Multi-Currency Overdraft Facility Agreement - HSBC Bank plc and MasterCard Europe sprl
The Directors
MASTERCARD EUROPE sprl,
Chaussee de Tervuren,
198A B-1410 Waterloo
Belgium
30 September 2002
Dear Sirs,
HSBC Bank plc ('the bank') is pleased to offer Mastercard Europe sprl ('the
Borrower') banking facilities ('the Facilities') on the terms referred to below
but otherwise subject to normal banking terms and conditions.
Facilities
Drawings may be made under the following Facilities on each or any of the
accounts as detailed at Appendix 2 ( or as this may amended from time to time ),
provided that the aggregate amount of drawings at any time, taking into account
monies standing to the credit of any of the said accounts at such time, shall
not exceed the relevant Limit.
Limit
Multi-Currency Overdraft Euro100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Euro)
Availability
The bank may at any time withdraw all or any of the Facilities and/or demand
repayment of all sums owing. Subject to this, the Facilities are due for review
in September 2003.
Interest Rate
Interest on the Multi-Currency Overdraft Facility and on amounts within the
Limit is to be charged at rate of 0.5% p.a. over, in the case of drawings in
Euro, the London inter-bank offered rate for deposits in Euro with a term of one
day as determined by the Bank for each day on which interest is to be charged
hereunder or, in the case of drawings in a currency other than Euro, the
relevant Currency Base Rate as provided for in clause 8.1 of the General Terms
and Conditions attached to this letter or, in the case of drawings in Sterling,
the bank's Base Rate as published from time to time.
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If the Limit is exceeded interest will be charged at a rate of 2% over the rates
as specified above.
Interest after demand will be charged at the same rate and calculated on the
same basis as before such demand.
On the dates interest (or any other charge) is debited to the Borrower's
account, interest will become payable on any borrowings created by such debit.
All costs, fees and expenses, as mentioned in the General Terms and Conditions
attached to this letter, shall be payable by the Borrower.
To accept this offer please arrange for the enclosed copy of this letter to be
signed and returned.
Yours faithfully,
Len Rowland
Relationship Manager
For and on behalf of HSBC Bank plc.
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GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1 DRAWINGS
Utilisation of the Facility shall not at any time exceed the relevant
Limit.
The bank may at any time refuse payment or acceptance of any cheque, bill
or other order for payment which would result in the Limit being exceeded.
In addition, the bank may at any time refuse to allow any drawing or other
disposal against any credit balance on any of the Borrower's accounts if,
as a result, the Limit would be exceeded.
2 UNCLEARED CREDITS
When a credit is uncleared, it may still be included in the balances shown
on the Borrower's account. In such cases, the bank may treat the uncleared
credit as deducted from the balance shown on the Borrower's account for
the purposes of working out interest payable and/or the amount available
for withdrawal by the Borrower. It is possible for interest to be charged
by the bank on a larger debit balance, or for a lesser amount of money to
be available for withdrawal by the Borrower than is shown as the balance
on its account.
The bank may, on occasions, pay any cheque, bill or other order for
payment against uncleared credits, without affecting its right not to do
so on future occasions.
3 PAYMENT AND APPLICATION OF CREDIT MONIES
The Borrower by accepting the terms of this letter irrevocably authorises
the bank at any time with or without prior notice to the Borrower, to pay
and apply any monies from time to time standing to the credit of any of
the Borrower's accounts with the bank (whether in euro or any other
currency, on current account or on any term or deposit account but not
accounts expressly designated as a trust or client money account ) ('the
Accounts') in and towards satisfaction of any indebtedness or liability to
the bank in respect of the Facilities.
In connection with the above the Borrower further irrevocably authorises
the bank to:
(i) bring to an end any fixed deposit period applying to any of the
Accounts and to adjust any interest payable by the bank;
(ii) convert one currency to another, and if it does, to do so at its then
prevailing spot selling rate of exchange for that currency;
and in doing so the Borrower agrees that the bank shall have no liability
to the Borrower.
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Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the exercise by the bank at any
time of any other right of set-off or of combination of accounts in and
towards satisfaction of any indebtedness to the bank in respect of the
Facilities.
4 PAYMENTS
All payments shall be made at such branch or office as the bank may
specify from time to time. Such payments shall be made without any set-off
or deduction in the currency of denomination in which the payment is due
and in such funds as the bank may reasonably require. Payments shall be
made on a Business Day and on the due date for such payment or if that day
is not a Business Day on the next Business Day.
5 EURO EQUIVALENTS
The Euro Equivalent of any amount denominated in another currency shall be
calculated by reference to the bank's then prevailing spot selling rate of
exchange for the relevant currency of denomination against the euro. The
aggregate Euro Equivalents of all drawings outstanding and/or proposed
will be calculated at such time as the bank shall determine before the
drawdown of each drawing, for the purpose of determining compliance or
otherwise with the Limit.
6 LIMIT OBSERVANCE
The aggregate amount for the time being (or its Euro Equivalent where
appropriate) of the bank's actual or potential liability or risk in
respect of a Facility shall not at any time exceed the relevant Limit. In
the case of a potential liability or risk the relevant amount shall be as
estimated by the bank.
Where one Limit is specified in respect of more than one type of facility
such actual or potential liability or risk in respect of such facilities
shall not exceed in the aggregate such Limit.
7 CHARGES FOR DRAWINGS IN EXCESS OF AGREED LIMITS
In addition to charging higher rate(s) of interest, the bank may charge a
daily excess fee for each Business Day that drawings are in excess of the
agreed Limit. Details of the rate(s) and the daily excess fee to be
charged, if any, are available on request. In addition to charging the
above, or as an alternative, the bank may charge management fees if time
is spent monitoring the Borrower's accounts or the circumstances otherwise
require. The bank will advise the amount of these management fees before
debiting them to the Borrower's relevant account.
8 TERMS RELATING TO FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN A CURRENCY OTHER THAN STERLING
8.1 Interest
From one Business Day to the next interest will accrue on a daily basis
and on the basis that there are 365 days in each year on the aggregate
debit balance on the
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currency account at the relevant percentage per annum over the bank's
relevant Currency Base Rate as varied from time to time. The Currency Base
Rate for a currency may vary depending upon whether drawings are made on
demand or under prior notice to the bank. Interest calculated on whichever
of these bases is appropriate will be payable in respect of each of the
365 days in a calendar year (366 in a leap year). Such interest shall be
calculated up to and including the last Business Day of each February,
May, August and November or upon earlier termination of any relevant
Facility and debited in arrears on such day as the bank shall determine to
the relevant currency account together with any applicable commission
charge in accordance with the bank's then current tariff.
Without affecting Paragraph 8.4 below, interest after demand will be
charged at the same rate and calculated on the same basis as before such
demand.
8.2 Unavailability
If in the bank's opinion deposits in a currency are unavailable to the
bank at any time to finance any drawing on the relevant currency account
such drawing may at the bank's discretion be re-denominated in such
currency as the bank shall determine by reference to the bank's then
prevailing spot selling rate of exchange for the outstanding currency
against the currency of re-denomination and any re-denominated drawing
shall be similarly subject to re-denomination.
8.3 Credits
All payments into a currency account shall be made in the relevant
currency and by credit to the bank's account with such banking office in
the relevant financial centre (the 'Relevant Office') as the bank may
require.
The following shall apply for the purpose of ascertaining the Business Day
on which currency accounts will be credited with good value in respect of
credits received in the same currency as the account:-
(a) In respect of a properly completed, authenticated, interbank payment
instruction/order ('the advice') received by the bank on a Business Day
within timescales determined by the bank and issued by a banking office
acceptable to the bank, advising that the bank's account with the Relevant
Office has been credited for value on or prior to the date the bank
received such advice, value shall be deemed to have been received for
payments denominated in:-
(i) US $, Canadian $ and euro on the date of receipt of the advice;
(ii) currencies other than US $, Canadian $ and euro (but including any
national currency unit) on the Business Day after receipt of the
advice.
If such advice is received by the bank on a Business Day but after
timescales determined by the bank payment shall be deemed to have been
made one Business Day later than would otherwise have been the case.
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(b) In the case of any other method of payment, it shall be deemed to have
been made on such Business Day as the bank shall determine in accordance
with the bank's normal practice.
8.4 Variation upon re-denomination
Upon any re-denomination, for any reason, the bank may vary the terms of
any relevant Facility relating to notice periods, interest rates, the
basis of interest calculations and the value dating of credits received,
if the bank shall consider that these terms are not appropriate for the
re-denominated currency.
8.5 Termination
If the bank shall demand repayment the bank may at any time re-denominate
in Sterling any amount due at the bank's then prevailing spot selling rate
of exchange for the relevant outstanding currency against Sterling. The
provisions of Paragraph 8.4 above shall remain in force following such
redenomination.
8.6 Euro
In this letter 'euro' shall mean the 'euro unit' as defined in Regulation
(EC) No. 1103/97 pronounced by the Council of the European Union and
'national currency unit' shall have the meaning given to such expression
by such Regulation, namely a unit of the currency of a participating
Member State, as that unit is defined on the day before the start of the
third stage of Economic and Monetary Union.
The bank shall not be under any obligation to accept any instructions,
receive or make any payment or carry out any other transaction denominated
in the euro or in any national currency unit ('Transactions') on a day on
which the bank is not normally open for general business in the relevant
jurisdiction where such Transactions are to be received or carried out,
whether or not such a day is a Business Day for transactions in the euro
or the relevant national currency unit.
9 REPAYMENTS AND DRAWINGS ON THE SAME DAY
Should a drawing be due for repayment on a day when the Borrower is
entitled to make a drawing, the bank may require the amounts of such
drawings to be netted and only the difference in amount (if any) to be
paid. Should the relevant drawings be denominated in different currencies,
any difference so required will be calculated at such time before such
netting as the bank shall determine by the application of the bank's then
prevailing spot selling rate of exchange for the currency of denomination
due to the bank against the currency of denomination to be drawn by the
Borrower.
10 COSTS
On written demand by the bank the Borrower shall pay to the bank all
costs, expenses, fees (including but not limited to any legal, security
and valuation fees), stamp duty, taxes and other charges, and registration
costs incurred or charged by the bank in
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connection with the negotiation, preparation, investigation,
administration, supervision or enforcement of the Facilities, this letter
or any security.
11 ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Borrower, by accepting the Facilities, warrants and represents to the
bank that it is in full compliance with all applicable current laws,
regulations and practices relating to the protection of the environment
from pollution ('the environmental responsibility') and is not aware of
any circumstances which may prevent full compliance in the future.
Regardless of whether such warranties and representations are being
observed, the bank may still at any time withdraw all or any of the
Facilities and/or demand immediate repayment of all sums owing.
The Borrower, by accepting the Facilities, indemnifies the bank against
all losses, claims, damages, costs, or any other liability which might
arise (by reason of the bank providing these and any other facilities
and/or having a security interest in the Borrower's assets) in respect of
a breach of, or a failure to meet, an environmental responsibility.
12 DEMAND AND NOTICE
Unless otherwise advised by the bank any demand or notice under this
letter by the bank may be made or given by any manager or officer of the
bank by letter addressed to the Borrower or any officer of the Borrower
sent by first class post to or left at the Borrower's address last known
to the bank or at the Borrower's registered office, or by fax or other
electronic means to the Borrower's last known fax number or electronic
mail address. If sent by post, the demand or notice shall be deemed to
have been made or given at noon the day following the day the letter was
posted. If sent by fax or other electronic means, the demand or notice
shall be deemed to have been made or given at the time of transmission.
The demand or notice shall be effective even if it is undelivered or
returned undelivered.
13 INFORMATION
The Borrower will provide, promptly, any financial or other information
that the bank may, from time to time, reasonably request.
14 FORCE MAJEURE
The bank shall not be liable to the Borrower for any loss, damage or delay
attributable in whole or part to action by any government or government
agency or other force majeure and in particular but not limited to
strikes, industrial action, whether involving the bank's staff or not,
equipment failure or interruption of power supplies. The bank will always
endeavour to give notice generally to customers of any anticipated delays
by notices in branches.
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15 CERTIFICATES
The bank's certificate of any sum due from the Borrower under the terms of
this letter shall (apart from obvious mistake) be conclusive.
16 BUSINESS DAY
Business Day shall mean a day and time on which the relevant banking
offices, exchanges and markets are open for business, both in London and
in any relevant financial centre for the currency and transaction
involved.
17 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
The Facilities and all matters (including the terms and conditions)
relating to or arising out of or in connection with them shall be subject
to and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The
Borrower and the bank irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction
of the courts of England and Wales.
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Appendix I
MULTI-CURRENCY OVERDRAFT FACILITY
1 DRAWINGS
This Facility may be utilised by drawing in such currency other than
Sterling as the bank may agree upon the relevant currency account:-
(a) in the case of a drawing denominated in US $, Canadian $ or euro where
applicable) upon receipt of the Borrower's irrevocable instruction on a
Business Day within timescales determined by the bank;
(b) in the case of a drawing denominated in any other currency (including
any national currency unit) following such period of irrevocable written
notice as the bank shall determine by reference to the then current
practice in the London Eurocurrency Interbank Market ('the Euro-Market').
2 FURTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This Facility will be subject to the further provisions set out in the
General Terms and Conditions attached to this letter.
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Appendix 2
Account number Currency
37549967 CHF
37549975 CYP
37549991 DKK
37550602 GBP
37550653 MTL
37550688 NOK
37550704 SEK
37550712 USD
37559693 USD
37560119 EUR
37561319 EUR
37561630 JPY
37562798 GBP
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ACCEPTANCE BY THE BORROWER
We Mastercard Europe sprl accept the offer and all the terms and conditions
contained in the attached letter dated 30 September 2002.
We irrevocably authorise the bank to pay and apply our credit monies as
mentioned in the letter.
We authorise the bank to debit the fees referred to in the letter to our current
account.
Date ........................
By:
Mastercard International Incorporated,
As Manager of Mastercard Europe sprl
Represented by:
Denise K. Fletcher
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mastercard International Incorporated