EPLUS INC
8-K, EX-5.1, 2000-09-22
FINANCE LESSORS
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                         BUSINESS FINANCING AGREEMENT


This Business Financing Agreement  ("Agreement") is made as of September 8, 2000
between Deutsche  Financial Services  Corporation  ("DFS") and ePlus Technology,
inc., a |___| SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP,  |___| PARTNERSHIP,  |XX| CORPORATION,  |___|
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (check applicable term) ("Dealer"), having a principal
place of business located at 400 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, Virginia 20170.

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1.   DEFINITIONS
     -----------

     1.1  Special  Definitions.  The  following  terms  will have the  following
          meanings in this Agreement,  Agreement for Wholesale  Financing and in
          the Other Agreements:

               "Accounts": all accounts, leases, contract rights, chattel paper,
               choses in action  and  instruments,  including  any lien or other
               security   interest  that  secures  or  may  secure  any  of  the
               foregoing, plus all books, invoices,  documents and other records
               in any form  evidencing or relating to any of the foregoing,  now
               owned or hereafter acquired by Dealer.
               "Accounts  Receivable  Facility":   a  credit  facility  extended
               pursuant to this Agreement.
               "Agreement for Wholesale Financing":  any Agreement for Wholesale
               Financing,  as  amended  from  time to  time,  which  Dealer  has
               executed in conjunction with inventory financing extended by DFS.
               "Average  Contract  Balance":  the amount determined by dividing:
               (a) the sum of the Daily Contract Balances (as defined in Section
               2.1.1) for a billing period; by, (b) the actual number of days in
               such billing period.
               "Default": the events or occurrences enumerated in Section 6.
               "Entity":  any  individual,   association,   firm,   corporation,
               partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental body,
               agency or instrumentality whatsoever.
               "Government Accounts": Accounts due and payable to a U.S. county,
               state or federal governmental body, agency or instrumentality; or
               body, agency or instrumentality of the District of Columbia.
               "Guarantor": a guarantor of any of the Obligations.  "Inventory":
               all of Dealer's  presently  owned and  hereafter  acquired  goods
               which are held for sale or lease.
               "Obligations":  all liabilities and indebtedness now or hereafter
               arising, owing, due or payable from Dealer to DFS (and any of its
               subsidiaries  and  affiliates),  including any third party claims
               against Dealer  satisfied or acquired by DFS,  whether primary or
               secondary,  joint  or  several,  direct,  contingent,   fixed  or
               otherwise,  and  whether  or  not  evidenced  by  instruments  or
               evidences  of   indebtedness,   and  all  covenants,   agreements
               (including consent to binding  arbitration),  warranties,  duties
               and  representations,  whether such Obligations  arise under this
               Agreement,   the  Other   Agreements  or  any  other   agreements
               previously,  now or hereafter executed by Dealer and delivered to
               DFS or by operation of law.
               "Other  Agreements":   all  security  agreements  (including  the
               Agreement   for   Wholesale   Financing),    mortgages,   leases,


                                      -1-
<PAGE>

               instruments,   documents,  guarantees,  schedules,  certificates,
               contracts  and similar  agreements  heretofore,  now or hereafter
               executed by Dealer and  delivered  to DFS or  delivered  by or on
               behalf  of  Dealer  to a  third  party  and  assigned  to  DFS by
               operation of law or otherwise.
               "Non-Government  Accounts":  all Accounts  other than  Government
               Accounts.
               "Prime Rate":  the rate of interest  which Chase  Manhattan  Bank
               publicly  announces  from  time  to  time  as its  prime  rate or
               reference  rate;  provided,  however,  that for  purposes of this
               Agreement, the interest rate charged to Dealer will at no time be
               computed  on a Prime  Rate of less than six and one half  percent
               (6.5%) per annum.  The Prime Rate will change and take effect for
               purposes of this  Agreement on the day that Chase  Manhattan Bank
               announces any change in its Prime Rate or reference rate.

2.   CREDIT FACILITY/INTEREST RATES/FEES
     -----------------------------------
     2.1  Accounts Receivable Facility.  Subject to the terms of this Agreement,
          DFS agrees to provide to Dealer an Accounts Receivable Facility of SIX
          MILLION DOLLARS ($6,000,000).  DFS' decision to advance funds will not
          be binding until the funds are actually advanced.
          2.1.1 Interest. Dealer  agrees  to pay  interest  to DFS on the  Daily
               Contract Balance at a rate equal to the Prime Rate minus one-half
               of one  percent  (0.5%) per annum.  Such  interest  will:  (i) be
               computed based on a 360 day year;  (ii) be calculated each day by
               multiplying  the  Daily  Rate (as  defined  below)  by the  Daily
               Contract  Balance (as defined  below);  and (iii) accrue from the
               date that DFS authorizes  any Electronic  Transfer (as defined in
               Section  3.10  herein) or  otherwise  makes an advance  under the
               Accounts  Receivable  Facility  until DFS  receives  the full and
               final  payment of the  principal  debt which  Dealer owes to DFS,
               subject to the terms of Section 3.8 herein.  The "Daily  Rate" is
               the  quotient  of the  applicable  annual  rate  provided  herein
               divided by 360. The "Daily Contract Balance" is the amount of the
               outstanding  principal  debt  which  Dealer  owes  to  DFS on the
               Accounts  Receivable  Facility at the end of each day  (including
               the amount of all Electronic Transfers  authorized) after DFS has
               credited  the  payments  which it has  received  on the  Accounts
               Receivable Facility,  subject to the terms of Section 3.8 herein.

          2.1.2 Maximum  Interest.  Dealer  acknowledges  that  DFS  intends  to
               strictly  conform to the  applicable  usury laws  governing  this
               Agreement. Regardless of any provision contained herein or in any
               other  document  executed or delivered in connection  herewith or
               therewith,  DFS shall  never be deemed  to have  contracted  for,
               charged or be entitled  to receive,  collect or apply as interest
               on this Agreement (whether termed interest herein or deemed to be
               interest by judicial  determination  or  operation  of law),  any
               amount in excess of the maximum amount allowed by applicable law,
               and, if DFS ever  receives,  collects or applies as interest  any
               such excess,  such amount which would be excessive  interest will
               be  applied  first  to  the  reduction  of the  unpaid  principal
               balances of  advances  under this  Agreement,  and,  second,  any
               remaining excess will be paid to Dealer.  In determining  whether
               or  not  the  interest   paid  or  payable   under  any  specific
               contingency  exceeds  the  highest  lawful  rate,  Dealer and DFS
               shall, to the maximum extent  permitted under applicable law: (a)
               characterize any non-principal payment (other than payments which
               are expressly  designated as interest  payments  hereunder) as an
               expense or fee rather than as  interest;  (b)  exclude  voluntary
               pre-payments  and the  effect  thereof;  and (c) spread the total
               amount of interest  throughout  the entire term of this Agreement
               so that the interest rate is uniform  throughout  such term.
     2.2  Payments.   DFS  will  send  Dealer  a  monthly  billing  statement(s)
          identifying all charges due on Dealer's account with DFS. The interest


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

          and fee charges  specified on each billing  statement will be: (a) due
          and payable in full immediately on receipt, and (b) an account stated,
          unless DFS receives  Dealer's written objection thereto within fifteen
          (15) days after it is mailed to Dealer.  If DFS does not  receive,  by
          the 25th day of any given  month,  payment of all  charges  accrued to
          Dealer's  account  with DFS during the  immediately  preceding  month,
          Dealer  will (to the extent  allowed by law) pay DFS a late fee ("Late
          Fee") equal to the  greater of $5 or 5% of the amount of such  finance
          charges  (payment of the Late Fee does not waive the default caused by
          the late payment).  Dealer will also pay DFS $100 for each of Dealer's
          checks returned unpaid for  insufficient  funds (an "NSF check") (such
          $100 payment repays DFS' estimated  administrative  costs; it does not
          waive the default caused by the NSF check). DFS may adjust the billing
          statement at any time to conform to applicable law and this Agreement.
          Dealer  waives the right to direct  the  application  of any  payments
          hereafter received by DFS on account of the Obligations. DFS will have
          the continuing  exclusive  right to apply and reapply any and all such
          payments in such manner as DFS may deem advisable  notwithstanding any
          entry by DFS upon its books and records.
     2.3  One  Loan.  DFS may  combine  all of DFS'  advances  to  Dealer  or on
          Dealer's behalf, whether under this Agreement or any Other Agreements,
          and whether  provided by one or more of DFS' branch offices,  together
          with all finance charges,  fees and expenses related thereto,  to make
          one debt owed by Dealer.

3.   ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FACILITY - ADDITIONAL PROVISION
     ---------------------------------------------------
     3.1  Schedules. Dealer will, no less than weekly or as otherwise agreed to,
          furnish DFS with a schedule of Accounts  ("Schedule")  which will: (a)
          describe  all  Accounts  created or acquired by Dealer  since the last
          Schedule  furnished  DFS; (b) inform DFS of any  rejection of goods by
          any obligor, delays in delivery of goods, non-performance of contracts
          and of any  assertion  of any  claim,  offset or  counterclaim  by any
          obligor; and (c) inform DFS of any adverse information relating to the
          financial condition of any obligor.
     3.2  Available Credit. On receipt of each Schedule,  DFS will credit Dealer
          with such amount as DFS may deem  advisable up to Ninety Percent (90%)
          of the net amount of the eligible  Government  Accounts listed in such
          Schedule and up to Eighty-Five  Percent (85%) of the net amount of the
          eligible  Non-Government  Accounts listed in such Schedule;  provided,
          however,  that such  amount so  credited  shall  not  exceed  Dealer's
          maximum Accounts  Receivable Facility from time to time established by
          DFS (the  "Available  Credit").  If Dealer's  outstanding  loans under
          Dealer's  Accounts   Receivable  Facility  exceed  Dealer's  Available
          Credit, Dealer will immediately pay to DFS an amount not less than the
          difference  between (i)  Dealer's  outstanding  loans  under  Dealer's
          Accounts Receivable  Facility,  and (ii) Dealer's Available Credit. No
          loans need be made by DFS if Dealer is in Default.
     3.3  Ineligible  Accounts.  DFS  will  have the  sole  right  to  determine
          eligibility of Accounts and,  without limiting DFS' discretion in that
          regard, the following Accounts will be deemed ineligible: (a) Accounts
          created  from the sale of goods and  services  on  non-standard  terms
          and/or  that allow for  payment to be made more than  thirty (30) days
          from the date of sale; (b)  Non-Government  Accounts  unpaid more than
          ninety (90) days from date of invoice and Government  Accounts  unpaid
          more than one-hundred twenty (120) days from date of invoice;  (c) all
          Accounts  of any  obligor  with  fifty  percent  (50%)  or more of the
          outstanding  balance  unpaid for more than  ninety  (90) days from the
          date of  invoice;  (d)  Accounts  for which the obligor is an officer,
          director,  shareholder,   partner,  member,  owner,  employee,  agent,
          parent,  subsidiary,  affiliate  of,  or is  related  to Dealer or has
          common shareholders, officers, directors, owners, partners or members;
          (e) consignment sales; (f) Accounts for which the payment is or may be
          conditional; (g) Accounts for which the obligor is not a commercial or
          institutional  entity or is not a  resident  of the  United  States or
          Canada;   (h)   Accounts   with  respect  to  which  any  warranty  or


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

          representation provided in Subsection 3.4 is not true and correct; (i)
          Accounts which Dealer knows represent goods or services  purchased for
          a personal,  family or household purpose; (j) Accounts which represent
          goods  used for  demonstration  purposes  or loaned  by the  Dealer to
          another party;  (k) Accounts which are progress  payment,  barter,  or
          contra  accounts;  and  (l)  any  and all  other  Accounts  which  DFS
          reasonably deems to be ineligible.  If DFS determines that any Account
          is or  becomes  an  ineligible  Account  and such  ineligible  Account
          exceeds the  Available  Credit (as such term is defined in the Paydown
          Addendum dated the date hereof),  immediately upon notice thereof from
          DFS,  Dealer will pay to DFS an amount  equal to the monies  loaned by
          DFS for such ineligible Account.
     3.4  Warranties and Representations. For each Account which Dealer lists on
          any Schedule, Dealer warrants and represents to DFS that at all times:
          (a) such Account is genuine;  (b) such  Account is not  evidenced by a
          judgment or promissory note or similar instrument or agreement; (c) it
          represents an undisputed bona fide transaction completed in accordance
          with the terms of the invoices and purchase orders  relating  thereto;
          (d) the goods sold or services rendered which resulted in the creation
          of such Account have been delivered or rendered to and accepted by the
          obligor;  (e) the amounts shown on the  Schedules,  Dealer's books and
          records and all invoices and statements  delivered to DFS with respect
          thereto  are owing to Dealer and are not  contingent;  (f) no payments
          have been or will be made thereon except  payments turned over to DFS;
          (g)  there are no  offsets,  counterclaims  or  disputes  existing  or
          asserted  with respect  thereto and Dealer has not made any  agreement
          with any  obligor  for any  deduction  or  discount of the sum payable
          thereunder  except regular discounts allowed by Dealer in the ordinary
          course of its business for prompt  payment;  (h) there are no facts or
          events which in any way impair the validity or enforceability  thereof
          or reduce the amount payable  thereunder  from the amount shown on the
          Schedules,  Dealer's books and records and the invoices and statements
          delivered  to DFS with  respect  thereto;  (i) all  persons  acting on
          behalf of obligors thereon have the authority to bind the obligor; (j)
          the goods sold or  transferred  giving rise thereto are not subject to
          any lien, claim, encumbrance or security interest which is superior to
          that of DFS;  and (k) there are no  proceedings  or  actions  known to
          Dealer which are  threatened  or pending  against any obligor  thereon
          which might result in any material  adverse  change in such  obligor's
          financial condition.
     3.5  Notes.  Loans made pursuant to this Agreement need not be evidenced by
          promissory  notes  unless  otherwise  required  by  DFS in  DFS'  sole
          discretion.
     3.6  Certain  Charges.  Dealer will: (a) reimburse DFS for all charges made
          by banks,  including  charges for collection of checks and other items
          of payment,  and (b) pay DFS' fees for  transfers  of funds to or from
          the  Dealer.  DFS  may,  from  time to  time,  announce  its  fees for
          transfers  of funds to or from the Dealer,  including  the issuance of
          Electronic Transfers.
     3.7  Collections.  Unless otherwise directed by DFS, to expedite collection
          of Accounts  for the benefit of DFS,  Dealer  shall  notify all of its
          obligors to make  payment of the  Accounts  to one or more  lock-boxes
          under the sole control of DFS.  The  lock-box,  and all accounts  into
          which the proceeds of any such  lock-box(es)  are deposited,  shall be
          established at banks selected by the Dealer and satisfactory to DFS in
          its  sole  discretion.  Dealer  shall  issue  to  any  such  banks  an
          irrevocable  letter of instruction,  in form and substance  reasonably
          acceptable  to DFS,  directing  such banks to deposit all  payments or
          other remittances received in the lock-box to such account or accounts
          as DFS shall direct, for application  against the outstanding  balance
          of the  Obligations.  All funds  deposited in the lock-box or any such
          account  immediately  shall  become  the  property  of  DFS,  and  any
          disbursements of the proceeds in the lock-box or any such account will
          only be made to DFS.  Dealer shall obtain the  agreement of such banks
          to waive any offset rights against the funds so deposited. DFS assumes
          no responsibility for such lock-box  arrangement,  including,  without
          limitation,  any claim of accord  and  satisfaction  or  release  with
          respect to deposits which any banks accept thereunder. All remittances
          which Dealer receives in payment of any Accounts,  and the proceeds of


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

          any of the other  Collateral,  shall be: (i) kept  separate  and apart
          from Dealer's own funds so that they are capable of  identification as
          DFS' property;  (ii) held by Dealer as trustee of an express trust for
          DFS'  benefit;  and  (iii)  shall  be  immediately  deposited  in such
          accounts  designated by DFS. All proceeds received or collected by DFS
          with respect to Accounts, and reserves and other property of Dealer in
          possession of DFS at any time or times  hereafter,  may be held by DFS
          without  interest to Dealer until all  Obligations are paid in full or
          applied  by DFS on  account  of the  Obligations.  DFS may  release to
          Dealer  such  portions  of  such  reserves  and  proceeds  as DFS  may
          determine.  Upon  the  occurrence  and  during  the  continuance  of a
          Default,  DFS may  notify the  obligors  that the  Accounts  have been
          assigned  to DFS,  collect the  Accounts  directly in its own name and
          charge the collection costs and expenses,  including  attorneys' fees,
          to Dealer. DFS has no duty to protect, insure, collect or realize upon
          the Accounts to preserve rights in them.
     3.8  Collection  Days. All payments and all amounts received on any Account
          will  be  credited  by DFS  to  Dealer's  account  (subject  to  final
          collection   thereof)   after  allowing  two  (2)  business  days  for
          collection of checks or other instruments.
     3.9  Power of  Attorney.  Dealer  irrevocably  appoints DFS (and any person
          designated by it) as Dealer's true and lawful Attorney with full power
          to at any time,  in the  discretion of DFS (whether or not Default has
          occurred)  to: (a) endorse the name of Dealer upon any of the items of
          payment or  proceeds  and  deposit  the same in the account of DFS for
          application to the Obligations;  (b) sign the name of Dealer to verify
          the  accuracy  of the  Accounts;  (c) sign the name of  Dealer  on any
          document or instrument that DFS shall deem necessary or appropriate to
          perfect  and  maintain   perfected  the  security   interests  in  the
          Collateral  under this  Agreement  and the Other  Agreements;  and (d)
          initiate and settle any insurance  claim and endorse  Dealer's name on
          any  check,  instrument  or other item of  payment.  In the event of a
          Default, Dealer irrevocably appoints DFS (and any person designated by
          it) as  Dealer's  true and lawful  Attorney  with full power to at any
          time, in the discretion of DFS to: (i) demand payment, enforce payment
          and  otherwise  exercise all of Dealer's  rights,  and  remedies  with
          respect  to the  collection  of any  Accounts;  (ii)  settle,  adjust,
          compromise,  extend or renew any  Accounts;  (iii)  settle,  adjust or
          compromise any legal proceedings brought to collect any Accounts; (iv)
          sell or assign any Accounts  upon such terms,  for such amounts and at
          such  time or times  as DFS may  deem  advisable;  (v)  discharge  and
          release any Accounts; (vi) prepare, file and sign Dealer's name on any
          Proof of Claim in Bankruptcy or similar  document against any obligor;
          (vii)  endorse the name of Dealer upon any  chattel  paper,  document,
          instrument,  invoice, freight bill, bill of lading or similar document
          or agreement relating to any Account or goods pertaining thereto;  and
          (viii) take  control in any manner of any item of payments or proceeds
          and for such  purpose to notify the Postal  Authorities  to change the
          address for  delivery of mail  addressed  to Dealer to such address as
          DFS may  designate..  The power of  attorney  is for value and coupled
          with an interest and is irrevocable so long as any Obligations  remain
          outstanding and by DFS exercising such right,  DFS shall not waive any
          right against Dealer until the Obligations are paid in full.
     3.10 Continuing  Requirements.  Advances  hereunder will be made by DFS, at
          Dealer's direction,  by paper check,  electronic transfer by Automated
          Clearing House  ("ACH"),  Fed Wire Funds Transfer ("Fed Wire") or such
          other electronic means as DFS may announce from time to time (ACH, Fed
          Wire and such other electronic  transfer are collectively  referred to
          as  "Electronic  Transfers").  If Dealer does not request  advances be
          made in a specific method of transfer,  DFS may determine from time to
          time in its sole  discretion  what method of  transfer to use.  Dealer
          will: (a) if from time to time required by DFS, immediately upon their
          creation,  deliver to DFS copies of all invoices,  delivery  evidences
          and other such documents  relating to each Account;  (b) not permit or
          agree to any material extension,  compromise,  settlement or change to
          any Account  unless it has notified DFS of its intention to do so; (c)
          affix  appropriate  endorsements or assignments upon all such items of


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

          payment and proceeds so that the same may be properly deposited by DFS
          to DFS' account;  (d) immediately notify DFS in writing which Accounts
          may be deemed  ineligible as defined in  Subsection  3.3; (e) mark all
          chattel paper and instruments now owned or hereafter acquired by it to
          show  that  the  same  are  subject  to  DFS'  security  interest  and
          immediately  thereafter  deliver such chattel paper and instruments to
          DFS with  appropriate  endorsements and assignments to DFS; (f) within
          ten (10) days after the end of each month, provide DFS with a detailed
          aging of its  Accounts  for each  month,  (g)  provide  the  names and
          addresses of all obligors upon DFS' request.
     3.11 Release.  Dealer  releases  DFS from all  claims  and causes of action
          which  Dealer may now or  hereafter  have for any loss or damage to it
          claimed to be caused by or  arising  from:  (a) any  failure of DFS to
          protect,  enforce or collect,  in whole or in part,  any Account;  (b)
          DFS' notification to any obligors thereon of DFS' security interest in
          any of the  Accounts;  (c) DFS'  directing  any obligor to pay any sum
          owing to Dealer  directly to DFS; and (d) any other act or omission to
          act on the part of DFS, its officers, agents or employees,  except for
          willful misconduct or gross negligence. DFS will have no obligation to
          preserve rights to Accounts  against prior parties.  Dealer waives all
          rights of offset and counterclaims Dealer may have against DFS.
     3.12 Review.  Dealer grants DFS an  irrevocable  license to enter  Dealer's
          business  locations during normal business hours with forty-eight (48)
          hours  prior  notice to Dealer  (unless  Dealer is in Default in which
          case no prior  notice  shall be  required)  to:  (a)  account  for and
          inspect  all  Collateral;  (b) verify  Dealer's  compliance  with this
          Agreement; and (c) review, examine, and make copies of Dealer's books,
          records,  files and business procedures and practices.  Dealer further
          agrees to pay DFS a review fee of ONE  THOUSAND  DOLLARS  ($1,000) per
          quarter for any such review,  inspection or  examination  made by DFS.
          DFS may,  without notice to Dealer and at any time or times hereafter,
          verify  the  validity,  amount or any  other  matter  relating  to any
          Account by mail,  telephone,  or other means, in the name of Dealer or
          DFS.

4.   SECURITY - COLLATERAL
     ---------------------
     4.1  Grant of  Security  Interest.  To secure  payment  of all of  Dealer's
          current and future  Obligations and to secure Dealer's  performance of
          all of the provisions  under this Agreement and the Other  Agreements,
          Dealer  grants DFS a security  interest in all of Dealer's  inventory,
          equipment,   fixtures,   accounts,  contract  rights,  chattel  paper,
          security   agreements,   instruments,   deposit  accounts,   reserves,
          documents,  and  general  intangibles;   and  all  judgments,  claims,
          insurance policies,  and payments owed or made to Dealer thereon;  all
          whether now owned or hereafter acquired, all attachments, accessories,
          accessions,  returns,  repossessions,   exchanges,  substitutions  and
          replacements  thereto,  and all proceeds thereof.  All such assets are
          collectively referred to herein as the "Collateral." All of such terms
          for which meanings are provided in the Uniform  Commercial Code of the
          applicable state are used herein with such meanings.  Dealer covenants
          with DFS that DFS may realize  upon all or part of any  Collateral  in
          any  order  it  desires  and any  realization  by any  means  upon any
          Collateral  will  not  bar  realization  upon  any  other  collateral.
          Dealer's  liability  under this Agreement is direct and  unconditional
          and  will not be  affected  by the  release  or  nonperfection  of any
          security interest granted hereunder.  All Collateral  financed by DFS,
          and all  proceeds  thereof,  will be held in trust by Dealer  for DFS,
          with such proceeds being payable in accordance with this Agreement.

5.   WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS
     ------------------------------
     5.1  Affirmative  Warranties  and  Representations.   Except  as  otherwise
          specifically  provided in the Other  Agreements,  Dealer  warrants and
          represents to DFS that:  (a) Dealer has good title to all  Collateral;
          (b)  DFS'  security  interest  in  the  Accounts  will  at  all  times



                                      -6-
<PAGE>

          constitute a perfected,  first security  interest in such Accounts and
          will  not  become   subordinate  to  the  security   interest,   lien,
          encumbrance  or claim of any  Entity;  (c)  Dealer  will  execute  all
          documents  DFS  reasonably  requests  to  perfect  and  maintain  DFS'
          security  interest  in the  Collateral  and to  fully  consummate  the
          transactions   contemplated   under  this   Agreement  and  the  Other
          Agreements; (d) Dealer will at all times be duly organized,  existing,
          in good standing, qualified and licensed to do business in each state,
          county,  or parish, in which the nature of its business or property so
          requires;  (e)  Dealer has the right and is duly  authorized  to enter
          into this Agreement; (f) Dealer's execution of this Agreement does not
          constitute  a  breach  of any  agreement  to  which  Dealer  is now or
          hereafter  becomes  bound;  (g)  there are and will be no  actions  or
          proceedings pending or threatened against Dealer which might result in
          any  material  adverse  change  in  Dealer's   financial  or  business
          condition or which might in any way  adversely  affect any of Dealer's
          assets;  (h) Dealer will maintain the Collateral in good condition and
          repair;  (i) Dealer has duly filed and will duly file all tax  returns
          required by law;  (j) Dealer has paid and will pay when due all taxes,
          levies, assessments and governmental charges of any nature; (k) Dealer
          will  maintain a system of accounting  in  accordance  with  generally
          accepted accounting  principles and account records which contain such
          information  in a format as may be  requested  by DFS; (l) Dealer will
          keep and  maintain  all of its books  and  records  pertaining  to the
          Accounts either at its principal place of business  designated in this
          Agreement  or at a designated  storage  facility of which DFS has been
          notified in writing;  (m) Dealer  will  promptly  supply DFS with such
          information  concerning  it or  any  Guarantor  as DFS  hereafter  may
          reasonably  request;  (n) Dealer  will give DFS thirty (30) days prior
          written  notice of any  change in  Dealer's  identity,  name,  form of
          business  organization,  ownership,  management,  principal  place  of
          business, Collateral locations or other business locations; and before
          moving any books and  records to any other  location;  (o) Dealer will
          observe  and  perform  all  matters  required  by any lease,  license,
          concession  or franchise  forming part of the  Collateral  in order to
          maintain all the rights of DFS thereunder;  (p) Dealer will advise DFS
          of the  commencement of material legal  proceedings  against Dealer or
          any  Guarantor;  (q) Dealer will comply with all  applicable  laws and
          will conduct its business in a manner which preserves and protects the
          Collateral and the earnings and incomes  thereof;  and (r) Dealer will
          keep the Collateral insured for its full insurable value under an "all
          risk"  property  insurance  policy with a company  acceptable  to DFS,
          naming DFS as a lender  loss-payee  and containing  standard  lender's
          loss payable and termination provisions.  Dealer will provide DFS with
          written  evidence of such  property  insurance  coverage  and lender's
          loss-payee endorsement.
     5.2  Negative  Covenants.  Dealer will not at any time  (without DFS' prior
          written  consent:  (a) grant to or in favor of any  Entity a  security
          interest  in or permit to exist a lien,  claim or  encumbrance  in the
          Accounts  which is superior to the  interest of DFS; (b) other than in
          the ordinary  course of its business and if material in nature,  sell,
          lease or otherwise dispose of or transfer any of its assets; (c) merge
          or  consolidate  with another  Entity  unless  Dealer is the surviving
          entity of such merger or  consolidation  and,  after giving  effect to
          such merger or consolidation, Dealer is in full compliance with all of
          the covenants  contained in this  Agreement and the Other  Agreements;
          (d)  acquire  the assets or  ownership  interest  of any other  Entity
          provided  that after giving effect to such  acquisition,  Dealer is in
          full compliance with all of the covenants  contained in this Agreement
          and the Other Agreements;  (e) enter into any material transaction not
          in the  ordinary  course of  business;  (f)  guarantee or indemnify or
          otherwise  become in any way liable with respect to the obligations of
          any Entity,  except by  endorsement of instruments or items of payment
          for deposit to the general  account of Dealer or which are transmitted
          or turned  over to DFS on  account  of the  Obligations;  (g)  redeem,
          retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly,  any of
          Dealer's  capital  stock;  (h) make any  change  in  Dealer's  capital
          structure or in any of its business  objectives  or  operations  which



                                      -7-
<PAGE>

          might in any way  adversely  affect the ability of Dealer to repay the
          Obligations;  (i) make any  distribution of Dealer's assets not in the
          ordinary  course of  business;  (j) incur  any  debts  outside  of the
          ordinary  course of business except renewals or extensions of existing
          debts and interest thereon; and (k) except for inter-company  payments
          made in the  ordinary  course of business,  make any loans,  advances,
          contributions  or  payments  of money  or in  goods to any  affiliated
          entity or to any officer, director,  stockholder, member or partner of
          Dealer or of any such entity  (except for  compensation  for  personal
          services actually rendered).
     5.3  Financial  Statements.  Dealer will deliver to DFS: (a) within  ninety
          (90) days after the end of each of Dealer's fiscal years, a reasonably
          detailed  balance  sheet as of the last day of such  fiscal year and a
          reasonably  detailed income statement covering Dealer's operations for
          such fiscal year, in a form satisfactory to DFS; (b) within forty-five
          (45)  days  after  the end of  each of  Dealer's  fiscal  quarters,  a
          reasonably  detailed  balance sheet as of the last day of such quarter
          and an income statement covering Dealer's  operations for such quarter
          in a form satisfactory to DFS; (c) within ten (10) business days after
          request therefor by DFS, any other report requested by DFS relating to
          the Collateral or the financial  condition of Dealer.  Dealer warrants
          and represents to DFS that all financial  statements  and  information
          relating to Dealer or any  Guarantor  which have been or may hereafter
          be  delivered  by Dealer or any  Guarantor to DFS are true and correct
          and have  been and  will be  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally
          accepted accounting principles  consistently applied and, with respect
          to such previously delivered statements or information, there has been
          no material  adverse change in the financial or business  condition of
          Dealer or any Guarantor  since the submission to DFS, either as of the
          date of delivery,  or, if different,  the date specified therein,  and
          Dealer acknowledges DFS' reliance thereon.

6.   DEFAULT
     -------
     6.1  Definition.  Dealer will be in default  under this  Agreement  if: (a)
          Dealer  breaches any terms,  warranties or  representations  contained
          herein or in any Other  Agreements  (other than as set forth in clause
          (d) or (e) below) and such breach is not cured within ten (10) days of
          Dealer's  receipt of notice  thereof;  (b) any  Guarantor  of Dealer's
          debts  to  DFS  breaches  any  terms,  warranties  or  representations
          contained in any guaranty or Other  Agreements  and such breach is not
          cured within the  applicable  cure period set forth  therein;  (c) any
          representation, statement, report, or certificate made or delivered by
          Dealer  or any  Guarantor  to DFS is not  accurate  when made and such
          inaccuracy   is  not  cured  within  ten  (10)  days  of  Dealer's  or
          guarantor's receipt of notice thereof;  (d) Dealer fails to pay any of
          the  Obligations  when due and payable  and such  failure is not cured
          within two (2) days of receipt of notice thereof;  (e) Dealer abandons
          any Collateral  and such  abandonment is not cured within two (2) days
          of Dealer's receipt of notice thereof;  (f) Dealer or any Guarantor is
          or becomes  in  default  in the  payment of any debt owed to any third
          party in an amount over five hundred thousand dollars (US$500,000) and
          such  default  is not  cured  within  two  (2)  days  of  Dealer's  or
          guarantor's  receipt of notice  thereof;  (g) a money judgment  issues
          against  Dealer or any  guarantor in an amount over  $500,000 ; (h) an
          attachment,  sale or seizure issues or is executed  against any assets
          of Dealer or of any Guarantor having a value of over $500,000; (i) the
          undersigned  dies  while  Dealer's  business  is  operated  as a  sole
          proprietorship,  any general  partner dies while Dealer's  business is
          operated as a general or limited partnership, or any member dies while
          Dealer's  business  is  operated as a limited  liability  company,  as
          applicable;  (j) any Guarantor dies; (k) Dealer or any Guarantor shall
          cease  existence  as a  corporation,  partnership,  limited  liability
          company or trust, as applicable; (l) Dealer or any Guarantor ceases or
          suspends  business;  (m) Dealer,  any  Guarantor  or any member  while
          Dealer's  business  is  operated as a limited  liability  company,  as
          applicable,  makes a general  assignment for the benefit of creditors;
          (n) Dealer,  any  Guarantor or any member while  Dealer's  business is
          operated  as a  limited  liability  company,  as  applicable,  becomes



                                      -8-
<PAGE>

          insolvent  or  voluntarily  or  involuntarily  becomes  subject to the
          Federal  Bankruptcy Code, any state insolvency law or any similar law;
          (o) any receiver is appointed for any assets of Dealer,  any Guarantor
          or any  member  while  Dealer's  business  is  operated  as a  limited
          liability company, as applicable; (p) any guaranty of Dealer's debt to
          DFS is  terminated;  (q)  Dealer  loses  any  franchiserelated  to any
          Collateral   which  DFS   finances;   (r)  Dealer  or  any   Guarantor
          misrepresents  Dealer's or such  Guarantor's  financial  condition  or
          organizational  structure;  (s) there shall  occur a material  adverse
          change in the  financial or other  condition or business  prospects of
          Dealer or any Guarantor; or (t) DFS is not secured with respect to any
          of the Collateral or the payment of any part of Dealer's  Obligations.
          Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Agreement,  DFS will
          not be obligated to make any advances hereunder or issue any approvals
          to Vendors during any cure period set forth above.
     6.2  Rights of DFS. In the event of a Default:
          (a)  DFS may at any time at DFS' election, without notice or demand to
               Dealer,  do any one or more of the following:  declare all or any
               of the Obligations immediately due and payable, together with all
               costs  and  expenses  of  DFS'  collection  activity,  including,
               without limitation,  all reasonable attorneys' fees; exercise any
               or  all  rights  under   applicable   law   (including,   without
               limitation,  the right to  possess,  transfer  and dispose of the
               Collateral);  and/or cease  extending  any  additional  credit to
               Dealer  (DFS'  right  to  cease  extending  credit  shall  not be
               construed  to  limit  the  discretionary  nature  of this  credit
               facility).
          (b)  Dealer will  segregate and keep the  Collateral in trust for DFS,
               and in good order and  repair,  and will not sell,  rent,  lease,
               consign,  otherwise dispose of or use any Collateral, nor further
               encumber any Collateral.
          (c)  Upon DFS' oral or written demand, Dealer will immediately deliver
               the  Collateral  to DFS,  in good  order and  repair,  at a place
               specified by DFS,  together  with all related  documents;  or DFS
               may,  in DFS' sole  discretion  and  without  notice or demand to
               Dealer, take immediate possession of the Collateral together with
               all related documents.
          (d)  DFS may,  without  notice,  apply a  default  finance  charge  to
               Dealer's outstanding principal  indebtedness equal to the default
               rate specified in Dealer's financing program with DFS, if any, or
               if there is none so  specified,  at the  lesser  of 3% per  annum
               above the rate in effect immediately prior to the Default, or the
               highest  lawful   contract  rate  of  interest   permitted  under
               applicable law.
          (e)  DFS  may,  without  notice  to  Dealer  and at any  time or times
               enforce payment and collect,  by legal  proceedings or otherwise,
               Accounts  in the name of Dealer or DFS;  and take  control of any
               cash or non-cash  items of payment or proceeds of Accounts and of
               any rejected,  returned,  repossessed or stopped in transit goods
               relating to  Accounts.  DFS may at its sole  election and without
               demand enter,  with or without process of law, any premises where
               Collateral  might be and,  without  charge  or  liability  to DFS
               therefor do one or more of the following:  (i) take possession of
               the  Collateral and use or store it in said premises or remove it
               to such other  place or places as DFS may deem  convenient;  (ii)
               take  possession  of  all  or  part  of  such  premises  and  the
               Collateral and place a custodian in the exclusive control thereof
               until completion of enforcement of DFS' security  interest in the
               Collateral  or until DFS' removal of the  Collateral  and,  (iii)
               remain on such premises and use the same,  together with Dealer's
               materials,  supplies,  books  and  records,  for the  purpose  of
               performing all acts necessary and incidental to the collection or
               liquidation of such Collateral.

               All of DFS' rights and remedies are  cumulative.  DFS' failure to
               exercise any of DFS' rights or remedies  hereunder will not waive
               any of DFS' rights or remedies as to any past,  current or future
               Default.



                                      -9-
<PAGE>

     6.3  Sale of Collateral.  Dealer agrees that if DFS conducts a private sale
          of any  Collateral  by  requesting  bids  from 10 or more  dealers  or
          distributors  in that  type  of  Collateral,  any  sale by DFS of such
          Collateral  in bulk or in parcels  within 120 days of: (a) DFS' taking
          possession  and  control  of  such  Collateral;  or  (b)  when  DFS is
          otherwise  authorized to sell such Collateral;  whichever occurs last,
          to  the  bidder  submitting  the  highest  cash  bid  therefor,  is  a
          commercially  reasonable  sale of such  Collateral  under the  Uniform
          Commercial Code.  Dealer agrees that the purchase of any Collateral by
          a vendor,  as provided in any agreement between DFS and the vendor, is
          a  commercially  reasonable  disposition  and  private  sale  of  such
          Collateral under the Uniform  Commercial Code, and no request for bids
          shall be required.  Dealer  further agrees that seven (7) or more days
          prior written  notice will be  commercially  reasonable  notice of any
          public  or  private  sale  (including  any sale to a  vendor).  Dealer
          irrevocably  waives any requirement that DFS retain possession and not
          dispose  of  any  Collateral  until  after  an  arbitration   hearing,
          arbitration  award,  confirmation,  trial  or final  judgment.  If DFS
          disposes of any such Collateral other than as herein contemplated, the
          commercial  reasonableness  of such  disposition will be determined in
          accordance with the laws of the state governing this Agreement.

7.   MISCELLANEOUS
     -------------
     7.1  Termination. This Agreement will continue in full force and effect and
          be  non-cancellable by Dealer (except that it may be terminated by DFS
          upon sixty (60) days  written  notice to Dealer or in the  exercise of
          its rights and  remedies  upon  Default by Dealer) for a period of two
          (2) years  from the first day of the first  month  following  the date
          hereof and for successive one (1) year periods thereafter,  subject to
          termination as to future transactions at the end of any such period on
          at least  ninety (90) days prior  written  notice by Dealer to DFS. If
          such notice of termination is given by Dealer to DFS, such notice will
          be ineffective  unless Dealer pays to DFS all Obligations on or before
          the  termination  date. Any termination of this Agreement by Dealer or
          DFS  will  have  the  effect  of  accelerating  the  maturity  of  all
          Obligations not then otherwise due.
          7.1.1 Termination Privilege.  Despite  anything  to  the  contrary  in
               Section 7.1 of this  Agreement,  this Agreement may be terminated
               by Dealer at any time upon ninety (90) days prior written  notice
               and payment to DFS of the  following  sum (in addition to payment
               of all Obligations, whether or not by their terms then due) which
               sum represents liquidated damages for the loss of the bargain and
               not as a penalty,  and the same is hereby acknowledged by Dealer:
               (i) if  Dealer's  termination  occurs  at any time  from the date
               hereof  up  to  and  including  the  date   preceding  the  first
               anniversary  of the date hereof,  the sum shall equal One Hundred
               Twenty  Five  Thousand  Dollars  (representing  one  half  of one
               percent  (.50%)   multiplied  by  Twenty-Five   Million   Dollars
               ($25,000,000));  and (ii) if Dealer's  termination  occurs at any
               time  from the  first  anniversary  of the date  hereof up to and
               including the date  preceding the second  anniversary of the date
               hereof,  the sum shall  equal  Sixty-Two  Thousand  Five  Hundred
               Dollars   (representing   one  quarter  of  one  percent   (.25%)
               multiplied by Twenty-Five  Million Dollars  ($25,000,000)).  This
               sum will also be paid by Dealer if the Agreement is terminated by
               DFS on account of Dealer's  Default,  but shall not be payable if
               the Agreement is terminated by DFS absent a Default by Dealer.
          7.1.2 Termination due to DFS Sale. In the event that DFS is a party to
               a merger,  consolidation or sale of all or  substantially  all of
               its assets ("Sale"), Dealer shall have the right to notify DFS of
               its intention to terminate  this Agreement at any time during the
               first ninety (90) days  following  such Sale.  This Agreement may
               continue, at Dealer's election,  for up to ninety (90) additional
               days after Dealer  provides  DFS with  notice.  In the event that
               Dealer  elects  to  terminate  this  Agreement  pursuant  to this
               Section, the provisions of Section 7.1.1 shall not apply.



                                      -10-
<PAGE>

          7.1.3 Effect  of  Termination. Dealer  will not be  relieved  from any
               Obligations  to DFS arising out of DFS'  advances or  commitments
               made before the effective termination date of this Agreement. DFS
               will retain all of its rights,  interests and remedies  hereunder
               until  Dealer has paid all of Dealer's  Obligations  to DFS.  All
               waivers  set  forth  within  this   Agreement  will  survive  any
               termination of this Agreement.

     7.2  Collection.  Checks and other instruments  delivered to DFS on account
          of the  Obligations  will  constitute  conditional  payment until such
          items are actually paid to DFS.
     7.3  Demand, Etc. Dealer irrevocable waives notice of: presentment, demand,
          protest,  nonpayment,  nonperformance  and  dishonor.  Dealer  and DFS
          irrevocably  waive all rights to claim any punitive  and/or  exemplary
          damages.  Dealer  waives all  notices of default  and  non-payment  at
          maturity of any or all of the Accounts.
     7.4  Reimbursement.  Dealer will assume and  reimburse  DFS upon demand for
          all expenses  incurred by DFS in connection  with the  preparation  of
          this Agreement and the Other  Agreements  (including fees and costs of
          outside  counsel) and all filing and recording  fees and taxes payable
          in connection with the filing or recording of all documents under this
          Agreement and the Other Agreements; provided, however, that such total
          reimbursement  by  Dealer  hereunder  will not  exceed  the sum of ONE
          THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00).
     7.5  Additional   Obligations.   DFS,  without  waiving  or  releasing  any
          Obligation or Default,  may perform any Obligations  that Dealer fails
          or  refuses  to  perform.  All  sums  paid  by DFS on  account  of the
          foregoing and any expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, will
          be a part of the  Obligations,  payable on demand  and  secured by the
          Collateral.
     7.6  NO ORAL  AGREEMENTS.  ORAL  AGREEMENTS OR  COMMITMENTS  TO LOAN MONEY,
          EXTEND  CREDIT  OR TO  FORBEAR  FROM  ENFORCING  REPAYMENT  OF A  DEBT
          INCLUDING  PROMISES TO EXTEND OR RENEW SUCH DEBTS ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE.
          TO PROTECT DEALER AND DFS FROM MISUNDERSTANDING OR DISAPPOINTMENT, ALL
          AGREEMENTS COVERING SUCH MATTERS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS WRITING AND THE
          OTHER AGREEMENTS, WHICH IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE
          AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES,  EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED HEREIN
          OR AS THE PARTIES  MAY LATER AGREE IN WRITING TO MODIFY IT.  THERE ARE
          NO UNWRITTEN  AGREEMENTS  BETWEEN THE PARTIES.  DFS may,  from time to
          time,  announce  in  writing  to Dealer its  policies  and  procedures
          regarding its  administration  of this  facility,  including,  without
          limitation,  DFS' fees for the  transfer  of funds to or from  Dealer,
          including Electronic  Transfers;  any subsequent use by Dealer of this
          facility  following any such  announcement  shall constitute  Dealer's
          acceptance  of such revised  policies and  procedures.  Time is of the
          essence  regarding  Dealer's  performance  of its  obligations  to DFS
          notwithstanding  any course of dealing or custom on DFS' part to grant
          extensions  of time.  DFS  will  have the  right  to  refrain  from or
          postpone enforcement of this Agreement or any Other Agreements between
          DFS and Dealer without  prejudice and the failure to strictly  enforce
          these  agreements  will not be construed as having created a course of
          dealing  between DFS and Dealer  contrary to the specific terms of the
          agreements  or as having  modified,  released or waived the same.  The
          express terms of this  Agreement will not be modified by any course of
          dealing, usage of trade, or custom of trade which may deviate from the
          terms hereof.
     7.7  Severability.  If  any  provision  of  this  Agreement  or  the  Other
          Agreements   or  the   application   thereof   is  held   invalid   or



                                      -11-
<PAGE>

          unenforceable,   the  remainder  of  this   Agreement  and  the  Other
          Agreements  will not be impaired or affected  and will remain  binding
          and enforceable.
     7.8  Supplement.   If  Dealer  and  DFS  have  heretofore   executed  Other
          Agreements in connection with all or any part of the Collateral,  this
          Agreement shall  supplement each and every Other Agreement  previously
          executed  by and  between  Dealer  and  DFS,  and in that  event  this
          Agreement  shall neither be deemed a novation nor a termination of any
          such  previously  executed Other Agreement nor shall execution of this
          Agreement be deemed a satisfaction  of any obligation  secured by such
          previously  executed  Other  Agreement.  In the event of any  conflict
          between  the  terms  of this  Agreement  and any  previously  executed
          Business Financing Agreement between DFS and Dealer, the terms of this
          Agreement shall control.
     7.9  Section  Titles.  The Section  titles used in this  Agreement  are for
          convenience  only and do not  define  or  limit  the  contents  of any
          Section.
     7.10 Binding Effect. Dealer cannot assign its interest in this Agreement or
          any Other Agreements without DFS' prior written consent,  although DFS
          may assign or participate DFS' interest,  in whole or in part, without
          Dealer's consent. This Agreement and the Other Agreements will protect
          and  bind  DFS'  and  Dealer's   respective  heirs,   representatives,
          successors and assigns.
     7.11 Notices.  Except as otherwise stated herein, all notices,  arbitration
          claims,  responses,  requests and documents will be sufficiently given
          or served if mailed or delivered:  (a) to Dealer at Dealer's principal
          place of business  specified  above;  and (b) to DFS at 655  Maryville
          Centre  Drive,  St. Louis,  Missouri  63141-5832,  Attention:  General
          Counsel, or such other address as the parties may hereafter specify in
          writing.
     7.12 Receipt of Agreement.  Dealer acknowledges that it has received a true
          and complete copy of this Agreement.  Dealer  acknowledges that it has
          read and understood this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to
          the contrary:  (a) DFS may rely on any facsimile copy, electronic data
          transmission  or electronic  data storage of any Schedule,  statement,
          financial  statements or other reports,  and (b) such facsimile  copy,
          electronic data transmission or electronic data storage will be deemed
          an  original,   and  the  best  evidence  thereof  for  all  purposes,
          including,  without  limitation,  under  this  Agreement  or any Other
          Agreements,  and for all  evidentiary  purposes before any arbitrator,
          court or other adjudicatory authority.
     7.13 Information.  DFS may  provide  to any third  party upon  request  any
          public  credit  information  on Dealer  that DFS may from time to time
          possess or any financial or other  information  on Dealer that DFS may
          from time to time  possess as required by law. DFS may obtain from any
          third  party any  credit,  financial  or other  information  regarding
          Dealer that such third party may from time to time possess.

8.   BINDING ARBITRATION
     ------- -----------
     8.1  Arbitrable Claims.  Except as otherwise  specified below, all actions,
          disputes,  claims and controversies under common law, statutory law or
          in  equity  of any  type  or  nature  whatsoever  (including,  without
          limitation,  all  torts,  whether  regarding  negligence,   breach  of
          fiduciary  duty,  restraint  of  trade,  fraud,  conversion,   duress,
          interference,  wrongful replevin, wrongful sequestration, fraud in the
          inducement,  usury or any other tort,  all contract  actions,  whether
          regarding  express or implied terms, such as implied covenants of good
          faith,  fair  dealing,  and  the  commercial   reasonableness  of  any
          Collateral  disposition,  or any other contract  claim,  all claims of
          deceptive  trade  practices  or  lender  liability,   and  all  claims
          questioning  the  reasonableness  or lawfulness  of any act),  whether
          arising  before  or after  the  date of this  Agreement,  and  whether
          directly or  indirectly  relating to: (a) this  Agreement or any Other
          Agreements and/or any amendments and addenda hereto or thereto, or the
          breach,  invalidity or termination hereof or thereof; (b) any previous
          or subsequent  agreement between DFS and Dealer; (c) any act committed



                                      -12-
<PAGE>

          by DFS or by any parent company,  subsidiary or affiliated  company of
          DFS (the "DFS  Companies"),  or by any  employee,  agent,  officer  or
          director of an DFS Company whether or not arising within the scope and
          course of employment or other  contractual  representation  of the DFS
          Companies   provided  that  such  act  arises  under  a  relationship,
          transaction  or dealing  between DFS and Dealer;  and/or (d) any other
          relationship,   transaction   or  dealing   between   DFS  and  Dealer
          (collectively  the  "Disputes"),  will be subject to and  resolved  by
          binding arbitration.
     8.2  Administrative  Body. All  arbitration  hereunder will be conducted in
          accordance  with the  Commercial  Arbitration  Rules  of The  American
          Arbitration Association ("AAA"). If the AAA is dissolved, disbanded or
          becomes  subject  to any state or  federal  bankruptcy  or  insolvency
          proceeding,  the parties  will remain  subject to binding  arbitration
          which will be conducted by a mutually  agreeable  arbitral forum.  The
          parties agree that all  arbitrator(s)  selected will be attorneys with
          at  least  five  (5)  years  secured  transactions   experience.   The
          arbitrator(s)  will  decide if any  inconsistency  exists  between the
          rules of any applicable arbitral forum and the arbitration  provisions
          contained  herein.  If  such  inconsistency  exists,  the  arbitration
          provisions contained herein will control and supersede such rules. The
          site of all  arbitration  proceedings  will be in the  Division of the
          Federal  Judicial  District in which AAA  maintains a regional  office
          that is closest to Dealer.
     8.3  Discovery. Discovery permitted in any arbitration proceeding commenced
          hereunder is limited as follows.  No later than thirty (30) days after
          the  filing of a claim for  arbitration,  the  parties  will  exchange
          detailed  statements  setting forth the facts  supporting the claim(s)
          and all defenses to be raised  during the  arbitration,  and a list of
          all exhibits and witnesses.  No later than  twenty-one (21) days prior
          to the arbitration  hearing, the parties will exchange a final list of
          all exhibits  and all  witnesses,  including  any  designation  of any
          expert witness(es) together with a summary of their testimony;  a copy
          of all  documents  and a detailed  description  of any  property to be
          introduced  at the  hearing.  Under no  circumstances  will the use of
          interrogatories,  requests for admission,  requests for the production
          of documents or the taking of  depositions be permitted.  However,  in
          the event of the designation of any expert witness(es),  the following
          will  occur:  (a) all  information  and  documents  relied upon by the
          expert  witness(es)  will be delivered to the opposing party,  (b) the
          opposing party will be permitted to depose the expert witness(es), (c)
          the opposing  party will be permitted  to  designate  rebuttal  expert
          witness(es),  and (d) the arbitration hearing will be continued to the
          earliest possible date that enables the foregoing limited discovery to
          be accomplished.
     8.4  Exemplary or Punitive  Damages.  The  Arbitrator(s)  will not have the
          authority to award exemplary or punitive damages.
     8.5  Confidentiality  of Awards.  All  arbitration  proceedings,  including
          testimony or evidence at hearings, will be kept confidential, although
          any award or order rendered by the arbitrator(s) pursuant to the terms
          of this  Agreement  may be entered as a judgment or order in any state
          or federal  court and may be  confirmed  within the  federal  judicial
          district  which  includes the residence of the party against whom such
          award or order  was  entered.  This  Agreement  concerns  transactions
          involving commerce among the several states.  The Federal  Arbitration
          Act, Title 9 U.S.C. Sections 1 et seq., as amended ("FAA") will govern
          all arbitration(s) and confirmation proceedings hereunder.
     8.6  Prejudgment and Provisional Remedies. Nothing herein will be construed
          to  prevent  DFS'  or  Dealer's  use  of   bankruptcy,   receivership,
          injunction, repossession, replevin, claim and delivery, sequestration,
          seizure,  attachment,   foreclosure,   liquidation  and/or  any  other
          prejudgment or provisional action or remedy relating to any Collateral
          for any current or future debt owed by either party to the other.  Any
          such action or remedy will not waive DFS' or Dealer's  right to compel
          arbitration of any Dispute
     8.7  Attorneys'  Fees.  If either Dealer or DFS brings any other action for
          judicial  relief  with  respect to any  Dispute  (other than those set
          forth in Section 8.6),  the party  bringing such action will be liable
          for and  immediately  pay all of the other  party's costs and expenses
          (including  attorneys'  fees)  incurred to stay or dismiss such action
          and remove or refer such Dispute to  arbitration.  If either Dealer or



                                      -13-
<PAGE>

          DFS  brings or  appeals  an action to vacate or modify an  arbitration
          award and such party does not  prevail,  such party will pay all costs
          and expenses,  including  attorneys' fees, incurred by the other party
          in  defending  such  action.  Additionally,  if  Dealer  sues  DFS  or
          institutes any arbitration claim or counterclaim  against DFS in which
          DFS is the  prevailing  party,  Dealer will pay all costs and expenses
          (including attorneys' fees) incurred by DFS in the course of defending
          such action or proceeding.
     8.8  Limitations.  Any arbitration proceeding must be instituted:  (a) with
          respect to any Dispute for the  collection  of any debt owed by either
          party to the  other,  within  two (2)  years  after  the date the last
          payment was received by the instituting party; and (b) with respect to
          any other  Dispute,  within two (2) years after the date the  incident
          giving rise thereto occurred,  whether or not any damage was sustained
          or capable of  ascertainment  or either  party knew of such  incident.
          Failure to institute an arbitration proceeding within such period will
          constitute  an  absolute  bar and  waiver  to the  institution  of any
          proceeding, whether arbitration or a court proceeding, with respect to
          such Dispute.
     8.9  Survival  After  Termination.  The agreement to arbitrate will survive
          the termination of this Agreement.

9.   INVALIDITY/UNENFORCEABILITY  OF BINDING  ARBITRATION.  IF THIS AGREEMENT IS
     ---------------------------  ----------  ------------
     FOUND TO BE NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION,  ANY LEGAL  PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT
     TO ANY  DISPUTE  WILL BE TRIED IN A COURT OF  COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  BY A
     JUDGE WITHOUT A JURY. DEALER AND DFS WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN ANY
     SUCH PROCEEDING.

10.  Governing  Law.  Dealer  acknowledges  and  agrees  that this and all Other
     ---------  ----
     Agreements between Dealer and DFS have been substantially  negotiated,  and
     will be  substantially  performed,  in the state of Missouri.  Accordingly,
     Dealer  agrees that all  Disputes  will be governed  by, and  construed  in
     accordance with, the laws of such state,  except to the extent inconsistent
     with  the  provisions  of the  FAA  which  shall  control  and  govern  all
     arbitration proceedings hereunder.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Dealer and DFS have executed this Agreement as of the
date first set forth hereinabove.

     THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS BINDING ARBITRATION, JURY WAIVER AND PUNITIVE DAMAGE
WAIVER PROVISIONS.

DEUTSCHE FINANCIAL SERVICES             ePlus Technology, inc.
CORPORATION


By: __________________________          By:______________________________
Print Name:___________________          Print Name:______________________
Title:________________________          Title: __________________________

                                        By: _____________________________
                                        Print Name: _____________________
                                        Title: __________________________

                                        ATTEST:
                                        _________________________________
                                             (Assistant Secretary)

                                        Print Name: _____________________



                                      -14-
<PAGE>
                      SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE OF RESOLUTION

     I certify that I am the Secretary of the corporation  named below, and that
the following  completely and accurately sets forth a resolution of the Board of
Directors of the corporation  adopted by unanimous written consent in accordance
with the certificate of  incorporation,  charter and by-laws of the corporation,
and  that  they  have  not been  revoked,  annulled  or  amended  in any  manner
whatsoever.

     "RESOLVED,  That the below named  officers of this  corporation  are hereby
authorized and empowered on behalf of this corporation: to obtain financing from
Deutsche  Financial  Services  Corporation  ("DFS") in such  amounts and on such
terms as they deem proper;  to enter into and execute the  financing,  security,
pledge  and other  agreements  with DFS  relating  to the terms  upon which such
financing  may be obtained  and security  and/or  other credit  support is to be
furnished by this corporation therefor; from time to time to supplement or amend
any such agreements;  execute and deliver any and all assignments and schedules;
and from time to time to pledge, assign, mortgage, grant security interests, and
otherwise  transfer,  to DFS as collateral  security for any obligations of this
corporation  to  DFS,   whenever  and  however  arising,   any  assets  of  this
corporation,  whether now owned or  hereafter  acquired;  the Board of Directors
hereby ratifying, approving and confirming that which said officers have done or
may do with respect to the foregoing."

     I do further  certify that following are the names and specimen  signatures
of the officers of said corporation so empowered and authorized, namely:

President:             Nadim Achi           By: /s/_____________________________
                      (Print Name)                    (Signature

Controller:          Elaine Marion          By: /s/_____________________________
                      (Print Name)                    (Signature)



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and affixed the seal of the corporation
on the date stated below.

                                            ____________________________________
Dated: September___, 2000                               Secretary

                                            ____________________________________
                                                       Corporate Name

        (SEAL)


                                      -15-


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