14     “Chargeback” means the procedure by which a Transaction (or disputed portion thereof) is returned to Provider by a Card Issuer for any reason, including, but not limited to, cases where such items does not comply with the applicable Network Rules.

1.15     “Cash Over” means a Transaction using a Discover Card whereby the Cardholder elects to receive additional cash in excess of the purchase price, all as provided by Network Rules of Discover.

1.16     “Credit Voucher” means a document executed by a Merchant evidencing any refund or price adjustment relating to Cards to be credited to a Cardholder account.

1.17     “Discover Card” means a Card bearing the Discover Marks and accepted as part of the DFS Services Network.

1.18     “Guarantor” has the meaning set forth on the Merchant Application.

1.19     “Guaranty” has the meaning set forth on the Merchant Application.

1.20     “Imprint” means (i) an impression on a Transaction Record manually obtained from a Card through the use of an imprinter, or (ii) the electronic equivalent obtained by swiping a Card through a terminal and electronically capturing Card data and printing a Transaction Record.

1.21     “ISO” has the meaning set forth on the Merchant Application.

1.22     “Merchant” has the meaning set forth on the Merchant Application.

1.23     “Merchant Application” has the meaning set forth on the Merchant Application.

1.24     “Network Rules” means the rules, regulations, releases, interpretations and other requirements (whether contractual or otherwise) imposed or adopted by any Card Networks and related authorities,  including without limitation, those of the PCI Security Standards Council, LLC and the National Automated Clearing House Association (including, with respect to EBT, the Quest Operating Rules and with respect to PIN debit cards, the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the applicable debit network).

1.25     “Provider” as provided by the introductory paragraph to these Terms and Conditions means ISO and Bank together.

1.26     “Transaction Record” means evidence of a purchase, rental or lease of goods or services by a Cardholder from, and other payments to, Merchant using a Card, including preauthorized orders and Recurring Transactions (unless the context requires otherwise), regardless of whether the form of such evidence is in paper or electronic form or otherwise.

1.27      “Voice Authorization” means a direct phone call to a designated number to obtain credit approval on a Transaction from the Card Issuer, whether by voice or voice-activated systems.

 

ARTICLE II – CARD ACCEPTANCE

2.01     Honoring Cards.  Merchant will accept all valid Cards when properly presented by Cardholders in payment for goods or services, subject to applicable Card Association rules requiring Merchant to elect whether it will accept credit only, debit only or both debit and credit Cards. Merchant’s election is set forth in the Application. Merchant may not establish minimum or maximum amounts for Card sales as a condition for accepting any Card. Merchant may not require any Cardholder to pay as a surcharge any part of any discount or charge imposed upon Merchant by this Agreement, whether through any increase in price or otherwise require a Cardholder to pay any charge or price as a condition of sale that is not also required from a customer paying cash. However, Merchant may not, by this term, be prevented from offering discounts to Cardholders for cash purchases. Merchant may not engage in a Transaction (other than a mail, internet, telephone order, or preauthorized sale to the extent permitted under this Agreement) if the person seeking to charge the purchase to his or her Card account does not present the Card to permit Merchant to compare the signature on the Card to the signature on the Sales Draft and obtain an Imprint or otherwise use the physical Card to complete the Transaction.  A merchant may not accept a Card for an unlawful Internet gambling transaction. Merchant will pay all Card Association fines, fees, penalties and all other assessments or indebtedness levied by Card Associations to Bank which are attributable, at the Bank’s discretion, to Merchant’s Transaction processing or business.

2.02     Advertising.  Merchant will prominently display the promotional materials provided by Bank in its place(s) of business. Merchant’s use of promotional materials and use of any trade name, trademark, service mark or logo type (“Marks”) associated with a Card is limited to informing the public that the Card will be accepted at Merchant’s place(s) of business. Merchant’s use of promotional materials and Marks is subject to the Bank’s direction. Merchant may use promotional materials and Marks only during the term of this Agreement and will immediately cease use and return any inventory to Bank upon termination thereof. Merchant may not use any promotional materials or Marks associated with Visa, Discover Network, or MasterCard in any way which suggests or implies that either endorses any goods or services other than Card payment services.

2.03     Card Acceptance.  When accepting a Card, Merchant will follow the steps provided by Bank for accepting Cards and will: (a) Determine in good faith and to the best of its ability that the Card is valid on its face; (b) obtain Authorization from the Card Issuer to charge the Cardholder’s account; (c) unless the Sales Draft is electronically generated or is the result of a mail, internet, phone or preauthorized order, (i) obtain an Imprint of the Card including embossed data from the merchant imprinter plate; and (ii) obtain the Cardholder’s signature on the Sales Draft and compare that signature to the signature on the Card; (d) enter a description of the goods or services sold and the price thereof (including any applicable taxes); (e) deliver a true and completed copy of the Sales Draft to the Cardholder at the time the goods are delivered or services performed, or, if the Sales Draft is prepared by a point-of-sale terminal, at the time of the sale; (f) offer the Sales Draft to Bank for purchase according to Bank’s procedures and the terms of this Agreement; and (g) make a Card Imprint, if the Transaction is not based upon a mail, internet, phone or pre-authorized order.

2.04     Authorization.  Merchant will obtain an Authorization for all Card sales. If Merchant cannot, for any reason, obtain an electronic Authorization through the use of a terminal, Merchant will request a Voice Authorization from Bank’s designated authorization center and will legibly print the authorization number on the Sales Draft. Merchant will not obtain or attempt to obtain authorization from Bank’s authorization center unless Merchant intends to submit to Bank a Transaction for the authorized amount if Authorization for the Transaction is given. Merchant may not divide a single Transaction between two or more Sales Drafts on a single Card to avoid Authorization limits that may be set by the Card Issuer. Merchant acknowledges that an Authorization provides only that the Cardholder account has sufficient credit available to cover the amount of the current sale and that an Authorization is not a guarantee that the Transaction will not be subject to dispute or Chargeback and does not warranty the Cardholder’s identity. Merchant may not attempt to obtain an authorization by successively decreasing the sale amount. Bank may refuse to purchase or process any Sales Draft presented by Merchant: (a) unless a proper authorization or approval code has been recorded on the Sales Draft; (b) if Bank determines that the Sales Draft is or is likely to become uncollectible from the Cardholder to which the transaction would otherwise be charged; or (c) if Bank has reason to believe that the Sales Draft was prepared in violation of any provision of this Agreement. Merchant will use, and may not circumvent, fraud identification tools requested by Bank, including Address Verification System processing and CVV2, CID processing, and acknowledges that the use of these tools may prevent Merchant from accepting certain Cards as payment. Merchant acknowledges that its use of fraud identification tools may not prevent fraudulent Card usage, and agrees that any fraudulent Transaction may ultimately result in a Chargeback, for which Merchant retains full liability under this Agreement.

2.05     Retention and Retrieval of Cards.  Merchant will use its best efforts, by reasonable and peaceful means, to retain or recover a Card when receiving such instructions when making a request for Authorization or if Merchant has reasonable grounds to believe the Card is counterfeit, fraudulent or stolen. Merchant’s obligations under this section does not authorize a breach of the peace or any injury to persons or property, and Merchant will hold Bank harmless from any claim arising from any injury to person or property or other breach of the peace in connection with the retention or recovery of a Card.

2.06     Multiple Transaction Records; Partial Consideration.  Merchant may not prepare more than one Sales Draft for a single sale or for a single item but will include all items of goods and services purchased in a single Transaction in the total amount on a single Sales Draft except under the following circumstances: (a) for purchases in separate departments of a multiple department store; (b) For partial payment, installment payment, delayed delivery or an advance deposit; or (c) for delayed or amended charges governed by rules for travel and entertainment merchants and Transactions.

2.07     Telephone Orders, Mail Orders, Internet, Preauthorized Orders and Installment Orders.  Unless Merchant has been approved by Bank to accept mail, internet or telephone orders, Merchant warrants that it is a walk-in trade business, located in a retail business place where the public moves in and out freely in order to purchase merchandise or obtain services. If Bank determines Merchant has accepted unapproved Card Transactions which are placed by telephone, generated through telephone solicitation, mail order or other means that does not create a Sales Draft that bears the Card imprint and Cardholder’s signature, this Agreement will be immediately terminated and the value of all Sales Drafts collected from the first day of processing may be charged back to Merchant and all funds wherefrom held as provided in Article IV. Unless approved by Bank, this Agreement does not contemplate regular acceptance of Cards for sales accepted by mail, internet or telephone nor through preauthorized orders. If an occasional Card Transaction is made by mail, phone or preauthorized order, the Sales Draft may be completed without the Cardholder’s signature or an Imprint, but in such case Merchant will create a sales slip containing Cardholder data, an Authorization number, the sale amount and the letters “MO”, “TO” or “PO”, as appropriate. Receiving an Authorization will not relieve the Merchant of liability for Chargeback on any Transaction for which the Merchant did not obtain an Imprint or the Cardholder’s signature.

2.08     Lodging and Vehicle Rental Transactions.  Merchant must estimate and obtain Authorization for the amount of the Transaction based upon the Cardholder’s intended length of stay or rental. Additional Authorization must be obtained and recorded for charges actually incurred in excess of the estimated amount. Regardless of the terms and conditions of any written preauthorization form, the Sales Draft amount for any lodging or vehicle rental Transaction must include only that portion of the sale, including any applicable taxes, evidencing a bona fide rental of real or personal property by Merchant to the Cardholder and may not include any consequential charges. Nothing contained herein is intended to restrict Merchant from enforcing the terms and conditions of its preauthorization form through means other than a Card Transaction.  Lodging merchants must perform “check-in” and “check-out” procedures as mandated by the Card Associations.

2.09     Returns and Adjustments; Credit Vouchers.  Merchant’s policy for the exchange or return of goods sold and the adjustment for services rendered will be established and posted in accordance with operating regulations of the applicable Card Association’s regulations. Merchant will disclose, if applicable, to a Cardholder before a Card sale is made, that if merchandise is returned: (a) no refund, or less than a full refund, will be given; (b) returned merchandise will only be exchanged for similar merchandise of comparable value; (c) only a credit toward purchases will be given; or (d) special conditions or circumstances apply to the sale (e.g., late delivery, delivery charges, or other non-credit terms). If Merchant does not make these disclosures, a full refund in the form of a credit to the Cardholder’s Card account must be given. Disclosures must be made on all copies of Sales Drafts or invoices in letters approximately 1/4″ high in close proximity to the space provided for the Cardholder’s signature or on an invoice issued at the time of the sale or on an invoice being presented for the Cardholder’s signature. Any change in Merchant’s return or cancellation policy must be submitted in writing to Bank not less than 14 days prior to the change. Bank may refuse to process any Sales Draft made subject to a revised return or cancellation policy of which Bank has not been notified as required herein.

2.10     Cash Payments.  Merchant may not receive any payments from a Cardholder for charges included in any. resulting from the use of any Card nor receive any payment from a Cardholder to prepare and present a Transaction for the purpose of affecting a deposit to the Cardholder’s Card account.

2.11     Cash Advances; Scrip Purchases.  Merchant may not deposit any Transaction for the purpose of obtaining or providing a cash advance either on Merchant’s Card or the Card of any other party and may not accept any Card at a scrip terminal, and either action will be grounds for Bank’s immediate termination of this Agreement.

2.12     Duplicate Transactions.  Merchant may not deposit duplicate Transactions. Bank may debit Merchant for any adjustments for duplicate Transactions and Merchant is liable for any Chargebacks resulting therefrom.

2.13     Deposit of Fraudulent Transactions.  Merchant may not accept or deposit any fraudulent Transaction and may not under any circumstances present for processing or credit, directly or indirectly, a Transaction which originated with any other merchant or any other source other than Transactions arising from bona fide purchases from Merchant for the goods and services for which Merchant has been approved under this Agreement. If Merchant deposits any prohibited Transaction, Bank may: (a) immediately terminate this Agreement; (b) withhold funds and demand an escrow as provided in this Agreement; (c) report Merchant to Visa, Discover Network, and MasterCard under the terms of this Agreement. Merchant’s employees’ actions are chargeable to Merchant under this Agreement.

2.14     Collection of Pre-existing Debt.  Merchant may not prepare and present to Bank for purchase any Transaction representing the refinancing of an existing Cardholder obligation including, but not limited to, obligations: (a) previously owed to Merchant; (b) arising from the dishonor of a Cardholder’s personal check or relating to a Chargeback; or (c) representing the collection of any other pre-existing indebtedness, including collection of delinquent accounts on behalf of third parties.

2.15     Data Security/Personal Cardholder Information.  Except as otherwise provided by Network Rules, Merchant may not, as a condition of sale, impose a requirement on Cardholders to provide any personal information as a condition for honoring Cards unless such information is required to provide delivery of goods or services or Merchant has reason to believe the identity of the person presenting the Card may be different than that of the Cardholder. Merchant will not, under any circumstances, release, sell or otherwise disclose any Cardholder Information to any person other than Provider or the applicable Card Network, except as expressly authorized in writing by the Cardholder, or as required by Law or the Network Rules.

(a) Safeguards.  Merchant will maintain appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards for all Cardholder Information. These safeguards will (i) insure the confidentiality of Cardholder Information; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Cardholder Information; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of Cardholder Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any Cardholder; and (iv) properly dispose of all Cardholder Information to ensure no unauthorized access to Cardholder Information. Merchant will maintain all such safeguards applicable to Merchant in accordance with applicable Laws and Network Rules.

(b) Compliance with Card Network Rules.  Merchant represents, warrants and covenants that it is and will remain throughout the Term of this Agreement in compliance with (i) Network Rules related to data security, data integrity and the safeguarding of Cardholder Information including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (“PCI”), Discover Information Security Compliance (“DISC”), MasterCard’s Site Data Protection Program (“SDP”), the American Express Data Security Requirements (“DSR”) and Visa’s Customer Information Security Program (“CISP”), in effect and as may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time, and (ii) any data security guidelines or operating guide that Provider may provide to Merchant, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time. Merchant will cause all of its service providers, subcontractors and agents to comply with PCI, SDP, DISC, DSR and CISP requirements and any data security guidelines or operating guide provided by Provider at all times. Merchant will report any non-compliance immediately to Provider. To accomplish the foregoing, Merchant will encrypt all debit, credit or stored value card numbers whether in storage, transport or backup and will not store data security codes on its systems, network or software.

(c) Annual Certification.  Merchant will provide an annual certification to Provider if requested by Provider (in a form acceptable to Provider) certifying compliance with the data security provisions of this Agreement, including compliance with applicable Card Network requirements such as PCI, SDP, DSR and CISP. Merchant will provide annual certifications for Merchant’s service providers, subcontractors and agents.

(d) Information Use Limitations.  Merchant may not sell, disclose, or otherwise make Cardholder Information available, in whole or in part, in a manner not provided for in this Agreement, without Provider’s prior written consent. Merchant may, however, disclose Cardholder Information to its service providers, subcontractors and agents who have a need to know such information to provide the Services described in this Agreement, provided that those individuals or entities have assumed confidentiality obligations in accordance with this Agreement, or when such disclosure is required by legal process or applicable Laws, and Merchant and its relevant service provider, subcontractor, or agent have entered into a written agreement containing Merchant’s and such individual’s or entity’s agreement to the foregoing data security provisions, including compliance with the Network Rules.

(e) Response to Unauthorized Access.  Merchant will notify Provider within twenty-four (24) hours after it becomes aware of any actual or potential knows of any breach in security resulting in an unauthorized access to Cardholder Information. Merchant will provide any assistance that Provider, Card Issuer, regulators, governmental authority or any Card Network deems necessary to contain and control the incident to prevent further unauthorized access to or use of Cardholder Information. Such assistance may include, but not be limited to, preserving records and other evidence and compiling information to enable Provider and the issuing bank(s) or the Card Network to investigate the incident and provide assistance and cooperation to: (a) file suspicious activity reports (as applicable); (b) notify their regulators (as applicable); and (c) notify the affected Cardholder (as required). Unless the unauthorized access was due to Provider’s acts or omissions, Merchant will bear the cost of notifying affected Cardholder.

(f) Miscellaneous.  Merchant may not make a claim against Provider or hold Provider liable for the acts or omissions of other merchants, service providers, Card Issuers, Card Networks, financial institutions or others that do not have a written contractual relationship with Provider or over which Provider has no control. These provisions supplement, augment and are in addition to obligations of indemnification, audit, confidentiality and other similar provisions contained in this Agreement. This Section and each of its subsections will survive this Agreement’s termination. Merchant may not store in any system or in any manner discretionary Card read data including without limitation CVV2 data, PIN data, address verification data or any other information prohibited by Card Network Rules.  Merchant agrees that Provider may disclose to any Card Network information regarding Merchant and Merchant’s Transactions to any Card Network, and that such Card Network may use such information to perform its responsibilities in connection with its duties as a Card Network, promote the Card Network, perform analytics and create reports, and for any other lawful business purposes including commercial marketing communications purposes within the parameters of Card Network Card acceptance, and transactional or relationship communications from Card Network.  A Card Network may use the information about Merchant obtained in this Agreement at the time of setup to screen and/or monitor Merchant in connection with the Card Network marketing and administrative purposes.  Merchant agrees it may receive messages from a Card Network, including important information about Card Network products, services, and resources available to its business.  These messages may be sent to the mailing address, phone numbers, email addresses or fax numbers of Merchant.  Merchant may be contacted at its wireless telephone number and the communications sent may include autodialed short message service (SMS or “text”) messages or automated or prerecorded calls.  Merchant agrees that it may be sent fax communications.

2.16     Compliance with Card Association Rules.  Merchant will comply with and conduct its Card activities in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal statues, regulations, ordinances rules and other binding law, as the same may be enacted or amended from time to time (collectively, “Laws”) as well as all Network Rules. Merchant may not: (a) accept Cardholder payments for previous Card charges incurred at the Merchant location; (b) require a Cardholder to complete a postcard or similar device that includes the Cardholder’s account number, card expiration date, signature, or any other card account data in plain view when mailed; (c) add any tax to transactions; unless applicable Law expressly requires that Merchant be permitted to impose a tax (any tax amount, if allowed, must be included in the transaction amount and not included in the transaction amount and not collected separately; (d) enter into interchange any Transaction Record for a Transaction that was previously the subject of a Chargeback to Provider and subsequently returned to Merchant, irrespective of Cardholder approval (Merchant may pursue payment from the Cardholder outside the Card Network system); (e) request or use an account number for any purpose other than as payment for its goods or services; (f) disburse funds in the form of travelers cheques, if the sole purpose is to allow the Cardholder to make a cash purchase of goods or services from Merchant; (g) disburse funds in the form of cash, unless: (i) Merchant is a lodging or cruise line merchant disbursing cash to a Cardholder, (ii) Merchant is dispensing funds in the form of travelers cheques, Cards, or foreign currency, or (iii) Merchant is participating in the Card Network cash back or Cash Over service; (h) accept a Card for manual cash disbursement; (i) accept a Card to collect or refinance existing debt that has been deemed uncollectible by the Merchant providing the associated goods or services; (j) enter into a Transaction that represents collection of a dishonored check; or (k) accept a Card for an unlawful Internet gambling transaction. Merchant will pay all Card Network fines, fees, penalties and all other assessments or indebtedness levied by Card Network to Provider which are attributable, at the Provider’s discretion, to Merchant’s Transaction processing or business.  The Card Network may require that Bank limit Merchant’s participation in the applicable Card Network and/or terminate this Agreement.

2.17     Merchant’s Business.  Merchant will notify Provider immediately if it intends to (a) transfer or sell any substantial part of its total assets, or liquidate; (b) change the basic nature of its business, including selling any products or services not related to its current business; (c) change ownership or transfer control of its business; (d) enter into any joint venture, partnership or similar business arrangement whereby any person or entity not a party to this Agreement assumes any interest in Merchant or Merchant’s business; (e) alter in any way Merchant’s approved monthly volume, average, or maximum ticket; (f) changes its return policies or to another fulfillment house different from those identified in Merchant Application; or (g) changes to its Account.  Merchant will notify Provider promptly in writing if it becomes subject to any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency petition or proceeding.  Merchant’s failure to provide notice as required above may be deemed a material breach and will be sufficient grounds for termination of the Agreement and for Provider’s exercise of all its rights and remedies provided by this Agreement. If any change listed above occurs, Provider may immediately terminate this Agreement.

2.18     Merchant’s Representations and Warranties.  Merchant represents and warrants that: (a) all information contained in the Merchant Application or any other documents delivered to Provider in connection therewith is true and complete and properly reflects Merchant’s business, financial condition and principals, partners, owners or officers (as applicable); (b) Merchant has power to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and this Agreement is duly authorized, and will not violate any provisions of Law, or conflict with any other agreement to which Merchant is subject; (c) Merchant holds all licenses, if any, required to conduct its business and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction where it is required to do so; and (d) there is no action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity now pending or, to Merchant’s knowledge, threatened by or against or affecting Merchant which would substantially impair its right to carry on its business as now conducted or adversely affect its financial condition or operations.

2.19     Merchant’s Covenants.  Merchants covenants that: (a) each Transaction Record presented to Provider for collection is genuine and is not the result of any fraudulent activity, or a Transaction prohibited by a Card Network, or is not being deposited on behalf of any business other than Merchant as authorized by this Agreement; (b) each Transaction Record is the result of a bona fide purchase of goods or services from Merchant by the Cardholder in the total amount stated on the Transaction Record; (c) Merchant will all of its obligations to the Cardholder in connection with the Transaction evidenced thereby; (d) Merchant will comply with Provider’s procedures for accepting Cards, and the Transaction itself will not involve any element of credit for any other purposes other than as set forth in this Agreement, and will not be subject to any defense, dispute, offset or counterclaim which may be raised by any Cardholder under the Network Rules, the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC §1601) or other Law; and any Credit Voucher which Merchant issues represents a bona fide refund or adjustment on a Transaction by Merchant with respect to which a Transaction Record has been accepted by Provider.

2.20     Third Parties.  Merchant may desire to use a third-party service provider to assist Merchant with its Transactions.  Merchant shall not utilize any such third parties unless Merchant has disclosed such use to Provider previously in writing, and unless such third party is fully compliant with all Laws and Network Rules.  Any third party used by Merchant must be registered with the Card Network prior to the performance of any contracted services on behalf of Merchant.  Further, as between the parties to the Agreement, Merchant will be bound by the acts and omissions of any third-party service provider and Merchant will be responsible for compliance by such third-party service provider with all Laws and Network Rules.  Merchant will indemnify and hold harmless Provider from and against any loss, cost or expense incurred in connection with or by reason of Merchant’s use of any third parties, including third-party service providers.  Provider is not responsible for any third-party service provider used by Merchant, nor is Provider required to process any Transactions which Provider receives from Merchant or its service providers in any format not approved by Provider.  Provider has no responsibility for, and shall have no liability to Merchant in connection with, any hardware, software or services Merchant receives subject to a direct agreement (including any sale, warranty or end-user license agreement) between Merchant and third party.

2.21     Recourse.  Merchant acknowledges that ISO performs the services contemplated by this Agreement and ISO is responsible to Merchant for any failure to perform such services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  While Bank satisfies settlement files pursuant to instructions provided by ISO, Bank is not responsible for independently verifying the accuracy of such settlement files.  Accordingly, to the greatest extent permitted by the Network Rules, Merchant’s sole recourse for any failure Provider under this Agreement is against ISO (and not Bank).

2.22     Pre-Authorized Transactions.  If Merchant agrees to accept a pre-authorized order, the Cardholder shall execute and deliver to Merchant a written request for such pre-authorization which will be retained by Merchant and made available upon request to Provider.  Merchant will not deliver goods or perform services covered by a pre-authorization after receiving specific notification that the pre-authorization is cancelled or that the card covering the pre-authorization is not to be honored.

2.23     Pre-Authorized Transactions.  If Merchant is a “Health Care Merchant” as indicated on the Merchant Application and accepts a pre-authorized health care Transaction(s) from a Cardholder, Merchant agrees to comply with any requirements in the Network Rules related to such Transactions.

2.24     Recurring Transactions.  If Merchant agrees to accept a recurring transaction from a Cardholder for the purchase of goods or services which are delivered or performed periodically (a “Recurring Transaction”), the Cardholder shall complete and deliver to Merchant an order form containing a written request for such goods or services to be charged to the Cardholder’s account, the frequency of the recurring charges and the duration of time for which such Cardholder’s permission is guaranteed.  In the event a Recurring Transaction is renewed, the Cardholder shall complete and deliver to Merchant a subsequent order form for continuation of such goods or services to be charged to the Cardholder’s account.  A Recurring Transaction may not include partial payments made to Merchant for goods or services purchased in a single Transaction, nor may it be used fo0r periodic payments of goods or services on which Merchant assesses additional finance charges.  A copy f the order form must be retained for the duration of the recurring charges and provided in response to Provider’s request.  In addition, Merchant must record, retain, and promptly produce upon request the “ship to address” and address verification service code (where applicable) for each transaction.  Merchant must not complete an initial or subsequent Recurring Transaction after receiving a cancellation notice from the Cardholder, the Card Issuer, Provider or other party or a response that the Card is not to be honored.

2.25     Limited Acceptance.  (a)  If appropriately indicated on the Merchant Application, Merchant shall be a limited acceptance merchant, which means that Merchant has elected to accept only certain Visa and MasterCard credit acceptance option on the Merchant Application refers to Visa credit and busi9ness transactions, and is what MasterCard refers to as “Other Card” transactions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Merchant Application, Merchant can elect (i) to accept only Visa or MasterCard non-PIN based debit/stored value/electronic benefit transactions (sometimes referred to as “signature debit” transactions, whether or not an actual signature is required), (ii) to accept only Visa or MasterCard Credit transactions or (iii) to accept all Visa or MasterCard credit and signature debit transactions; provided however, that a Merchant who accepts any Visa or MasterCard Card types mush accept all valid Visa or MasterCard Card types issued by a non U.S. issuer.  Merchant is not required to accept cards of Card Networks other than Visa or MasterCard in order to accept MasterCard types Visa or MasterCard Cards (except that transactions using Diner’s International Cards which also carry the MasterCard Mark must be accepted if Merchant accepts MasterCard Card transactions of the same type).  Provider has no obligation other than those expressly provided under Network Rules and applicable Law as they may relate to limited acceptance.  Provider’s obligations do not include policing and types at the point-of-sale.  Merchant will be solely responsible for the implementation of its decision for limited acceptance including but not limited to policing the Card Network type(s) of transactions at the point-of-sale submitted for processing by Provider.  Should Merchant submit a Transaction for processing for a card type it has indicated it does not wish to accept, Provider may process that Transaction and Merchant will pay the applicable fees, charges, and assessments associated with that Transaction.  Merchant will comply with any applicable Laws and Network Rules and other applicable rules and regulations for the Card Network type processed.  (b) If Merchant has chosen to accept Discover Cards in the Merchant Application, Merchant must accept Discover Cads at all Merchant establishments, including in payment for purchases of goods and services, for charitable contributions and for Cash Over Transactions (subject to the terms of the Network Rules and other applicable rules and regulations), when properly presented for payment by Cardholder.  Subject to this section, Merchant must create a Transaction Record for each Discover Card Transaction and deliver at least one copy of the Transaction Record to the Cardholder.  A Merchant may issue a Cash Over (subject to the terms of the Network Rules) in connection with a Discover Card Transaction.  Merchant must deliver a single Authorization request for the aggregate total of the goods/services purchase amount and the Cash Over amount.  In addition, the Transaction Record must include both the purchase amount and the Cash Over amount.

 

ARTICLE III – PRESENTMENT, PAYMENT, CHARGEBACK.

3.01     Acceptance.  Provider will accept from Merchant all Transaction Records deposited by Merchant under the terms of this Agreement and will present the same to the appropriate Card Issuers for collection against Cardholder accounts. Merchant must transmit Transaction Records and Credit Vouchers to Provider or its processing vendor on the same or next business day immediately following the day that such Transaction Records and Credit Vouchers have been originated. All presentment and assignment of Transaction Records, collection therefore and reassignment or rejection of such Transaction Records are subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Network Rules.  Provider will only provisionally credit the value of collected Transaction Records to Merchant’s Account and reserves the right to adjust amounts collected to reflect the value of Chargebacks (actual and anticipated), fees, penalties, late submission charges, reserve deposits, negative Transaction Record batch deposits and items for which Provider did not receive final payment.

3.02     Endorsement.  By presenting Transaction Records to Provider for collection and payment, Merchant agrees to sell and assign all its right, title and interest in each Transaction Record completed in conformity with Provider’s acceptance procedures. Merchant’s presentment of Transaction Records to Provider constitutes an endorsement by Merchant to Provider of such Transaction Records. Provider may supply such endorsement on Merchant’s behalf.

3.03     Prohibited Payments.  Provider may receive payment of any Transaction Records presented by Merchant and paid by Provider unless and until there is a Chargeback. Unless specifically authorized in writing by Provider, Merchant may not collect or attempt to collect any Transaction Record, including Chargebacks, and will hold in trust for Provider and promptly deliver in kind to Provider any payment Merchant receives, in whole or in part, of the amount of any accepted Transaction, together with the Cardholder’s name and account number and any correspondence accompanying payment.

3.04     Chargebacks.  Merchant will accept responsibility for all Chargebacks related to Merchant’s Transactions.  Accordingly, Merchant will be liable to Provider in the amount of any Transaction disputed by the Cardholder or Card Issuer for any reason under Network Rules.  Merchant authorizes Provider to offset from funds due to Merchant or to debit the Account or, if applicable, the Reserve Account for the amount of all Chargebacks.  Merchant agrees to fully cooperate with Provider in complying with the Network Rules regarding all Chargebacks.  Merchant may not initiate a sale Transaction in an attempt to collect a Chargeback.  Merchant will pay the current published fees for each Chargeback as listed on the Merchant Application and any other fines, fees, or assessments imposed by any Card Network or Card Issuer.

3.05     Reserve Account.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and in addition to any other legal rights or remedies to Provider, Bank may establish (without notice to Merchant) and Merchant agrees to fund and/or allow Provider to fund from the Account or by way of offset of funds otherwise due to Merchant, a non-interest bearing Chargeback reserve account (the “Reserve Account”), in an amount determined by the Bank in its sole discretion.  Such Reserve Account may be funded by all or any combination of the following as determined by Bank (i) one or more debits to Merchant’s Account or any other accounts held by Bank or any of its affiliates in Merchant’s name or on Merchant’s behalf; (ii) one or more deductions or offsets to any payments otherwise due to Merchant; (iii) Merchant’s delivery to Bank of a letter of credit; (iv) if Bank so agrees, Merchant’s pledge to Bank of a freely transferable and negotiable certificate of deposit; or (v) Bank’s demand of other security or increase of any discount rate transaction fees or other fees.  Any such letter of credit or certificate of deposit shall be issued by a financial institution reasonably acceptable to Bank.  The Reserve Account may be established at any time or for any reason.  Specific examples of reasons include:  (a) Merchant engages in any Transaction processing that creates an overcharge to a Cardholder by duplicating Transactions; (b) any activity designed by Merchant to circumvent a “call center” message when attempting to process a Transaction; (c) Merchant breaches this Agreement, violates any representation, covenant or warranty herein, or violates any Network Rule or Law; (d) the Merchant Application is in any way inaccurate or becomes inaccurate subsequent to Provider’s approval of the Merchant Application; (e) Merchant changes its type of business without Provider’s prior written approval; (f) fraud, Merchant processes an unauthorized charge, or other action that violates Provider’s applicable risk management standards or is likely to cause a loss; (g) Merchant has chargebacks exceeding one percent (1%) of the total number of transactions completed by Merchant in any thirty (30) calendar day period; (h) excessive numbers of requests from Cardholders or Card Issuers to retrieve documentation; (i) Merchant’s financial stability is in question or Merchant ceases doing business; or (j) Merchant terminates this Agreement. Once the Reserve Account is established, collected funds will be placed in the Reserve Account by Bank. Before releasing funds after this Agreement is terminated, Merchant will pay any equipment cancellation fees and any outstanding charges, losses or amounts, and Chargebacks for which Merchant has provided indemnification under this Agreement. Further, Bank may require Merchant to deposit additional amounts based upon Merchant’s processing history and/or anticipated risk of loss to Bank into the Reserve Account. Once established, unless Bank determines otherwise at its sole discretion, the Reserve Account will remain in place for the later of (i) twelve (12) months, or (ii) such period thereafter during which Cardholder disputes may remain valid under Network Rules. The provisions of this Agreement relating to account debits and credits apply to the Reserve Account and survive this Agreement’s termination until Bank terminates the Reserve Account. Any balance remaining after Chargeback rights have expired and all of Bank’s other expenses, losses and damages have been paid will be disbursed to Merchant.

 

ARTICLE IV – TERMINATION AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION

4.01     Term.  This Agreement will be effective once Provider accepts it and, unless otherwise terminated, will continue for two (2) years (the “Initial Term”) with automatic two (2) year renewals thereafter (each a “Renewal Term,” and together with the Initial Term, the “Term”) unless and until Merchant provides written notice of non-renewal to Provider not less than ninety (90) days before the end of the then-current term.

4.02     Termination.  (a) Without Cause.  Provider may terminate this Agreement, without cause, upon 30 days’ advance written notice to Merchant. (b) For Cause.  Provider may terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion, effective immediately, upon written or verbal notice, or by closing Merchant’s point-of-sale terminal, if Provider reasonably determines that any of the following conditions exists: (i) Merchant has violated any provision of this Agreement or Provider is otherwise entitle to terminate this Agreement pursuant to any provision of this Agreement; (ii) there is a material adverse change in Merchant’s financial condition; (iii) if any case or proceeding is commenced by or against Merchant its affiliates or principals under any Law dealing with insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership or other debt relief; (iv) any information which Merchant provided to Provider, including in the Merchant Application, was false, incomplete or misleading when received; (v) at any time during the Term, Merchant has had a monthly ratio of Chargebacks to total transactions exceeding Card Network requirements or one percent (1%), or Chargebacks exceed three percent (3%) of any monthly dollar amount of total Transactions; (vi) an overdraft in the Account exists for more than three (3) days; (vii) Merchant or any of Merchant’s officers or employees has been involved in processing Transactions arising from fraudulent or otherwise unauthorized Transactions; (viii) Merchant is or will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under this Agreement or applicable Law; or the Network Rules (ix) Merchant has failed to timely pay Provider any amount due; (x) Merchant has failed to promptly perform or discharge any obligation under its Account or the Reserve Account; (xi) any of Merchant’s representations or warranties made in connection with this Agreement was not true or accurate when given; (xii) Merchant has defaulted on any agreement it has with the Provider; (xiii) Provider is served with legal process seeking to attach or garnish any of Merchant’s funds or property in Provider’s possession, and Merchant does not satisfy or appeal the legal process within fifteen (15) days of such service; (xiv) any Network Rules are amended in any way so that the continued existence of this Agreement would cause Provider to be in breach of those rules; (xv) any guaranty supporting Merchant’s obligations is revoked, withdrawn, terminated or altered in any way; (xvi) if any circumstances arise regarding Merchant or its business that create harm or loss of goodwill to any Card Network; (xvii) termination is necessary to prevent loss to Provider or Card Issuers; (xviii) Merchant’s type of business indicated on the Merchant Application or as conducted by Merchant could endanger the Bank’s safety or soundness; (xix) Merchant’s owner, officer, guarantor, or corporate entity has a separate relationship with the Bank and that relationship is terminated, (xx) Merchant appears on any Card Network’s security reporting; or (xxi) Provider’s security for repayment becomes impaired. (c)  If merchant provides written notice of non-renewal less than 30 days before the end of the then–current term, merchant authorizes UMPA to direct ACH debit from merchant’s account $295.00.

4.03     Effect of Bankruptcy.  Any account or security held by Provider will not be subject to any preference, claim or stay by reason of bankruptcy or similar Law. The parties expressly agree that the acquisition of Transactions hereunder is a financial accommodation and if Merchant becomes a debtor in any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, this Agreement may not be assumed or enforced by any other person and Provider will be excused from performance hereunder.

4.04     Effect of Termination; Early Termination Fee.  If this Agreement is terminated, regardless for cause, Provider may withhold and discontinue the disbursement for all Cards and other Transactions in the process of being collected and deposited.  If the Agreement is terminated for cause, Merchant acknowledges that Provider may be required to report Merchant’s business name and the names and other identification of its principals to the various Card Network and industry databases, including the Terminated Merchant File and the Merchant Alert to Control High Risk Merchants File (“ MATCH).  Merchant expressly agrees and consents to such reporting if Merchant is terminated for any reason requiring listing on the MATCH file. Merchant waives and will hold harmless Provider from any claims that Merchant may raise as a result of Provider’s MATCH file reporting. Upon termination of the Agreement, Merchant will immediately cease requesting Authorizations. If Merchant obtains any Authorization after termination, the fact that any Authorization was requested or obtained will not reinstate this Agreement. Further, Merchant will return all Provider property, forms, or equipment. All obligations for Transactions prior to termination (including payment for Chargebacks and Provider’s expenses relating to Chargebacks) survive termination. Provider is not liable to Merchant for damages (including prospective sales or profits) due to termination. Following termination, Merchant will, upon request provide Provider with all original and electronic copies of Transaction Records and Credit Vouchers, if any, that have been retained by Merchant as of the date of termination. Upon termination, any amounts due to Provider will accelerate and be immediately due and payable, without any notice, declaration or other act whatsoever by Provider. The parties agree that if this Agreement is terminated before completion of the initial term of this Agreement for any reason other than a material uncured breach by Provider, Merchant will pay Provider damages of $295.00 and adding Provider’s costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with Merchant’s termination of this Agreement.  Merchant agrees that these damages are not a penalty but are a reasonable computation of the financial harm caused by the early termination of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE V – MISCELLANEOUS

5.01     Account Monitoring.  Merchant acknowledges that Provider will monitor Merchant’s Transaction activity. In addition to Provider’s right to fund a Reserve account as set forth in Section 3.05, Provider may upon reasonable grounds suspend disbursement of Merchant’s funds for any reasonable period of time required to investigate suspicious or unusual Transaction activity. Provider will make good faith efforts to notify Merchant promptly following suspension. Provider is not liable to Merchant for any loss, either direct or indirect, which Merchant may attribute to any suspension of funds disbursement.

5.02     Forms.  Merchant will use only the forms or modes of transmission of Transaction Records and Credit Vouchers that are provided or approved in advance by Provider, and Merchant may not use such forms other than in connection with Transactions.

5.03     Indemnification.  Merchant will defend, indemnify and hold Provider and its officers, directors, members, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, subcontractors and representatives harmless from and against any and all fines, penalties, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities or fees of any nature whatsoever, including attorneys’ fees and costs (collectively, “Damages”), asserted against or incurred by Provider arising out of, relating to or resulting from, either directly or indirectly: (a) a breach of the security of the system safeguarding Cardholder Information resulting in unauthorized access to Cardholder Information; (b) a breach of any representation, warranty or term of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the data security provisions by Merchant, or any service provider, subcontractor or agent of Merchant; (c) the negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct of Merchant in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the data security provisions; (d) any violation of applicable Law or Network Rules by Merchant; and, (e) all third party claims arising from the foregoing. Notwithstanding the preceding, Merchant is not liable to Provider if Damages are caused by, related to or arises out of Provider’s gross negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct, or Provider’s breach of this Agreement. Merchant will promptly reimburse Provider for any assessments, fines, fees or penalties imposed by any Card Network in connection with this Agreement, including the data security provisions, and authorizes Bank to deduct any such sums from the Account, the Reserve Account or amount to otherwise be cleared and settled with Merchant.

5.04     Records.  In addition to any records Merchant routinely furnishes to Provider under this Agreement, Merchant will preserve Transaction Records and Credit Vouchers and any written authorization of the Cardholder for the longer of the following: (a) Two years after the transaction is completed, (b) the period required by Law or the Network Rules, (c) if a dispute is pending, until such dispute is resolved.

5.05     Requests for Copies.  Immediately after Merchant receives the request by Provider, Merchant will provide to Provider either the original or a legible copy (in a size comparable to the actual Transaction Record) and any other documentary evidence available to Merchant that Provider’s obligations under Law (including its obligations under the Fair Credit Billing Act) or otherwise to respond to questions concerning Cardholder accounts.

5.06     Exclusivity.  Merchant agrees that during the Term, Merchant will not enter into an agreement with any other entity that provides processing services similar to those provided by Provider and that Provider shall be Merchant’s exclusive provider of all Card processing services as set forth in this Agreement.

5.07     Fees and Charges.  Merchant will pay to Provider the fees and charges set forth on the Merchant Application including any additional charges applied to transactions that fail to meet Card Network requirements for the lowest interchange levels. The fees and charges will either be debited from the Account through ACH or withheld from daily payments to Merchant for such amounts and for any other fees, charges or adjustments incurred by Merchant and associated with processing services. Provider may change fees, including adding fees for additional services utilized by Merchant, upon 30 days written notice to Merchant.

5.08     Security Interest.  This Agreement constitutes a security agreement under Utah Commercial Code. To secure payment of Merchant’s obligations under this Agreement, Merchant grants to Provider a security interest in all now existing or hereafter acquired: (a) Transactions, Transaction Records, Credit Vouchers and other items submitted to Provider for processing by or for Merchant; (b) accounts receivable and payment rights relating to or arising from this Agreement, including all amounts due Merchant (including any rights to receive credits or payments hereunder); (c) accounts maintained with the Bank or any institution other than Bank, including without limitation the Account and the Reserve Account, in the name of or for the benefit of, Merchant or any Guarantor of Merchant’s obligations under this Agreement; (d) deposits, regardless of source, to Merchant’s or any Guarantor’s accounts with Bank or any institution other than Bank, including the Account and the Reserve Account; (e) all deposits and all other property and funds deposited by Merchant or withheld by Bank, including funds and property withheld as the result of security monitoring; and (f) proceeds of the foregoing. If Provider reasonably determines that Merchant has breached any obligation under this Agreement, or that proceeds of Merchant’s future Transactions are unlikely to cover anticipated Chargebacks, credits, fees and adjustments, as reasonably determined by Provider (whether because this Agreement has been terminated or for any other reason), Provider may setoff or otherwise exercise its security interest without notice or demand by immediately withdrawing from or freezing any account or otherwise exercising its rights under this Agreement or those rights available under the Network Rules, applicable laws, including the Utah Uniform Commercial Code, or in equity. In addition to the collateral pledged above, Provider may require Merchant to furnish such other and different security as Provider deems appropriate in its sole discretion to secure Merchant’s obligations under this Agreement. Bank may fully or partially prohibit withdrawal by Merchant of funds from Merchant’s Account maintained with Bank or financial institutions other than Bank, pending Bank’s determination from time to time to exercise its rights as a secured party against such accounts in partial or full payment of Merchant’s obligations to Bank. Merchant will execute any documents and take any actions required to comply with and perfect any security interest under this paragraph, at Merchant’s cost. Merchant represents and warrants that no other party has a security interest or lien in any of the collateral pledged above, and Merchant will obtain Bank’s written consent before it grants a lien or security interest in that pledged collateral to any other person.  Merchant shall not assign to any third party any payments due to it under this Agreement, and all indebtedness arising from Transactions will be for bona fide sales of goods and services (or both) at its business locations and free of liens, claims, and encumbrances other than ordinary sales taxes; provided, however, Merchant may sell and assign future Transaction receivables to Provider, its affiliated entities and/or other cash advance funding source that partners with Provider or its affiliated entities, without consent from any Card Network.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Provider prohibits Merchant from selling or assigning future Transaction receivables to any third party without Provider’s prior written consent.

5.09     Modifications to Agreement.  From time to time Provider may amend any provision or provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, those relating to the discount rate or to other fees and charges payable by Merchant by mailing written notice to Merchant of the amendment at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the amendment, and the amendment will become effective unless Provider receives Merchant’s written notice of termination of this Agreement before such effective date. If Merchant continues to submit Transaction Records to Provider or otherwise continues to process Transactions with Provider after such thirty (30) day period (even if notice of objection was provided to Provider), then Merchant shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to such amendment.  In addition, Merchant acknowledges and agrees that this merchant Agreement is subject to amendment by Provider to conform to the Network Rules and Law and that amendments required due to changes in either the Network Rules, Law or judicial decision may become effective on such shorter period of time as Provider may specify if necessary to comply with the applicable Network Rule, Law or decision.  As a matter of clarification, Merchant may not terminate this Agreement if Provider amends the Agreement as necessary to comply with applicable Network Rules, Law or judicial decision.

5.10     Warranty Disclaimer.  PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTIES REGARDING THE USE, OPERATION OR PERFORMANCE OR NON-PERFORMANCE OF SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS UTILIZED FOR THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND PROVIDER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

5.11     Limitation of Liability.  Provider’s liability with respect to any Transaction may not exceed the amount of the Transaction Record in connection with that Transaction less any applicable fees and charges. In no event will Provider or its agents, officers, directors or employees be liable to Merchant for an indirect, incidental, exemplary, punitive, special or consequential damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, lost profits. Merchant waives all claims against Provider for any loss, claim, demand, penalty, action, delay, cost or expense ( including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any kind unless Merchant provides written notice to Provider of the occurrence that gave rise to the alleged liability within thirty (30) days after Merchant knew or should have known of the occurrence. Merchant will indemnify and hold Provider harmless from any claim relating to any Transaction Record paid for by Provider as may be made by anyone by way of defense, dispute, offset, counterclaim or affirmative action, or for any damages of or losses that Provider may incur as a result of Merchant’s breach of this Agreement. Further, Merchant will reimburse Provider for all expenses and costs, including attorneys’ fees, with regard thereto.  Merchant acknowledges that the fees for the services provided to Merchant by Provider are very small in relation to the funds advanced to Merchant for Transactions and consequently Provider’s willingness to provide these services is based on the liability limitations contained in this Agreement.  Therefore, in addition to greater limitations on Provider’s liability that may be provided elsewhere (including the per Transaction Record limitation above), any liability of Provider under this Agreement, whether to Merchant or any other party, whatever the basis of the liability, will not exceed, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the lessor of (a) the fees paid by Merchant to Provider during the last (3) months, exclusive of fees and variable costs incurred by Provider to process Transactions, such as interchange costs, assessments and fees imposed by a third party or (b) fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).

5.12     Waiver.  Provider’s failure by Provider to enforce one or more of the provisions of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of the right to enforce the same or other provision in the future.

5.13     Written Notices.  All written notices and other written communications required or permitted under this Agreement will be deemed delivered immediately when hand-delivered or sent via facsimile and the sender obtains a fax confirmation receipt, and upon mailing when sent first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

(a) If to Bank:  At the facsimile number or address provided at the top of the Merchant Application.

(b) If to ISO:  At the facsimile number or address provided at the top of the Merchant Application.

(c) If to Merchant:  At the facsimile number or address provided as the billing address and to the contact listed on the Merchant Application.

5.14     Choice of Law; Jurisdiction: Waiver of Jury Trial.  Utah law governs this Agreement.  Any other claim or cause of action regardless of which party shall be initiated and maintained in the state courts located in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, in which case this Agreement shall be governed under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, Merchant and Provider waive any right to trial by jury in any action or proceedings regarding any litigation related to this Agreement and each agree that any such actions or proceedings will be tried by a judge without a jury.

5.15     Entire Agreement; Assignability Assignability.  This Agreement expresses the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be assigned by Bank without Merchant’s or ISO’s consent.  This Agreement may not be assigned, directly or by operation of law by either Merchant or ISO, without Bank’s prior written consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties’ respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.

5.16     Deposit Account.  Merchant will at all times maintain an Account at a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve ACH system and will provide Bank with proper authorization to debit the Account. All credits for collected funds and debits for fees, payments and Chargebacks and other amounts for which Merchant is liable under the terms of this Agreement will be made to the Account. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this Agreement, Merchant may not close or change the Account without prior written approval by Provider, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld.  Merchant will be solely liable for all fees and costs associated with the Account and for all overdrafts. Merchant hereby grants to Provider a security interest in the Account to the extent of any and all fees, payments and Chargebacks and other amounts due which may arise under this Agreement, and Merchant will execute any document and obtain any consents or waivers from the bank at which the Account is maintained as requested by Provider to protect its security interests therein.  Merchant will maintain sufficient funds in the Account to accommodate all Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all other fees, charges, credits or other payments or amounts due under this Agreement.

5.17     Credit and Financial Inquiries; Additional Locations; Inspections.  Provider may make, at any time, any credit inquires which it may consider necessary to accept or review acceptance of this Agreement or investigate Merchant’s deposit or Card acceptance activities subsequent to acceptance of this Agreement. Such inquiries may include, but are not limited to, a credit and/or criminal check of the business including its proprietor, partners, principals, owners or shareholders or officers. Upon Provider’s request, Merchant will provide the written consent of any person for which an inquiry has been or is to be made if such person has not executed this Agreement and will provide any financial statements, income tax and business tax returns and other financial information as Provider may consider necessary to perform initial or periodic reviews of Merchant’s financial stability and business practices. Merchant may accept Cards only at locations approved by Provider. Additional locations may be added, subject to Provider’s prior consent. Provider or Merchant may remove locations by providing notice as provided herein. Merchant will permit Provider, at any time and from time to time, to inspect locations to confirm that Merchant has or is adhering to the terms of this Agreement and is maintaining the proper facilities, equipment, inventory, records and license or permit (where necessary) to conduct its business. However, nothing in this paragraph may be deemed to waive Merchant’s obligation to comply in all respects with the terms of this Agreement or the Network Rules. Provider, its internal and external auditors, and its regulators may audit compliance with this Agreement, compliance with Laws and Network Rules, including but not limited to, relating to Card acceptance and Transaction processing, data security provisions and Card Network compliance. Merchant will make available its records maintained and produced under this Agreement, and Merchant’s facilities will be made accessible, upon notice during normal business hours for examination and audit and shall cooperate with such audits or examinations.. Nothing in this section may be construed to require Merchant to give access to its facilities, personnel or records in a manner that unreasonably interferes with its business operations. Each party will bear its own expenses of any audit.

5.18     Marketing of Non-Bankcard Services.  From time to time, Provider may offer to Merchant certain additional products and services which may or may not be related to the processing of credit card and debit card Transactions. If such offers are made, Merchant may decline the offers or be deemed to have accepted the offers and be liable for payment therefor.  If any additional product or service is offered by ISO independently of Bank, then ISO (and not Bank) shall be responsible to deliver and perform such product and service and, accordingly, Merchant may not assert any claim against Bank as it relates to such additional product or service provided by ISO.  Likewise, if any additional product or service is offered by Bank independently of ISO, then Bank (and not ISO) shall be responsible to deliver and perform such product and service and, accordingly, Merchant may not assert any claim against ISO as it relates to such additional product or service provided by Bank.

5.19     Force Majeure.  The parties will be released from liability hereunder if they fail to perform any obligation where the failure occurs by reason of any act of God, fire, flood, storm, earthquake, tidal wave, communications failure, sabotage, war, military operation, terrorism, national emergency, mechanical or electronic breakdown, civil commotion or the order, requisition, request or recommendation of any governmental authority, or either party’s compliance therewith, or governmental regulation, or priority, or any other similar cause beyond either party’s reasonable control.

5.20     No Third Party Beneficiary.  No other person or entity may be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

5.21     Severability; Conflict with Network Rules.  If any provision in this Agreement is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, no other provision shall be effected thereby, and this Agreement shall be construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision had never been a part of it.  In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the Network Rules, the Network Rules shall govern and control. All software, file builds, coding and pass codes built by UMPA are deemed as proprietary.  If merchant chooses to de-convert, an unlock fee of $595.00 will need to be paid to UMPA prior to the release of said information.

5.22     IRS Reporting Information.  Pursuant to Section 6050W of the Internal Revenue Code, merchant acquiring entities such as Bank and third-party settlement organizations are required to file an information return reflecting all payment card transactions and third‑party network transactions occurring in a calendar year.  This requirement applies to returns for all calendar years after December 31, 2010 and Merchant will receive a form 1099-K reporting Merchant’s gross transaction amounts for each calendar year.  In addition, amounts payable under Section 6050W are subject to backup withholding requirements.  Merchant acquirers such as Bank, either itself or through third parties, are required to perform backup withholding by deducting and withholding income tax from reportable transactions if (a) the payee fails to provide the payee’s taxpayer identification number (TIN) to the merchant acquirer; or (b) if the IRS notifies the merchant acquirer that the TIN (when matched with the name) provided by the payee is incorrect.  Accordingly, to avoid backup withholding, it is very important that Merchant provides Bank with the correct name and TIN that Merchant uses when filing its income tax return that includes the transactions for Merchant’s business.  In addition to the fees set forth on the Merchant Application, if Merchant fails to comply with the obligations set forth in this section, Provider may charge Merchant additional amounts determined by Provider and may pass through any additional fines, costs or expenses incurred by Provider.

5.23     Confidentiality.  Merchant shall protect all information or other items proprietary to Provider that Merchant obtains knowledge of or access to as a result of Provider’s provision of the services pursuant to this Agreement (collectively, “Provider Confidential Information”) from unauthorized disclosure, publication, or dissemination with the same standard of care and discretion Merchant uses to protect similar confidential information of Merchant’s own, but in no event less than reasonable care.  Furthermore, Merchant shall not use, reproduce, distribute, disclose, or otherwise disseminate Provider Confidential Information, except in connection with the performance of Merchant’s obligations under this Agreement.  The Provider Confidential Information described in the previous sentence, shall include, but not be limited to, the following types of information and other information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced to writing): scientific, technical, or business information, product makeup lists, ideas, concepts, designs, drawings, techniques, plans, calculations, system designs, formulae, algorithms, programs, software (source and object code), hardware, manuals, test procedures and results, identity and description of computerized records, identity and description of suppliers, customer lists, processes, procedures, trade secrets, “know-how,” marketing techniques and material, marketing and development plans, price lists, pricing policies, and all other financial information.  The obligations of non-disclosure provided hereunder shall continue during the Term and, (i) with respect to Provider Confidential Information that does not constitute a trade secret, for a period of three (3) years thereafter and, (ii) with respect to Provider Confidential Information that rises to the level of a trade secret under applicable Law, for such period of time thereafter as the Provider Confidential Information shall retain its status as a trade secret under applicable law, and no less than three (3) years thereafter.

Terms below are additional terms applicable specifically to American Express card acceptance (capitalized terms below not defined elsewhere in the Agreement shall have the meanings assigned in the American Express Network Rules). With respect to participation in an American Express acceptance program, in the event of a conflict between the terms below and other terms of this Agreement, the terms below shall control with respect to American Express transactions only. Merchant shall be bound by American Express Network Rules, including the Merchant Operating Guide: www.americanexpress.com/merchantopguide.

A5.24     Transaction Data.  Merchant authorizes Provider and/or its affiliates to submit American Express Transactions to, and receive settlement on such Transactions from, American Express or Bank on behalf of Merchant.

A5.25     Marketing Message Opt-Out.  Merchant may opt-out of receiving future commercial marketing communications from American Express by contacting Provider.  Note that Merchant may continue to receive marketing communications while American Express updates its records to reflect this choice. Opting out of commercial marketing communications will not preclude Merchant from receiving important transactional or relationship messages from American Express.

A5.26     Conversion to American Express Direct Merchant.  Merchant acknowledges that it may be converted from American Express Card OptBlue program to a direct relationship with American Express if and when its Transaction volumes exceed the eligibility thresholds for the OptBlue program. If this occurs, upon such conversion, (i) Merchant will be bound by American Express’ then-current Card Acceptance Agreement; and (ii) American Express will set pricing and other fees payable by Merchant.

A5.27     American Express as Third Party Beneficiary.  Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, American Express shall have third-party beneficiary rights, but not obligations, to the terms of this Agreement applicable to American Express Card acceptance to enforce such terms against Merchant.

A5.28     American Express Opt-Out.  Merchant may opt out of accepting American Express at any time without directly or indirectly affecting its rights to accept Cards bearing Marks of other Card Networks.

A5.29     Refund Policies.  Merchant’s refund policies for American Express purchases must be at least as favorable as its refund policy for purchase on any other Card Network, and the refund policy must be disclosed to Cardholders at the time of purchase and in compliance with Law. Merchant may not bill or attempt to collect from any Cardholder for any American Express Transaction unless a Chargeback has been exercised, Merchant has fully paid for such Chargeback, and it otherwise has the right to do so.

A5.30     Establishment Closing.  If Merchant closes any of its Establishments, Merchant must follow these guidelines: (i) notify ISO immediately; (ii) policies must be conveyed to the Cardholder prior to completion of the Transaction and printed on the copy of a receipt or Transaction record the Cardholder signs; (iii) if not providing refunds or exchanges, post notices indicating that all sales are final (e.g., at the front doors, by the cash registers, on the Transaction record and on websites and catalogs); (iv) return and cancellation policies must be clearly disclosed at the time of sale; and (v) for Advance Payment Charges or Delayed Delivery Charges, Merchant must either deliver the goods or services for which Merchant has already charged the Cardholder or issue Credit for any portion of the Transaction for which Merchant has not delivered the goods or services.

 

ARTICLE VI – PURCHASE AGREEMENT

6.01     Installation.  Most equipment cannot be installed directly on an electronic phone system without the installation of dedicated phone jack.

6.02     Location of Equipment.  Merchant shall not, without prior written consent of UMPA permit the equipment to be used at a location other than the address of delivery.

6.03     Equipment Lease.  If POS equipment is subject to a leasing arrangement rather than a cash purchase, Merchant understands that a leasing arrangement for POS equipment is a separate and distinct transaction from the Merchant Processing Agreement with the Bank. Merchant’s processing status with the Bank has no effect on Merchant’s obligations under a lease agreement. Should Merchant wish to change processors, for bankcard and credit card services or cancel these service altogether and Merchant’s equipment lease agreement contains a non-cancellation provision for the term of the lease, Merchant remains liable to the leasing company for all the remaining monthly lease payments. Merchant acknowledges that equipment is being leased, it is being provided on a NON-CANCELLABLE LEASE AGREEMENT and is NOT being installed on a trial basis. Merchant further acknowledges that title and ownership to the POS equipment shall not Vest in Merchant until final payment of the cash to Zarlenga & Seltzer, Inc. or until full lease payment and any other required payment is made by the Merchant to Lesser or its Assignee.

6.04     Equipment on Loan.  Equipment on loan is not standard in the industry and is considered to be used for extra-ordinary circumstance. Merchant agrees and understands that UMPA is allowing them to use the equipment on loan. Merchant is financially responsible for loss, theft, or damage to the equipment on loan. Merchant authorizes UMPA to ACH withdraw the fair market value cost of the equipment if loss, theft or damage occurs while equipment is in the merchant’s possession. Should Merchant have equipment on loan from UMPA at the time of cancellation, Merchant authorizes Zarlenga and Seltzer Inc. to ACH withdraw the fair market value cost of the equipment. A merchant account will not be considered terminated if the written cancellation notice does not accompany the UMPA loaned equipment.

6.05     Cancellation Clause.  The Merchant understands and agrees this is a NON-CANCELABLE PURCHASE AGREEMENT and should the Merchant cancel during the application processing cycle or prior to equipment being shipped, then Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. shall be entitled to a CANCELLATION FEE of Four Hundred Ninety Five ($495.00), which Merchant irrevocably grants to Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. the absolute right to electronically debit from the Merchant’s checking account plus any additional sums that Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. may be required to reimburse or pay to Bank or any third parties by reason of cancellation. The Merchant hereby acknowledges that these fees and reimbursements are fair and properly covers the expense incurred in the application process, including, but not limited to, credit checks, application costs, data entry costs, freight, labor and other related expenses incurred in the procedure.

6.06     Non-Acceptance and Cancellation Charges.  Should the Merchant refuse installation of the equipment or reprogramming existing equipment within three months (90 days) after executing an Agreement for purchase and/or lease of said equipment from or through Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. after it has been shipped from Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. or the equipment company, for whatever reason, then in said event Merchant shall pay to Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. as a restocking fee, an amount equal to Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) in addition to the cancellation fee of $495.00 as outlined in paragraph 6.05. Merchant irrevocably grants Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. the absolute right to electronically debit this fee from the Merchant’s checking account. Should the Merchant return the equipment to Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. after executing an agreement for a leasing arrangement with Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. or any third party after the installation of the equipment, for whatever reason, the Merchant shall indemnify Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. for all costs, losses and damages, including attorney’s fees and court costs, if any, arising out of the Merchants failure to pay for its obligations under the leasing arrangement.

6.07     Method of Payment for all monies and/or payments due Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc.  Merchant grants to Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. their revocable and non-cancelable right to electronically debit from any business checking account belonging to Merchant, any monies and/or payments due to Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. and/or their affiliates under this Purchase Agreement or any agreement or contract signed for the purposes of fulfilling this Purchase Agreement. Merchant irrevocably authorizes and orders Merchant’s bank to pay any and all such electronic debits upon presentation of this document being the merchant’s signature, and waives any and all rights to withdraw this authorization.

6.08     Delivery and Acceptance of the Equipment.  Merchant shall inspect the equipment for good condition upon delivery and it shall be conclusively presumed, as between Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. and the Merchant, that Merchant has fully inspected and acknowledged that the equipment is in good working condition and repair by signing for the equipment upon delivery from either common carrier or a Representative of Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc., and the Merchant is satisfied with and has accepted the equipment in such good condition and repair.

6.09     Jurisdiction and Choice of Law.  This Purchase Agreement shall be governed and construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and sole legal jurisdiction over this Agreement, the parties hereto, and any matters arising from the dealings for the parties shall be in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with venue in Lebanon County. In the event of breach by Merchant any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Merchant shall pay and indemnify Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. for any attorneys fees and/or enforcing United Merchant Processing Assoc. rights under this agreement and costs incurred by Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. as a result of said breach.

6.10     Separation.  The Merchant understands and agrees that the purchase or lease of any equipment is a totally separate and unique transaction from any other credit card or debit card processing service that has been contracted for or purchased as part of this transaction and should be the related processing services accounts to be declined by any Provider due to either the submission of fraudulent or misleading information contained in an application or the subsequent discovery that the merchant is on the VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER or AMERICANEXPRESS Terminated Merchant File the Merchant is still required to except and pay for any services rendered.

6.11     Bank and Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. Right of Inspection.  Bank and Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc., shall at all time during business hours have the right to enter the premises where the equipment may be located for the purpose of inspecting or observing its use. Merchant shall give bank or Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. immediate notice of attachment or other judicial process affecting any of the equipment herein and shall, whenever requested by processor or Zarlenga and Seltzer, Inc. advises said party of exact location of the equipment.

 

ARTICLE VII – PURCHASE AGREEMENT – FREE EQUIPMENT (FEP) PROGRAM

7.01     Installation.  Merchant is required to provide an RJ11C phone jack and one 110V outlet at the point of installation. Equipment cannot be installed directly on an electronic phone system without the installation of dedicated phone jack.

7.02     Location of Equipment.  Merchant shall not, without prior written consent of UMPA, permit the equipment to be used at a location other than the address of delivery. UMPA does not provide ethernet or phone cords. UMPA strongly suggested using a surge protector on this equipment. UMPA is not liable for lightening strikes, power surges, customer abuse or technology upgrades.

7.03     Free Equipment Use.  Merchant acknowledges that equipment is on loan. Merchant further acknowledges that title and ownership to the POS belongs to UMPA. Merchant must adhere to the rules and regulations of credit card processing guidelines as set forth by Visa and MasterCard.

7.04     Equipment on Loan.  Equipment on loan is not standard in the industry and is considered to be used for extra-ordinary circumstance. Merchant agrees and understands that UMPA is allowing them to use the equipment on loan. Merchant is financially responsible for loss, theft, or damage to the equipment on loan. Merchant authorizes UMPA to ACH withdraw the fair market value cost of the equipment if loss, theft or damage occurs while equipment is in the merchant’s possession. A merchant account will not be considered terminated if the written cancellation notice does not accompany the UMPA loaned equipment. All equipment on loan must be returned within five (5) days of written cancellation. Failure to return the equipment within the five days will result in a $495.00 equipment return fee in addition to the cancellation fee set forth in section 5 of this Agreement which will be automatically ACH withdraw from the Merchant’s bank account.

7.05     Cancellation Clause.  The Merchant understands and agrees this is a THREE YEAR NON-CANCELABLE AGREEMENT which automatically renews annually. If Merchant terminates during the term of this agreement, Merchant irrevocably grants Zarlenga & Seltzer Inc. the amount of495.00. Should the Merchant cancel during the application processing cycle or prior to the equipment being shipped, then UMPA shall be entitled to a CANCELLATION FEE of Four Hundred Ninety Five ($495.00), which Merchant irrevocably grants to UMPA the absolute right to electronically debit from the Merchant’s checking account plus any additional sums that UMPA may be required to reimburse or pay to Bank or any third parties by reason of cancellation. This cancellation clause supersedes the cancellation/termination clause as stated within the original Merchant Processing Agreement

7.06.     Non-Acceptance and Cancellation Charges.  Should the Merchant refuse installation of the equipment within 3 months (90 days) and after executing the Agreement of said equipment from UMPA after it has been shipped from UMPA or the equipment company, for whatever reason, then in said event Merchant shall pay to UMPA as a restocking fee, an amount equal to Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) in addition to the cancellation fee of $495.00 as outlined in paragraph 5. Merchant irrevocably grants UMPA the absolute right to electronically debit this fee for the Merchant’s checking account. Should the Merchant return the equipment to UMPA after executing this agreement the Merchant shall indemnify UMPA for all costs, losses and damages, including attorney’s fees and court costs, if any, arising out of the Merchant’s failure to pay for its obligations under the free equipment program.

7.07     Method of Payment for all monies and/or payments due UMPA.  Merchant grants to UMPA the irrevocable and non- cancelable right to electronically debit from any business checking account belonging to Merchant, any monies and/or payments due to UMPA and/or their affiliates under this Purchase Agreement or any agreement or contract signed for the purposes of fulfilling this Purchase Agreement. Merchant irrevocably authorizes and orders Merchant’s bank to pay any and all such electronic debits upon presentation of this document being the merchant’s signature, and waives any and all rights to withdraw this authorization.

7.08     Delivery and acceptance of the equipment.  Merchant shall inspect the equipment for good condition upon delivery and it shall be conclusively presumed, as between UMPA and the Merchant, that Merchant has fully inspected and acknowledged that the equipment is in good working condition and repair by signing for the equipment upon delivery from either common carrier or a Representative of UMPA and the Merchant is satisfied with and has accepted the equipment in such good condition and repair.

7.09     Jurisdiction and Choice of Law.  This Purchase Agreement shall be governed and construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and sole legal jurisdiction over this Agreement, the parties hereto, and any matters arising from the dealings for the parties shall be in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with venue in Lebanon County. In the event of breach by Merchant any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Merchant shall pay and indemnify UMPA for any attorneys fees and/or enforcing UMPA rights under this agreement and costs incurred by UMPA as a result of said breach.

7.10     Separation.  The Merchant understands and agrees that the free equipment program is a totally separate and unique transaction from any other credit card or debit card processing service that has been contracted for or purchased as part of this transaction. Should the related processing services accounts be declined by any provider due to either the submission of fraudulent or misleading information contained in an application or the subsequent discovery that the merchant is on the VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER and AMERICAN EXPRESS. Terminated Merchant File the Merchant is still required to except and pay for any services rendered.

7.11     Bank and UMPA Right of Inspection.  Bank and UMPA shall at all time during business hours have the right to enter the premises where the equipment may be located for the purpose of inspecting or observing its use. Merchant shall give bank or UMPA immediate notice of attachment or other judicial process affecting any of the equipment herein and shall, whenever requested by processor or UMPA advises said party of exact location of the equipment.