<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule No. 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-39856
333-39856-01
Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus Dated November 9, 2000
Providian Master Trust
Issuer
[LOGO OF PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK]
Providian National Bank
Seller and Servicer
$544,250,000 Floating Rate Class A Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2000-3
$71,750,000 Floating Rate Class B Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2000-3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should consider carefully the risk factors beginning on page S-9 in this
prospectus supplement and on page 6 in the prospectus.
A certificate is not a deposit. Neither the certificates nor the underlying
accounts or receivables are insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The certificates will represent interests in the Providian Master Trust only,
and do not represent interests in or obligations of Providian National Bank or
any of its affiliates.
This prospectus supplement may be used to offer and sell the certificates only
if accompanied by the prospectus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A certificates Class B certificates
-------------------- --------------------
Principal amount $544,250,000 $71,750,000
Certificate rate of interest One-month LIBOR One-month LIBOR
plus 0.12% per year plus 0.45% per year
Interest payment dates Monthly, beginning Monthly, beginning
January 16, 2001 January 16, 2001
Expected final payment date November 17, 2003 January 15, 2004
Series termination date August 15, 2007 August 15, 2007
Price to public per certificate 100.0000% 100.000%
Underwriting discount per
certificate 0.2250% 0.2750%
Proceeds to seller per certificate 99.775% 99.725%
The total price to public is $616,000,000, the total amount of the
underwriting discount is $1,421,875 and the total amount of proceeds plus
accrued interest before deduction of expenses is $614,578,125.
Credit Enhancement
. The Class B certificates are subordinated to the Class A certificates.
Subordination of the Class B certificates provides credit enhancement for
the Class A certificates.
. Providian Master Trust also is issuing the collateral interest and the
Class D interest, which are subordinated to both the Class A certificates
and the Class B certificates. Subordination of the collateral interest and
the Class D interest provides credit enhancement for both the Class A
certificates and the Class B certificates.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate only to the
offering of the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved these certificates or determined that
this prospectus supplement or the prospectus is accurate or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Underwriters of the Class A Certificates
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Chase Securities Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston
Lehman Brothers
Salomon Smith Barney
Underwriters of the Class B Certificates
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Chase Securities Inc.
November 9, 2000
<PAGE>
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS
We provide information to you about the Class A certificates and the Class B
certificates in two separate documents:
. the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information about
the Providian Master Trust and the securities issued by it, some of
which may not apply to your certificates; and
. this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of your
certificates.
This prospectus supplement may be used to sell certificates only if accompanied
by the prospectus.
If the terms of your certificates vary between this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this
prospectus supplement.
We include cross references in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus to captions in these materials where you can find
additional related information. The following table of contents and the table
of contents in the accompanying prospectus provide the pages on which these
captions are located.
You can find a listing of the pages where certain terms used in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are defined under the
captions "Index of Terms for Prospectus Supplement" on page S-55 of this
prospectus supplement and "Index of Terms for Prospectus" on page 79 in the
accompanying prospectus.
------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
SUMMARY OF SERIES TERMS ............................................. S-1
OVERVIEW ......................................................... S-1
OFFERED SECURITIES ............................................... S-2
The Certificates ............................................... S-2
Distribution Dates ............................................. S-2
Interest ....................................................... S-2
Principal ...................................................... S-2
The Invested Amount ............................................ S-3
THE COLLATERAL INTEREST AND THE CLASS D INTEREST ................. S-3
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT ............................................... S-3
OTHER INTERESTS IN THE TRUST ..................................... S-4
Other Series of Certificates ................................... S-4
The Seller's Interest .......................................... S-4
THE RECEIVABLES .................................................. S-4
COLLECTIONS BY THE SERVICER ...................................... S-4
ALLOCATIONS ...................................................... S-4
APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS ....................................... S-5
Finance Charge Collections ..................................... S-5
Principal Collections .......................................... S-6
PAY OUT EVENTS ................................................... S-6
OPTIONAL REPURCHASE .............................................. S-7
REGISTRATION ..................................................... S-7
TAX STATUS ....................................................... S-7
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS ............................................. S-7
MAILING ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE
NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES .......................... S-7
SELECTED TRUST PORTFOLIO
SUMMARY DATA ................................................... S-8
RISK FACTORS ........................................................ S-9
Legal Developments ............................................... S-9
Ability to Resell Series 2000-3 Certificates Not Assured ......... S-11
Credit Enhancement May Not Be Sufficient to Prevent Loss ......... S-11
Class B Certificates Are Subordinated to the Class A
Certificates; Principal Collections May Be Diverted
from Class B to Pay Class A .................................... S-12
Ratings Can Be Lowered or Withdrawn After You Purchase
Your Certificates and the Market Value of Your
Certificates May Be Reduced .................................... S-12
Page
----
MATURITY CONSIDERATIONS ............................................. S-13
THE BANK PORTFOLIO OF ACCOUNTS ...................................... S-16
The Acquired Portfolios .......................................... S-16
Revenue Experience ............................................... S-16
Loss and Delinquency Experience .................................. S-17
COMPOSITION OF THE ACCOUNTS ......................................... S-19
THE BANK ............................................................ S-22
USE OF PROCEEDS ..................................................... S-22
SERIES PROVISIONS ................................................... S-23
The Certificates and the Series 2000-3 Certificateholders'
Interest ........................................................ S-23
Interest on the Certificates ..................................... S-23
No Principal Payments During the Revolving Period ................ S-26
Accumulation of Principal During the Accumulation Period ......... S-26
Payment of Principal on the Expected Final Payment Date
and During an Early Amortization Period ........................ S-27
Allocation Percentages ........................................... S-27
Application of Finance Charge Collections ........................ S-31
Deficiency in Available Finance Charge Collections ............... S-37
Sharing of Additional Finance Charge Collections within
Group One ...................................................... S-37
Application of Available Principal Collections ................... S-38
Reallocation of Principal Collections ............................ S-41
The Principal Funding Account .................................... S-44
The Reserve Accounts ............................................. S-44
Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs .................. S-47
Reductions and Reimbursements of Invested Amounts ................ S-48
Pay Out Events ................................................... S-50
Distributions to Certificateholders .............................. S-50
Paired Series .................................................... S-51
Sale of Receivables on the Series Termination Date ............... S-52
UNDERWRITING ........................................................ S-52
INDEX OF TERMS FOR
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT .......................................... S-55
ANNEX I: OTHER ISSUANCES OF
CERTIFICATES ................................................... S-56
S-iii
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF SERIES TERMS
This summary highlights selected information and does not contain all of
the information that you need in making your investment decision. It also
provides general, simplified descriptions of matters that, in some cases, are
highly technical and complex. More detail is provided in other sections of this
document and in the prospectus.
Do not rely upon this summary for a full understanding of the matters you
need to consider for any potential investment in the certificates.
To understand all the terms of the offering of the certificates, you should
carefully read this entire document and the accompanying prospectus.
OVERVIEW
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuer: Providian Master Trust - the "Trust"
Seller: Providian National Bank - the "Bank"
Servicer: the Bank
Trustee: Bankers Trust Company
Pricing Date: November 9, 2000
Closing Date: November 21, 2000
Clearance and Settlement: DTC/Clearstream, Luxembourg/Euroclear
Trust Assets: receivables originated in credit card and other
consumer revolving credit accounts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series Structure: Principal Amount % of Total Series
Class A $ 544,250,000 77.75%
Class B $ 71,750,000 10.25%
Collateral interest $ 59,500,000 8.50%
Class D interest $ 24,500,000 3.50%
Annual Servicing Fee Percentage: 1.75% if the Bank is the servicer, or up to
2.00% if the Bank is not the servicer
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B
----------------------------------- ---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Anticipated Ratings:
(Moody's/Standard & Poor's/Fitch)* Aaa/AAA/AAA A2/A/A
Credit Enhancement: subordination of Class B, the subordination of the collateral
collateral interest and the Class D interest and the Class D interest
interest
Interest Rate: one-month LIBOR plus one-month LIBOR plus
0.12% per year 0.45% per year
Interest Accrual Method: actual/360 actual/360
Interest Payment Dates: monthly (15th) monthly (15th)
First Interest Payment Date: January 16, 2001 January 16, 2001
Expected Final Payment Date: November 17, 2003 January 15, 2004
Beginning of Accumulation Period
(subject to adjustment): October 31, 2001 October 31, 2003
Series Termination Date: August 15, 2007 August 15, 2007
</TABLE>
-----------------------------
* It is a condition to issuance that one of these ratings be obtained.
S-1
<PAGE>
OFFERED SECURITIES
The Certificates
The Trust is offering:
. $ 544,250,000 of Class A certificates; and
. $ 71,750,000 of Class B certificates.
In this document, references to certificates include both Class A and Class
B but do not include the collateral interest or the Class D interest.
Only the Class A and Class B certificates are offered by this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Beneficial interests in the certificates may be purchased in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000.
The certificates are expected to be issued on November 21, 2000.
Distribution Dates
Distribution dates for the certificates will be January 16, 2001 and, after
that, the 15th day of each month if the 15th is a business day and, if not, the
following business day.
Interest
Interest on the certificates will be paid on each distribution date.
The Class A certificates will bear interest at one-month LIBOR as
determined each month plus 0.12% per year.
The Class B certificates will bear interest at one-month LIBOR as
determined each month plus 0.45% per year.
Interest for the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates will be
calculated based on the actual number of days in the interest period and a
360-day year.
Principal
Principal of the Class A certificates is expected to be paid in full on the
November 2003 distribution date.
We are scheduled to begin accumulating principal collections for payment to
the Class A certificateholders starting on October 31, 2001. However, we may
begin accumulating at a later date. No principal will be paid to the Class B
certificateholders until the Class A certificateholders are paid in full.
Principal of the Class B certificates is expected to be paid in full on the
January 2004 distribution date. We will begin accumulating principal collections
for payment to the Class B certificateholders starting on October 31, 2003.
The certificates are expected to be paid on the dates noted above. However,
principal may be paid earlier or later. Certificateholders will not be entitled
to any premium for early or late payment of principal. If certain adverse events
known as pay out events occur, principal may be paid earlier than expected. If
collections of the receivables are less than expected or are collected more
slowly than expected, then principal payments may be delayed. If the Class A
certificates or Class B certificates are not paid on their expected final
payment dates, principal collections will continue to be used to pay principal
on the certificates until the certificates are paid or until August 15, 2007,
whichever occurs first. August 15, 2007 is the series termination date for
Series 2000-3. If the certificates have not been paid in full by the series
termination date, receivables will be sold as described in "Series
Provisions--Sale of Receivables on the Series Termination Date".
See "Maturity Considerations", "Series Provisions--Allocation Percentages"
and "Series Provisions--Application of Available Principal Collections" in this
prospectus supplement.
S-2
<PAGE>
The Invested Amount
The initial invested amount of the Class A certificates is $544,250,000.
The initial invested amount of the Class B certificates is $71,750,000.
The invested amount of a class of certificates represents the amount of
that class's undivided interest in the principal receivables in the Trust.
Initially, the invested amount of a class of certificates is equal to its
principal amount. The invested amount of a class of certificates will be reduced
by:
. each payment of principal of that class of certificates;
. losses from defaulted principal receivables that are allocated to that
class of certificates; and
. in the case of Class B certificates, reallocations of principal collections
from Class B if the Class D invested amount and collateral invested amount
have been reduced to zero.
If the invested amount of your certificates is reduced only by payments of
principal on your certificates, then the invested amount and the principal
amount of your certificates will always be equal. However, if the invested
amount of your certificates is reduced by losses from defaulted receivables or
reallocations of principal collections, the invested amount of your certificates
will be less than the principal amount of your certificates. In that case, you
will not receive the full principal amount of your certificates unless the
deficit in the invested amount is reimbursed. This deficit can be reimbursed
from finance charge collections after payment of current interest on the
certificates and certain other amounts. See "Series Provisions--Application of
Finance Charge Collections" in this prospectus supplement.
The adjusted invested amount of a class of certificates is the invested
amount of that class less amounts accumulated in the principal funding account
for payment to the certificateholders of that class on its expected final
payment date.
The invested amount and the adjusted invested amount are used to calculate
allocations of finance charge collections, defaulted amounts and principal
collections to your series and class of certificates. See "--Allocations".
THE COLLATERAL INTEREST AND THE CLASS D INTEREST
At the same time as the certificates are issued, the Trust will issue
interests in the assets of the Trust known as the collateral interest and the
Class D interest. The initial amount of the collateral interest is $59,500,000,
and the initial amount of the Class D interest is $24,500,000.
The holders of the collateral interest and the Class D interest will have
voting and certain other rights as if each were a subordinated class of
certificates. The collateral interest and the Class D interest will be
subordinated to both the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates.
Neither the collateral interest nor the Class D interest is offered by this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
Credit enhancement for the Class A certificates is provided by the
subordination of the Class B certificates, the collateral interest and the Class
D interest.
Credit enhancement for the Class B certificates is provided by the
subordination of the collateral interest and the Class D interest.
Credit enhancement for your certificates is for your benefit only, and you
are not entitled to the benefits of credit enhancement available to other series
issued by the Trust.
See "Series Provisions--Application of Finance Charge Collections", "Series
Provisions--Application of Available Principal Collections" and "Series
Provisions--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in this prospectus
supplement.
S-3
<PAGE>
OTHER INTERESTS IN THE TRUST
Other Series of Certificates
The Trust has previously issued eleven series of certificates that are
still outstanding and expects to issue more series. A summary of the outstanding
series is in "Annex I: Other Issuances of Certificates" included at the end of
this prospectus supplement. The issuance of future series will occur without
prior review or consent by you or any other certificateholder.
The Seller's Interest
The interest in the Trust not represented by your series or by any other
series is the seller's interest. The seller's interest is owned by the Bank. The
Bank may, however, sell a portion of its seller's interest. The seller's
interest does not provide credit enhancement for your series or any other
series.
THE RECEIVABLES
The primary assets of the Trust are receivables in VISA(R)* and
MasterCard(R)* revolving credit card accounts and other consumer revolving
credit accounts. The receivables consist of principal receivables and finance
charge receivables.
The following information is as of September 30, 2000:
. Receivables in the Trust: $8,927,237,804
. Accounts designated to the Trust portfolio: 3,534,156 (excludes 2,530,851
closed accounts with a zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts)
------------------
* VISA(R)and MasterCard(R)are registered trademarks of Visa U.S.A. Inc. and
MasterCard International Incorporated, respectively.
The above numbers include approximately $760,000,000 of receivables added
to the Trust between September 30, 2000 and the series issuance date, as if such
receivables were included in the Trust on September 30, 2000.
See "Composition of the Accounts" in this prospectus supplement.
COLLECTIONS BY THE SERVICER
The Bank, as servicer, will collect payments on the receivables and will
deposit those collections into a collection account. It will keep track of those
collections that are finance charge receivables and those that are principal
receivables.
ALLOCATIONS
Each month the Bank, as servicer, will allocate collections received among
. your series;
. other series outstanding; and
. the seller's interest.
The amount allocated to your series will be determined based mainly upon
the size of the invested amount of your series compared to the total amount of
principal receivables in the Trust. At the time of issuance of the certificates,
the invested amount for Series 2000-3 will be $700,000,000.
You are entitled to receive payments of interest and principal only from
collections and other trust assets allocated to your series. The invested
amount, which is the primary basis for allocations to your series, is the sum of
. the Class A invested amount;
. the Class B invested amount;
. the collateral invested amount; and
. the Class D invested amount.
If the invested amount of your series declines, amounts of finance charge
collections and, during the revolving period, principal
S-4
<PAGE>
collections allocated and available for payment to your series and to you
will be reduced. In addition, for purposes of allocating finance charge
collections and amounts that are written off as uncollectible, the allocations
to the certificates will be based upon the adjusted invested amount, which will
be the invested amount less amounts accumulated in the principal funding account
for payment to the certificateholders on the expected final payment dates. For a
description of the events which may lead to these reductions, see "Series
Provisions--Allocation Percentages" and "Series Provisions-- Application of
Finance Charge Collections" in this prospectus supplement.
APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS
The following steps describe how the Trust allocates and applies finance
charge collections and other amounts described below to your series.
Finance Charge Collections
Collections of finance charge receivables allocated each month to your
series and your series' share of additional finance charge collections from
other series will be used as follows:
. first, to pay interest on the Class A certificates calculated based on the
principal amount of Class A certificates;
. second, to pay interest on the Class B certificates calculated based on the
invested amount of the Class B certificates;
. third, to pay the servicing fee;
. fourth, to cover Class A's portion of receivables that are written off as
uncollectible;
. fifth, to cover previous reductions in the Class A invested amount that
were not previously covered;
. sixth, to pay interest on the Class B certificates calculated based on the
excess of the principal amount of the Class B certificates over the
invested amount of the Class B certificates;
. seventh, to cover Class B's portion of receivables that are written off as
uncollectible;
. eighth, to cover previous reductions in the Class B invested amount that
were not previously covered;
. ninth, to pay interest on the collateral interest;
. tenth, to cover the collateral interest's portion of receivables that are
written off as uncollectible;
. eleventh, to fund a reserve account to cover interest payment shortfalls on
the Class A certificates during their accumulation period;
. twelfth, to fund a reserve account to cover interest payment shortfalls on
the Class B certificates during their accumulation period;
. thirteenth, to cover previous reductions in the collateral interest that
were not previously covered;
. fourteenth, to cover the Class D interest's portion of receivables that are
written off as uncollectible;
. fifteenth, to cover previous reductions in the Class D interest that were
not previously covered; and
. sixteenth, the balance will be paid to the collateral interest holder to be
applied in accordance with the collateral agreement.
S-5
<PAGE>
Principal Collections
Collections of principal receivables allocated each month to your series
will be used as follows:
. First, principal collections allocated to the Class D interest, the
collateral interest and the Class B certificates may be reallocated, if
necessary, to make required payments on the Class A certificates, the Class
B certificates and the collateral interest not made from finance charge
collections or additional finance charge collections from other series
allocated to your series.
. During the revolving period, no principal will be paid to you or
accumulated in the principal funding account. Instead, your series' share
of principal collections generally will be treated as shared principal
collections and may be available to make principal payments for other
series.
. The Class A accumulation period is scheduled to begin on October 31, 2001,
but may begin at a later date. During each month with respect to the Class
A accumulation period, principal collections will be deposited into the
principal funding account, up to a controlled deposit amount, for payment
to the holders of the Class A certificates on the expected final payment
date for the Class A certificates.
. The Class B accumulation period will begin on October 31, 2003. During each
month with respect to the Class B accumulation period, principal
collections will be deposited into the principal funding account, up to a
controlled deposit amount, for payment to the holders of the Class B
certificates on the expected final payment date for the Class B
certificates.
. If a pay out event, as described below, that applies to Series 2000-3 or to
all series occurs, an early amortization period will begin. Any funds on
deposit in the principal funding account for your class of certificates at
the beginning of an early amortization period will be paid to the
certificateholders of your class on the next payment date following the
beginning of such early amortization period. During an early amortization
period, principal collections will be paid first to the Class A
certificateholders, then to the Class B certificateholders, then to the
collateral interest holder and then to the Class D interest holder.
. Each month, after making all of the payments and deposits for your series
of certificates, any remaining principal collections allocated to your
series will be first made available to other series and then paid to the
holder of the seller's interest or deposited into the special funding
account.
PAY OUT EVENTS
The documents under which the Series 2000-3 interests will be issued
include a list of adverse events known as pay out events. If a pay out event
that applies to Series 2000-3 or to all series occurs, the Trust will use
principal collections allocated to Series 2000-3 each month to pay principal.
Pay out events may occur if the Bank fails to make required payments or
deposits, violates other covenants and agreements or makes representations and
warranties that are materially incorrect.
The following also are pay out events:
. the Bank does not transfer additional assets to the Trust when required;
. the finance charge collections on the Trust portfolio plus certain other
amounts available to Series 2000-3, less the amount of receivables that are
written off as uncollectible allocated to Series 2000-3, averaged over
three months, is less than the interest and servicing fees payable on
Series 2000-3, calculated by taking into account the interest payable on
the Class A certificates, the Class B certificates and the collateral
interest, plus an assumed servicing fee rate of 2% for Series 2000-3,
averaged
S-6
<PAGE>
over three months, in each case expressed as a percentage of the Series
2000-3 invested amount;
. certain defaults of the servicer;
. the Class A certificates are not paid in full on the Class A expected final
payment date;
. the Class B certificates are not paid in full on the Class B expected final
payment date;
. the occurrence of certain events of insolvency or receivership relating to
the Bank;
. the Bank is unable to transfer receivables to the Trust as required under
the pooling agreement; or
. the Trust becomes an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act
of 1940.
For a more detailed discussion of the pay out events, see "Series
Provisions--Pay Out Events" in this prospectus supplement. In addition, see "The
Certificates--Pay Out Events" in the prospectus.
OPTIONAL REPURCHASE
The Bank has the option to repurchase your certificates when the invested
amount for your series has been reduced to 5% or less of the initial invested
amount.
REGISTRATION
The certificates will be in book-entry form and will be registered in the
name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of The Depository Trust Company. Except in
certain limited circumstances, you will not receive a definitive certificate
representing your interest. See "The Certificates--Definitive Certificates" in
the prospectus.
You may hold your certificates through The Depository Trust Company in the
United States or through Clearstream, Luxembourg, or Euroclear in Europe. See
"The Certificates--Book-Entry Registration" and "The Certificates--Definitive
Certificates" in the prospectus.
TAX STATUS
Cravath, Swaine & Moore, special federal tax counsel to the Trust, is of
the opinion that under existing law your certificates will be characterized as
debt for federal income tax purposes. By your acceptance of a certificate, you
will agree to treat your certificates as debt of the Bank for federal, state and
local income and franchise tax purposes. See "Tax Matters" in the prospectus for
additional information concerning the application of federal income tax laws.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Subject to important considerations described under "Benefit Plan
Investors--Investment by Benefit Plan Investors" in the prospectus, the Class A
certificates may be eligible for purchase by persons investing assets of
employee benefit plans or individual retirement accounts.
For the reasons discussed under "Benefit Plan Investors--Investment by
Benefit Plan Investors" in the prospectus, the Class B certificates are not
eligible for purchase by persons investing assets of employee benefit plans or
individual retirement accounts.
MAILING ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES
The mailing address of Providian National Bank is 295 Main Street, Tilton, NH
03276 and the telephone number is (603) 286-4348.
S-7
<PAGE>
SELECTED TRUST PORTFOLIO SUMMARY DATA
Geographic Distribution of Receivables in Trust Portfolio
as of September 30, 2000
[GRAPH]
Other 55.63%
California 12.02%
Texas 7.71%
New York 6.39%
Florida 5.65%
Illinois 4.41%
Pennsylvania 4.15%
Ohio 4.04%
The chart above shows the geographic distribution of the receivables in the
trust portfolio among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Other than
the states specifically shown in the chart, no state accounts for more than 4%
of receivables in the Trust portfolio.
Receivables in Trust by Age of Account
as of September 30, 2000
[GRAPH]
0-6 1.32%
7-12 9.18%
13-24 35.28%
25-36 9.44%
37-48 9.89%
49-60 10.59%
61-72 9.92%
73-84 3.97%
84+ 10.41%
The chart above shows the percentages of the receivables in the Trust
portfolio arising under accounts within the monthly age brackets shown.
S-8
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
In the accompanying prospectus you will find a section called "Risk
Factors". The information in that section applies to all series, including
yours. The information in this section applies more specifically to your series.
Please carefully read the "Risk Factors" section in the accompanying
prospectus and the risk factors discussed below before deciding whether to
purchase any of the certificates.
Legal Developments Beginning in May 1999, the Bank was the subject of media
coverage concerning complaints made by some of its customers
regarding certain sales and collections practices. Following
the initial media coverage, the San Francisco District
Attorney's Office began an investigation into the Bank's
sales and collections practices. In November 1999, the
Connecticut Attorney General's Office began an inquiry into
the Bank's sales and collections practices. On June 19,
2000, the Bank's parent company, Providian Financial
Corporation, reached a settlement with the Connecticut
Attorney General's Office in which it agreed to pay $1.6
million to the State of Connecticut, to develop a process to
determine whether any individual Connecticut consumers are
entitled to restitution, and to modify certain of the Bank's
business practices. On June 28, 2000, the Bank reached a
settlement with the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency following an examination that included an
investigation of customer complaints, and Providian
Financial Corporation reached a settlement with the San
Francisco District Attorney and the California Attorney
General, in which the Bank and Providian Financial
Corporation and certain subsidiaries of Providian Financial
Corporation agreed to make certain changes to their business
practices and to pay restitution to customers determined in
accordance with the procedures in the settlement agreement.
The Bank estimates that the total restitution, which is
subject to a floor of $300 million, will be approximately
$310 million. The Bank has begun mailing checks to persons
entitled to restitution and expects that substantially all
the payments will be made in the fourth quarter of 2000. As
part of the settlement, the Bank stipulated to the issuance
by the Comptroller of a Consent Order obligating the Bank to
make such changes and pay the aforementioned restitution,
and Providian Financial Corporation and certain of its
subsidiaries stipulated to the entry of a judgment and the
issuance of a permanent injunction effecting the terms of
the settlement. In addition, Providian Financial Corporation
agreed to pay $5.5 million in civil penalties to the City
and County of San Francisco.
Since May 1999, a number of lawsuits have been filed against
the Bank by current and former customers of the Bank. A
consolidated putative class action lawsuit (In re Providian
Credit Card Litigation) (the "Consolidated Action") was
filed in August 1999 in California state court in San
Francisco against the Bank, Providian Financial Corporation,
and certain
S-9
<PAGE>
other affiliates of the Bank, and seeks unspecified damages,
including actual and punitive damages, attorneys' fees and
injunctive relief. The complaint alleges unfair and
deceptive business practices, including failure to credit
payments in a timely fashion, adding products and charging
fees without customer authorization, changing rates and
terms without proper notice or authorization, and misleading
or deceptive sales practices. Similar actions filed in other
California counties have been transferred to San Francisco
County and coordinated with the Consolidated Action.
As of November 7, 2000, three other class actions were
pending in state courts in San Mateo County, California,
Cook County, Illinois, and Bullock County, Alabama. These
actions have not been consolidated with the Consolidated
Action and are proceeding separately. A class consisting of
a relatively small number of California customers has been
certified in the San Mateo County, California action. No
class has been certified in the Cook County, Illinois or
Bullock County, Alabama actions. A motion to dismiss the
Cook County, Illinois action has been granted with
prejudice, and the plaintiff has filed an appeal. As of
November 7, 2000, one consolidated putative class action was
pending in federal court. The federal action (the
"Multidistrict Action") is a consolidation of several
different actions that had been filed in various federal
courts, and transferred by the Federal Judicial Panel on
Multidistrict Litigation to the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania. A consolidated complaint in the Multidistrict
Action was filed on February 4, 2000.
These other state and federal actions contain substantially
the same allegations as those alleged in the Consolidated
Action. Certain of the actions also allege one or more of
the following: that the account agreement with customers
contained unconscionable or improper terms and fees, that
statements sent to customers failed to include credit
protection and other add-on fees in the calculation of the
annual percentage rate disclosed in those statements,
refusal to honor cancellation requests, improper obtaining
of credit reports, breached promises to raise credit limits,
and breached promises of high credit limits.
A putative class action (In re Providian Securities
Litigation), which is a consolidation of complaints filed in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
New York in June 1999, alleges, in general, that Providian
Financial Corporation and certain of its officers made false
and misleading statements concerning its future prospects
and financial results in violation of the federal securities
laws. The putative class, which is alleged to have acquired
Providian Financial Corporation's stock between January 15,
1999 and May 26, 1999, seeks damages in an unspecified
amount, in addition to prejudgment and postjudgment
interest, costs and
S-10
<PAGE>
attorneys' fees. By order dated February 8, 2000, the
Federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
transferred the consolidated securities cases to the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania for inclusion with the
Multidistrict Action currently pending in that court. On
June 9, 2000 an amended consolidated class action complaint
was filed, and on September 15, 2000 a second amended
consolidated class action complaint was filed. On October
30, 2000, a motion to dismiss the second amended
consolidated class action complaint was filed on behalf of
all defendants.
An informed assessment of the ultimate outcome or potential
liability associated with the lawsuits described above and
other potential claims that could arise out of the alleged
unfair business practices is not feasible at this time. Due
to the uncertainties of litigation, there can be no
assurance that the Bank will prevail on all the claims made
against it in the lawsuits or that similar proceedings will
not be brought. However, management believes that the Bank
has substantive defenses and intends to defend the actions
vigorously. Based on the claims that have been alleged, the
Bank does not believe that the lawsuits will have a material
adverse effect on the certificateholders of the Trust or the
Bank's ability to originate and service receivables.
Ability to Resell If you purchase Series 2000-3 certificates, you may not be
Series 2000-3 able to sell them. There is currently no secondary market
Certificates Not for the certificates. A secondary market for your
Assured certificates may not develop. If a secondary market does
develop, it may not continue or it may not provide
sufficient liquidity to allow you to resell all or a part of
your certificates if you want to do so. The underwriters of
the certificates may assist in resales of the certificates,
but they are not required to do so.
Credit Enhancement Credit enhancement provided for your certificates is
May Not Be limited. The only sources of payment for your certificates
Sufficient to are the assets of the Trust allocated to your series. If
Prevent Loss problems develop with the receivables, such as an increase
in losses on the receivables or if there are problems in the
collection and transfer of the receivables to the Trust, it
is possible that you may not receive the full amount of
interest and principal that you would otherwise receive.
See "The Certificates--Credit Enhancement--Subordination" in
the prospectus and "Series Provisions--Allocation
Percentages", "Series Provisions--Reallocation of Principal
Collections" and "Series Provisions--Allocation of Defaulted
Amount and Charge-Offs" in this prospectus supplement.
S-11
<PAGE>
Class B If you purchase a Class B certificate, your right to receive
Certificates Are principal payments is subordinated to the payment in full of
Subordinated to the Class A certificates. No principal will be paid to you
the Class A until the full amount of principal has been paid on the
Certificates; Class A certificates.
Principal
Collections May Be
Diverted from
Class B to Pay
Class A
In addition, if Class A's share of finance charge
collections and certain other amounts that are available to
pay interest on and the defaulted amount with respect to the
Class A certificates are not sufficient to make those
required payments, principal collections allocated to Class
B will be diverted to Class A. If this occurs, and the Class
D invested amount and the collateral invested amount are
reduced to zero, the Class B invested amount and future
allocations to Class B would be reduced.
Also, if Class A's share of losses on the receivables
exceeds the collections and certain other amounts that are
available to cover those losses, and the Class D invested
amount and the collateral invested amount are reduced to
zero, the Class B invested amount will be reduced to avoid
reducing the Class A invested amount. If this occurs, the
Class B invested amount and future allocations to Class B
would be reduced.
As a result of the subordination, you may receive payments
of principal of or interest on your Class B certificates
later than you expect, or you may not receive the full
amount of expected principal and interest.
See "Series Provisions--Application of Finance Charge
Collections", "Series Provisions--Reallocation of Principal
Collections" and "Series Provisions--Allocations of
Defaulted Amounts" in this prospectus supplement.
Ratings Can Be The ratings assigned to the Series 2000-3 certificates are
Lowered or based upon many factors, including the credit quality of the
Withdrawn After receivables and the amount of credit enhancement provided.
You Purchase Your The ratings are not a recommendation to purchase, hold or
Certificates and sell any of the Series 2000-3 certificates. The ratings also
the Market Value are not intended and should not be relied upon to determine
of Your the marketability of the Series 2000-3 certificates, the
Certificates May market value of the Series 2000-3 certificates or whether
Be Reduced the Series 2000-3 certificates are a suitable investment for
you.
Any rating agency may lower its rating or withdraw its
rating entirely if, in the sole judgment of the rating
agency, the credit quality of the certificates has declined
or is in question. If any rating assigned to your
certificates is lowered or withdrawn, the market value of
your certificates may be reduced.
S-12
<PAGE>
MATURITY CONSIDERATIONS
The pooling agreement and the Series 2000-3 supplement provide that the
Class A invested amount is payable to the Class A certificateholders, to the
extent funds are available for that purpose in the principal funding account, on
the "Class A expected final payment date", which is November 17, 2003. If there
is a pay out event before the Class A expected final payment date, an early
amortization for the Series 2000-3 certificates will begin. In that case, the
Class A certificateholders will receive payments of principal on each
distribution date during an early amortization period (each such distribution
date, an "early amortization payment date") until the Class A invested amount is
paid in full or the series termination date occurs. The Class B
certificateholders will not begin to receive payments of principal until the
final principal payment on the Class A certificates has been made.
On each distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation period,
available principal collections in an amount up to the Class A controlled
deposit amount with respect to that distribution date will be deposited into the
principal funding account, as described under "Series Provisions--Application of
Available Principal Collections" in this prospectus supplement, until the
principal funding account balance is equal to the Class A invested amount. The
Class A certificateholders will receive the aggregate principal amount on
deposit in the principal funding account on the Class A expected final payment
date. Although it is anticipated that available principal collections for each
month with respect to the Class A accumulation period will be sufficient to fund
the deposit of the Class A invested amount into the principal funding account
for payment to the Class A certificateholders on the Class A expected final
payment date, no assurance can be given in that regard. If the Class A invested
amount is not paid in full on the Class A expected final payment date, principal
will be paid to the Class A certificateholders monthly on each distribution date
until the Class A invested amount is paid in full and then to the Class B
certificateholders until the Class B invested amount is paid in full or, in
either case, until the series termination date occurs.
If the Class A invested amount is paid in full on the Class A expected
final payment date, then on each distribution date with respect to the Class B
accumulation period, available principal collections in an amount up to the
Class B controlled deposit amount with respect to that distribution date will be
deposited into the principal funding account, as described under "Series
Provisions--Application of Available Principal Collections" in this prospectus
supplement, until the principal funding account balance is equal to the Class B
invested amount. The Class B certificateholders will receive the aggregate
principal amount on deposit in the principal funding account on the "Class B
expected final payment date", which is January 15, 2004. Although it is
anticipated that available principal collections for each month with respect to
the Class B accumulation period will be sufficient to fund the deposit of the
Class B invested amount in the principal funding account for payment to the
Class B certificateholders on the Class B expected final payment date, no
assurance can be given in that regard. If the Class B invested amount is not
paid in full on the Class B expected final payment date, principal will be paid
to the Class B certificateholders monthly on each distribution date until the
Class B invested amount is paid in full or until the series termination date
occurs.
At any time during the Class A accumulation period for Series 2000-3, the
Bank may designate another series, or some portion thereof, as a paired series
with respect to Series 2000-3 and may use that other series to finance the
increase in the seller's interest caused by the accumulation of principal in the
principal funding account with respect to Series 2000-3. A paired series is
intended to be issued as a pair with a series which is in its accumulation
period or scheduled amortization period, and, accordingly, new paired series may
be excluded from the computation of the required principal balance and thereby
increase the aggregate invested amounts that may be issued by the Trust in
relation to the aggregate amount of principal receivables. If a pay out event
occurs with respect to any paired series and an early amortization period for
that series overlaps the Class A accumulation period, the Class B accumulation
period or an early amortization period for the Series 2000-3 certificates, the
final payment of principal to the Class A certificateholders and Class B
certificateholders may be delayed.
S-13
<PAGE>
If a pay out event occurs with respect to the Series 2000-3 certificates
and an early amortization period begins, any amount on deposit in the principal
funding account on the first early amortization payment date, and the available
principal collections on each distribution date thereafter, will be paid to the
Class A certificateholders until the Class A invested amount is paid in full and
then to the Class B certificateholders until the Class B invested amount is paid
in full or, in either case, until the series termination date occurs. See "The
Certificates--Pay Out Events" in the prospectus and "Series Provisions--Pay Out
Events" in this prospectus supplement. If the beginning of the Class A
accumulation period is delayed as described under "Series
Provisions--Application of Available Principal Collections" in this prospectus
supplement, and a pay out event with respect to the Series 2000-3 certificates
or with respect to any other series occurs after the date originally scheduled
for the beginning of the Class A accumulation period, then it is probable that
the Class A certificateholders, and consequently the Class B certificateholders,
would receive some of their principal later than if the Class A accumulation
period had not been delayed.
The following table sets forth the highest and lowest accountholder monthly
payment rates for the Bank portfolio of accounts during any month in the period
shown and the average accountholder monthly payment rates for all months during
the periods shown, in each case calculated as a percentage of total opening
monthly account balances during the applicable months. Payments shown in the
table consist of amounts that would be deemed payments of principal receivables
and finance charge receivables with respect to the accounts.
Accountholder Monthly Payment Rates
Bank Portfolio of Accounts(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months
Ended Year Ended December 31,
September 30, --------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lowest................................................. 8.20% 8.31% 8.93% 8.59% 7.84% 7.31%
Highest................................................ 10.06% 10.45% 11.51% 10.58% 9.35% 8.95%
Monthly Average........................................ 9.12% 9.16% 9.78% 9.39% 8.47% 8.01%
</TABLE>
(1) The figures shown for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 do
not incorporate information with respect to the acquired portfolios.
The amount of outstanding receivables and the rates of payments,
delinquencies, charge-offs and new borrowings on the accounts depend upon a
variety of factors, including:
. seasonal variations,
. the availability of other sources of credit,
. legal factors,
. general economic conditions, and
. consumer spending and borrowing patterns.
The Bank cannot predict with certainty the accountholder monthly payment
rates that will actually occur in any future period. There can be no assurance
that principal collections with respect to the accounts will be similar to the
historical experience set forth above. Consequently, there can be no assurance
as to the rate at which the principal funding account could be funded during the
Class A accumulation period or the Class B accumulation period, or the rate at
which Class A certificateholders and Class B certificateholders could expect to
receive payments of principal on their Class A certificates and their Class B
certificates during an early amortization period.
S-14
<PAGE>
In addition, the Trust, as a master trust, has issued and may issue
additional series from time to time, and there can be no assurance that the
terms of any such series might not have an impact on the timing or amount of
payments received by a Class A certificateholder or Class B certificateholder.
If a pay out event occurs with respect to the Series 2000-3 certificates or
other series in certain circumstances discussed above, payments of principal on
the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates could be delayed. In other
circumstances, if a pay out event occurs with respect to the Series 2000-3
certificates, the average life and maturity of the Class A certificates and the
Class B certificates could be significantly reduced. As a result, there can be
no assurance that the actual number of months elapsed from the date of issuance
of the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates to the respective final
payment dates with respect to the Class A certificates and the Class B
certificates will equal the expected number of months. See "Risk
Factors--Principal May Be Paid Earlier than Expected Creating a Reinvestment
Risk to Certificateholders, or Later than Expected Resulting in a Failure to
Receive Payment When Expected" in the prospectus.
S-15
<PAGE>
THE BANK PORTFOLIO OF ACCOUNTS
The Bank has a portfolio of credit card and other revolving accounts, as
described under "The Bank's Credit Card Business" in the prospectus. Some of the
accounts in the Bank portfolio are designated to the Trust portfolio, as
described under "The Trust Portfolio and the Trust Assets" in the prospectus.
Set forth below is yield, loss and delinquency experience information about the
Bank portfolio of accounts. We cannot assure you that this information is
applicable to the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio.
The Acquired Portfolios
The Bank acquired portfolios of credit card accounts from First Union
Direct Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter's Bravo card program during
1998 and from H&R Block, Inc.'s "Webcard" program during 1999. As of September
30, 2000, the total receivables outstanding in the acquired First Union, Bravo
and WebCard portfolios were approximately $1.7 billion, which represented
approximately 14.5% of the Bank portfolio.
Accounts from the acquired portfolios have been designated to the Trust
portfolio. The conditions, including the eligibility criteria in the pooling
agreement, applicable to any addition of accounts were satisfied in connection
with these additions and will be satisfied in connection with any future
addition of accounts to the Trust portfolio. Accounts from these and other
acquired portfolios may be designated to the Trust in the future. See "The Trust
Portfolio and the Trust Assets--Addition of Receivables and Participations to
the Trust" in the prospectus.
Revenue Experience
Gross revenues from periodic finance charges and fees billed to
accountholders on accounts contained in the Bank portfolio for the nine months
ended September 30, 2000 and the five years ended December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997,
1996 and 1995 are set forth in the following table. Revenue from the receivables
will depend on the types of fees and charges assessed on the accounts, and could
be adversely affected by future changes made by the Bank or the servicer in
those fees and charges or by other factors. See "Risk Factors--A Change in the
Terms of the Receivables May Adversely Affect the Amount or Timing of
Collections and May Cause an Early Payment or a Downgrade of Your Certificates"
and "The Bank's Credit Card Business--Billing and Payments" in the prospectus.
S-16
<PAGE>
Revenue Experience
Bank Portfolio of Accounts(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months
Ended Year Ended December 31,
September 30, -------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Receivables
Outstanding(2) .............................. $11,380,399 $10,348,435 $ 9,248,467 $ 7,654,900 $ 6,646,608 $ 4,810,220
Finance Charge and Fee
Income(3) ................................... $ 1,860,251 $ 2,394,736 $ 1,966,404 $ 1,523,513 $ 1,233,457 $ 975,434
Average Revenue
Yield(4)(5) ................................. 21.83% 23.14% 21.26% 19.90% 18.56% 20.28%
</TABLE>
---------------
(1) The figures shown for the three years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995 do not incorporate information with respect to the acquired
portfolios.
(2) Average Receivables Outstanding for any period is equal to the average of
the average daily balance for each month in that period. The average daily
balance for a month is equal to the average of the receivables outstanding
on each day in that month. Receivables outstanding on any day are the sum
of principal receivables and finance charge receivables on that day.
(3) Finance Charge and Fee Income includes interchange and is reduced by
purchase rebates with respect to certain accounts.
(4) Average Revenue Yield is the result of dividing Finance Charge and Fee
Income by Average Receivables Outstanding during the periods indicated.
(5) The percentage for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 is an
annualized figure.
Excluding the acquired portfolios, the Average Revenue Yield for the Bank
portfolio of accounts for the year ended December 31, 1999 and the nine months
ended September 30, 2000 would have been 23.42% and 21.91%, respectively. The
increase in the Bank portfolio of accounts' Average Revenue Yield for the year
ended December 31, 1999 compared to December 31, 1998 is primarily attributable
to an increase in finance charge and fee income associated with growth of
receivables for the Bank's Visa Classic product. The Average Revenue Yield has
decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2000 due primarily to a
decrease in fee income.
Loss and Delinquency Experience
The following tables set forth the delinquency and loss experience with
respect to payments by accountholders on the Bank portfolio of accounts for each
of the periods shown. There can be no assurance, however, that the loss and
delinquency experience for the receivables will be similar to the historical
experience for the Bank portfolio set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Delinquency Experience
Bank Portfolio of Accounts(1)
At September 30, At December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ----
(Dollars in thousands)
Delinquent Percentage Delinquent Percentage Delinquent Percentage Delinquent Percentage
Amount (2) Amount (2) Amount (2) Amount (2)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
30-59 days ........ $ 181,954 1.58% $ 161,867 1.43% $ 160,600 1.70% $ 108,142 1.37%
60-89 days ........ 114,164 0.99% 100,775 0.89% 96,092 1.02% 69,228 0.88%
90 days or more ... 205,332 1.78% 186,370 1.65% 174,998 1.86% 127,583 1.62%
--------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total ............. $ 501,450 4.35% $ 449,012 3.97% $ 431,690 4.58% $ 304,953 3.87%
========= ========= ========== ========== ========= ========= ========= =========
<CAPTION>
At December 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1996 1995
---- ----
(Dollars in thousands)
Delinquent Percentage Delinquent Percentage
Amount (2) Amount (2)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
30-59 days ........ $ 127,322 1.63% $ 81,933 1.45%
60-89 days ........ 71,890 0.92% 44,170 0.78%
90 days or more ... 120,571 1.55% 57,579 1.02%
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total ............. $ 319,783 4.10% $183,682 3.25%
========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
---------------
(1) The figures shown for the three years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and
1995 do not incorporate information with respect to the acquired
portfolios.
(2) The percentages are the result of dividing the delinquent amount by the
aggregate receivables outstanding at the dates indicated. The aggregate
receivables outstanding at September 30, 2000 and at December 31, 1999,
1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $11,547,353, $11,328,580, $9,425,177,
$7,891,220, $7,790,346, and $5,637,675, respectively. Receivables
outstanding on any day are the sum of principal receivables and finance
charge receivables on that day.
S-17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Loss Experience
Bank Portfolio of Accounts(1)
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Receivables Outstanding(2).. $ 11,380,399 $10,348,435 $ 9,248,467 $ 7,654,900 $ 6,646,608 $ 4,810,220
Gross Charge-offs(3) ............... 633,944 836,057 865,552 608,097 410,614 253,367
Recoveries ......................... 87,516 101,208 77,086 58,004 44,570 35,555
Net Charge-offs(4) ................. 546,428 734,849 788,466 550,093 366,044 217,812
Net Charge-offs as a Percentage of
Average Receivables(5) ........... 6.41% 7.10% 8.53% 7.19% 5.51% 4.53%
</TABLE>
---------------
(1) The figures shown for the three years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and
1995 do not incorporate information with respect to the acquired
portfolios.
(2) Average Receivables Outstanding for any period is equal to the average of
the average daily balance for each month in that period. The average daily
balance for a month is equal to the average of the receivables outstanding
on each day in that month. Receivables outstanding on any day are the sum
of principal receivables and finance charge receivables on that day.
(3) Gross Charge-offs are receivables charged off as uncollectible in
accordance with the Bank's customary practices (excludes reductions due to
fraud, returned goods and customer disputes for all periods shown).
(4) Gross Charge-offs less the total amount of recoveries on previously
charged-off accounts.
(5) The percentage for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 is an
annualized figure.
The decrease in the delinquency and loss rates for the Bank portfolio of
accounts for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to the year ended
December 31, 1998 is in part due to significant improvements in the credit
performance of the acquired portfolios and general trends in the credit card
industry. Excluding the acquired portfolios, the total delinquent amount (the
amount with respect to payments from accountholders that is 30 days or more past
due) as a percentage of the Bank portfolio of accounts at December 31, 1999 and
September 30, 2000 would have been 3.51% and 4.00%, respectively, and Net
Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Average Receivables in the Bank portfolio of
accounts for the year ended December 31, 1999 and the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 would have been 6.00% and 5.61%, respectively.
The Bank may, from time to time, remove groups of charged-off receivables
from the Trust for transfer to a third party. Any initial cash proceeds received
by the Bank from such a disposition of removed charged-off receivables will be
treated as finance charge collections with any residual amounts payable to the
Bank remaining the property of the Bank. The effect on the Trust will be to
accelerate the receipt of recoveries from any such removal of charged-off
receivables that might otherwise be received by the Trust in future months and
to treat such accelerated recoveries as finance charge collections. This, in
turn, will result in a reduction in the aggregate amount of recoveries that the
Trust would otherwise have received in future months had the Bank not removed
those charged-off receivables from the Trust.
S-18
<PAGE>
COMPOSITION OF THE ACCOUNTS
The following information and the tables below relating to the composition
of the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio are as of September 30, 2000
and include approximately $760,000,000 of receivables in accounts designated to
the Trust portfolio after September 30, 2000 and on or before the series
issuance date as if those receivables were included in the Trust on September
30, 2000.
. The receivables in the accounts included:
. $ 211,210,955 of finance charge receivables, including overdue
finance charge receivables, and
. $ 8,716,026,849 of principal receivables, including overdue
principal receivables.
. There were 6,715,204 accounts, including 2,530,851 closed accounts
with a zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts.
. The accounts had:
. an average principal receivables balance of $2,468; and
. an average credit limit of $6,401.
. The average principal receivables balance in the accounts as a
percentage of the average credit limit of the accounts was
approximately 38.56%.
. The weighted average age of the accounts was 42.68 months.
Except where noted above, reported amounts and percentages exclude 2,530,851
closed accounts with a zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts.
The Trust portfolio does not currently include secured or partially secured
accounts and, except for the Bank's Visa Classic product, does not include
accounts with lower credit limits designed to serve individuals who have limited
access to credit. The Bank designated Visa Classic accounts to the Trust in
October 2000 and may designate additional Visa Classic accounts, as well as
secured and partially secured accounts, to the Trust portfolio from time to time
in the future.
References to "Receivables Outstanding" in the following tables include
both finance charge receivables and principal receivables. Because the
composition of the accounts will change in the future, these tables are not
necessarily indicative of the future composition of the accounts.
S-19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Composition of Accounts by Account Balance
(As of September 30, 2000)
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Number of Number of Receivables Receivables
Account Balance Accounts(1) Accounts Outstanding(1) Outstanding
--------------- ----------- ---------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Credit Balance(2) .............................. 89,082 2.52% $ (6,532,289) (0.07%)
No Balance(3) .................................. 1,099,378 31.11% 0 0.00%
$0.01 to $1,499.99 ............................. 914,236 25.87% 579,558,064 6.49%
$1,500.00 to $2,999.99 ......................... 453,027 12.82% 979,930,565 10.98%
$3,000.00 to $4,499.99 ......................... 305,903 8.65% 1,147,538,416 12.85%
$4,500.00 to $5,999.99 ......................... 239,291 6.77% 1,209,886,072 13.55%
$6,000.00 to $7,499.99 ......................... 111,666 3.16% 749,488,039 8.39%
$7,500.00 to $8,999.99 ......................... 73,037 2.07% 599,538,880 6.72%
$9,000.00 to $10,499.99 ........................ 53,938 1.52% 524,039,801 5.87%
$10,500.00 and above ........................... 194,598 5.51% 3,143,790,256 35.22%
--------- ------- -------------- -------
Total ................................... 3,534,156 100.00% $8,927,237,804 100.00%
========= ======= ============== =======
</TABLE>
---------------
(1) Receivables Outstanding are the sum of principal receivables and finance
charge receivables. It does not include 2,530,851 closed accounts with a
zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts. The receivables of the
charged-off accounts are valued at zero. However, for purposes of realizing
recoveries, the receivables of those charged-off accounts have been
assigned to the Trust and, if those charged-off receivables are sold to a
third party, the initial cash proceeds from that sale will be treated as
finance charge collections.
(2) Credit balances are a result of accountholder payments and credit
adjustments applied in excess of an account's unpaid balance. Accounts with
a credit balance are included, as receivables may be generated with respect
thereto in the future.
(3) Accounts with no balance are included, as receivables may be generated with
respect thereto in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Composition of Accounts by Credit Limit
(As of September 30, 2000)
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Number of Number of Receivables Receivables
Credit Limit Accounts(1) Accounts Outstanding(1) Outstanding
------------ ----------- ---------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0.01 to $1,499.99 ............................. 307,759 8.71% $ 182,789,928 2.05%
$1,500.00 to $2,999.99 ......................... 290,802 8.23% 402,439,305 4.51%
$3,000.00 to $4,499.99 ......................... 142,498 4.03% 295,335,279 3.31%
$4,500.00 to $5,999.99 ......................... 1,597,598 45.20% 2,035,681,461 22.80%
$6,000.00 to $7,499.99 ......................... 355,544 10.06% 910,149,676 10.20%
$7,500.00 to $8,999.99 ......................... 179,610 5.08% 559,051,014 6.26%
$9,000.00 to $10,499.99 ........................ 185,370 5.25% 621,739,540 6.96%
$10,500.00 and above ........................... 474,975 13.44% 3,920,051,601 43.91%
--------- ------- -------------- --------
Total ................................... 3,534,156 100.00% $8,927,237,804 100.00%
========= ======= ============== ========
</TABLE>
---------------
(1) Receivables Outstanding are the sum of principal receivables and finance
charge receivables. It does not include 2,530,851 closed accounts with a
zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts. The receivables of the
charged-off accounts are valued at zero. However, for purposes of realizing
recoveries, the receivables of those charged-off accounts have been
assigned to the Trust and, if those charged-off receivables are sold to a
third party, the initial cash proceeds from that sale will be treated as
finance charge collections.
S-20
<PAGE>
Composition of Accounts by Payment Status
(As of September 30, 2000)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Percentage of
of Total Total
Number of Number of Receivables Receivables
Payment Status Accounts(1) Accounts Outstanding(1) Outstanding(2)
-------------- ----------- ---------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current (3) ....................................... 3,455,483 97.77% $8,571,852,326 96.02%
30-59 Days Delinquent ............................. 29,344 0.83% 130,211,528 1.46%
60-89 Days Delinquent ............................. 17,599 0.50% 81,017,295 0.91%
90 Days Delinquent or more ........................ 31,730 0.90% 144,156,655 1.61%
--------- ------- -------------- -------
Total .......................................... 3,534,156 100.00% $8,927,237,804 100.00%
========= ======= ============== =======
</TABLE>
--------------
(1) Receivables Outstanding are the sum of principal receivables and finance
charge receivables. It does not include 2,530,851 closed accounts with a
zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts. The receivables of the
charged-off accounts are valued at zero. However, for purposes of realizing
recoveries, the receivables of those accounts have been assigned to the
Trust and, if those charged-off receivables are sold to a third party, the
initial cash proceeds from that sale will be treated as finance charge
collections.
(2) Receivables Outstanding that were delinquent 30 or more days as a
percentage of total Receivables Outstanding was approximately 4.38% as of
November 6, 2000 as compared to 3.98% as of September 30, 2000.
(3) Includes accounts on which the minimum payment has not been received before
the second billing date following issuance of the related billing
statement.
Composition of Accounts by Account Age
(As of September 30, 2000)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Number of Number of Receivables Receivables
Account Age Accounts(1) Accounts Outstanding(1) Outstanding
----------- ----------- ---------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
0 to 6 months old .......................................... 57,913 1.64% $ 117,999,096 1.32%
Over 6 to 12 months ........................................ 346,511 9.81% 819,566,124 9.18%
Over 12 to 24 months ....................................... 1,545,989 43.74% 3,149,137,157 35.28%
Over 24 to 36 months ....................................... 349,266 9.88% 842,847,639 9.44%
Over 36 to 48 months ....................................... 321,967 9.11% 883,118,204 9.89%
Over 48 to 60 months ....................................... 272,085 7.70% 945,436,478 10.59%
Over 60 to 72 months ....................................... 253,716 7.18% 885,736,758 9.92%
Over 72 to 84 months ....................................... 121,891 3.45% 354,585,749 3.97%
Over 84 months ............................................. 264,818 7.49% 928,810,599 10.41%
--------- ------- -------------- -------
Total ................................................... 3,534,156 100.00% $8,927,237,804 100.00%
========= ======= ============== =======
</TABLE>
--------------
(1) Receivables Outstanding are the sum of principal receivables and finance
charge receivables. It does not include 2,530,851 closed accounts with a
zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts. The receivables of the
charged-off accounts are valued at zero. However, for purposes of realizing
recoveries, the receivables of those charged-off accounts have been
assigned to the Trust and, if those charged-off receivables are sold to a
third party, the initial cash proceeds from that sale will be treated as
finance charge collections.
S-21
<PAGE>
Composition of Accounts by Geographic Distribution(1)
(As of September 30, 2000)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Receivables Receivables Number of Number of
State Outstanding(2) Outstanding Accounts(2) Accounts
----- -------------- ----------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
California ................................................. $ 1,073,445,360 12.02% 460,055 13.02%
Texas ...................................................... 688,011,691 7.71% 261,920 7.41%
New York ................................................... 570,283,136 6.39% 247,954 7.02%
Florida .................................................... 504,480,815 5.65% 217,771 6.16%
Illinois ................................................... 393,759,167 4.41% 152,787 4.32%
Pennsylvania ............................................... 370,567,430 4.15% 151,830 4.30%
Ohio ....................................................... 360,738,233 4.04% 137,652 3.89%
Michigan ................................................... 292,758,054 3.28% 113,513 3.21%
North Carolina ............................................. 287,358,303 3.22% 99,894 2.83%
Georgia .................................................... 277,135,471 3.10% 98,567 2.79%
New Jersey ................................................. 267,893,889 3.00% 120,713 3.41%
Virginia ................................................... 221,408,079 2.48% 78,720 2.23%
Indiana .................................................... 219,711,616 2.46% 80,179 2.27%
Washington ................................................. 218,607,309 2.45% 80,163 2.27%
Massachusetts .............................................. 200,721,042 2.25% 93,341 2.64%
Missouri ................................................... 183,725,077 2.06% 69,556 1.97%
All Others (2)(3) .......................................... 2,796,633,132 31.33% 1,069,541 30.26%
=============== ======= ========= =======
Total ................................................... $ 8,927,237,804 100.00% 3,534,156 100.00%
=============== ======= ========= =======
</TABLE>
--------------
(1) Determined on the basis of account holders' telephone area codes.
(2) Receivables Outstanding are the sum of principal receivables and finance
charge receivables. It does not include 2,530,851 closed accounts with a
zero balance and 650,197 charged-off accounts. The receivables of the
charged-off accounts are valued at zero. However, for purposes of realizing
recoveries, the receivables of those accounts have been assigned to the
Trust and, if those charged-off receivables are sold to a third party, the
initial cash proceeds from that sale will be treated as finance charge
collections.
(3) No state other than those listed has more than 2.00% of the total
Receivables Outstanding.
THE BANK
As of the Bank's September 30, 2000 Call Report, the Bank had total
deposits of approximately $11.40 billion, total assets of approximately $15.27
billion and total equity of approximately $1.59 billion. See "The Bank" in the
Prospectus.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Net proceeds from the sale of the Series 2000-3 certificates in the amount
of the Class A initial invested amount, Class B initial invested amount and the
collateral invested amount, less offering expenses, will be paid to the Bank.
The Bank will use those proceeds for general corporate purposes.
S-22
<PAGE>
SERIES PROVISIONS
The Certificates and the Series 2000-3 Certificateholders' Interest
Series 2000-3 will be issued pursuant to the pooling agreement and the
Series 2000-3 pooling agreement supplement. The "Series 2000-3 certificates"
will consist of four classes:
. the Floating Rate Class A Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2000-3
(the "Class A certificates");
. the Floating Rate Class B Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2000-3
(the "Class B certificates");
. a class comprising a collateral interest (the "collateral interest");
and
. a class comprising a Class D interest (the "Class D interest")
You should read the prospectus for additional information concerning the Series
2000-3 certificates and the pooling agreement.
The "Series 2000-3 certificateholders' interest" consists of:
. the Class A certificateholders' interest in the trust assets;
. the Class B certificateholders' interest in the trust assets;
. the collateral interest holder's interest in the trust assets; and
. the Class D interest holder's interest in the trust assets.
Each of the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates offered
hereby represents an undivided interest in certain trust assets. The Class A
certificates also represent an undivided interest in investments and funds on
deposit in the principal funding account in respect of the Class A certificates.
The Class B certificates also represent an undivided interest in investments and
funds on deposit in the principal funding account in respect of the Class B
certificates. The collateral interest and the Class D interest are
uncertificated undivided interests in specified assets of the Trust.
The "collateral interest holder" and the "Class D interest holder,"
respectively, mean:
. initially, the Bank;
. upon transfer of the collateral interest and the Class D interest
pursuant to the collateral agreement, Providian Secured Note Trust
2000-3; and
. upon transfer of the collateral interest and the Class D interest
pursuant to the indenture between Providian Secured Note Trust 2000-3
and The Bank of New York, the transferee named therein.
Interest on the Certificates
Interest will accrue on the outstanding principal amount of the Class A
certificates at the Class A certificate rate. Interest will be distributed
monthly to the Class A certificateholders on January 16, 2001 and on each
following interest payment date in an amount equal to the Class A monthly
interest payable on that interest payment date.
S-23
<PAGE>
Any overdue interest with respect to the Class A certificates will be due
on the next following interest payment date, with additional interest on that
overdue interest at a rate equal to the Class A certificate rate, to the extent
permitted by law.
"Interest payment date" means the 15th day of each month or, if the 15th
day is not a business day, the next following business day.
"Business day" means any day other than:
. a Saturday or a Sunday; or
. a day on which banks are legally obligated or authorized to close in
New York City or specified cities in New Hampshire or California in
which the Bank is headquartered or has operations centers.
"Class A certificate rate" means a rate per annum equal to LIBOR for
one-month United States Dollar deposits, determined as of the related LIBOR
determination date as described below, plus 0.12%.
Interest will accrue on the Class B invested amount at the Class B
certificate rate. Interest will be distributed monthly to the Class B
certificateholders on January 16, 2001 and on each following interest payment
date in an amount equal to the Class B monthly interest payable on that interest
payment date.
Any overdue Interest with respect to the Class B certificates will be due
on the next following interest payment date, with additional interest on that
overdue interest at a rate equal to the Class B certificate rate, to the extent
permitted by law.
"Class B certificate rate" means a rate per annum equal to LIBOR for
one-month United States Dollar deposits, determined as of the related LIBOR
determination date as described below, plus 0.45%.
The servicer will determine LIBOR for each interest period as of the second
LIBOR business day before the beginning of that interest period and each date
that LIBOR is determined is referred to as a "LIBOR determination date".
However, for the first interest period LIBOR shall be determined twice as
follows:
. first, as of the second LIBOR business day before the beginning of the
first interest period; and
. second, as of the second LIBOR business day before December 15, 2000.
For purposes of determining LIBOR, a LIBOR business day is any
business day on which dealings in deposits in United States Dollars
are transacted in the London interbank market.
"LIBOR" means, with respect to each day of each interest period or portion
thereof, the rate per annum shown on page 3750 of the Dow Jones & Company
Telerate screen or any successor page as the rate for United States Dollar
deposits for a period of one month as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on the LIBOR
determination date for that interest period. However, if no such rate is shown,
LIBOR will be calculated as follows:
. if at least two quotations appear on page "LIBO" of the Reuters
Monitor Money Rates Service or any successor page as of 11:00 a.m.,
London time, on the LIBOR determination date for that interest period,
LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean - rounded upwards, if necessary, to
the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent - of the rates per annum of
the offered rates for United States Dollar deposits for a period of
one month on that LIBOR determination date as displayed on that page.
. if fewer than two quotations appear on that page, LIBOR will be the
rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean - rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent - of the rates
at which deposits in United States Dollars are offered by the
reference banks at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the LIBOR
determination date for that interest period to prime banks in the
London interbank market for a period of one month.
S-24
<PAGE>
. if fewer than two such rates are provided by the reference banks as
requested, LIBOR will be the rate per annum equal to the arithmetic
mean - rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of
one percent - of the rates quoted by two or more major banks in New
York City, selected by the servicer, at approximately 11:00 a.m., New
York City time, on the LIBOR determination date for that interest
period to leading European banks for United States Dollar deposits for
a period of one month.
. if fewer than two such rates are provided by major banks in New York
City as requested, LIBOR for that interest period will be deemed to be
LIBOR for the preceding interest period.
"Reference banks" means two or more major banks in the London interbank
market selected by the servicer.
"Interest period" means:
. for the first interest payment date, the period beginning on and
including the series issuance date and ending on but excluding the
first interest payment date, which will be January 16, 2001; and
. for each following interest payment date, the period from and
including the preceding interest payment date to but excluding that
interest payment date.
Interest payments on the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates
on any interest payment date will be funded from available finance charge
collections for the related month as described under "--Application of Finance
Charge Collections". To the extent that available finance charge collections for
that month are insufficient to pay interest on the Class A certificates,
reallocated Class D principal collections, reallocated collateral principal
collections and reallocated Class B principal collections will be used to pay
interest on the Class A certificates. To the extent that available finance
charge collections for that month are insufficient to pay interest on the Class
B certificates, reallocated Class D principal collections, reallocated
collateral principal collections and, to the extent that the application of
reallocated Class B principal collections to pay interest on the Class B
certificates would not result in a reduction of the Class B invested amount,
reallocated Class B principal collections, in each case to the extent those
amounts are not needed to pay interest on the Class A certificates, will be used
to pay interest on the Class B certificates.
"Available finance charge collections" means, with respect to any
distribution date, an amount equal to the sum of:
. the product of the floating allocation percentage and the aggregate
amount of finance charge collections with respect to the related
month, including any investment earnings and other specified amounts
that are to be treated as finance charge collections in accordance
with the pooling agreement;
. plus the net investment earnings, if any, on the amounts in the
principal funding account with respect to that distribution date;
. plus amounts, if any, withdrawn from the reserve accounts that are
required to be included in available finance charge collections
pursuant to the Series 2000-3 supplement with respect to that
distribution date;
. plus any additional finance charge collections from other series in
Group One that are allocated to Series 2000-3 with respect to that
month;
S-25
<PAGE>
. plus payments, if any, received with respect to that distribution date
under any interest rate swap or cap agreement assigned to the Trust
for the benefit of the Series 2000-3 certificateholders.
No Principal Payments During the Revolving Period
The Series 2000-3 certificates have a revolving period which begins on
October 31, 2000 (the "series cut-off date") and ends immediately before the
beginning of the Class A accumulation period, or if earlier, the beginning of
the early amortization period. The series cut-off date is the date from which
the series has an interest in the trust assets. During the revolving period, no
principal payments will be made to Class A certificateholders or Class B
certificateholders. Instead, during the revolving period principal collections
allocated to the Series 2000-3 certificateholders will either be applied with
respect to other series of certificates, or reinvested in receivables. The
application of principal collections to other series of certificates will not
reduce the invested amount of the Series 2000-3 certificates.
Accumulation of Principal During the Accumulation Period
The revolving period is scheduled to end, and an accumulation period for
the Class A certificates (the "Class A accumulation period") is scheduled to
begin at the close of business on October 31, 2001. However, that date can be
postponed as described below. The revolving period and the Class A accumulation
period can also end at any time if a pay out event occurs, in which case an
early amortization period will begin.
On each distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation period,
principal will be deposited into the principal funding account in an amount up
to the Class A controlled deposit amount with respect to that distribution date,
with the intention of accumulating the Class A invested amount for distribution
on the Class A expected final payment date. The funds on deposit in the
principal funding account for the Class A certificates will be distributed to
the Class A certificateholders on the Class A expected final payment date, or
earlier if a pay out event occurs.
An accumulation period for the Class B certificates (the "Class B
accumulation period") is scheduled to begin at the close of business on October
31, 2003, which is the last business day of the month preceding the Class A
expected final payment date. The Class B accumulation period can also end at any
time if a pay out event occurs, in which case an early amortization period will
begin.
The servicer may elect to postpone the beginning of the Class A
accumulation period and extend the length of the revolving period, subject to
the conditions set forth below. The servicer may make that election only if the
Class A accumulation period length, determined as described below, is less than
twenty-four months and if no pay out event has occurred and is continuing with
respect to any other series. On each determination date during the revolving
period, the servicer will determine the "Class A accumulation period length",
which is the number of months expected to be required to fund the Class A
initial invested amount in full no later than the Class A expected final payment
date, based on:
. the expected monthly principal collections allocated to all
outstanding series (excluding any variable funding series), assuming a
principal payment rate no greater than the lowest monthly principal
payment rate on the receivables for the preceding twelve months; and
. the amount of principal expected to be distributable to the
certificateholders of all outstanding series (excluding any variable
funding series) that are not expected to be in their respective
revolving periods during the Class A accumulation period.
A "variable funding series" is a series which has a principal amount that can be
increased or decreased by the Bank from time to time up to a specified maximum
amount. Whether a series is a variable funding
S-26
<PAGE>
series will be specified in the related pooling agreement supplement. If the
Class A accumulation period length is less than twenty-four months, the servicer
may, at its option, postpone the beginning of the Class A accumulation period
such that the number of months included in the Class A accumulation period will
be equal to or exceed the Class A accumulation period length. The effect of the
calculation described above is to permit the reduction of the length of the
Class A accumulation period based on the invested amounts of other series which
are expected to be in their revolving periods during the Class A accumulation
period or on increases in the principal payment rate occurring after the series
issuance date. The length of the Class A accumulation period will not be less
than one month. If the beginning of the Class A accumulation period is delayed
as described above, and if a pay out event with respect to Series 2000-3 occurs
after the date originally scheduled as the beginning of the Class A accumulation
period or a pay out event occurs with respect to any other series, then it is
probable that the Class A certificateholders, and consequently the Class B
certificateholders, would receive some of their principal later than if the
Class A accumulation period had not been delayed.
Payment of Principal on the Expected Final Payment Date and During an Early
Amortization Period
If the Class A invested amount is paid in full on the Class A expected
final payment date, then on each distribution date with respect to the Class B
accumulation period, principal will be deposited into the principal funding
account in an amount up to the Class B controlled deposit amount with respect to
that distribution date, with the intention of accumulating the Class B invested
amount for distribution on the Class B expected final payment date. The funds on
deposit in the principal funding account for the Class B certificates will be
distributed to the Class B certificateholders on the Class B expected final
payment date, or earlier on the first early amortization payment date, if a pay
out event occurs.
If the Class A invested amount is not paid in full on the Class A expected
final payment date or the Class B invested amount is not paid in full on the
Class B expected final payment date, a pay out event will occur and an early
amortization period will begin. During an early amortization period, principal
will be paid to the Class A certificateholders monthly on each early
amortization payment date until the Class A invested amount is paid in full and
then to the Class B certificateholders until the Class B invested amount is paid
in full or, in either case, until the series termination date occurs. If a pay
out event occurs with respect to the Series 2000-3 certificates during the Class
A accumulation period or the Class B accumulation period, any amount on deposit
in the principal funding account will be paid to the Class A certificateholders
or the Class B certificateholders, as the case may be, on the first early
amortization payment date. See "--Application of Available Principal
Collections" and "--Pay Out Events" in this prospectus supplement and "The
Certificates--Pay Out Events" in the prospectus for a discussion of events that
might lead to the beginning of an early amortization period.
Allocation Percentages
For each day during each month, the servicer will allocate between the
Series 2000-3 certificateholders' interest, the seller's interest and the
certificateholders' interests of the other series issued and outstanding from
time to time all finance charge collections and principal collections and the
defaulted amount with respect to that month.
S-27
<PAGE>
Finance charge collections and the defaulted amount with respect to any
month will be allocated to the Series 2000-3 certificateholders' interest based
on the floating allocation percentage. The "floating allocation percentage" is:
. for the period from the series issuance date to the last day of the
month preceding the initial distribution date, the percentage
equivalent of the following fraction:
the initial invested amount for the period from and
including the series issuance date through and including
the last day of that month
--------------------------------------------------------------
the sum of the principal receivables in the Trust and
the amount on deposit in the special funding account as of the
series issuance date
. for each following month, the percentage equivalent of the following
fraction:
the adjusted invested amount as of the last day of the
preceding month
-----------------------------------------------------------
the sum of the total amount of principal receivables in the
Trust and the amount on deposit in the special funding
account as of the last day of the preceding month
Principal collections with respect to each day during any month will be
allocated to the Series 2000-3 certificateholders' interest based on the
principal allocation percentage. The "principal allocation percentage" is:
. during the revolving period, the percentage equivalent of the
following fraction:
the invested amount as of the last day of the preceding
month
----------------------------------------------------------
the greater of (i) the sum of the principal receivables in
the Trust and the amount on deposit in the special funding
account as of the last day of the preceding month and (ii)
the sum of the numerators used to calculate the allocation
percentages with respect to principal collections for all
outstanding series
. at all other times before the earlier of the date on which the
invested amount is paid in full and the series termination date, the
percentage equivalent of the following fraction:
S-28
<PAGE>
the invested amount as of the last day of the revolving period
------------------------------------------------------------------
the greater of (i) the sum of the principal receivables in the
Trust and the amount on deposit in the special funding account as
of the last day of the preceding month and (ii) the sum of the
numerators used to calculate the allocation percentages with
respect to principal collections for all outstanding series
"Adjusted invested amount" means, when used with respect to any date of
determination, an amount equal to the sum of:
. the Class A adjusted invested amount;
. plus the Class B adjusted invested amount;
. plus the collateral invested amount;
. plus the Class D invested amount.
"Class A adjusted invested amount" means, when used with respect to any
date of determination an amount equal to:
. the Class A invested amount;
. minus the amount, if any, on deposit in the principal funding account
with respect to the Class A certificates on that date.
"Class B adjusted invested amount" means, when used with respect to any
date of determination an amount equal to:
. the Class B invested amount;
. minus the amount, if any, on deposit in the principal funding account
with respect to the Class B certificates on that date.
"Class A initial invested amount" means $544,250,000.
"Class A invested amount" means, when used with respect to any date of
determination, an amount equal to:
. the Class A initial invested amount;
. minus the aggregate amount of principal payments made to Class A
certificateholders before that date;
. minus the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Class A
charge-offs over the aggregate amount of Class A charge-offs
reimbursed as described under "--Application of Finance Charge
Collections" before that date.
The Class A invested amount will not be reduced below zero.
"Class B initial invested amount" means $71,750,000.
S-29
<PAGE>
"Class B invested amount" means, when used with respect to any date of
determination, an amount equal to:
. the Class B initial invested amount;
. minus the aggregate amount of principal payments made to Class B
certificateholders before that date;
. minus the aggregate amount by which the Class B invested amount has
been reduced in respect of the application of reallocated Class B
principal collections on all prior distribution dates as described
under "--Reallocation of Principal Collections";
. minus the aggregate amount of Class B charge-offs before that date;
and
. plus the aggregate amount of available finance charge collections
applied on all prior distribution dates for the purpose of reimbursing
amounts deducted pursuant to the previous two bullet points as
described under "--Application of Finance Charge Collections".
The Class B invested amount will not be reduced below zero.
"Collateral initial invested amount" means $59,500,000.
"Collateral invested amount" means, when used with respect to any date of
determination, an amount equal to:
. the collateral initial invested amount;
. minus the aggregate amount of principal payments made to the
collateral interest holder before that date;
. minus the aggregate amount by which the collateral invested amount has
been reduced in respect of the application of reallocated Class B
principal collections and reallocated collateral principal collections
on all prior distribution dates as described under "--Reallocation of
Principal Collections";
. minus the aggregate amount by which the collateral invested amount has
been reduced on all prior distribution dates as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs";
. plus the aggregate amount of available finance charge collections
applied on all prior distribution dates for the purpose of reimbursing
amounts deducted pursuant to the previous two bullet points as
described under "--Application of Finance Charge Collections".
The collateral invested amount will not be reduced below zero.
"Class D initial invested amount" means $24,500,000.
"Class D invested amount" means, when used with respect to any date of
determination, an amount equal to:
. the Class D initial invested amount;
S-30
<PAGE>
. minus the aggregate amount of principal payments made to the Class D
interest holder before that date;
. minus the aggregate amount by which the Class D invested amount has
been reduced in respect of the application of reallocated principal
collections on all prior distribution dates as described under
"--Reallocation of Principal Collections";
. minus the aggregate amount by which the Class D invested amount has
been reduced on all prior distribution dates as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs"; and
. plus the aggregate amount of available finance charge collections
applied on all prior distribution dates for the purpose of reimbursing
amounts deducted pursuant to the previous two bullet points as
described under "--Application of Finance Charge Collections".
The Class D invested amount will not be reduced below zero.
"Invested amount" means, with respect to any date of determination, an
amount equal to the sum of:
. the Class A invested amount;
. plus the Class B invested amount;
. plus the collateral invested amount;
. plus the Class D invested amount.
"Initial invested amount" means $700,000,000.
Application of Finance Charge Collections
On each distribution date, the servicer will apply - if the Bank is the
servicer and the collection account is maintained with the Bank - or will cause
the trustee to apply available finance charge collections and, if applicable,
reallocated principal collections on deposit in the collection account with
respect to the related month to make the following distributions in the
following priority:
. First, an amount equal to Class A monthly interest for that
distribution date, plus the amount of any Class A monthly interest
previously due but not distributed to Class A certificateholders on
any prior distribution date, plus the amount of any Class A additional
interest for that distribution date and any Class A additional
interest previously due but not distributed to Class A
certificateholders on any prior distribution date, will be distributed
to the paying agent for payment to the Class A certificateholders;
. Second, an amount equal to Class B monthly interest for that
distribution date, plus the amount of any Class B monthly interest
previously due but not distributed to Class B certificateholders on
any prior distribution date, plus the amount of any Class B additional
interest for that distribution date and any Class B additional
interest previously due but not distributed to Class B
certificateholders on any prior distribution date, will be distributed
to the paying agent for payment to the Class B certificateholders;
. Third, an amount equal to the monthly investor servicing fee for that
distribution date, plus the amount of any monthly investor servicing
fee previously due but not distributed to the servicer on any prior
distribution date, will be distributed to the servicer, unless that
amount has been netted against deposits to the collection account in
accordance with the pooling agreement;
S-31
<PAGE>
. Fourth, an amount equal to the Class A defaulted amount for that
distribution date will be treated as a portion of available principal
collections for that distribution date.
. Fifth, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of Class A charge-offs
that have not been previously reimbursed will be treated as a portion
of available principal collections for that distribution date;
. Sixth, an amount equal to Class B subordinated monthly interest for
that distribution date, plus the amount of any Class B subordinated
monthly interest previously due but not distributed to Class B
certificateholders on any prior distribution date, plus the amount of
any Class B subordinated additional interest for that distribution
date and any Class B subordinated additional interest previously due
but not distributed to Class B certificateholders on any prior
distribution date, will be distributed to the paying agent for payment
to the Class B certificateholders;
. Seventh, an amount equal to the Class B defaulted amount for that
distribution date will be treated as a portion of available principal
collections for that distribution date;
. Eighth, an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which the Class B
invested amount has been reduced
. due to the application of reallocated principal collections on
all prior distribution dates as described under "--Reallocation
of Principal Collections"; and
. by Class B charge-offs as described under "--Allocation of
Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs";
but not in excess of the aggregate amount of those reductions that
have not been previously reimbursed, will be treated as a portion of
available principal collections with respect to that distribution
date;
. Ninth, an amount equal to collateral monthly interest for that
distribution date, plus the amount of any collateral monthly interest
previously due but not paid to the collateral interest holder on any
prior distribution date, and interest thereon, will be paid to the
collateral interest holder;
. Tenth, an amount equal to the collateral defaulted amount for that
distribution date will be treated as a portion of available principal
collections with respect to that distribution date;
. Eleventh, on each distribution date when the Class A reserve account
is required to be funded, an amount up to any deficiency in the amount
on deposit in the Class A reserve account will be deposited into the
Class A reserve account;
. Twelfth, on each distribution when the Class B reserve account is
required to be funded, an amount up to any deficiency in the amount on
deposit in the Class B reserve account will be deposited into the
Class B reserve account;
. Thirteenth, an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which the
collateral invested amount has been reduced
. due to the application of reallocated principal collections on all
prior distribution dates as described under "--Reallocation of
Principal Collections"; and
. as described under "--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and
Charge-Offs";
but not in excess of the aggregate amount of those reductions that
have not been previously reimbursed, will be treated as a portion of
available principal collections with respect to that distribution
date;
S-32
<PAGE>
. Fourteenth, an amount equal to the Class D defaulted amount for that
distribution date will be treated as a portion of available principal
collections with respect to those distribution date;
. Fifteenth, an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which the Class
D invested amount has been reduced
. due to the application of reallocated principal collections on all
prior distribution dates as described under "--Reallocation of
Principal Collections"; and
. as described under "--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and
Charge-Offs";
but not in excess of the aggregate amount of those reductions that
have not been previously reimbursed, will be treated as a portion of
available principal collections with respect to that distribution
date; and
. Sixteenth, the balance, if any, shall be paid to the collateral
interest holder for application in accordance with the collateral
agreement.
The amount of the additional finance charges, if any, for Series 2000-3 that are
available to other series in Group One on any payment date will be determined
based on the excess of the amount of the payment described in item sixteenth
above over the amounts required to be applied under the collateral agreement,
and will be subject to the terms of the collateral agreement. See "Series
Provisions--Sharing of Additional Finance Charge Collections within Group One"
in this prospectus supplement and "The Certificates--Sharing of Additional
Finance Charge Collections within Groups of Series" in the prospectus.
"Class A additional interest" means, with respect to any distribution date,
if the Class A interest shortfall with respect to the preceding interest payment
date is greater than zero, an amount equal to the product of:
the Class A interest
the actual number shortfall with
of days in the the Class A respect to the
related interest x certificate rate x preceding interest
period payment date
-----------------
360
"Class A defaulted amount" means, with respect to any distribution date, an
amount equal to the product of:
the defaulted the floating allocation the Class A
amount for the x percentage for that x percentage for that
related month month month
"Class A interest shortfall" means, with respect to any interest payment
date:
. the Class A monthly interest for that interest payment date;
. minus the aggregate amount of funds allocated and available to pay
that Class A monthly interest on that interest payment date.
"Class A monthly interest" means, with respect to any interest payment
date, an amount equal to the product of:
S-33
<PAGE>
the outstanding
principal amount of
the actual number the Class A
of days in the certificates as of the
related interest the Class A last business day of
period x certificate rate x the preceding month
-----------------
360
"Class A percentage" means:
. with respect to the period from the series issuance date to the last
day of the month preceding the initial distribution date, the
percentage equivalent of the following fraction:
the Class A initial invested amount
---------------------------------------
the initial invested amount
. with respect to any following month, the percentage equivalent of the
following fraction:
the Class A adjusted invested amount as of
the last day of the preceding month
----------------------------------------------------------
the adjusted invested amount as of the last day of the
preceding month
"Class B additional interest" means, with respect to any distribution date,
if the Class B interest shortfall with respect to the preceding interest payment
date is greater than zero, an amount equal to the product of:
the Class B interest
the actual number shortfall with
of days in the respect to the
related interest the Class B preceding interest
period x certificate rate x payment date
-----------------
360
"Class B defaulted amount" means, with respect to any distribution date, an
amount equal to the product of:
the defaulted the floating the Class B
amount for the allocation x percentage for that
related month x percentage for that month
month
"Class B interest shortfall" means, with respect to any interest payment
date:
. the Class B monthly interest for that interest payment date;
. minus the aggregate amount of funds allocated and available to pay
Class B monthly interest on that interest payment date.
S-34
<PAGE>
"Class B monthly interest" means, with respect to any interest payment
date, an amount equal to the product of:
the actual number
of days in the the Class B invested
related interest the Class B amount as of the last
period x certificate rate x business day of the
----------------- preceding month
360
"Class B percentage" means:
. with respect to the period from the series issuance date to the last day of
the month preceding the initial distribution date, the percentage
equivalent of the following fraction:
the Class B initial invested amount
-----------------------------------
the initial invested amount
. with respect to any following month, the percentage equivalent of the
following fraction:
the Class B adjusted invested amount as of the last day of
the preceding month
----------------------------------------------------------
the adjusted invested amount as of the last day of
the preceding month
"Class B subordinated additional interest" means, with respect to any
distribution date, if the Class B interest shortfall with respect to the
preceding interest payment date is greater than zero, an amount equal to the
product of:
the actual number
of days in the the Class B
related interest the Class B subordinated
period x certificate rate x interest shortfall
---------------- with respect to the
360 preceding interest
payment date
"Class B subordinated interest shortfall" means, with respect to any interest
payment date:
. the Class B subordinated monthly interest for that interest payment date;
. minus the aggregate amount of funds allocated and available to pay Class B
subordinated monthly interest on that interest payment date.
S-35
<PAGE>
"Class B subordinated monthly interest" means, with respect to any interest
payment date, an amount equal to the product of:
the actual number the excess of the
of days in the outstanding
related interest principal amount of
period the Class B
----------------- x the Class B x certificates over the
360 certificate rate Class B invested
amount as of the last
business day of the
preceding month
"Class D defaulted amount" means, with respect to any distribution date, an
amount equal to the product of:
the defaulted the floating
amount for the x allocation x the Class D
related month percentage for that percentage for that
month month
"Class D percentage" means, with respect to any month, 100% minus the sum
of the Class A percentage, the Class B percentage and the collateral percentage.
"Collateral agreement" means the transfer and administration agreement
between the Bank and Providian Secured Note Trust 2000-3, as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time.
"Collateral defaulted amount" means, with respect to any distribution date,
an amount equal to the product of:
the defaulted the floating
amount for the x allocation x the collateral
related month percentage for that percentage for that
month month
"Collateral monthly interest" means, with respect to any distribution date,
an amount equal to the product of:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
the outstanding
principal amount of
1 8.0%, or any lesser rate that may be the collateral
-------------- x designated as the collateral interest x interest as of the
12 rate in the collateral agreement last business day of
the preceding
month
</TABLE>
S-36
<PAGE>
"Collateral percentage" means:
. with respect to the period from the series issuance date to the last
day of the month preceding the initial distribution date, the
percentage equivalent of the following fraction:
the collateral initial amount
-------------------------------
the initial invested amount
. with respect to any following month, the percentage equivalent of the
following fraction:
the collateral invested amount as of the last day of the
preceding month
--------------------------------------------------------
the adjusted invested amount as of the last day of the
preceding month
"Series issuance date" means November 21, 2000.
Deficiency in Available Finance Charge Collections
On each distribution date, if available finance charge collections are less
than the sum of the following amounts for that distribution date:
. current and overdue Class A monthly interest and any Class A
additional interest;
. current and overdue Class B monthly interest and any Class B
additional interest;
. current and overdue monthly investor servicing fees; . the Class A
defaulted amount;
. the Class B defaulted amount;
. current and overdue collateral monthly interest, and interest on any
overdue collateral monthly interest; and
. the collateral defaulted amount;
a finance charge deficiency will result. If there is a finance charge deficiency
with respect to any distribution date, principal collections will be reallocated
as described under "--Reallocation of Principal Collections" and those
reallocated principal collections will be applied to cover that finance charge
deficiency.
Sharing of Additional Finance Charge Collections within Group One
The Series 2000-3 certificates are part of a group of series designated as
"Group One".
Upon the issuance of the Series 2000-3 certificates, twelve series issued
by the Trust will be outstanding as of the series issuance date and will be
included in Group One. Group One is expected to include additional series issued
from time to time. Additional finance charge collections, if any, with respect
to any series included in Group One will be applied to cover any shortfalls with
respect to amounts payable from finance charge collections allocable to any
other series in Group One, pro rata based upon the amount of the shortfall, if
any, with respect to each other series in Group One. There are
S-37
<PAGE>
also some limitations on sharing of additional finance charge collections.
Additional finance charge collections not required to cover shortfalls of any
series will be paid to or at the direction of the Bank. See "The
Certificates--Sharing of Additional Finance Charge Collections within Groups of
Series" in the prospectus.
Application of Available Principal Collections
On each distribution date, the servicer will apply - if the Bank is the
servicer and the collection account is maintained with the Bank - or will cause
the trustee to apply available principal collections then on deposit in the
collection account to make the distributions described below.
"Available Principal Collections" means, with respect to any distribution
date, an amount equal to the sum of:
. an aggregate amount equal to the sum for each day in the related month
of the product of:
the principal allocation percentage x the amount of that day's principal
with respect to that day collections
. plus any shared principal collections with respect to other series
that are allocated to Series 2000-3 with respect to that month;
. plus any other amounts treated as available principal collections
pursuant to the Series 2000-3 supplement with respect to that
distribution date;
. minus reallocated principal collections with respect to that month as
described under "--Deficiency in Available Finance Charge Collections"
and "--Reallocation of Principal Collections".
Application of Available Principal Collections during the Revolving Period.
On each distribution date during the revolving period, an amount equal to the
available principal collections on deposit in the collection account with
respect to the related month will be treated as shared principal collections and
applied in accordance with the pooling agreement.
Application of Available Principal Collections after the Revolving Period.
On each distribution date during the period beginning on the earlier to occur
of:
. the first distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation
period; and
. the first early amortization payment date during an early amortization
period;
and ending on the earlier to occur of:
. the date on which the invested amount has been paid in full to the
Series 2000-3 certificateholders; and
. the series termination date;
an amount equal to the available principal collections on deposit in the
collection account with respect to the related month will be distributed in the
following priority:
. First, an amount equal to Class A monthly principal for that
distribution date will be deposited into the principal funding
account, and on the Class A expected final payment date and each early
amortization payment date that amount will be paid to Class A
certificateholders;
S-38
<PAGE>
. Second, an amount equal to Class B monthly principal for that
distribution date will be deposited into the principal funding account,
and on the Class B expected final payment date and each early
amortization payment date that amount will be paid to Class B
certificateholders;
. Third, an amount equal to the collateral monthly principal, if any, for
that distribution date will be distributed to the collateral interest
holder for application in accordance with the collateral agreement;
. Fourth, an amount equal to the Class D monthly principal, if any, for
that distribution date will be distributed to the Class D interest
holder for application in accordance with the collateral agreement; and
. Fifth, the balance, if any, of available principal collections then on
deposit in the collection account with respect to that month will be
treated as shared principal collections and applied in accordance with
the pooling agreement.
"Class A controlled accumulation amount" means, for any distribution date
with respect to the Class A accumulation period, $22,677,083. However, if the
servicer elects to postpone the beginning of the Class A accumulation period as
described under "--Application of Available Principal Collections", the Class A
controlled accumulation amount for each distribution date with respect to the
Class A accumulation period will be an amount determined by the servicer such
that the sum of the Class A controlled accumulation amounts for all those
distribution dates will not be less than the Class A initial invested amount.
"Class A controlled deposit amount" means, for any distribution date with
respect to the Class A accumulation period, an amount equal to the sum of:
. the Class A controlled accumulation amount for that distribution date;
. plus any Class A deficit controlled accumulation amount for the
preceding distribution date.
"Class A deficit controlled accumulation amount" means:
. on the first distribution date with respect to the Class A
accumulation period:
. the Class A controlled accumulation amount for that distribution
date;
. minus the amount deposited in the principal funding account as
Class A monthly principal for that distribution date; and
. on each following distribution date with respect to the Class A
accumulation period:
. the Class A controlled accumulation amount for that subsequent
distribution date and any Class A deficit controlled accumulation
amount for the prior distribution date;
. minus the amount deposited in the principal funding account as
Class A monthly principal on that subsequent distribution date.
"Class A monthly principal" means, beginning with the first to occur of:
. the first early amortization payment date, if any; and
. the first distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation
period;
S-39
<PAGE>
an amount equal to the least of:
. available principal collections on deposit in the collection account
with respect to that distribution date;
. for each distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation
period, the Class A controlled deposit amount for that distribution
date; and
. the Class A adjusted invested amount on that distribution date.
"Class B controlled accumulation amount" means, for any distribution date
with respect to the Class B accumulation period, $35,875,000, or such other
amount as the servicer may determine upon written notice to the trustee before
the beginning of the Class B accumulation period. However, the Class B
controlled accumulation amount for each distribution date with respect to the
Class B accumulation period will be an amount determined by the servicer such
that the sum of the Class B controlled accumulation amounts for all those
distribution dates will not be less than the Class B initial invested amount.
"Class B controlled deposit amount" means, for any distribution date with
respect to the Class B accumulation period, an amount equal to the sum of the
Class B controlled accumulation amount for that distribution date and any Class
B deficit controlled accumulation amount for the preceding distribution date.
"Class B deficit controlled accumulation amount" means:
. on the first distribution date with respect to the Class B
accumulation period:
. the Class B controlled accumulation amount for that distribution
date;
. minus the amount deposited in the principal funding account as
Class B monthly principal for that distribution date; and
. on each subsequent distribution date with respect to the Class B
accumulation period:
. the Class B controlled accumulation amount for that distribution
date and any Class B deficit controlled accumulation amount for
the prior distribution date;
. minus the amount deposited in the principal funding account as
Class B monthly principal on that subsequent distribution date.
"Class B monthly principal" means, beginning with the Class B principal
commencement date, an amount equal to the least of:
. available principal collections on deposit in the collection account
with respect to that distribution date, minus the portion of available
principal collections applied to Class A monthly principal on that
distribution date;
. for each distribution date with respect to the Class B accumulation
period, the Class B controlled deposit amount for that distribution
date; and
. the Class B adjusted invested amount on that distribution date.
S-40
<PAGE>
"Class B principal commencement date" means:
. if the Class A invested amount is paid in full on the Class A expected
final payment date and an early amortization period has not begun, the
distribution date following the Class A expected final payment date;
and
. otherwise, the distribution date on which the Class A invested amount
is paid in full.
"Class D monthly principal" means, for any distribution date beginning with
the distribution date on which the Class A invested amount, the Class B invested
amount and the collateral invested amount are paid in full, an amount equal to
the lesser of:
. available principal collections, minus the portion of available
principal collections applied to Class A monthly principal, Class B
monthly principal or collateral monthly principal on that distribution
date; and
. the Class D invested amount on that distribution date.
"Collateral monthly principal" means, for any distribution date beginning
with the collateral principal commencement date, an amount equal to the lesser
of:
. available principal collections, minus the portion of available
principal collections applied to Class A monthly principal or Class B
monthly principal on that distribution date; and
. the collateral invested amount on that distribution date.
"Collateral principal commencement date" means:
. if the Class A invested amount is paid in full on the Class A expected
final payment date and the Class B invested amount is paid in full on
the Class B expected final payment date and an early amortization
period has not begun, the distribution date following the Class B
expected final payment date; and
. otherwise, the distribution date on which the Class B invested amount
is paid in full.
Reallocation of Principal Collections
If there is a finance charge deficiency, as described in "--Deficiency in
Available Finance Charge Collections", principal collections up to the amount of
the deficiency will be reallocated to be treated as finance charge collections,
and applied as described in "--Application of Finance Charge Collections" and
"--Deficiency in Available Finance Charge Collections".
Reallocated principal collections reduce available principal collections
that are used to fund deposits to the principal funding account in respect of
and to make principal payments on the Class A Certificates and the Class B
certificates. Reallocated principal collections will also reduce the succeeding
months' portion of the finance charge collections of the Trust that are
allocated to Series 2000-3.
Reallocation of Class D Principal Collections. If there is a finance charge
deficiency with respect to any month, reallocated Class D principal collections
for that month will be used to fund any deficiency pursuant to items First,
Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth under "--Application of
Available Finance Charge Collections", in the same priority. The Class D
invested amount - after giving effect to any reductions in the Class D invested
amount on that distribution date as described under "--Allocation of Defaulted
Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the amount by which the Class D defaulted
amount exceeded the amount of available finance charge collections available to
fund the Class D defaulted amount - will be reduced with respect to each month
by the amount of those reallocated Class D principal collections. However, the
Class D invested amount will not be reduced below zero.
S-41
<PAGE>
Reallocation of Collateral Principal Collections. If there is a finance
charge deficiency with respect to any month, and reallocated Class D principal
collections are not enough to cover it, reallocated collateral principal
collections for that month will be used to fund any deficiency pursuant to items
First, Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh and Ninth - but only to the extent that
any application of reallocated collateral principal collections to the amount
described in item Ninth would not result in a reduction of the collateral
invested amount - under "--Application of Available Finance Charge Collections",
in the same priority. The Class D invested amount - after giving effect to any
reductions in the Class D invested amount on that distribution date as described
in the preceding paragraph in respect of the application of reallocated Class D
principal collections and as described under "--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts
and Charge-Offs" in respect of the amount by which the Class D defaulted amount
exceeded the amount of available finance charge collections available to fund
the Class D defaulted amount - will be reduced by the amount of those
reallocated collateral principal collections. If that reduction would cause the
Class D invested amount to be reduced below zero, the Class D invested amount
will be reduced to zero and the collateral invested amount - after giving effect
to any reductions in the collateral invested amount on that distribution date as
described under "--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect
of the amount by which the collateral defaulted amount exceeded the amount of
available finance charge collections available to fund the collateral defaulted
amount - will be reduced by the amount by which the Class D invested amount
would have been reduced below zero. However, the collateral invested amount will
not be reduced below zero.
Reallocation of Class B Principal Collections. If there is a finance charge
deficiency with respect to any month, and reallocated Class D principal
collections and reallocated collateral principal collections are not enough to
cover such deficiency, reallocated Class B principal collections for that month
will be used to fund any deficiency pursuant to items First, Second - but only
to the extent that any application of reallocated Class B principal collections
to the amount described in item Second would not result in a reduction of the
Class B invested amount -, Third and Fourth under "--Application of Available
Finance Charge Collections", in the same priority. The Class D invested amount -
after giving effect to any reductions in the Class D invested amount on that
distribution date as described in the second preceding paragraph in respect of
the application of reallocated Class D principal collections, as described in
the preceding paragraph in respect of the application of reallocated collateral
principal collections and as described under "--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts
and Charge-Offs" in respect of the amount by which the Class D defaulted amount
exceeded the amount of available finance charge collections available to fund
the Class D defaulted amount - will be reduced by the amount of those
reallocated Class B principal collections. If that reduction would cause the
Class D invested amount to be reduced below zero, the Class D invested amount
will be reduced to zero and the collateral invested amount - after giving effect
to any reductions in the collateral invested amount on that distribution date as
described in the preceding paragraph in respect of the application of
reallocated collateral principal collections and as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the amount by
which the collateral defaulted amount exceeded the amount of available finance
charge collections available to fund the collateral defaulted amount - will be
reduced by the amount by which the Class D invested amount would have been
reduced below zero. If that reduction would cause the collateral invested amount
to be reduced below zero, the collateral invested amount will be reduced to zero
and the Class B invested amount - after giving effect to any reductions in the
Class B invested amount on that distribution date as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the amount by
which the Class B defaulted amount exceeded the amount of available finance
charge collections, reallocated Class D principal collections and reallocated
collateral principal collections available to fund the Class B defaulted amount
- will be reduced by the amount by which the collateral invested amount would
have been reduced below zero. However, the Class B invested amount will not be
reduced below zero.
"Reallocated Class B principal collections" means, with respect to any month,
the lesser of:
. an amount equal to:
. the full amount required to be paid pursuant to items First,
Second - but only to the extent that any application of
reallocated Class B principal collections to the amount described
in
S-42
<PAGE>
item Second would not result in a reduction of the Class B invested
amount--, Third and Fourth under "--Application of Available Finance
Charge Collections";
. minus available finance charge collections, reallocated collateral
principal collections and reallocated Class D principal collections
applied with respect thereto for that month; and
. the sum for each day of the related month of the product of:
the principal the amount of that the Class B percentage as of
allocation percentage x day's principal x the last day of the preceding
with respect to that collections month
day
"Reallocated Class D principal collections" means, with respect to any month,
the lesser of:
. the finance charge deficiency; and
. the sum for each day of the related month of the product of:
the principal the amount of that the Class D percentage as of
allocation percentage x day's principal x the last day of the preceding
with respect to that collections month
day
"Reallocated collateral principal collections" means, with respect to any month,
the lesser of:
. an amount equal to:
. the full amount required to be paid pursuant to items First, Second,
Third, Fourth, Seventh and Ninth - but only to the extent that any
application of reallocated collateral principal collections to the
amount described in the item Ninth would not result in a reduction of
the collateral invested amount - under "--Application of Available
Finance Charge Collections";
. minus available finance charge collections and reallocated Class D
principal collections applied with respect thereto for that month; and
. the sum for each day of the related month of the product of:
the principal the amount of that the collateral percentage as
allocation percentage x day's principal x of the last day of the
with respect to that collections preceding month
day
"Reallocated principal collections" means, with respect to any month, the sum
of:
. reallocated Class B principal collections with respect to that month;
. reallocated collateral principal collections with respect to that month;
and
. reallocated Class D principal collections with respect to that month.
S-43
<PAGE>
The Principal Funding Account
The servicer will establish and maintain in the name of the trustee, on
behalf of the Trust, a principal funding account for the benefit of the Class A
certificateholders and the Class B certificateholders. The principal funding
account will be an eligible deposit account as described in the prospectus under
"The Trust Accounts--The Collection Account".
On each distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation period,
principal will be deposited into the principal funding account on each
distribution date for the Class A certificates, and with respect to the Class B
accumulation period, for the Class B certificates, as described above under
"--Application of Available Principal Collections". Funds on deposit in the
principal funding account will be invested to the business day preceding the
following distribution date by the trustee at the direction of the servicer in
eligible investments, as described in the prospectus under "The Trust
Accounts--The Collection Account".
On each distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation period
and the Class B accumulation period and on the first early amortization payment
date, the interest and other investment income - net of investment expenses and
losses - earned on those investments will be withdrawn from the principal
funding account and will be included in available finance charge collections as
described above under "--Interest on the Certificates". If those investments for
any distribution date with respect to the Class A accumulation period or the
first early amortization payment date on or before the Class A expected final
payment date yield less than the Class A certificate rate for the related
interest period, the net investment earnings on the amounts on deposit in the
principal funding account for that distribution date will be less than the Class
A covered amount for that distribution date. It is intended that any such
shortfall will be funded from available finance charge collections available for
that purpose, including, if necessary, a withdrawal from the Class A reserve
account, or from reallocated principal collections, as described above under
"--Application of Finance Charge Collections" and "--Reallocation of Principal
Collections".
Additionally, if those investments for any distribution date with respect
to the Class B accumulation period or the first early amortization payment date
after the Class A expected final payment date yield less than the Class B
certificate rate for the related interest period, net investment earnings on the
amounts on deposit in the principal funding account for that distribution date
will be less than the Class B covered amount for that distribution date. It is
intended that any such shortfall will be funded from available finance charge
collections available for that purpose, including, if necessary, a withdrawal
from the Class B reserve account, reallocated Class D principal collections,
reallocated collateral principal collections or, to the extent the application
thereof to pay interest on the Class B certificates would not result in a
reduction of the Class B invested amount, reallocated Class B principal
collections, as described above under "--Application of Finance Charge
Collections" and "--Reallocation of Principal Collections". Those available
amounts at any time will be limited and there can be no assurance that
sufficient funds will be available to fund any such shortfall.
The principal funding account balance, if any, in respect of the Class A
certificates will be distributed to Class A certificateholders on the Class A
expected final payment date or, if earlier, the first early amortization payment
date and the principal funding account balance, if any, in respect of the Class
B certificates will be distributed to Class B certificateholders on the Class B
expected final payment date or, if earlier, the first early amortization payment
date after the Class A expected final payment date, in each case as described
under "--Distributions to Certificateholders".
The Reserve Accounts
The servicer will establish and maintain in the name of the trustee, on
behalf of the Trust, the Class A reserve account for the benefit of the Class A
certificateholders and the Class B reserve account for the benefit of the Class
B certificateholders. The Class A and Class B reserve accounts will be eligible
deposit accounts as described under "The Trust Accounts--Creation of Trust
Accounts" in the prospectus.
S-44
<PAGE>
Funding of the Class A reserve account will begin no later than the third
distribution date before the first distribution date with respect to the Class A
accumulation period, as the Class A accumulation period may have been postponed
at the election of the servicer as described under "--Application of Available
Principal Collections". On that distribution date and each following
distribution date until the termination of the Class A reserve account, the
trustee, acting pursuant to the servicer's instructions, will apply available
finance charge collections, to the extent described above under "--Application
of Finance Charge Collections", to increase the amount on deposit in the Class A
reserve account, up to the Class A required reserve account amount. The Class A
required reserve account amount is equal to 0.50% of the Class A initial
invested amount. Any excess amount on deposit in the Class A reserve account
will be withdrawn and distributed to or at the direction of the Bank.
Until the Class A reserve account is terminated as described below, all
amounts on deposit in the Class A reserve account with respect to any
distribution date will be invested to the business day preceding the following
distribution date by the trustee at the direction of the servicer in eligible
investments. The interest and other investment income - net of investment
expenses and losses - earned on those investments will be retained in the Class
A reserve account up to the Class A required reserve account amount, and any
excess will be distributed to or at the direction of the Bank.
On or before each of the distribution dates with respect to the Class A
accumulation period and the first early amortization payment date on or before
the Class A expected final payment date, funds, if any, on deposit in the Class
A reserve account will be withdrawn from the Class A reserve account, deposited
into the collection account and included in available finance charge collections
as described above under "-- Interest on the Certificates", in an amount equal
to the lesser of:
. the amount on deposit in the Class A reserve account with respect to
that distribution date or early amortization payment date; and
. the excess, if any, of the Class A covered amount with respect to that
distribution date or early amortization payment date over net
investment earnings on the amounts on deposit in the principal funding
account with respect to that distribution date or early amortization
payment date.
However, the amount of that withdrawal will be reduced to the extent that funds
are otherwise available to be deposited into the Class A reserve account on that
distribution date or early amortization payment date.
S-45
<PAGE>
The "Class A covered amount" for any distribution date with respect to the
Class A accumulation period or the first early amortization payment date on or
before the Class A expected final payment date will equal the product of:
the actual number the principal
of days in the funding account
related interest balance, if any, with
period the Class A respect to the
----------------- x certificate rate x Class A certificates
360 as of the preceding
distribution date
The Class A reserve account will not be available for the benefit of Class
B certificateholders to fund any deficiency in the yield on the principal
funding account during the Class B accumulation period. The Class A reserve
account will terminate following the earliest to occur of:
. the date on which the Class A certificates are paid in full;
. the business day preceding the first early amortization payment date
on or before the Class A expected final payment date; and
. the business day preceding the Class A expected final payment date.
Upon the termination of the Class A reserve account, all amounts on deposit
in the Class A reserve account, after giving effect to any withdrawal from the
Class A reserve account on that date as described above, will be distributed to
or at the direction of the Bank.
Funding of the Class B reserve account will begin no later than the third
distribution date before the first distribution date with respect to the Class B
accumulation period. No later than that distribution date and each following
distribution date until the termination of the Class B reserve account, the
trustee, acting pursuant to the servicer's instructions, will apply available
finance charge collections, to the extent described above under "--Application
of Finance Charge Collections", to increase the amount on deposit in the Class B
reserve account, up to the Class B required reserve account amount. The Class B
required reserve account amount is equal to 0.25% of the Class B initial
invested amount. Any excess amount on deposit in the Class B reserve account
will be withdrawn and distributed to or at the direction of the Bank.
Until the Class B reserve account is terminated as described below, all
amounts on deposit in the Class B reserve account with respect to any
distribution date will be invested to the business day preceding the following
distribution date by the trustee at the direction of the servicer in eligible
investments. The interest and other investment income - net of investment
expenses and losses - earned on those investments will be retained in the Class
B reserve account up to the Class B required reserve account amount, or
distributed to or at the direction of the Bank.
On or before each of the distribution dates with respect to the Class B
accumulation period and the first early amortization payment date on or before
the Class B expected final payment date, funds, if any, on deposit in the Class
B reserve account will be withdrawn from the Class B reserve account, deposited
into the collection account and included in available finance charge collections
as described above under "-- Interest on the Certificates", in an amount equal
to the lesser of:
. the amount on deposit in Class B available reserve account with
respect to that distribution date or early amortization payment date;
and
. the excess, if any, of the Class B covered amount with respect to that
distribution date or early amortization payment date over the net
investment earnings on the amounts on deposit in the
S-46
<PAGE>
principal funding account with respect to that distribution date or early
amortization payment date.
However, the amount of that withdrawal will be reduced to the extent that funds
are otherwise available to be deposited into the Class B reserve account on that
distribution date or early amortization payment date.
The "Class B covered amount" for any distribution date with respect to the
Class B accumulation period or the first early amortization payment date (on or
before the Class B expected final payment date) will be equal to the product of:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
the actual number of days the principal funding account
in the related interest balance, if any, with respect
period to the Class B certificates as
------------------------- x the Class B certificate rate x of the preceding distribution
360 date
</TABLE>
The Class B reserve account may be terminated at any time if its
termination does not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the ratings on the
certificates, or following the earliest to occur of:
. the date on which the Class B certificates are paid in full;
. the business day preceding the first early amortization payment date
on or before the Class B expected final payment date; and
. the business day preceding the Class B expected final payment date.
Upon the termination of the Class B reserve account, all amounts on deposit
in the Class B reserve account, after giving effect to any withdrawal from the
Class B reserve account on that date as described above, will be distributed to
or at the direction of the Bank.
Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs
If, on any distribution date, the Class A defaulted amount for the related
month exceeds the amount of available finance charge collections and reallocated
principal collections applied to the Class A defaulted amount on that
distribution date, the excess portion of the Class A defaulted amount will be
allocated as follows:
. First, the Class D invested amount will be reduced by the amount of
that excess. If that reduction would cause the Class D invested amount
to be reduced below zero, the Class D invested amount will be reduced
to zero and the collateral invested amount will be reduced as
described in the following item Second;
. Second, the collateral invested amount will be reduced by the amount
by which the Class D invested amount would have been reduced below
zero. If that reduction would cause the collateral invested amount to
be reduced below zero, the collateral invested amount will be reduced
to zero and the Class B invested amount will be reduced as described
in the following item Third;
. Third, the Class B invested amount will be reduced by the amount by
which the collateral invested amount would have been reduced below
zero. If that reduction would cause the Class B invested amount to be
reduced below zero, the Class B invested amount will be reduced to
zero and the Class A invested amount will be reduced as described in
the following item Fourth; and
S-47
<PAGE>
. Fourth, the Class A invested amount will be reduced by the amount by
which the Class B invested amount would have been reduced below zero.
This amount of the reduction of the Class A invested amount is referred
to as a "Class A charge-off".
If, on any distribution date, the Class B defaulted amount for the related
month exceeds the amount of available finance charge collections, reallocated
Class D principal collections and reallocated collateral principal collections
applied to the Class B defaulted amount on that distribution date, the excess
portion of the Class B defaulted amount will be allocated as follows:
. First, the Class D invested amount will be reduced by the amount of
that excess. If that reduction would cause the Class D invested amount
to be reduced below zero, the Class D invested amount will be reduced
to zero and the collateral invested amount will be reduced as described
in the following item Second;
. Second, the collateral invested amount will be reduced by the amount by
which the Class D invested amount would have been reduced below zero.
If that reduction would cause the collateral invested amount to be
reduced below zero, the collateral invested amount will be reduced to
zero and the Class B invested amount will be reduced as described in
the following item Third; and
. Third, the Class B invested amount will be reduced by the amount by
which the collateral invested amount would have been reduced below
zero. This amount of the reduction of the Class B invested amount is
referred to as a "Class B charge-off".
If, on any distribution date, the collateral defaulted amount for the
related month exceeds the amount of available finance charge collections and
reallocated Class D principal collections applied to the collateral defaulted
amount on that distribution date, the excess portion of the collateral defaulted
amount will be allocated as follows:
. First, the Class D invested amount will be reduced by the amount of
that excess. If that reduction would cause the Class D invested amount
to be reduced below zero, the Class D invested amount will be reduced
to zero and the collateral invested amount will be reduced as described
in the following item Second; and
. Second, the collateral invested amount will be reduced by the amount by
which the Class D invested amount would have been reduced below zero.
If, on any distribution date, the Class D defaulted amount for the related
month exceeds the amount of available finance charge collections applied to the
Class D defaulted amount on that distribution date, the Class D invested amount
will be reduced by the amount of that excess.
However, none of the Class A invested amount, the Class B invested amount,
the collateral interest amount or the Class D invested amount will be reduced
below zero.
Reductions and Reimbursements of Invested Amounts
Reductions of the Class A Invested Amount. The Class A invested amount can
be reduced from time to time as described under "--Allocation of Defaulted
Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the amount by which the Class A defaulted
amount exceeds the amount of available finance charge collections and
reallocated principal collections available to be applied to the Class A
defaulted amount, to the extent that the excess Class A defaulted amount could
not be reallocated to the Class D interest, the collateral interest or the Class
B certificates.
Reductions of the Class B Invested Amount. The Class B invested amount can
be reduced from time to time as follows, and in the following order of
application:
S-48
<PAGE>
. First, the Class B invested amount can be reduced as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the
amount by which the Class B defaulted amount exceeds the amount of
available finance charge collections and reallocated principal
collections available to be applied to the Class B defaulted amount,
to the extent that the excess Class B defaulted amount could not be
reallocated to the Class D interest or the collateral interest;
. Second, the Class B invested amount can be reduced by reallocations of
Class B principal collections as described under "--Reallocations of
Principal Collections"; and
. Third, the Class B invested amount can be reduced as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the
amount by which the Class A defaulted amount exceeds the amount of
available finance charge collections and reallocated principal
collections available to be applied to the Class A defaulted amount,
to the extent that excess defaulted amount could not be reallocated to
the Class D interest or the collateral interest.
Reductions of the Collateral Invested Amount. The collateral invested
amount can be reduced from time to time as follows, and in the following order
of application:
. First, the collateral invested amount can be reduced as described
under "--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect
of the amount by which the collateral defaulted amount exceeds the
amount of available finance charge collections and reallocated
principal collections available to be applied to the collateral
defaulted amount, to the extent that the excess collateral defaulted
amount could not be reallocated to the Class D interest;
. Second, the collateral invested amount can be reduced by reallocations
of collateral principal collections and Class B principal collections
as described under "--Reallocations of Principal Collections"; and
. Third, the collateral invested amount can be reduced as described
under "--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect
of the amount by which the Class A defaulted amount or the Class B
defaulted amount exceeds the amount of available finance charge
collections and reallocated principal collections available to be
applied to the Class A defaulted amount and the Class B defaulted
amounts, to the extent that those excess Class A and Class B defaulted
amounts could not be reallocated to the Class D interest.
Reductions of the Class D Invested Amount. The Class D invested amount can
be reduced from time to time as follows, and in the following order of
application:
. First, the Class D invested amount can be reduced as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the
amount by which the Class D defaulted amount exceeds the amount of
available finance charge collections available to be applied to the
Class D defaulted amount;
. Second, the collateral invested amount can be reduced by reallocations
of Class D principal collections, collateral principal collections and
Class B principal collections as described under "-- Reallocations of
Principal Collections"; and
. Third, the Class D invested amount can be reduced as described under
"--Allocation of Defaulted Amounts and Charge-Offs" in respect of the
amount by which the Class A defaulted amount, the Class B defaulted
amount or the collateral defaulted amount exceeds the amount of
available finance charge collections and reallocated principal
collections available to be applied to the Class A defaulted amount,
the Class B defaulted amount and the collateral defaulted amount.
None of the Class A invested amount, the Class B invested amount, the
collateral invested amount or the Class D invested amount will be reduced below
zero.
S-49
<PAGE>
Reimbursement of Reductions of the Invested Amount. The reductions
described above will thereafter be reimbursed and the Class A invested amount,
the Class B invested amount, the collateral invested amount or the Class D
invested amount, as the case may be, will be increased - but not by an amount in
excess of the aggregate unreimbursed reductions - on any distribution date by
the amount of available finance charge collections available for that purpose in
the manner, and in the priority, described in items Fifth, Eighth, Thirteenth
and Fifteenth under "--Application of Finance Charge Collections".
Pay Out Events
The pay out events with respect to the Series 2000-3 certificates will
include each of the events specified in the prospectus under "The
Certificates--Pay Out Events" and the following: the failure to pay in full the
Class A invested amount on the Class A expected final payment date or the Class
B invested amount on the Class B expected final payment date.
For purposes of the pay out event described in the seventh bullet point in
"The Certificates--Pay Out Events" in the prospectus, the terms "base rate" and
"portfolio yield" will be defined as follows with respect to the Series 2000-3
certificates:
"Base rate" means, with respect to any month, the annualized percentage
equivalent of the following fraction determined with respect to the related
distribution date:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
the Class A the collateral the monthly investor
monthly interest the Class B monthly monthly interest servicing fee based on
with respect to the + interest with respect + with respect to the + an assumed series
related to the related related servicing fee percentage
determination date determination date determination date of 2% per annum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the invested amount as of the last day of the preceding month
</TABLE>
However, for the first distribution date, the annualized percentage will be
adjusted based on the actual number of days in the related interest period and
the invested amount will be the initial invested amount.
"Portfolio yield" means, with respect to any month, the annualized
percentage equivalent of the following fraction determined with respect to the
related distribution date:
available
finance charge the Series 2000-3
collections for defaulted amount for the
the distribution - distribution date with
date with respect to that month
respect to that
month
---------------------------------------------------------------------
the invested amount as of the last day of the preceding month
However, for the first distribution date, the annualized percentage will be
adjusted based on the actual number of days from the series issuance date to the
last day of the month preceding the first distribution date and the invested
amount will be the initial invested amount.
Distributions to Certificateholders
Payments to the Class A certificateholders and the Class B
certificateholders will be made from the collection account and the principal
funding account. The servicer will instruct the trustee to apply the funds on
deposit in those accounts to make the following distributions:
S-50
<PAGE>
. on each interest payment date and early amortization payment date with
respect to the Class A certificates, all amounts on deposit in the
collection account that are allocated and available to pay interest on
the Class A certificates, as described under "--Application of Finance
Charge Collections", will be distributed to the Class A
certificateholders;
. on the first early amortization payment date on or before the Class A
expected final payment date, and on the Class A expected final payment
date, the principal funding account balance, if any, with respect to
the Class A certificates, and on each early amortization payment date
on or before the Class B principal commencement date, all amounts on
deposit in the collection account and the principal funding account
that are allocated and available to pay principal of the Class A
certificates, as described under "--Application of Available Principal
Collections", will be distributed to Class A certificateholders up to
a maximum amount on any such date equal to the Class A invested amount
on that date, unless there has been an optional repurchase of the
Series 2000-3 certificateholders' interest due to the failure to find
a successor servicer upon a servicer default, as described in the
prospectus under "The Servicer--Servicer Default", in which event the
foregoing limitation will not apply;
. on each interest payment date and early amortization payment date with
respect to the Class B certificates, all amounts on deposit in the
collection account that are allocated and available to pay interest on
the Class B certificates, as described under "--Application of Finance
Charge Collections", will be distributed to the Class B
certificateholders; and
. on the first early amortization payment date after the Class A
expected final payment date and on the Class B expected final payment
date, the principal funding account balance, if any, with respect to
the Class B certificates, and on each early amortization payment date
on or after the Class B principal commencement date, all amounts on
deposit in the collection account that are allocated and available to
pay principal of the Class B certificates, as described under
"--Application of Available Principal Collections", will be
distributed to Class B certificateholders up to a maximum amount on
any such date equal to the Class B invested amount on that date,
unless there has been an optional repurchase of the Series 2000-3
certificateholders' interest due to the failure to find a successor
servicer upon a servicer default (as described in the prospectus under
"The Servicer--Servicer Default"), in which event the foregoing
limitation will not apply.
Paired Series
The Series 2000-3 certificates may be paired with one or more other series
(each, a "paired series") at any time after the Class A accumulation period
begins. Each paired series either:
. will be prefunded in whole or in part with an initial deposit to a
prefunding account in an amount up to the initial principal balance of
that paired series and primarily from the proceeds of the offering of
that paired series; or
. will have a variable principal amount.
Any such prefunding account will be held for the benefit of that paired
series and not for the benefit of Series 2000-3 certificateholders. As funds are
accumulated in the principal funding account, either:
. in the case of a prefunded paired series, an equal or lesser amount of
funds on deposit in any prefunding account for that prefunded paired
series may be released, which funds will be distributed to or at the
direction of the Bank; or
. in the case of a paired series having a variable principal amount, an
interest in that variable paired series in an equal or lesser amount
may be sold by the Trust, and the proceeds thereof will be distributed
to or at the direction of the Bank;
S-51
<PAGE>
and, in either case, the invested amount in the Trust of that paired series will
increase by up to a corresponding amount.
In addition, it is expected that any paired series will be excluded from
the calculation of the required principal balance as described under "Maturity
Considerations" in this prospectus supplement. The issuance of a paired series
will be subject to the conditions described under "The Certificates--New
Issuances of Certificates" in the prospectus. There can be no assurance,
however, that the terms of any paired series might not have an impact on the
timing or amount of payments received by a Class A certificateholder or a Class
B certificateholder. See "Risk Factors--Issuance of Additional Series by the
Trust May Adversely Affect Your Payments or Rights" in the prospectus.
Sale of Receivables on the Series Termination Date
If, on the June 2007 distribution date, two months before the series
termination date, the invested amount, after giving effect to all changes
therein on that distribution date, exceeds zero, the servicer will, within the
40-day period beginning on that date, solicit bids for the sale of interests in
certain principal receivables, together in each case with the related finance
charge receivables, in an amount equal to the invested amount at the close of
business on the last day of the month preceding the series termination date,
after giving effect to all distributions required to be made on the series
termination date.
The Bank and the holder of the collateral interest and Class D interest
will be entitled to participate in, and to receive notice of each bid submitted
in connection with, that bidding process. Upon the expiration of that 40-day
period, the trustee will determine:
. which bid is the highest cash purchase offer; and
. any other amounts in the collection account that are available on the
series termination date for distribution to the Series 2000-3
certificateholders.
The servicer will sell those receivables on the series termination date to the
bidder who provided the highest cash purchase offer and will deposit the
proceeds of that sale in the collection account for allocation, together with
those other amounts, to the Series 2000-3 certificateholders.
UNDERWRITING
Each of the underwriters named below (the "Class A underwriters") has
severally agreed to purchase from the Bank the principal amount of the Class A
certificates set forth opposite its name:
Principal Amount of
Class A Underwriters Class A Certificates
-------------------- --------------------
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. ................. $ 90,708,335
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ...................... 90,708,333
Chase Securities Inc. ......................... 90,708,333
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ........ 90,708,333
Lehman Brothers Inc. .......................... 90,708,333
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. ..................... 90,708,333
Total ...................................... $544,250,000
============
The underwriting agreement (the "underwriting agreement") between the Bank
and the underwriters provides that the obligations of the Class A underwriters
to pay for and accept delivery of the Class A certificates are subject to the
approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain
S-52
<PAGE>
other conditions. The Class A underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for
all of the Class A certificates if any are purchased.
The Class A underwriters propose initially to offer the Class A
certificates to the public at the price set forth on the cover page hereof, and
to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of 0.135% of
the aggregate principal amount of the Class A certificates. The Class A
underwriters may allow, and those dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of 0.100% of that aggregate principal amount to certain brokers and
dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price and other
selling terms may be changed by the Class A underwriters.
Each of the underwriters named below (the "Class B underwriters", and
together with the Class A underwriters, the "underwriters") has severally agreed
to purchase from the Bank the principal amount of the Class B certificates set
forth opposite its name:
Principal Amount of
Class B Underwriters Class B Certificates
-------------------- ----------------------
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. .............. $35,875,000
Chase Securities Inc. ...................... 35,875,000
-----------
Total ................................... $71,750,000
===========
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the Class B
underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Class B certificates is
subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain
other conditions. The Class B underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for
all of the Class B certificates if any are purchased.
The Class B underwriters propose initially to offer the Class B
certificates to the public at the price set forth on the cover page hereof, and
to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of 0.165% of
the aggregate principal amount of the Class B certificates. The Class B
underwriters may allow, and those dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of 0.100% of that aggregate principal amount to certain brokers and
dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price and other
selling terms may be changed by the Class B underwriters.
Each underwriter will represent and agree that:
. it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the
Financial Services Act 1986 with respect to anything done by it in
relation to the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates in,
from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;
. it has only issued, distributed or passed on and will only issue,
distribute or pass on in the United Kingdom any document received by
it in connection with the issue of the Class A certificates and the
Class B certificates to a person who is of a kind described in Article
11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements)
(Exemptions) Order 1996 or is a person to whom that document may
otherwise lawfully be issued, distributed or passed on;
. if it is an authorized person under Chapter III of Part I of the
Financial Services Act 1986, it has only promoted and will only
promote (as that term is defined in Regulation 1.02(2) of the
Financial Services (Promotion of Unregulated Schemes) Regulations
1991) to any person in the United Kingdom the scheme described in this
prospectus supplement and the prospectus if that person is a kind
described either in Section 76(2) of the Financial Services Act 1986
or in Regulation 1.04 of the Financial Services (Promotion of
Unregulated Schemes) Regulations 1991; and
. it is a person of a kind described in Article 11(3) of the Financial
Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996.
S-53
<PAGE>
The Bank will indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments the
underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
In the ordinary course of business, the underwriters and their affiliates
have engaged and may engage in investment banking and/or commercial banking
transactions with the Bank, its affiliates and the Trust. In addition, the
underwriters may from time to time take positions in the certificates issued by
the Trust.
If the underwriters create a short position in the Class A certificates or
the Class B certificates in connection with the offering, that is, if they sell
more Class A certificates or Class B certificates than are set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short
position by purchasing Class A certificates or Class B certificates, as the case
may be, in the open market.
In general, the purchase of a security for the purpose of stabilization or
to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher
than it might be in the absence of that purchase.
None of the Bank, the servicer, or the underwriters makes any
representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that
the transactions described above may have on the prices of the Class A
certificates or the Class B certificates. In addition, none of the Bank, the
servicer, or the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters
will engage in those transactions or that those transactions, once begun, will
not be discontinued without notice.
S-54
<PAGE>
INDEX OF TERMS FOR PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Term Page
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
adjusted invested amount .................................................. S-29
available finance charge collections ...................................... S-25
available principal collections ........................................... S-38
base rate ................................................................. S-50
business day .............................................................. S-24
Class A accumulation period ............................................... S-26
Class A accumulation period length ........................................ S-26
Class A additional interest ............................................... S-33
Class A adjusted invested amount .......................................... S-29
Class A certificates ...................................................... S-23
Class A certificate rate .................................................. S-24
Class A charge-off ........................................................ S-48
Class A controlled accumulation amount .................................... S-39
Class A controlled deposit amount ......................................... S-39
Class A covered amount .................................................... S-46
Class A defaulted amount .................................................. S-33
Class A deficit controlled accumulation amount ............................ S-39
Class A expected final payment date ....................................... S-13
Class A initial invested amount ........................................... S-29
Class A invested amount ................................................... S-29
Class A interest shortfall ................................................ S-33
Class A monthly interest .................................................. S-33
Class A monthly principal ................................................. S-39
Class A percentage ........................................................ S-34
Class A underwriters ...................................................... S-52
Class B accumulation period ............................................... S-26
Class B additional interest ............................................... S-34
Class B adjusted invested amount .......................................... S-29
Class B certificates ...................................................... S-23
Class B certificate rate .................................................. S-24
Class B charge-off ........................................................ S-48
Class B controlled accumulation amount .................................... S-40
Class B controlled deposit amount ......................................... S-40
Class B covered amount .................................................... S-47
Class B deficit controlled accumulation amount ............................ S-40
Class B defaulted amount .................................................. S-34
Class B expected final payment date ....................................... S-13
Class B interest shortfall ................................................ S-34
Class B initial invested amount ........................................... S-29
Class B invested amount ................................................... S-30
Class B monthly interest .................................................. S-35
Class B monthly principal ................................................. S-40
Class B percentage ........................................................ S-35
Class B principal commencement date ....................................... S-41
Class B subordinated additional interest .................................. S-35
Class B subordinated interest shortfall ................................... S-35
Class B subordinated monthly interest ..................................... S-36
Class B underwriters ...................................................... S-53
Class D defaulted amount .................................................. S-36
Class D initial invested amount ........................................... S-30
Class D interest .......................................................... S-23
Class D interest holder ................................................... S-23
Class D invested amount ................................................... S-30
Class D monthly principal ................................................. S-41
Class D percentage ........................................................ S-36
collateral agreement ...................................................... S-36
collateral defaulted amount ............................................... S-36
collateral initial invested amount ........................................ S-30
collateral interest ....................................................... S-23
collateral interest holder ................................................ S-23
collateral invested amount ................................................ S-30
collateral monthly interest ............................................... S-36
collateral monthly principal .............................................. S-41
collateral percentage ..................................................... S-37
collateral principal commencement date .................................... S-41
early amortization payment date ........................................... S-13
floating allocation percentage ............................................ S-28
initial invested amount ................................................... S-31
interest payment date ..................................................... S-24
interest period ........................................................... S-25
invested amount ........................................................... S-31
LIBOR ..................................................................... S-24
paired series ............................................................. S-51
portfolio yield ........................................................... S-50
principal allocation percentage ........................................... S-28
reallocated Class B principal collections ................................. S-42
reallocated Class D principal collections ................................. S-43
reallocated collateral principal collections .............................. S-43
reallocated principal collections ......................................... S-43
reference banks ........................................................... S-25
series cut-off date ....................................................... S-26
series issuance date ...................................................... S-37
Series 2000-3 certificateholders' interest ................................ S-23
underwriters .............................................................. S-53
underwriting agreement .................................................... S-52
variable funding series ................................................... S-26
S-55
<PAGE>
ANNEX I
OTHER ISSUANCES OF CERTIFICATES
The table below sets forth the principal characteristics of the Asset
Backed Certificates, Series 1993-3, 1996-1, 1997-1, 1997-2, 1997-3, 1997-4,
1998-1, 1999-1, 1999-2, 2000-1 and 2000-2, the only series heretofore issued by
the Trust and still outstanding. For more specific information with respect to
any series, any prospective investor should contact the servicer, in care of
Providian Financial Corporation, attention: Chief Financial Officer, at (415)
543-0404. The servicer will provide, without charge, to any prospective
purchaser of the Class A certificates and the Class B certificates a copy of the
prospectus supplement for any previous publicly-issued series.
Previous Issuance of Certificates
Remarketed Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1993-3(1)
Maximum Series Invested Amount ................................. $750,000,000(2)
Maximum Amount of Remarketed Certificates .......................... 653,750,000
Initial Amount of Collateral Interests .............................. 96,250,000
Initial Cash Collateral Amount ...................................... 20,000,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Certificate Rate ...................................................... Floating
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Initial Revolving Period Expiration Date .................. February 28, 1998(4)
Initial Series Termination Date ............................ October 15, 2002(4)
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1996-1
Senior Initial Invested Amount .................................... $750,500,000
Senior Certificate Rate ............................................... Floating
Expected Final Payment Date ...................................... June 15, 2003
Scheduled Accumulation Period Commencement Date ................ May 31, 2001(5)
Controlled Accumulation Amount .................................. $31,270,833(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. 199,500,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Series Termination Date ........................................ August 15, 2007
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1997-1
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $489,000,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $57,000,000
Class A Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class B Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class A Expected Final Payment Date ............................. March 15, 2002
Class B Expected Final Payment Date ............................... May 15, 2002
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date ... February 28, 2000(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount .......................... $20,375,000(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $54,000,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Series Termination Date ........................................... May 15, 2006
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1997-2
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $570,500,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $66,500,000
Class A Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class B Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class A Expected Final Payment Date ............................. March 15, 2004
Class B Expected Final Payment Date ............................... May 15, 2004
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date ... February 28, 2002(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount .......................... $23,770,833(5)
S-56
<PAGE>
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $63,000,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Series Termination Date ........................................... May 15, 2008
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1997-3
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $570,500,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $66,500,000
Class A Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class B Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class A Expected Final Payment Date ............................... May 15, 2001
Class B Expected Final Payment Date .............................. July 15, 2001
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date ...... April 30, 1999(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount .......................... $23,770,833(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $63,000,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Series Termination Date ...................................... December 15, 2005
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1997-4
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $501,000,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $47,000,000
Class A Certificate Rate ................................................. 6.25%
Class B Certificate Rate ................................................. 6.45%
Class A Expected Final Payment Date .......................... November 15, 2002
Class B Expected Final Payment Date ........................... January 15, 2003
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date .... October 31, 2000(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount .......................... $20,875,000(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $51,000,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Series Termination Date .......................................... June 15, 2007
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1998-1(1)
Maximum Class A Initial Invested Amount ........................ $561,000,000(2)
Maximum Class B Initial Invested Amount ......................... $39,000,000(2)
Class A Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class B Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Maximum Collateral Invested Amount .............................. $25,000,000(2)
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Initial Revolving Period Expiration Date ....................... May 26, 1999(4)
Initial Series Termination Date ........................... February 15, 2004(4)
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1999-1
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $500,000,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $65,705,000
Class A Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class B Certificate Rate ................................................. 6.80%
Class A Expected Final Payment Date .............................. June 15, 2004
Class B Expected Final Payment Date ............................ August 16, 2004
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date ........ May 31, 2002(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount ....................... $20,833,333.34(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $52,884,000
Class D Initial Invested Amount .................................... $22,436,642
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ....................................... 1.75%(3)
Series Termination Date ....................................... January 15, 2009
S-57
<PAGE>
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1999-2
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $500,000,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $56,250,000
Class A Certificate Rate ................................................. 6.60%
Class B Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class A Expected Final Payment Date ......................... September 16, 2002
Class B Expected Final Payment Date .......................... November 15, 2002
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date ..... August 31, 2000(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount ....................... $20,833,333.34(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $50,000,000
Class D Initial Invested Amount .................................... $18,750,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ........................................ 1.75(3)
Series Termination Date ......................................... April 16, 2007
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2000-1
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $420,000,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $47,250,000
Class A Certificate Rate ................................................. 7.49%
Class B Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class A Expected Final Payment Date ........................... January 17, 2005
Class B Expected Final Payment Date ............................. March 15, 2005
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date ... December 31, 2002(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount .......................... $17,500,000(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $42,000,000
Class D Initial Invested Amount .................................... $15,750,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ........................................ 1.75(3)
Series Termination Date ........................................ August 17, 2009
Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2000-2
Class A Initial Invested Amount ................................... $450,000,000
Class B Initial Invested Amount .................................... $59,300,000
Class A Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class B Certificate Rate .............................................. Floating
Class A Expected Final Payment Date .............................. July 15, 2005
Class B Expected Final Payment Date ......................... September 15, 2005
Scheduled Class A Accumulation Period Commencement Date ....... June 30, 2003(5)
Class A Controlled Accumulation Amount .......................... $18,750,000(5)
Collateral Initial Invested Amount ................................. $49,200,000
Class D Initial Invested Amount .................................... $20,300,000
Group ...................................................................... One
Series Servicing Fee Percentage ........................................ 1.75(3)
Series Termination Date ......................................... April 15, 2009
(1) Variable funding series.
(2) Invested amount may vary, but may not exceed the stated maximum invested
amount.
(3) Subject to change if Providian National Bank is replaced as servicer.
(4) Subject to delay if revolving period is extended.
(5) Subject to change if the beginning of the accumulation period is or has been
delayed.
S-58
<PAGE>
Prospectus
Providian Master Trust [LOGO OF PROVIDIAN]
Issuer
Providian National Bank
Seller and Servicer
Asset Backed Certificates
You should consider carefully the risk factors beginning on page 6 in this
prospectus.
A certificate is not a deposit. Neither the certificates nor the underlying
accounts or receivables are insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The certificates will represent interests in the Providian Master Trust only and
do not represent interests in or obligations of Providian National Bank or any
of its affiliates.
This prospectus may be used to offer and sell certificates of a series only if
accompanied by the prospectus supplement for that series.
The Trust--
. may periodically issue asset backed certificates in one or more series with
one or more classes; and
. will own--
. receivables in a portfolio of credit card and other consumer revolving
credit accounts;
. payments due on those receivables; and
. other property described in this prospectus and in the accompanying
prospectus supplement.
The Certificates--
. will represent interests in the Trust and will be paid only from the trust
assets;
. offered with this prospectus will be rated in one of the four highest
rating categories by at least one nationally recognized rating
organization;
. may have one or more forms of credit enhancement; and
. will be issued as part of a designated series which may include one or more
classes of certificates and credit enhancement.
The Certificateholders--
. will receive interest and principal payments from a varying percentage of
credit card and other consumer revolving credit account collections.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved the certificates or determined that this prospectus is
accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
----------------
November 9, 2000
<PAGE>
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Information about the certificates is presented to you in two separate
documents: (a) this prospectus, which provides general information, some of
which may not apply to a particular series of certificates, including your
series, and (b) the accompanying prospectus supplement, which will describe the
specific terms of your series of certificates, including:
. the terms, including interest rates, for each class;
. the timing of interest and principal payments;
. information about the receivables;
. information about credit enhancement, if any, for each class;
. the anticipated ratings for each class being offered; and
. the method for selling the certificates.
If the terms of a particular series of certificates vary between the
description contained in this prospectus and the description in the prospectus
supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the
accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by
reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. We are not offering the certificates in any state where the offer
is not permitted.
We include cross references in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find
additional, related discussions. The following table of contents and the table
of contents included in the accompanying prospectus supplement provide the pages
on which these captions are located.
You can find a listing of the pages where certain terms used in this
prospectus are defined under the caption "Index of Terms for Prospectus" on page
79 in this prospectus.
---------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY ....................................................... 1
THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEE ............................................. 1
THE BANK .............................................................. 1
TRUST ASSETS .......................................................... 1
THE CERTIFICATES ...................................................... 2
THE SELLER'S INTEREST ................................................. 2
COLLECTIONS BY THE SERVICER ........................................... 2
ALLOCATION OF TRUST ASSETS ............................................ 2
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE CERTIFICATES ................................. 2
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS ON THE CERTIFICATES ................................ 2
Revolving Period .................................................... 3
Accumulation Period ................................................. 3
Scheduled Amortization Period ....................................... 3
Early Amortization Period ........................................... 4
Pay Out Events ...................................................... 4
SHARING OF ADDITIONAL FINANCE CHARGE COLLECTIONS ...................... 4
SHARED PRINCIPAL COLLECTIONS .......................................... 4
SERIES ENHANCEMENT .................................................... 4
TAX STATUS ............................................................ 5
CERTIFICATE RATINGS ................................................... 5
OPTIONAL REPURCHASE ................................................... 5
RISK FACTORS ............................................................. 6
Competition in the Credit Card
Industry Could Lead to Early
Payment of Your Certificates ........................................ 6
A Change in the Terms of the
Receivables May Adversely
Affect the Amount or Timing of
Collections and May Cause an
Early Payment or a Downgrade
of Your Certificates ................................................ 6
If the Transfer of Receivables Is
Merely a Grant of a Security
Interest, Other Interests May
Have Priority over Your
Certificates ........................................................ 7
If a Conservator or Receiver Is
Appointed for the Bank, Assets
Could Be Sold at a Loss,
Payment May Be Accelerated,
Delayed or Reduced and
Protections Provided to
Certificateholders May Be
Overridden .......................................................... 7
Consumer Protection Laws May
Restrict the Bank's Ability to
Collect Receivables and
Maintain Yield on the Trust
Portfolio and May Lead to an
Early Pay Out or Inability to
Pay Certificates in Full ............................................ 9
Principal May Be Paid Earlier than
Expected Creating a
Reinvestment Risk to
Certificateholders, or Later than
Expected Resulting in a Failure
to Receive Payment When
Expected ............................................................ 10
Social, Economic and Geographic
Factors That Affect Credit Card
Payments Are Unpredictable
and May Cause a Delay or
Default in Payment .................................................. 11
Credit Ratings Assigned to Your
Certificates Are Limited in Nature .................................. 11
Credit Quality of Trust Assets May
Be Eroded by the Addition of
New Assets .......................................................... 12
Finance Charge Rates May Decline
Without a Corresponding
Change in Certificate Rates or
Certificate Rates May Increase
Without a Corresponding
Change in Finance Charge
Rates ............................................................... 13
Issuance of Additional Series by the
Trust May Adversely Affect
Your Payments or Rights ............................................. 13
If Optional Repurchase Occurs, It
May Result in an Early Return
Of Principal and a Reinvestment
Risk ................................................................ 14
If Accountholders Are Concentrated
i
<PAGE>
in One State or Geographic
Region, Laws, Economic
Downturn or Natural Disasters
in That Area May Adversely
Affect Collections of
Receivables .......................................................... 14
Amounts in Prefunding Account
Not Invested in Receivables
May Result in Early Return of
Principal and Reinvestment
Risk ................................................................. 14
You Will Not Be Recognized as the
Owner of Certificates on the
Records of the Trustee and Will
Not Be Able to Exercise Rights
Directly as a Certificateholder ...................................... 15
Trust Assets May Be Allocated to
One or More Specific Series or
Groups and Not Be Available to
Your Series .......................................................... 15
For Some Purposes,
Certificateholders of Other
Series or Classes May Take
Actions Which Are Opposed to
Your Interests ....................................................... 15
THE BANK .................................................................. 16
THE BANK'S CREDIT CARD BUSINESS ........................................... 16
The Bank Portfolio ..................................................... 16
Underwriting Procedures and Lending Guidelines ......................... 17
Rollouts of Accounts ................................................... 18
Telemarketing and Customer Service ..................................... 18
Collection Efforts and Delinquencies ................................... 18
Interchange ............................................................ 19
Billing and Payments ................................................... 20
Year 2000 .............................................................. 20
PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST .................................................... 21
The Seller's Interest .................................................. 21
The Certificateholders' Interest ....................................... 21
Termination of the Trust ............................................... 22
THE TRUST PORTFOLIO AND THE TRUST ASSETS .................................. 22
Additional Sellers ..................................................... 24
Conveyance of Receivables .............................................. 24
Representations and Warranties Relating to Accounts and Receivables .... 25
Reassignment of Receivables ............................................ 25
Eligible Accounts and Eligible Receivables ............................. 27
Defaulted Receivables; Rebates and Fraudulent Charges .................. 29
Required Seller's Participation Amount and Required Principal Balance .. 30
Addition of Receivables and Participations to the Trust ................ 30
Removal of Receivables from the Trust .................................. 34
THE CERTIFICATES .......................................................... 36
Certificates to be Issued in Series .................................... 36
Interest ............................................................... 36
Principal .............................................................. 37
New Issuances of Certificates .......................................... 38
Allocation Percentages ................................................. 40
Shared Principal Collections ........................................... 40
Sharing of Additional Finance Charge Collections within
Groups of Series .................................................... 41
The Funding Period ..................................................... 41
Credit Enhancement ..................................................... 42
Pay Out Events ......................................................... 44
Record Date ............................................................ 46
Optional Termination ................................................... 47
Final Payment of Principal on Series Termination Date .................. 47
Book-Entry Registration ................................................ 47
Definitive Certificates ................................................ 50
USE OF PROCEEDS ........................................................... 51
THE TRUST ACCOUNTS ........................................................ 51
Creation of the Trust Accounts ......................................... 51
Investment of Trust Account Funds in Eligible Investments .............. 52
The Collection Account ................................................. 53
Deposits in the Collection Account ..................................... 53
Special Funding Account ................................................ 55
THE SERVICER .............................................................. 55
Servicing Fees and Payment of Expenses ................................. 55
Indemnification ........................................................ 56
Collection and Other Servicing Procedures .............................. 57
Servicer Covenants ..................................................... 57
Certain Matters Regarding the Servicer ................................. 58
Servicer Default ....................................................... 59
Evidence as to Compliance .............................................. 60
AMENDMENTS TO THE POOLING AGREEMENT AND SUPPLEMENTS ....................... 61
ii
<PAGE>
INVESTOR INFORMATION ..................................................... 62
Monthly Reports ....................................................... 62
List of Investor Certificateholders ................................... 63
THE TRUSTEE .............................................................. 63
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES ................................. 64
Transfer of Receivables ............................................... 64
Certain Matters Relating to Receivership .............................. 65
Consumer Protection Laws .............................................. 66
TAX MATTERS .............................................................. 66
Tax Characterization of the Certificates .............................. 67
Tax Characterization of the Trust ..................................... 68
U.S. and Non-U.S. Certificateholders .................................. 68
Federal Tax Consequences to U.S. Certificateholders ................... 69
Federal Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Certificateholders ............... 71
State and Local Taxation .............................................. 73
BENEFIT PLAN INVESTORS ................................................... 73
Prohibited Transactions ............................................... 73
Potential Prohibited Transactions from Investment in Certificates ..... 74
Investment by Benefit Plan Investors .................................. 75
Tax Consequences to Benefit Plans ..................................... 76
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION ..................................................... 76
LEGAL MATTERS ............................................................ 77
REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS ............................................ 77
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ...................................... 77
INDEX OF TERMS FOR PROSPECTUS ............................................ 79
iii
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
. This summary highlights selected information and does not contain all of
the information that you need in making your investment decision. Prior to
making your decision, you should carefully read this entire document and
the accompanying prospectus supplement.
. This summary also provides an overview of the trust assets including, in
particular, the receivables and how the receivables will allocated. This
summary is qualified by the full description of such information in this
prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement.
THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEE
Providian Master Trust was formed in 1993 pursuant to a pooling and servicing
agreement between Providian National Bank, as seller and servicer, and Bankers
Trust Company, as trustee, referred to as the "pooling agreement."
The Trust is a master trust under which multiple series of certificates may be
issued. Each series is issued pursuant to a supplement to the pooling agreement.
The terms of a series are set forth in the pooling agreement supplement for that
series.
Some classes or series may not be offered by this prospectus. They may be
offered, for example, in a private placement.
THE BANK
The Bank is a national banking association, which owns the credit card and other
consumer revolving credit accounts from which the receivables are sold to the
Trust. The Bank is the seller and servicer under the pooling agreement and owns
all or a portion of the seller's interest.
TRUST ASSETS
The Bank has designated selected VISA(R)* and MasterCard(R)* revolving credit
card accounts to the Trust and has sold the receivables in such accounts to the
Trust. The Bank may designate additional accounts to the Trust. The Bank selects
the accounts to be designated to the Trust on the basis of criteria established
in the pooling agreement. All receivables in the accounts when designated to the
Trust were transferred to the Trust and all new receivables generated in those
accounts have been and will be transferred automatically to the Trust. The
receivables transferred to the Trust are the primary trust assets. The total
amount of receivables in the Trust fluctuates daily as new receivables are
generated and payments are received on existing receivables.
The trust assets also include or may include:
. funds collected on the receivables;
. rights to certain interchange fees that the Bank receives through bankcard
associations;
. funds and investments in the Trust's bank accounts;
. recoveries with respect to receivables that have been previously charged
off;
. participations in other pools of credit card or other consumer revolving
credit accounts owned by the Bank; and
. credit enhancement that varies from one series to another and, within a
series, may vary from one class to another.
See "Providian Master Trust" in this prospectus.
---------------------------
* VISA(R) and MasterCard(R) are registered trademarks of Visa U.S.A. Inc. and
MasterCard International Incorporated, respectively.
1
<PAGE>
THE CERTIFICATES
The Trust has issued, and in the future expects to issue, asset backed
certificates, each evidencing an undivided interest in the Trust. The
certificates are issued in series. A series may contain one or more classes. The
terms of any future series or class will not be subject to your prior review or
consent. There can be no assurance that the terms of any future series will not
have an impact on the timing or amount of payments received by a
certificateholder.
THE SELLER'S INTEREST
The interest in the assets not allocated to any series of certificates is the
seller's interest. The principal amount of the seller's interest fluctuates with
the amount of the principal receivables held in the Trust and the amount of
certificates outstanding. The pooling agreement requires the Bank to designate
additional accounts to the Trust if the seller's interest is less than a
designated amount, referred to as the required seller's participation amount.
The Bank may sell part, but not all, of its interest in the seller's interest by
issuing a supplemental interest. The Bank must retain an interest in the Trust.
The seller's interest does not provide credit enhancement for your series or any
other series.
COLLECTIONS BY THE SERVICER
The Bank services the receivables under the pooling agreement. In limited cases,
the Bank may resign or be removed, and either the trustee or a third party may
be appointed as the new servicer. The servicer receives a servicing fee for
servicing the receivables, and each series is obligated to pay a portion of that
fee.
The servicer receives collections on the receivables, deposits those collections
in the collection account and keeps track of them as finance charge receivables
or principal receivables. The servicer then allocates those collections as
summarized below. See "The Servicer--Collections and Other Servicing Procedures"
in this prospectus.
ALLOCATION OF TRUST ASSETS
The trust assets are allocated among each series of certificates outstanding and
the seller's interest. The servicer allocates collections of finance charge
receivables and charged off receivables to each series based on varying
percentages. The accompanying prospectus supplement describes allocation
percentages applicable to your series.
Certificateholders are only entitled to amounts allocated to their series equal
to the interest and principal payments on their certificates. See "The
Certificates--Certificates to be Issued in Series", "The Certificates--Interest"
and "The Certificates--Principal" in this prospectus.
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE CERTIFICATES
Each certificate entitles the holder to receive payments of interest as
described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If a series of certificates
consists of more than one class, each class may differ in, among other things,
priority of payments, payment dates, interest rates, methods for computing
interest, and rights to series enhancement.
Each class of certificates may have fixed, floating or any other type of
interest rate. Generally, interest will be paid monthly or on other scheduled
dates over the life of the certificates. See "The Certificates--Interest" in
this prospectus.
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS ON THE CERTIFICATES
Each certificate entitles the holder to receive payments of principal as
described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If a series of certificates
consists of more than one class, each class may differ in, among other things,
the amounts allocated for principal payments, priority of payments, payment
dates, expected final payment dates, and rights to series enhancement. See "The
Certificates-Principal" in this prospectus.
2
<PAGE>
Revolving Period
Each series of certificates will begin with a period during which the Trust will
not pay or accumulate principal for payment to the certificateholders. The
period when no principal is paid or accumulated is known as the revolving period
of a series. The Trust, during the revolving period, will pay available
principal to certificateholders of other series as shared principal collections
or to the Bank as holder of the seller's interest, or in certain circumstances
will deposit the available principal in the special funding account. The
revolving period for a series begins on the series cut-off date described in the
applicable prospectus supplement, and ends at the start of either an early
amortization period, scheduled amortization period or an accumulation period.
Following the revolving period, each class of certificates will have one or more
of the following periods in which:
. principal is accumulated in specified amounts per month and paid on an
expected final payment date (an accumulation period);
. principal is paid in fixed amounts at scheduled intervals (a scheduled
amortization period); or
. principal is paid or accumulated from available principal collections up to
the full principal amount owing on the certificates following certain
adverse events (an early amortization period).
Accumulation Period
If a series or class of certificates is in an accumulation period during which
principal is accumulated in specified amounts per month and paid on an expected
final payment date, the Trust is expected to pay available principal to those
certificateholders on the date specified in the prospectus supplement for such
series. If the series has more than one class, each class may have a different
expected final payment date and a different priority for payment. For a period
of time prior to the scheduled expected final payment date, the Trust will
deposit specified amounts of available principal in a trust account. The
accumulation period for a series or class begins on a date specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement, and if so provided in the applicable
prospectus supplement may be delayed in certain circumstances, and ends when any
one of the following occurs:
. the certificates of such series or class are paid in full;
. the beginning of an early amortization period; or
. the termination date for the series described in the applicable prospectus
supplement (also called the legal final maturity date).
Scheduled Amortization Period
If a series or class of certificates is in a scheduled amortization period
during which principal is paid in fixed amounts at scheduled intervals, the
Trust will pay available principal up to such fixed amount to certificateholders
on each distribution date during such period. The Trust will pay available
principal in a fixed amount, plus any amounts not previously paid. If the series
has more than one class, each class may have a different schedule for principal
payments and a different priority for payment. The scheduled amortization period
for a series or class starts on the date specified in the prospectus supplement
for such series and ends when any one of the following occurs:
3
<PAGE>
. the certificates of such series or class are paid in full;
. the beginning of an early amortization period; or
. the termination date for the series described in the applicable prospectus
supplement (also called the legal final maturity date).
Early Amortization Period
If a series of certificates is in an early amortization period during which
principal is paid in the amount of available principal up to the full principal
amount owing on the certificates following certain adverse events, the Trust
will pay available principal to those certificateholders on each distribution
date. If the series has more than one class, each class may have a different
priority for payment. The early amortization period starts on the day a pay out
event occurs and ends when any of the following occurs:
. the certificates of such series are paid in full; or
. the termination date for the series described in the applicable prospectus
supplement (also called the legal final maturity date).
Pay Out Events
A pay out event for any series of certificates will include adverse events
described in the prospectus supplement for such series. In addition, the
following will be pay out events for all series:
. the Bank does not transfer additional assets to the Trust when required;
. certain defaults of the servicer;
. the occurrence of certain events of insolvency or receivership relating to
the Bank;
. the Bank is unable to transfer receivables to the Trust as required under
the pooling agreement; or
. the Trust becomes an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act
of 1940.
See "The Certificates--Pay Out Events" in this prospectus.
SHARING OF ADDITIONAL FINANCE CHARGE COLLECTIONS
Any series may be included in a group of series. If specified in the prospectus
supplement for such series, to the extent that collections of finance charge
receivables allocated to a series are not needed for that series, those
collections may be applied to cover certain shortfalls of other series in the
same group. See "The Certificates--Sharing of Additional Finance Charge
Collections Within Groups of Series" in this prospectus.
SHARED PRINCIPAL COLLECTIONS
To the extent that collections of principal receivables allocated to a series
are not needed for that series, those collections may be applied to cover
principal payments or accumulations for other series, and vice versa. See "The
Certificates- Shared Principal Collections" in this prospectus.
SERIES ENHANCEMENT
Each class of a series may be entitled to series enhancement. Series enhancement
for the certificates of any class may take the form of one or more of the
following:
. subordination
. letter of credit
. cash collateral account
. surety bond or insurance policy
. spread account
. swap arrangements
4
<PAGE>
The type, characteristics and amount of any series enhancement will be:
. based on several factors, including the characteristics of the receivables
at the time a series of certificates is issued; and
. established based on the requirements of the rating agencies. See "The
Certificates--Credit Enhancement" in this prospectus.
TAX STATUS
For information concerning the application of the United States federal income
tax laws, including whether the certificates will be characterized as debt for
federal income tax purposes, see "Tax Matter" in this prospectus and "Summary of
Series Term---Tax Status" in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
CERTIFICATE RATINGS
Any certificate offered by this prospectus and an accompanying prospectus
supplement will be rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at
least one nationally recognized rating organization.
A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and may be
revised or withdrawn at any time by the assigning agency. Each rating should be
evaluated independently of any other rating. See "Risk Factors--Credit Ratings
Assigned to Your Certificates are Limited in Nature" in this prospectus.
OPTIONAL REPURCHASE
The Bank has the option to repurchase any series of certificates once the
principal amount of the series has been reduced to an amount specified in the
prospectus supplement for such series.
5
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
You should consider the following factors before you decide whether or not
to purchase the certificates.
Competition in the Credit Card The credit card industry is highly
Industry Could Lead to Early competitive. As the Bank's competitors
Payment of Your Certificates strive to expand their market share, the
Bank's use of effective advertising, target
marketing and pricing strategies becomes
extremely important.
In light of recent mergers and
consolidations of banking and financial
services companies, there are fewer card
issuers with greater economies of scale and
brand recognition. Also, the use of debit
cards associated with the VISA or MasterCard
logo competes with traditional credit card
usage.
The increase in competition and offers of
lower annual percentage rate credit card
products may lead to a reduction in yield on
the Bank portfolio and the Trust portfolio.
Lower rates also may reduce the amount of
finance charge collections available to pay
interest on the certificates. Increased
competition resulting from consolidations
and mergers may also impact the Bank's
ability to originate new accounts and
generate new receivables. If the origination
of new accounts or the generation of new
receivables decreases significantly, the
Bank may not be able to designate additional
accounts to the Trust portfolio when
required and a pay out event may occur. If
your series provides for early amortization
upon the occurrence of a pay out event,
these events may cause your principal to be
paid back earlier than expected.
A Change in the Terms of the As owner of the accounts designated to the
Receivables May Adversely Affect Trust, the Bank retains the right to change
the Amount or Timing of various account terms including finance
Collections and May Cause an charges, other fees and the required monthly
Early Payment or a Downgrade of minimum payment. The changes may be
Your Certificates voluntary on the part of the Bank or may be
forced by law or market conditions. Changes
in finance charge rates and fees could
decrease the effective yield on the accounts
and a pay out event may occur. If your
series provides for early amortization upon
the occurrence of a pay out event, this
could cause your principal to be paid back
earlier than expected. Changes in account
terms could also cause a reduction or
withdrawal of the credit ratings on your
certificates.
6
<PAGE>
See "The Trust Portfolio and the Trust
Assets--Representations and Warranties
Relating to Accounts and Receivables" in
this prospectus.
If the Transfer of Receivables Is The Bank has represented in the pooling
Merely a Grant of a Security agreement that the transfer of the
Interest, Other Interests May receivables to the Trust is either a sale or
Have Priority over Your the grant of a security interest in the
Certificates receivables. In order to protect the
purchasers of the certificates, the Bank has
taken and will take the necessary actions to
ensure that, if the transfer is determined
by a court to be a grant of a security
interest and not a sale of the receivables
to the Trust, the Trust will have a "first-
priority perfected security interest" in the
receivables. Regardless of these actions to
ensure the Trust a first- priority perfected
security interest, your interests could be
impaired:
. by a tax, governmental or other
nonconsensual lien on the Bank's property
arising before receivables come into
existence which may have priority over
the Trust's interests in the receivables;
. if the FDIC were appointed as conservator
or receiver for the Bank, the FDIC's
administrative expenses may be paid
before the certificateholders are paid;
and
. if insolvency or similar proceedings were
commenced by or against the Bank or, in
certain circumstances, if certain time
periods were to pass, then the Trust may
not have a first-priority perfected
security interest in amounts held by the
Bank and not deposited into the
collection account; this may result in a
loss to the certificateholders.
See "Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables--Transfer of Receivables" in
this prospectus.
If a Conservator or Receiver Is The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as
Appointed for the Bank, Assets amended by the Financial Institutions
Could Be Sold at a Loss, Payment Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of
May Be Accelerated, Delayed or 1989, provides that a security interest
Reduced and Protections Provided granted by the Bank in the receivables would
to Certificateholders May Be be respected to the extent that:
Overridden
. the pooling agreement complies with the
regulatory requirements of the FDIA;
. the security interest granted under the
pooling agreement is perfected before the
FDIC is appointed as conservator or
receiver for the Bank; and
7
<PAGE>
. the security interest is not taken in
contemplation of the Bank's insolvency or
with the intent to hinder, delay or
defraud the Bank or its creditors.
Opinions and policy statements issued by the
FDIC suggest that, because of the manner in
which these transactions are structured, the
FDIC would respect the security interest
granted by the Bank in the receivables. If
the FDIC were to assert a contrary position,
however, payments of principal and interest
on the certificates could be delayed and
possibly reduced. Furthermore, the FDIC
could:
. require the trustee to go through the
administrative claims procedure
established by the FDIC in order to
obtain payments on the certificates;
. request a stay of any actions by the
trustee to enforce the pooling agreement
or the certificates against the Bank; and
. repudiate the pooling agreement and limit
the claims of the holders of the
certificates to their "actual direct
compensatory damages".
If the FDIC were to take any of these
actions, the amount payable to you could be
lower than the outstanding principal and
accrued interest on the certificates, thus
resulting in losses to you.
The appointment of a conservator or receiver
for the Bank could cause an early
amortization of principal on all outstanding
series. Under the terms of the pooling
agreement, new principal receivables would
not be transferred to the Trust. The trustee
would sell the receivables unless a
sufficient amount of the holders of
certificates, and anyone else authorized to
vote on those matters, gave the trustee
other instructions. The Trust would then
terminate earlier than was planned and you
could have a loss if the sale of the
receivables produced insufficient amounts to
pay you in full. However, the conservator or
receiver for the Bank may have the power:
. regardless of the terms of the pooling
and servicing agreement:
. to delay any such procedure;
. to prevent an early amortization;
8
<PAGE>
. to prevent the early sale of the
receivables and termination of the
Trust; or
. to require new principal receivables
to continue being transferred to the
Trust; or
. regardless of the instructions of those
authorized to direct the trustee's
actions under the pooling agreement:
. to require the early sale of the
receivables;
. to require termination of the Trust
and retirement of the certificates; or
. to prohibit the continued transfer of
principal receivables to the Trust.
In addition, if a conservator or receiver
were appointed for the servicer, the
conservator or receiver may have the power
to prevent either the trustee or the
certificateholders from appointing a new
servicer.
See "Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables--Certain Matters Relating to
Receivership".
Consumer Protection Laws May Federal and state consumer protection laws
Restrict the Bank's Ability to regulate the creation, servicing and
Collect Receivables and Maintain collection of consumer loans, including
Yield on the Trust Portfolio and credit card loans. New legislation and
May Lead to an Early Pay Out or regulatory changes affecting consumer loans
Inability to Pay Certificates and, in many cases, specifically aimed at
in Full the credit card industry, are frequently
being proposed both at the federal and state
levels.
If implemented, some of the federal and
state legislative changes under
consideration could:
. limit the Bank's ability to increase
finance charges and fees;
. restrict or cap finance charge rates;
. limit the Bank's ability to impose or
increase fees; and
. require increased disclosure and
reporting to accountholders and
applicants for credit cards.
It is not clear whether any of these
proposals will become law or, if they are
enacted, what final form they
9
<PAGE>
will take. However, you should be aware that
legislative and regulatory changes can be
expected from time to time. These changes
may make it more difficult for the servicer
to collect the receivables or may restrict
the finance charges and fees that the Bank
can charge.
If, as a result of legislative or regulatory
changes, the Bank were required to reduce
its finance charges and fees, or if the Bank
were not permitted to increase finance
charges and fees when needed, this could
cause a pay out event to occur.
The Bank makes representations and
warranties relating to compliance with the
requirements of law and relating to the
validity and enforceability of the accounts
and the receivables. However, the trustee
will not make any examination of the
receivables or the records relating to the
receivables for the purpose of establishing
the presence or absence of defects,
compliance with the representations and
warranties, or for any other purpose. If a
representation or warranty is breached, the
only remedy is that the Bank, as the seller
or the servicer, must accept the transfer
and reassignment of receivables affected by
the breach.
See "The Trust Portfolio and the Trust
Assets--Representation and Warranties
Relating to Accounts and Receivables" and
"Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables--Consumer Protection Laws" in
this prospectus.
Principal May Be Paid Earlier The receivables in the Trust may be paid at
than Expected Creating a any time and there is no assurance that new
Reinvestment Risk to receivables will be generated in the
Certificateholders, or Later than accounts designated to the Trust or will be
Expected Resulting in a Failure generated at levels needed to maintain the
to Receive Payment When Expected Trust. To prevent the occurrence of a pay
out event, new receivables must be generated
and added to the Trust. The Trust is
required to maintain a certain minimum
amount of receivables. The generation of new
receivables is affected, in part, by the
Bank's ability to compete in the current
industry environment and by customers'
changing borrowing and payment patterns. If
there is a decline in the generation of new
receivables you may be repaid your principal
before the expected date.
One development which affects the level of
finance charge collections is the increased
convenience use of credit cards. Convenience
use means that the accountholder pays the
account balance in full on or
10
<PAGE>
before the due date, thereby avoiding
finance charges on his or her account. A
shift towards convenience use by large
numbers of accountholders could reduce the
effective yield on the accounts and could
cause the occurrence of a pay out event.
The pooling agreement requires that the
balance of principal receivables in the
Trust not fall below a specified level. To
maintain the level of principal receivables
in the Trust, the Bank periodically adds
receivables to the Trust through the
designation of additional accounts to the
Trust portfolio. If the Bank is not able to
designate additional accounts to the Trust
portfolio when required, a pay out event
will occur. See "The Certificates--Pay Out
Events" in this prospectus and "Series
Provisions--Pay Out Events" in the
accompanying prospectus supplement.
Changes in finance charges also will affect
payment patterns on the receivables and thus
may result in a decline in yield. During the
amortization or accumulation periods, this
may adversely affect the repayment of
principal. See "The Bank Portfolio of
Accounts" in the accompanying prospectus
supplement.
Social, Economic and Geographic Changes in credit card use, payment patterns
Factors That Affect Credit Card and the rate of defaults by accountholders
Payments Are Unpredictable and may result from a variety of social,
May Cause a Delay or Default in economic and geographic factors. Social
Payment factors include changes in consumer
confidence levels and attitude toward
incurring debt, the public's perception of
the use of credit cards and changing
attitudes regarding the stigma of personal
bankruptcy. Economic factors include the
rate of inflation, unemployment rates and
relative interest rates offered for various
types of loans. Moreover, adverse changes in
economic conditions in states where
accountholders are located could have a
direct impact on the timing and amount of
payments on the certificates of any series.
See "The Bank's Credit Card Business" in
this prospectus and "Maturity
Considerations" in the accompanying
prospectus supplement.
Credit Ratings Assigned to Your Each credit rating assigned to your
Certificates Are Limited in Nature certificates reflects the rating agency's
assessment only of the likelihood that
interest and principal will be paid by the
applicable series termination date, not when
expected. These ratings are based on the
rating agencies' determination of the value
of receivables in the Trust and the
availability of any credit enhancement.
11
<PAGE>
The ratings do not address the following:
. the likelihood that the principal or
interest on your certificate will be
prepaid, paid on an expected final
payment date or paid on any particular
date before the termination date of your
series;
. the possibility that your certificates
will be paid early or the possibility
of the imposition of United States
withholding tax for non-U.S.
certificateholders;
. the marketability of the certificates, or
any market price; or
. that an investment in the certificates is
a suitable investment for you.
A rating is not a recommendation to
purchase, hold or sell certificates of a
series or class of a series. Furthermore,
there is no assurance that any rating will
remain for any given period of time or that
any rating will not be reduced or withdrawn
by a rating agency. If a rating assigned to
your certificates is reduced or withdrawn,
the market value of your certificates could
be reduced.
Credit Quality of Trust Assets May The Bank expects that it will periodically
Be Eroded by the Addition of New designate additional accounts to the Trust
Assets portfolio, and may at times be obligated to
designate additional accounts. Additional
accounts may include accounts which were
originated using criteria that are different
than those applicable to the accounts
currently designated to the Trust portfolio.
There are many factors that could cause
these differences, including the fact that
the additional accounts were originated at a
different date or were acquired from a
credit card issuer which used different
underwriting standards or procedures.
Consequently, there is no assurance that
future additional accounts will have the
same credit quality or exhibit the same
characteristics as those currently
designated to the Trust portfolio.
The pooling agreement allows the Bank to
designate additional accounts to the Trust
portfolio, and to add additional
receivables, participation interests and
other assets to the Trust. These additions
are subject to the satisfaction of
conditions described in this prospectus
under "The Trust Portfolio and the Trust
12
<PAGE>
Assets--Addition of Receivables and
Participations to the Trust".
Finance Charge Rates May Decline The majority of accounts designated to the
Without a Corresponding Change in Trust portfolio may have finance charges
Certificate Rates or Certificate set at a rate above the prime rate or
Rates May Increase Without a another specified index. Certificates may
Corresponding Change in Finance bear interest at a fixed rate or at a
Charge Rates floating rate based on a different index,
such as the London interbank offered rate.
Thus, if the prime rate or other rate
specified as the index on the accounts
declines, finance charge collections will
decline; however, there may not be a
corresponding decrease in the interest rates
on the certificates. The effect of lower
finance charges without a corresponding
reduction in the rates on the certificates
could cause a pay out event to occur which
may cause your certificates to be paid
earlier than expected.
On the other hand, a portion of the accounts
designated to the Trust portfolio may have
finance charges set at a fixed rate. If the
rates on the certificates increase there
will be no corresponding increase in the
finance charges on the fixed rate accounts.
If a significant portion of the accounts
have fixed rate finance charges in the
future, an increase in interest rates on the
certificates could cause a pay out event to
occur which may cause your certificates to
be paid earlier than expected.
Issuance of Additional Series by The Trust is a master trust and has issued
the Trust May Adversely Affect Your other series of certificates and is
Payments or Rights expected to issue additional series from
time to time. All certificates are payable
from the receivables in the Trust. The Trust
may issue additional series with terms that
are different from your series without the
prior review or consent of any
certificateholders. It is a condition to the
issuance of each new series that each rating
agency that has rated an outstanding series
confirms in writing that the issuance of the
new series will not result in a reduction or
withdrawal of its rating. However, the terms
of a new series could affect the timing and
amounts of payments on any other outstanding
series, including your series. The owners of
the certificates of any new series will have
voting rights which will reduce the
percentage interest represented by your
series. These voting rights may relate to
the ability to approve waivers and give
consents. The actions which may be affected
include directing the appointment of a
successor servicer following a servicer
default, amending the pooling agreement and
directing a reassignment of the entire Trust
portfolio of accounts.
13
<PAGE>
See "The Certificates--New Issuances of
Certificates" in this prospectus.
If Optional Repurchase Occurs, It When the amount of certificates of a series
May Result in an Early Return Of is reduced to a stated percentage of that
Principal and a Reinvestment Risk series' original amount, the Bank may
repurchase the remaining certificates of the
series. It is possible, if so provided in
the applicable pooling agreement supplement,
that the repurchase option could be
exercised when 5% (or any other percentage
that may be specified in the applicable
pooling agreement supplement) or less of the
initial invested amount of the series
remains outstanding. A repurchase may result
in an early return of your investment. It is
not expected that any premium will be paid
in the event of the exercise of the
repurchase option and there can be no
assurance that you will be able to invest
any early repayment amount at a similar rate
of return.
If Accountholders Are Concentrated If the Trust contains a high concentration
in One State or Geographic Region, of receivables relating to accountholders
Laws, Economic Downturn or located within a single state or region of
Natural Disasters in That Area May the United States, events in that state or
Adversely Affect Collections of region may have a magnified effect on the
Receivables Trust due to the concentration. The
prospectus supplement of a series will
contain a then-current detailed geographic
breakdown of the number of accounts and the
amount of receivables relating to
accountholders with addresses in each
applicable state.
See "Composition of Accounts" in the
accompanying prospectus supplement.
The Bank has no way of predicting how a
future geographic event or a change in the
geographic distribution of the receivables
may affect the certificates.
Amounts in Prefunding Account Not The Bank may, in connection with any series,
Invested in Receivables May Result create a prefunding account and deposit a
in Early Return of Principal and portion of the proceeds of the series in the
Reinvestment Risk prefunding account. Funds in the prefunding
account are intended to be invested in
additional principal receivables. However,
any funds in the prefunding account not used
by a specific date must be paid to the
holders of the certificates of that series.
This will result in an early return of
principal. The Bank would not pay a
prepayment penalty or premium in that event.
If you receive an early payment you may not
be able to reinvest at a rate equivalent to
the rate on the certificates which were paid
early.
14
<PAGE>
You Will Not Be Recognized as the If so stated in the accompanying prospectus
Owner of Certificates on the supplement, the certificates of that series
Records of the Trustee and Will initially will be represented by one or
Not Be Able to Exercise Rights more certificates registered in the name of
Directly as a Certificateholder Cede, the nominee for DTC, and will not be
registered in the names of the certificate
owners or their nominees. Unless definitive
certificates are issued for a series,
certificate owners of that series will not
be recognized by the trustee as
certificateholders, as that term is used in
the governing documents. As a result you
will only be able to exercise the rights of
certificateholders indirectly through DTC,
Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear and
their participating organizations.
See "The Certificates--Book-Entry
Registration" and "The
Certificates--Definitive Certificates" in
this prospectus.
Trust Assets May Be Allocated to A pooling agreement supplement or an
One or More Specific Series or amendment to the pooling agreement may
Groups and Not Be Available provide that portions of the receivables or
to Your Series participation interests in the Trust be
allocated to one or more series or groups of
series. If such an allocation were to occur,
and if the allocation was not to your series
or a group of series in which your series is
included, your series would not be able to
benefit from those receivables or
participations.
For Some Purposes, In some circumstances, the consent or
Certificateholders of Other Series approval of a specified percentage of
or Classes May Take Actions Which certificateholders of all outstanding series
Are Opposed to Your Interests or by each class of a series is required. As
a result, the certificateholders of any one
series or class may control notwithstanding
the concerns of other series or classes.
Such circumstances include:
. requiring the appointment of a successor
servicer following a servicer default;
. amending the pooling agreement and
directing a reassignment of the entire
portfolio of accounts; and
. voting, by an aggregate of more than 50%
of the certificateholders or by each
class of a series, to direct the trustee
not to sell or liquidate the receivables,
following an insolvency event for the
Bank.
15
<PAGE>
THE BANK
Providian National Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Providian Financial
Corporation, a publicly owned financial services company which provides lending
and deposit products throughout the United States and offers credit cards in the
United Kingdom and Argentina.
Providian Financial Corporation became an independent, publicly held
company in a spin-off transaction that occurred on June 10, 1997, when shares of
its common stock were distributed to the shareholders of Providian Corporation,
which was Providian Financial Corporation's parent company before the spin-off.
The Bank is the surviving entity in the merger, completed on January 1,
1998, of Providian National Bank, another subsidiary of Providian Financial
Corporation, into First Deposit National Bank. Following the merger, First
Deposit National Bank changed its name to Providian National Bank.
The Bank is a national bank regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of
the Currency. Under the grandfather provisions of the Competitive Equality
Banking Act of 1987, Providian Financial Corporation is not required to register
as a bank holding company so long as certain restrictions are observed. The
principal executive offices of the Bank are located at 295 Main Street, Tilton,
NH 03276, and the principal executive offices of Providian Financial Corporation
are located at 201 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
THE BANK'S CREDIT CARD BUSINESS
The Bank Portfolio
The Bank is a diversified consumer lender, offering a range of lending
products, including credit cards, secured and partially secured credit cards and
membership services products. The Bank portfolio of accounts discussed in this
prospectus includes unsecured credit card accounts and unsecured revolving line
of credit accounts (which are accessed by checks rather than credit cards) under
management by the Bank but does not currently include secured or partially
secured accounts and, except for the Bank's Visa Classic product, does not
include accounts with lower credit limits designed to serve individuals who have
limited access to credit. The Bank portfolio consists primarily of receivables
generated through VISA and MasterCard credit cards.
Secured and partially secured accounts and, in addition to the Bank's Visa
Classic product, accounts with lower credit limits designed to serve individuals
who have limited access to credit may be included in the Bank portfolio in the
future. Secured credit card accounts are revolving accounts that are secured or
partially secured by a savings deposit established by the accountholder and held
at the Bank. The amount initially required to be deposited by the accountholder
in the savings deposit may vary from accountholder to accountholder. The amount
of the required savings deposit, as a portion of the accountholder's credit
limit, may be reduced over time or otherwise modified based on the
accountholder's credit performance.
Receivables transferred and to be transferred by the Bank to the Trust
pursuant to the pooling agreement are generated from transactions made and cash
advances obtained by accountholders under accounts in the Bank portfolio and the
Trust portfolio. All accounts in the Bank portfolio (other than certain accounts
purchased from third parties) were originated using the Bank's account
acquisition
16
<PAGE>
procedures. Certain of the accounts were originated by former affiliates of the
Bank or were acquired by the Bank in portfolio acquisitions.
The Bank uses its affiliate, Providian Bancorp Services, and third party
vendors in the process of originating and servicing accounts in the Bank
portfolio. Account set-up, telemarketing, promotional activities, customer
service, collection activities and certain data processing services are
performed by Providian Bancorp Services at various operations centers. Other
data processing functions are handled by Total System Services, Inc., a company
based in Columbus, Georgia. Total System is the nation's second largest credit
card processing company. Total System is responsible for issuing and encoding
cards, authorizing accountholder purchases and processing transactions for
merchants. Total System also sends monthly billing statements, stores customer
data files, updates master files daily and provides master file tapes each
month. The accounts in the Bank portfolio were principally generated through
direct mail, telemarketing and other direct marketing channels. The Bank's
underwriting, telemarketing, customer service and collection procedures,
described below, are subject to change as the competitive environment, industry
practice, legal requirements or the Bank's business objectives may require.
The Bank has acquired and may from time to time acquire accounts originated
by third parties. The receivables relating to accounts acquired from third
parties may be included in the Bank portfolio. Accounts acquired by the Bank
from third parties, which are part of the Bank portfolio, were originally opened
using criteria established by other institutions and may not have been subject
to the same underwriting procedures and credit review as accounts established by
the Bank. During 1998 the Bank acquired portfolios of credit card accounts from
First Union Direct Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter's Bravo card
program. During 1999 the Bank acquired a portfolio of credit card accounts from
H&R Block, Inc.'s "WebCard" program. Accounts acquired by the Bank from third
parties have been designated to the Trust portfolio in the past and may be
designated to the Trust portfolio from time to time in the future. There can be
no assurance that the accounts in the acquired portfolios will perform similarly
to accounts originated by the Bank. See "The Trust Portfolio and the Trust
Assets--Addition of Receivables and Participations to the Trust".
Underwriting Procedures and Lending Guidelines
The Bank's credit process for accounts offered through direct mail and
telemarketing channels generally begins with a "prescreening" review which is
designed to identify consumers who, based on proprietary credit and segmentation
criteria, are likely to be interested in and eligible for an account. In the
"prescreening" process, the Bank provides a set of credit criteria directly, or
indirectly through a third party, to credit reporting agencies. The credit
reporting agencies screen their databases and generate a list of names with the
desired attributes. The list is further refined by applying an additional set of
targeting criteria which have been derived by the Bank from a statistical
modeling of attributes from previous solicitations, behavioral usage and credit
risk. This final list is then statistically verified by the Bank to ensure that
the list complies with the criteria supplied. In addition to direct mail and
telemarketing channels, the Bank also uses television, the Internet and other
media channels to market credit cards to consumers.
Consumers who respond to the Bank's account offers are reviewed according
to the Bank's credit and underwriting criteria. The Bank establishes pricing and
credit limits based on the customer's risk profile, loan feature preferences and
price sensitivity and on the Bank's profitability and risk guidelines.
Each accountholder is subject to an agreement governing the terms and
conditions of the account. Pursuant to that lending agreement, the Bank reserves
the right to change or terminate any terms, conditions, services or features of
the account (including increasing or decreasing periodic finance
17
<PAGE>
charges, other charges or minimum payment requirements). The Bank monitors
customers' risk profiles, and may adjust product features and/or pricing as the
customer relationship evolves. By their terms, the Bank's lending agreements are
governed by New Hampshire law.
Rollouts of Accounts
The accounts originated by the Bank are grouped into "rollouts" for
purposes of administrative convenience. A rollout represents a group of accounts
established from replies to a specific solicitation or marketing program.
Product solicitations for a particular rollout are generally made within a
discrete period. Accounts which were originated by third parties, and which had
different account groupings, may be designated to the Trust portfolio. The
accounts designated to the Trust portfolio consisting of rollouts or other
account groupings may include accounts for which receivables have been charged
off as uncollectible before their designation to the Trust portfolio.
Receivables in charged-off accounts are deemed to have a zero balance. Except
for certain accounts removed from the list of accounts designated to the Trust,
the Trust generally has the right to receive recoveries with respect to those
charged-off receivables.
Although the characteristics, including loss experience, of a particular
rollout or account grouping may differ from those of the Bank portfolio of
accounts as a whole, the Bank believes that, collectively, the accounts
currently designated to the Trust portfolio are generally representative of the
accounts in the Bank portfolio. There can be no assurance that performance of
the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio, including but not limited to the
payment rate, yield, loss and delinquency experience with respect to those
accounts, will be comparable to that of the accounts in the entire Bank
portfolio.
Telemarketing and Customer Service
The Bank believes that customer contact must be quickly established to take
advantage of additional marketing opportunities, verify application information
and assist in the collections process. Customer service representatives have
online access to the customer's account history in order to resolve most
questions. When charges are in dispute, the Bank's current policy is to note on
the accountholder's monthly billing statements the portion of the balance that
is in dispute, and that portion will not accrue finance charges pending
resolution of the dispute. Multiple tracking and reporting systems are employed
to ensure that service standards are achieved and maintained.
Collection Efforts and Delinquencies
Efforts to collect delinquent receivables are made by the Bank or its
affiliates as well as attorneys retained in different states. Current collection
practices are characterized by quick intervention when payments become overdue,
automated calling systems designed to improve efficiency in contacting
customers, and close monitoring of delinquencies and charge-offs. Collections
practices are revised from time to time in accordance with the Bank's
collections experience.
Under the Bank's current collections policy, statements are sent monthly
and accountholders have approximately 30 days after the statement date to remit
payments before an account is considered past due. The Bank uses risk assessment
and segmentation models to determine when to contact accountholders by telephone
after an account balance becomes past due, with an emphasis on early
intervention for accounts with the highest risk, and arrangements may be made
with accountholders to extend or change payment schedules. Because collection
efforts are event-driven, accounts are escalated to more experienced collectors,
suspended, closed and/or referred for legal collection based on customer
behavior, rather than on the passage of time.
18
<PAGE>
The Bank's policy is to charge off the principal balance of delinquent
accounts no more than 180 days after the delinquency occurs, unless before the
time the balance would otherwise be charged off the accountholder enters into a
payment arrangement with the Bank, which generally must include an initial
payment of no less than the total amount past due or the minimum amount due as
specified by the account terms, whichever is greater, and monthly payments of no
less than the minimum amount due as specified by the account terms. At the time
a loan is charged off, related unpaid finance charges and fee income are written
off as a reversal of current finance charge and fee revenue. Accounts of
deceased accountholders are written off upon determination of uncollectibility,
but in no event more than 180 days after delinquency. Accounts of bankrupt
accountholders are charged off upon notification of bankruptcy.
Information with respect to the delinquency and loss experience of the Bank
portfolio of accounts is contained in the prospectus supplement. That
information sets forth delinquencies grouped by the number of days receivables
are delinquent and the percentage of the portfolio which is delinquent. The loss
experience information will show charge-offs in dollars and as a percentage of
the receivables outstanding.
Interchange
Members participating in the VISA and MasterCard associations receive
certain fees referred to as "interchange" as partial compensation for taking
credit risk, absorbing fraud losses, funding receivables and servicing
accountholders for a limited period before initial billing. Under the VISA and
MasterCard systems, interchange in connection with accountholder charges for
merchandise and services is passed from the banks that clear the transactions
for merchants to the credit card-issuing banks. Interchange ranges from
approximately 1% to 2% of the transaction amount, although VISA and MasterCard
may from time to time change the amount of interchange reimbursed to banks
issuing their credit cards. Interchange paid to the Bank will be allocated to
the Trust with respect to each month on the basis of the percentage equivalent
of the ratio that the amount of accountholder charges for merchandise and
services for the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio bears to the total
amount of accountholder charges for merchandise and services for all accounts in
the Bank portfolio, in each case for that month.
The Bank will be required, pursuant to the terms of the pooling agreement,
to transfer to the Trust for the benefit of certificateholders the percentage of
the interchange allocated to the Trust. This percentage is an estimate of the
actual interchange paid to the Bank from time to time in respect of the accounts
designated to the Trust portfolio and may be more or less than the actual amount
of interchange so paid. Interchange transferred to the Trust will be included in
finance charge receivables pursuant to the pooling agreement for purposes of
determining the amount of finance charge receivables and allocating collections
and payments thereof to the certificateholders. Interchange attributable to the
accounts designated to the Trust portfolio as determined above will also be
included in finance charge receivables for purposes of calculating the portfolio
yield.
19
<PAGE>
Billing and Payments
Monthly billing statements are sent by the Bank to active accountholders.
The accounts generally require a minimum monthly payment equal to at least 2% of
the new balance shown on the statement, plus any amount that is past-due and the
minimum payment may include any amount by which the new balance exceeds the
accountholder's credit limit. The payment due will not be less than $15.00
(unless the new balance is less than $15.00, in which case the payment due will
be the amount of the new balance).
Finance charges are posted to the accounts at the end of each monthly
billing cycle. A daily finance charge is calculated by multiplying the daily
balance on the account by the applicable daily periodic rate. There is generally
no grace period during which accountholders may avoid monthly charges on cash
advances and balance transfers. However, most accounts do have a grace period
for new purchases if the entire account balance is paid in full by the due date
shown on the monthly billing statement.
Accounts may have different annual percentage rates for cash advances,
purchases and balance transfers and the annual percentage rate may be fixed or
variable. New accountholders may be offered a reduced annual percentage rate
(which in some cases may be as low as 0%) for an introductory period, and the
annual percentage rate on some accounts may be lower or higher than those
generally offered by the Bank. For an additional fee, certain accountholders
have subscribed to a credit protection feature pursuant to which the
accountholder's obligation to make payments and the accrual of finance charges
will be suspended upon the occurrence of certain conditions. Other membership
services products are also offered to accountholders.
The Bank typically charges accountholders certain additional fees when
appropriate, including late fees, returned check fees and over-limit fees. The
Bank also charges cash advance fees for certain types of cash advances. Any of
these fees may be waived or modified by the Bank at any time.
The Bank generally does not charge customers an annual fee for the accounts
that are designated to the Trust portfolio. However, the Bank reserves the right
to modify the terms of any account to charge an annual fee or other types of
fees.
Payments to the Bank on the accounts are applied first to finance charges,
then to any fees billed to the account and then to unpaid principal. Any excess
creates a credit balance. Finance charges are posted as of the last day of an
account's monthly billing cycle. Principal receivables are posted to the
accounts daily.
Annual percentage rates, minimum monthly payment requirements, fees and
other charges may increase or decrease from current levels. The lending
agreements governing the accounts permit the Bank to change rates and other
terms at any time after an applicable notice period. There can be no assurance
that annual percentage rates, minimum monthly payment requirements, fees and
other charges will remain at current levels in the future. See "Risk Factors--A
Change in the Terms of Receivables May Adversely Affect the Amount or Timing of
Collections and May Cause an Early Payment or a Downgrade of Your Certificates".
Year 2000
The Bank has not experienced any material disruption in its operations as a
result of the Year 2000 date rollover. The Bank will continue to monitor and
validate its systems to verify that all systems and applications continue to
function properly.
20
<PAGE>
PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
The Trust was formed in 1993 pursuant to a pooling and servicing agreement
(the "pooling agreement") between the Bank, as seller and servicer, and Bankers
Trust Company, as trustee. As a master trust, it has already issued other series
and is expected to issue additional series from time to time. The Trust has not
engaged and will not engage in any business activity other than acquiring and
holding trust assets and proceeds therefrom, issuing series of certificates and
the seller's interest and making payments thereon and related activities. As a
consequence, the Trust does not and is not expected to have any source of
capital resources other than the trust assets. The Trust is administered in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
The Seller's Interest
The interest in the Trust not represented by any series of certificates is
the seller's interest. The seller's interest is owned by the Bank. The seller's
interest does not provide credit enhancement for any series of certificates.
The Bank may transfer a portion of the seller's interest in the Trust to
another person or entity by means of a pooling agreement supplement, but only
if:
. in the case of a transfer to a person or entity that is not a
specified affiliate of the Bank, the transfer will not result in a
reduction or withdrawal of the ratings on any certificate;
. the Bank's and any additional seller's remaining interest in principal
receivables will not be less in the aggregate than 2% of the total
amount of principal receivables, after giving effect to that transfer;
and
. before the transfer, the Bank delivers to the trustee a tax opinion
with respect to the transfer.
"Tax opinion" means, with respect to any action, an opinion of counsel
acceptable to the trustee that for federal income tax purposes such action will
not cause the Trust to be deemed an association or publicly traded partnership
taxable as a corporation, will not affect the tax characterization as debt of
certificates of any outstanding series or class that were characterized as debt
at the time of their issuance and will not cause or constitute an event in which
gain or loss would be recognized by any certificateholders or the Trust.
Any subsequent transfer of a portion of the seller's interest by a holder
other than the Bank may be made only if:
. the transfer will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the
ratings on any certificate; and
. before the transfer, the Bank delivers to the trustee a tax opinion
with respect to the transfer.
The Certificateholders' Interest
The portion of the trust assets allocated to the certificateholders of a
particular series is the certificateholders' interest for that series. The
aggregate principal amount of the certificateholders' interest of a series
offered hereby will, except as otherwise provided in this prospectus and in the
related prospectus supplement, remain fixed at the aggregate initial principal
amount of the certificates of that series. The certificateholders' interest of a
series will include the right to receive varying percentages of finance charge
collections and principal receivables, but only to the extent needed to make
required payments under the pooling agreement and the related supplement and
subject to any reallocation of those
21
<PAGE>
amounts if the related supplement so provides. The certificateholders'
interest of a series will be allocated a varying percentage of the defaulted
amount with respect to each month. If the certificates of a series offered
hereby include more than one class of certificates, the trust assets allocable
to the certificateholders' interest of that series may be further allocated
among each class in that series as described in the related prospectus
supplement.
The certificates of a series will evidence undivided interests in the trust
assets allocated to the certificateholders' interest of that series. The
certificates represent beneficial interests in the Trust only and do not
represent interests in or obligations of the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank.
Neither the certificates, the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio, the
receivables in the Trust or any collections thereon, are insured or guaranteed
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") or any other
governmental agency or instrumentality.
Termination of the Trust
Unless the Bank instructs the trustee otherwise, the Trust will only
terminate on the earlier to occur of:
. the day following the day on which the aggregate invested amounts and
enhancement invested amounts of all series is zero, but only if the
Bank has delivered a written notice to the trustee electing to
terminate the Trust;
. June 1, 2014; or
. if the receivables are sold, disposed of or liquidated following the
occurrence of an insolvency event as described under "The
Certificates--Pay Out Events", immediately following that sale,
disposition or liquidation.
Upon termination of the Trust, the receivables and other funds of the Trust
(other than amounts in accounts maintained by the Trust for the final payment of
principal and interest to certificateholders) will be conveyed to the Bank.
THE TRUST PORTFOLIO AND THE TRUST ASSETS
The Trust portfolio consists of accounts in the Bank portfolio that have
been designated to the Trust portfolio. See "The Bank's Credit Card
Business--The Bank Portfolio of Accounts" for a description of the Bank
portfolio of accounts and "--Eligible Accounts and Eligible Receivables" for a
description of eligible accounts.
The Bank has transferred and will transfer to the Trust all receivables
existing in each account owned by it on the date that such account is designated
to the Trust portfolio, and all receivables generated in those accounts after
that date. The receivables consist of all amounts charged by accountholders for
merchandise and services and cash advances ("principal receivables") and all
related periodic finance charges, cash advance fees, late charges and any other
fees and charges billed on the accounts and certain interchange attributable to
accountholder charges for goods and services in certain of the accounts
("finance charge receivables"). All monthly calculations with respect to those
accounts are computed based on activity occurring during a calendar month. The
Bank has the right, and in certain cases the obligation (subject to certain
limitations and conditions described below), to designate from time to time
additional qualifying accounts to be included in the accounts designated to the
Trust portfolio, and to convey to the Trust all receivables in those additional
accounts, whether those receivables are then existing or created afterwards.
These additional accounts must be eligible accounts as of the date the Bank
22
<PAGE>
designates them to the Trust portfolio. Since May 31, 1993 (the "trust cut-off
date"), the Bank has conveyed to the Trust receivables in certain additional
accounts in accordance with the provisions of the pooling agreement. In
addition, as of the trust cut-off date (or as of the applicable addition date)
and on the date any new receivables are created, the Bank has represented and
warranted or will represent and warrant to the Trust, as the case may be, that
each of the receivables in any account owned by the Bank which is designated to
the Trust portfolio on that day meets the eligibility requirements specified in
the pooling agreement. See "--Representations and Warranties Relating to
Accounts and Receivables". However, there can be no assurance that all of the
accounts will continue to meet the applicable eligibility requirements
throughout the life of the Trust.
Subject to certain limitations and restrictions, the Bank may also direct
that certain accounts that have been designated to the Trust portfolio be
removed from the list of accounts designated to the Trust portfolio, and the
related receivables will be removed from the Trust. In that case, the
receivables in the removed accounts will be reassigned to the Bank. The Bank may
from time to time remove from the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio
certain charged-off accounts and closed accounts having a zero balance. See
"--Removal of Receivables from the Trust". The Trust portfolio will consist of
the accounts that were designated to the Trust portfolio before the first
issuance of certificates, plus any additional accounts designated to the Trust
portfolio after that date, and minus any accounts that have been removed from
the Trust portfolio.
The Trust portfolio currently does not include any secured or partially
secured accounts and, except for the Bank's Visa Classic product, does not
include accounts with lower credit limits designed to serve individuals who have
limited access to credit. However, those accounts may in the future be selected
by the Bank to be designated for inclusion in the Trust portfolio.
Additional accounts designated to the Trust portfolio after the date of
this prospectus may be accounts of a different type from those previously
designated to the Trust portfolio. The designation to the Trust portfolio of
additional accounts with lower periodic finance charges may have the effect of
reducing the portfolio yield. The additional accounts may also be subject to
different credit limits, balances and ages. Therefore, there can be no assurance
that those additional accounts will be of the same credit quality as the
accounts already designated to the Trust portfolio. Moreover, those additional
accounts may contain receivables which have fees, charges, balances and other
terms that are different from the trust assets that have previously been part of
the Trust. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the accounts designated
to the Trust portfolio and the receivables in the Trust will continue to have
the characteristics described in this prospectus as additional accounts are
designated to the Trust portfolio. The Bank intends to file with the SEC, on
behalf of the Trust, a Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to any addition
of accounts to the Trust portfolio which would have a material adverse effect on
the composition of the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio or the
receivables in the Trust.
The Bank has designated some of the accounts in the Bank portfolio to be
included in the Trust portfolio of accounts. The Bank has conveyed to the Trust,
without recourse, its interest in all receivables generated from time to time in
accounts that have been designated to the Trust portfolio. However, the accounts
designated to the Trust portfolio, as distinguished from the receivables arising
from those accounts, remain the property of the Bank, and are not conveyed to
the Trust. The trust assets of the Trust consist of:
. the receivables relating to the accounts which have been designated to
the Trust portfolio;
. all funds collected or to be collected from accountholders in respect
of the receivables;
. the proceeds of the receivables, and certain interchange attributable
to accountholder charges for goods and services;
23
<PAGE>
. all funds on deposit in the collection account and in certain other
trust accounts maintained for the benefit of the certificateholders;
. any participations included in the Trust;
. funds collected or to be collected with respect to those
participations; and
. any series enhancement.
Series enhancements are more fully described under "The Certificates--Credit
Enhancement" and in the prospectus supplement under "Summary of Series Terms--
Credit Enhancement".
The trust assets are expected to change over the life of the Trust as
accounts and related assets become part of the Bank portfolio of accounts and
are designated to the Trust portfolio, and as accounts are closed, charged off
or removed from the Trust portfolio. The Bank has the right, subject to certain
limitations, and in some circumstances is obligated, to designate additional
accounts to the Trust portfolio or add participations to the Trust. See
"--Addition of Receivables and Participations to the Trust". The Bank has the
right to remove receivables from the Trust by removing the related accounts from
the list of accounts designated to the Trust portfolio as described in this
prospectus under "-- Removal of Receivables from the Trust".
Additional Sellers
The Bank may designate affiliates of the Bank, which may be banks, finance
companies or similar organizations, to be included as sellers under the pooling
agreement by means of an amendment to the pooling agreement that will not
require the consent of any certificateholder. See " Amendments to the Pooling
Agreement and Supplements". The Bank may do this only if:
. the Bank delivers to the trustee, the rating agencies that have rated
certificates of any outstanding series and certain providers of series
enhancement a tax opinion;
. the designation of the additional seller would not result in a
reduction or withdrawal of the ratings on any certificate; and
. any applicable conditions described in "-- Addition of Receivables and
Participations to the Trust " will have been satisfied with respect to
the transfer of receivables or credit card participations by any
additional seller to the Trust.
Following the inclusion of an additional seller, the additional seller will be
treated in the same manner as the Bank and each additional seller generally will
have the same obligations and rights as the Bank described in this prospectus.
Conveyance of Receivables
Pursuant to the pooling agreement, the Bank has transferred and will
transfer to the Trust all receivables in the accounts that have been designated
to the Trust portfolio, together with all proceeds of all of those receivables.
In connection with the transfer of any receivables to the Trust, the Bank
is required to indicate in its computer records that those receivables have been
conveyed to the Trust. In addition, at the time of designation of each account
to the Trust portfolio, the Bank has provided or will provide to the trustee a
computer file or a microfiche list containing the following information for each
account:
24
<PAGE>
. its account number; and
. the aggregate amount outstanding and the aggregate amount of principal
receivables in that account.
The Bank, as initial servicer, will retain and will not deliver to the
trustee any other records or agreements relating to the accounts or the
receivables. Except as set forth above, the records and agreements relating to
the accounts and the receivables that have been designated or conveyed to the
Trust will not be segregated from those relating to other accounts and
receivables, and the physical documentation relating to the accounts or
receivables will not be stamped or marked to reflect the transfer of the
receivables to the Trust. The Bank has filed and is required to file UCC
financing statements with respect to the transfer of the receivables to the
Trust meeting the requirements of applicable state law. See "Risk Factors" and
"Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables".
Representations and Warranties Relating to Accounts and Receivables
As of the issuance date specified in the related prospectus supplement for
a series offered hereby, the Bank will make representations and warranties to
the Trust relating to the accounts owned by it that are designated to the Trust
portfolio and the receivables transferred by it to the Trust, including the
following to the effect that:
. as of the date on which each account was designated to the Trust
portfolio, that account was an eligible account;
. as of the date on which each receivable was transferred to the Trust,
that receivable was an eligible receivable; and
. each receivable that is created after the related account has been
designated to the Trust portfolio is an eligible receivable.
Reassignment of Receivables
If the Bank breaches any representation and warranty described above
relating to the accounts or the receivables, that breach remains uncured for 60
days, or a longer period that may be agreed to by the trustee, after the earlier
to occur of the discovery of that breach by the Bank or receipt of written
notice of that breach by the Bank, and as a result of that breach any
receivables in the related account become defaulted receivables or the Trust's
rights in those receivables or the proceeds of those receivables are impaired or
those proceeds are not available for any reason to the Trust free and clear of
any lien, then the certificateholders' interest in all receivables with respect
to the affected account ("ineligible receivables") will be reassigned to the
Bank on the terms and conditions set forth below and that account will no longer
be included as an account designated to the Trust portfolio. However, those
receivables will not be deemed to be ineligible receivables and will not be
reassigned to the Bank if, on any day before the end of that 60-day or longer
period:
. the relevant representation and warranty becomes true and correct in
all material respects as if made on that day; and
. the Bank delivers to the trustee a certificate of an authorized
officer describing the nature of that breach and the manner in which
the relevant representation and warranty became true and correct.
An ineligible receivable will be reassigned to the Bank on or before the
end of the month in which that reassignment obligation arises by the Bank
directing the servicer to deduct the portion of that
25
<PAGE>
ineligible receivable which is a principal receivable from the aggregate amount
of the principal receivables used to calculate the seller's interest. If the
exclusion of an ineligible receivable from the calculation of the seller's
interest would cause the seller's interest to be a negative number, on the
distribution date following the month in which the reassignment obligation
arises, the Bank will make a deposit into the collection account in immediately
available funds in an amount equal to the amount by which the seller's interest
would be reduced below zero. Any deposit into the collection account in
connection with the reassignment of an ineligible receivable (the amount of any
such deposit is referred to in this prospectus as a "transfer deposit amount")
will be considered a payment in full of the ineligible receivable. The
reassignment of any ineligible receivable to the Bank is the sole remedy
respecting any breach of the representations and warranties described above with
respect to the accounts and receivables available to certificateholders of any
series (or the trustee on behalf of the certificateholders) or any provider of
series enhancement. Any such transfer deposit amount will be treated as a
portion of shared principal collections as described under "The Certificates--
Shared Principal Collections".
The Bank will also make representations and warranties to the Trust to the
effect, among other things, that as of the issuance date for a series (the
"series issuance date") specified in the related prospectus supplement:
. it is a national banking association validly existing under the laws
of the United States and it has the authority to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the pooling agreement and the related
pooling agreement supplement for that series;
. each of the pooling agreement and the related pooling agreement
supplement for that series constitutes a valid, binding and
enforceable agreement of the Bank; and
. the pooling agreement constitutes a valid sale, transfer and
assignment to the Trust of the Bank ownership interest in the
receivables, whether then existing or thereafter created and the
proceeds thereof (including proceeds in any of the accounts
established for the benefit of the certificateholders) or the grant of
a first priority perfected security interest under the Uniform
Commercial Code of the applicable state (the "UCC") in those
receivables and the proceeds thereof (including proceeds in any of the
accounts established for the benefit of the certificateholders), which
is effective as to each receivable then existing on the series
issuance date or, as to each receivable arising thereafter, upon the
creation thereof and until termination of the Trust.
If the breach of any of the representations and warranties described in this
paragraph has a material adverse effect on the certificateholder's interest of
all series in the receivables transferred to the Trust by the Bank, either the
trustee or the holders of certificates evidencing not less than 50% of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the certificates of all series, by written
notice to the Bank and the servicer, and to the trustee if given by the holders
of the requisite percentage of certificates of all series, may direct the Bank
to accept the reassignment of all the receivables transferred by it to the Trust
within 60 days of that notice, or within a longer period that is specified in
that notice. The Bank will be obligated to accept the reassignment of those
receivables on the distribution date following the month in which the
reassignment obligation arises. However, the receivables will not be reassigned
to the Bank if, on any day before the end of that 60-day or longer period, the
relevant representation and warranty is true and correct in all material
respects and the Bank has delivered to the trustee a certificate of an
authorized officer describing the nature of that breach and the manner in which
the relevant representation and warranty became true and correct.
The price for the reassignment will generally be equal to the aggregate
invested amounts and enhancement invested amounts of all series on the
distribution date on which the purchase is scheduled to be made plus accrued and
unpaid interest on the unpaid principal amount of all series and any interest
26
<PAGE>
amounts that were due but not paid on a prior date and interest on those overdue
interest amounts, if the applicable pooling agreement supplement so provides, at
the applicable certificate rates through the day preceding that distribution
date. The payment of the reassignment price, in immediately available funds,
will be considered a payment in full of the receivables, and the principal
portion of those funds and the interest portion of those funds will be deposited
into the special funding account and the collection account, respectively. If
the trustee or the requisite percentage of certificateholders of all series
gives a notice as provided above, the obligation of the Bank to make any such
deposit will constitute the sole remedy respecting a breach of the
representations and warranties available to certificateholders of all series--or
the trustee on behalf of those certificateholders--or any provider of series
enhancement.
Eligible Accounts and Eligible Receivables
An "eligible account" is a credit card or other revolving credit account
owned by the Bank which on the date on which it is designated to the Trust
portfolio:
. is payable in United States dollars;
. except as provided below, has not been identified as an account the
credit cards or checks, if any, with respect to which have been
reported to the Bank as having been lost or stolen;
. has an accountholder who has provided, as his or her billing address
at the date that account was opened, an address located in the United
States or its territories or possessions or a military address;
. has an accountholder who has not been identified by the Bank as an
employee of the Bank or any affiliate;
. has not been, and does not have any receivables which have been, sold,
pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any person (except pursuant
to the pooling agreement);
. except as provided below, does not have any receivables which are
defaulted receivables; and
. except as provided below, does not have any receivables which have
been identified as having been incurred as a result of fraudulent use
of any related credit card or check.
Eligible accounts may include accounts, the receivables of which have been
written off, or with respect to which the Bank believes the related
accountholder is bankrupt, or as to which certain receivables have been
identified by the accountholder as having been incurred as a result of
fraudulent use of any credit cards or checks, or as to which credit cards or
checks have been reported to the Bank as lost or stolen. However, in the case of
these accounts:
. the balance of all receivables in such accounts will be reflected on
the books and records of the Bank, and will be treated for purposes of
the pooling agreement, as "zero"; and
. charging or check writing privileges with respect to all such accounts
will have been canceled in accordance with the Bank's lending
guidelines, and will not be reinstated by the Bank or the servicer.
An "eligible receivable" is a receivable:
. which has arisen under an eligible account;
27
<PAGE>
. which was created in compliance with the Bank's lending guidelines and
all requirements of law applicable to the Bank, the failure to comply
with which would have a material adverse effect on certificateholders,
and pursuant to a lending agreement which complies with all
requirements of law applicable to the Bank, the failure to comply with
which would have a material adverse effect on certificateholders;
. with respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or
authorizations of, or registrations with, any governmental authority
required to be obtained or given by the Bank in connection with the
creation of that receivable or the execution, delivery and performance
by the Bank of the related lending agreement have been duly obtained
or given and are in full force and effect as of the date of the
creation of that receivable;
. as to which, at the time of its transfer to the Trust, the Bank or the
Trust will have good and marketable title free and clear of all liens
and security interests (other than any lien for municipal or other
local taxes if those taxes are not then due and payable or if the Bank
is then contesting the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and has set aside on its books adequate reserves with
respect thereto);
. which has been the subject of either a valid transfer and assignment
from the Bank to the Trust of all of the Bank's ownership interest
therein or the grant of a first priority perfected security interest
therein and in the proceeds thereof, effective until the termination
of the Trust;
. which at and after the time of transfer to the Trust is the legal,
valid and binding payment obligation of the accountholder thereof,
legally enforceable against that accountholder in accordance with its
terms (with certain bankruptcy and equity-related exceptions);
. which constitutes either an "account" or a "general intangible" under
Article 9 of the applicable UCC as then in effect;
. which, at the time of its transfer to the Trust, has not been waived
or modified except as permitted by the pooling agreement;
. which, at the time of its transfer to the Trust, is not subject to any
right of rescission, setoff, counterclaim or other defense of the
accountholder (including the defense of usury), other than certain
bankruptcy and equity-related defenses and adjustments permitted by
the pooling agreement to be made by the servicer;
. as to which the Bank has satisfied all obligations to be fulfilled at
the time it is transferred to the Trust;
. as to which the Bank has not taken any action which, or failed to take
any action the omission of which, would, at the time of its transfer
to the Trust, impair the rights of the Trust or the certificateholders
therein; and
. which, if arising under an account which was not originated by the
Bank or an affiliate of the Bank, will not be designated to the Trust
portfolio unless confirmation shall have been received that such
designation will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the
ratings on any certificate.
It is not required or anticipated that the trustee will make any initial or
periodic general examination of any documents or records related to the
receivables or the accounts for the purpose of establishing the presence or
absence of defects, compliance with the Bank's representations and warranties or
for any other purpose. In addition, it is not anticipated or required that the
trustee will make any initial or periodic
28
<PAGE>
general examination of the servicer for the purpose of establishing the
compliance by the servicer with its representations and warranties or the
performance by the servicer of its obligations under the pooling agreement or
for any other purpose. The servicer, however, will deliver to the trustee on or
before March 31 of each year an opinion of counsel with respect to the validity
of the interest of the Trust in the receivables.
Defaulted Receivables; Rebates and Fraudulent Charges
"Defaulted receivables" for any month are principal receivables that were
charged off as uncollectible in that month. The "defaulted amount" for any month
will be an amount (not less than zero) equal to:
. the amount of defaulted receivables for that month;
. minus the sum of:
. the amount of any defaulted receivables included in any account,
the receivables in which the Bank or the servicer becomes
obligated to accept reassignment or assignment during that month
(unless an insolvency event has occurred with respect to the Bank
or the servicer, in which event the amount of those defaulted
receivables will not be added to the sum so subtracted);
. the aggregate amount of recoveries received in that month with
respect to both finance charge receivables and principal
receivables previously charged off as uncollectible, excluding
any initial cash proceeds received by the Bank from a disposition
of a group of removed charged- off receivables, which will be
treated as finance charge collections; and
. the amount, if any, by which the defaulted amount for the
preceding month would have been reduced below zero.
Receivables in any account will be charged-off as uncollectible in
accordance with the Bank's lending guidelines and the servicer's customary and
usual policies and procedures for servicing credit card and other revolving
credit receivables comparable to the receivables in the Trust. The Bank's
current charge-off policy is described in "The Bank's Credit Card Business--
Underwriting Procedures and Lending Guidelines".
If the servicer adjusts downward the amount of any principal receivable
(other than ineligible receivables which have been, or are to be, reassigned to
the Bank) because of a rebate, refund, counterclaim, defense, error, fraudulent
charge or counterfeit charge to an accountholder or that principal receivable
was created in respect of merchandise which was refused or returned by an
accountholder, or if the servicer otherwise adjusts downward the amount of any
principal receivable without receiving collections therefor or charging off that
amount as uncollectible, the amount of the principal receivables in the Trust
with respect to the month in which that adjustment takes place will be reduced
by the amount of the adjustment. Furthermore, if the exclusion of any such
principal receivables would cause the seller's interest in principal receivables
at that time to be a negative number, the Bank will be required to make an
adjustment payment in an amount equal to that deficiency in the collection
account. Any such adjustment payment will be treated as a portion of shared
principal collections as described under "The Certificates--Shared Principal
Collections".
29
<PAGE>
Required Seller's Participation Amount and Required Principal Balance
The Bank is required to maintain the seller's interest in principal
receivables at a specified level called the required seller's participation
amount. The required seller's participation amount is equal to:
. the required seller's percentage,
. multiplied by the sum of:
. the aggregate amount of principal receivables in the Trust;
. plus the aggregate principal amount on deposit in the special
funding account.
The required seller's percentage is now 4%. The Bank may, upon 30 days'
prior notice to the trustee, the rating agencies and certain providers of series
enhancement, reduce the required seller's percentage but only if:
. the reduction will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the
ratings on any certificate; and
. the Bank has delivered to the trustee and certain providers of series
enhancement a certificate of an authorized officer to the effect that,
in the reasonable belief of the Bank, the reduction will not, based on
the facts known to that officer at the time of certification, cause a
pay out event to occur with respect to any series.
However, the required seller's percentage will never be less than 2%.
The Bank is also required to maintain the principal receivables in the
Trust at a specified level called the required principal balance. The required
principal balance is equal to:
. the sum of the initial invested amounts of each series of certificates
then outstanding -- but excluding certain series designated as
excluded series in the related pooling agreement supplement;
. minus the principal amount on deposit in the special funding account.
If the Bank does not maintain the required seller's participation
amount and the required principal balance at the specified levels, the
Bank must make additions of receivables or participations to the Trust
as described below in "--Additions of Receivables and Participations
to the Trust", or a pay out event will occur.
Addition of Receivables and Participations to the Trust
If, as of the close of business on the last business day of any month,
either
. the seller's interest is less than the required seller's participation
amount; or
. the amount of principal receivables in the Trust is less than the
required principal balance;
the Bank will, on or before the close of business on the tenth business day
following that day, unless the seller's interest equals or exceeds the required
seller's participation amount or the amount of principal receivables in the
Trust equals or exceeds the required principal balance, as the case may be, as
of the close of business on any day after the last business day of that month
and before that tenth business day,
30
<PAGE>
make an addition of eligible accounts to the Trust portfolio by designating
additional accounts to the Trust portfolio, or transfer participations to the
Trust such that, after giving effect to that addition or transfer:
. the seller's interest is at least equal to the required seller's
participation amount; and
. the amount of principal receivables in the Trust is at least equal to
the required principal balance.
If the Bank does not make a required addition of receivables or
participations to the Trust, a pay out event will occur.
"Participations" are participations representing undivided interests in a
pool of assets primarily consisting of credit card or other revolving credit
accounts owned by the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank, and the related
collections.
The addition of credit card participations to the Trust will be effected by
an amendment to the pooling agreement which will not require the consent of
certificateholders but will be subject to the following conditions:
. the Bank delivers to the trustee a certificate of an authorized
officer to the effect that the Bank reasonably believes, based on the
facts known to that officer at the time of certification, that the
amendment will not adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of any certificateholder; and
. the amendment will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the
ratings on any certificate.
In addition to required additions of receivables or participations to the
Trust, the Bank may from time to time, at its sole discretion, subject to the
conditions described below, voluntarily make additions of receivables to the
Trust by voluntarily designating accounts to the Trust portfolio. If the
aggregate number of accounts voluntarily designated to be included in the Trust
portfolio plus the number of accounts required to be designated as described
above without prior review by the rating agencies would exceed:
. during any of the three consecutive months beginning in January,
April, July and October of each year, 15% of the number of accounts
designated to the Trust portfolio as of the first day of the year
during which those months begin; or
. during any twelve-month period, 20% of the number of accounts
designated to the Trust portfolio as of the first day of that
twelve-month period;
then the Bank may not voluntarily designate any more accounts to the Trust
portfolio during those periods without the consent of the rating agencies.
On or before each distribution date, the Bank is obligated to deliver to
the trustee, the rating agencies and certain providers of series enhancement an
opinion of counsel with respect to the accounts voluntarily designated to the
Trust portfolio during the preceding month confirming the validity and
perfection of the Trust's interest in those accounts. If an opinion of counsel
with respect to any voluntary designation of accounts to the Trust portfolio is
not so received, the ability of the Bank to voluntarily designate additional
accounts to the Trust portfolio will be suspended until the rating agencies
otherwise consent in writing.
31
<PAGE>
Each time that the Bank designates accounts to the Trust portfolio, it will
transfer the receivables arising in those accounts to the Trust.
In the case of:
. required designations of accounts to the Trust portfolio; and
. voluntary designations of accounts which:
. are accounts not originated by the Bank or any affiliate of the
Bank;
. are accounts of a type not previously included in the accounts
designated to the Trust portfolio; or
. exceed the aggregate limit for additional accounts described
above;
the Bank will follow the following procedure:
. On or before the tenth business day preceding that addition of
accounts to the Trust portfolio, the Bank will give the trustee, the
servicer, the rating agencies and certain providers of series
enhancement written notice that the receivables relating to the
additional accounts will be transferred to the Trust.
. On or before the date on which any such receivables are transferred to
the Trust, the Bank will deliver to the trustee a written assignment
and a computer file or microfiche list containing a list of the
additional accounts specifying for each such account its account
number, the aggregate amount outstanding in that account and the
aggregate amount of principal receivables outstanding in that account.
. In the case of a voluntary designation of accounts, the trustee must
receive confirmation from the rating agencies that the addition of the
accounts to the Trust portfolio will not result in a reduction or
withdrawal of the ratings on any certificate.
. In the case of a required addition of accounts to the Trust portfolio
which exceeds the aggregate limit for additional accounts described
above, the Bank will provide the rating agencies with 15 days' prior
written notice and the rating agencies must not have notified the Bank
that the addition of the accounts to the Trust portfolio would result
in a reduction or withdrawal of the ratings on any certificate.
. On or before the date the related receivables are added to the Trust,
the Bank will deliver to the trustee and certain providers of series
enhancement a certificate of an authorized officer stating that:
. the accounts being designated to the Trust portfolio are eligible
accounts and that the Bank reasonably believes that the addition
of those accounts to the Trust portfolio will not, based on the
facts known to that officer at the time of certification, cause a
pay out event to occur with respect to any series; and
. no selection procedure was utilized by the Bank which would
result in a selection of the additional accounts from the
available eligible accounts in the Bank portfolio that would be
materially adverse to the interests of the certificateholders of
any series as of the date of addition.
32
<PAGE>
In the case of other voluntary designations of accounts to the Trust
portfolio, on or before the date on which any such receivables are transferred
to the Trust, the Bank will deliver to the trustee a written assignment and a
computer file or microfiche list containing a list of the additional accounts
specifying for each such account its account number, the aggregate amount
outstanding in that account and the aggregate amount of principal receivables
outstanding in that account.
In connection with an addition of participations to the Trust, the Bank
will follow the following procedure:
. On or before the tenth business day preceding that addition, the Bank
will give the trustee, the servicer, the rating agencies and certain
providers of series enhancement written notice that the credit card
participations will be included as trust assets.
. The trustee must receive confirmation from the rating agencies that
the addition of the participations to the Trust will not result in a
reduction or withdrawal of the ratings on any certificate.
. On or before the date any such participations are added to the Trust,
the Bank will deliver to the trustee and certain providers of series
enhancement a certificate of an authorized officer stating that the
addition of the participations to the Trust will not, based on the
facts known to that officer at the time of certification, cause a pay
out event to occur with respect to any series.
The Bank may direct that the principal receivables in the accounts that are
designated to the Trust portfolio will be treated as principal receivables
outstanding on the last day of the month preceding the month in which those
accounts are designated to the Trust portfolio for purposes of calculating
floating allocation percentages and principal allocation percentages for the
month of that addition. That direction may be made on the date of addition
subject to the condition that all collections with respect to the additional
accounts for the period from the last day of the preceding month through the
date of addition must be deposited into the collection account on the date of
addition. Following any such addition of accounts to the Trust portfolio, the
servicer will allocate collections for the balance of that month, including the
collections deposited on the date of addition, to the certificateholders'
interest of each series and the seller's interest so that each interest receives
the same allocations of finance charge receivables, principal receivables and
defaulted amounts that it would have received if those additional accounts had
been designated for inclusion in the Trust portfolio for the entire month in
which the addition occurred.
Affiliates of the Bank may originate or acquire portfolios of credit card
or other revolving credit accounts the receivables in which may be participated
to the Bank and sold to the Trust. Such a sale of receivables to the Trust will
be subject to the conditions described above relating to additions of accounts
to the Trust portfolio.
Additional accounts or participations may include accounts originated using
criteria different from those which were applied to the accounts that were
already designated to the Trust portfolio because those additional accounts were
originated at a later date or are part of a portfolio of credit card or other
revolving credit accounts which were not part of the Bank portfolio or which
were acquired from another institution. Moreover, additional accounts and
accounts included in participations may not be accounts of the same type
previously designated to the Trust portfolio. See "--Representations and
Warranties Relating to Accounts and Receivables". Consequently, there can be no
assurance that those additional accounts or participations will be of the same
credit quality or have the same payment characteristics as the accounts already
designated to the Trust portfolio.
Additional accounts or participations may contain receivables which have
fees, charges, balances and other terms which are different from the trust
assets that have previously been part of the Trust. The
33
<PAGE>
servicer will designate the portions of funds collected or to be collected in
respect of those additional receivables or participations to be treated for
purposes of the pooling agreement as principal receivables and finance charge
receivables.
Removal of Receivables from the Trust
The Bank has the right to remove receivables from the Trust by removing the
related account from the Trust portfolio, through the following procedure:
. On or before the tenth business day before the date of removal of the
receivables from the Trust, the Bank will give the trustee, the
servicer, the rating agencies and certain providers of series
enhancement written notice of the date of the removal.
. Within ten business days after the date of removal, the Bank will
deliver to the trustee a list of the related accounts removed from the
Trust portfolio, specifying account numbers, the amount of receivables
outstanding in each account and the amount of principal receivables
outstanding in each account as of the removal notice date.
. Within ten business days after each removal, the Bank will confirm the
accuracy of the list of removed accounts.
. The removal will only be made if the rating agencies confirm that the
removal will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the ratings on
any certificate, unless:
. the aggregate amount of principal receivables outstanding in the
removed accounts is zero; and
. each removed account has had no activity in the previous 180
days, has been closed, or has had its receivables charged off as
uncollectible;
. The Bank will deliver to the trustee and certain providers of series
enhancement a certificate of an authorized officer, dated the date of
the removal of the accounts, to the effect that the Bank reasonably
believes that:
. the removal will not, based on the facts known to that officer at
the time of certification, cause a pay out event to occur with
respect to any series; and
. no selection procedure was utilized by the Bank which would
result in a selection of accounts to be removed that would be
materially adverse to the interests of the certificateholders of
any series as of the date of the removal of the accounts; and
. As of the date on which notice of the removal is given, either:
. the receivables in the accounts owned by the Bank are not more
than 15% delinquent by estimated principal amount and the
weighted average delinquency of those receivables is not more
than 60 days; or
. the receivables in the accounts owned by the Bank are not more
than 7% delinquent by estimated principal amount and the weighted
average delinquency of those receivables does not exceed 90 days.
34
<PAGE>
Upon satisfaction of the above conditions, the trustee will assign to the
Bank or its designee, without recourse, representation or warranty, the
receivables arising in the removed accounts, all amounts due and to become due
and all amounts received with respect thereto and all proceeds thereof. However,
in certain cases, amounts received in connection with the disposition, after
removal from the Trust, of receivables charged-off as uncollectible before
removal from the Trust will be applied under the pooling agreement as finance
charge collections. See "--Defaulted Receivables; Rebates and Fraudulent
Charges".
35
<PAGE>
THE CERTIFICATES
Certificates to be Issued in Series
The certificates of a series will be issued pursuant to the pooling
agreement and a supplement to the pooling agreement relating to that series (a
"pooling agreement supplement"). A series may contain one or more classes. The
parties to the pooling agreement and each supplement are the Bank, as seller of
its interest in the receivables and as servicer of the accounts, and the
trustee. The pooling agreement and each pooling agreement supplement for any
series offered by this prospectus will be substantially in the form filed with
the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement relating to this prospectus.
See "--New Issuances of Certificates". The trustee will provide a copy of the
pooling agreement, without exhibits or schedules, and any pooling agreement
supplement, to certificateholders upon written request.
The following summary describes certain material provisions common to each
series. Information specific to a series will be contained in the related
prospectus supplement for any series offered hereby. The following summary,
together with information included elsewhere in this prospectus and the
information with respect to a specific series contained in the related
prospectus supplement, describes the terms of the certificates.
The certificates of each series offered hereby will initially be
represented by one or more certificates registered in the name of the nominee of
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), except as set forth below. The
certificates of each series offered hereby will be available for purchase in
minimum denominations of $1,000 and in multiples thereof in book-entry form. The
Bank has been informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede & Co. ("Cede").
See "--Book-Entry Registration" and "--Definitive Certificates".
The certificates of each series offered hereby will evidence undivided
interests in the trust assets allocated to the certificateholders' interest of
that series, representing the right to receive from those trust assets funds up
to, but not in excess of, the amounts required to make payments of interest and
principal with respect thereto as described in the related prospectus
supplement.
Interest
Interest will accrue on the invested amount of the certificates of a series
or class offered hereby at the per annum rate either specified in or determined
in the manner specified in the related prospectus supplement. Finance charge
collections and certain other amounts allocable to the certificateholders'
interest of a series offered hereby will be used to the extent specified in the
related prospectus supplement to make interest payments to certificateholders of
that series on each interest payment date specified with respect thereto in the
related prospectus supplement, provided that if an early amortization period
begins with respect to that series, thereafter interest will be distributed to
those certificateholders monthly on each early amortization payment date. If the
interest payment dates for a series or class occur less frequently than monthly,
those collections or other amounts (or the portion thereof allocable to that
class) will be deposited into one or more interest funding accounts (an
"interest funding account") as described in "The Trust Accounts--Investment of
Trust Account Funds in Eligible Investments" and used to make interest payments
to certificateholders of that series or class on the following interest payment
date. If a series has more than one class of certificates, each such class may
have a separate interest funding account.
Interest with respect to the certificates of each series offered hereby
will accrue and be calculated on the basis described in the related prospectus
supplement.
36
<PAGE>
Principal
The certificates of each series will have a revolving period (a "revolving
period") during which principal collections and certain other amounts otherwise
allocable to the certificateholders' interest of that series will be treated as
shared principal collections and will be distributed to, or for the benefit of,
the certificateholders of other series or the Bank. Unless an early amortization
period begins with respect to a series, following the revolving period for that
series, that series will have either an accumulation period (an "accumulation
period") or a scheduled amortization period (a "scheduled amortization period").
During the accumulation period, if any, of a series, principal collections
and certain other amounts allocable to the certificateholders' interest of that
series will be deposited on each distribution date with respect to that
accumulation period in a principal funding account (a "principal funding
account") and used to make principal distributions to the certificateholders of
that series when due. The "distribution date" is the 15th day of each month (or
if such day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day). The amount
to be deposited into a principal funding account for any series offered hereby
on any distribution date may, but will not necessarily, be limited to a
controlled deposit amount equal to a controlled accumulation amount specified in
the related prospectus supplement plus any existing deficit controlled
accumulation amount arising from prior distribution dates. If a series has more
than one class of certificates, each class may have a separate principal funding
account and controlled accumulation amount. In addition, the related prospectus
supplement may describe certain priorities among those classes with respect to
deposits of principal in the principal funding accounts for that series.
During the scheduled amortization period, if any, of a series, principal
collections and certain other amounts allocable to the certificateholders'
interest of that series will be used on each distribution date with respect to
that scheduled amortization period to make principal distributions to any class
of certificateholders then scheduled to receive those distributions. The amount
to be distributed to certificateholders of any series offered hereby on any
distribution date may, but will not necessarily, be limited to a controlled
distribution amount equal to a controlled amortization amount specified in the
related prospectus supplement plus any existing deficit controlled amortization
amount arising from prior distribution dates. If a series has more than one
class of certificates, each class may have a separate controlled amortization
amount. In addition, the related prospectus supplement may describe certain
priorities among those classes with respect to those distributions.
During an early amortization period of a series, principal collections and
certain other amounts allocable to the certificateholders' interest of that
series (including shared principal collections, if any, allocable to that
series) will be distributed as principal payments to the applicable
certificateholders monthly on each distribution date beginning with the first
early amortization payment date. During an early amortization period of a
series, distributions of principal to certificateholders of that series will not
be subject to any controlled deposit amount or controlled distribution amount.
In addition, if an early amortization period begins, any funds on deposit in a
principal funding account with respect to that series will be paid to the
certificateholders of the relevant series or class on the first early
amortization payment date. See "Series Provisions--Pay Out Events" in the
related prospectus supplement for a discussion of the events which might lead to
the beginning of an early amortization period for a series.
Funds on deposit in any principal funding account established with respect
to a series or class offered hereby will be invested in eligible investments and
may be subject to a guarantee or guaranteed investment contract or other
mechanism specified in the related prospectus supplement intended to assure a
minimum rate of return on the investment of those funds. In order to enhance the
likelihood of the payment in full of the principal amount of a class of
certificates offered hereby at the end of an accumulation period with respect
thereto, that class may be subject to a maturity liquidity facility or other
similar mechanism specified in the related prospectus supplement.
37
<PAGE>
New Issuances of Certificates
The pooling agreement provides that, pursuant to any one or more pooling
agreement supplements, the Bank may direct the trustee to issue from time to
time new series of certificates upon satisfaction of the conditions described
below. Each new issuance will have the effect of decreasing the seller's
interest by an amount equal to invested amount of that new series.
Under the pooling agreement, the Bank may designate, with respect to any
newly issued series:
. its name or designation;
. its initial principal amount or method for calculating that amount,
and its invested amount in the Trust (the "invested amount");
. the certificate rate or rates, or formula for such rate or rates;
. the interest payment date or dates (the "interest payment dates") and
the date or dates from which interest will accrue;
. the method for allocating collections to certificateholders of that
series;
. any bank accounts to be used by that series and the terms governing
the operation of any such bank accounts;
. the percentage used to calculate monthly servicing fees;
. the provider and terms of any form of series enhancement with respect
to that series;
. the terms on which the certificates of that series may be repurchased
or remarketed to other investors;
. the series termination date;
. the number of classes of certificates of that series, and if that
series consists of more than one class, the rights and priorities of
each such class;
. the extent to which the certificates of that series will be issuable
in temporary or permanent global form (and, in that case, the
depository for such global certificate or certificates, the terms and
conditions, if any, upon which a global certificate may be exchanged,
in whole or in part, for definitive certificates, and the manner in
which any interest payable on a global certificate will be paid);
. whether the certificates of that series may be issued in bearer form
and any limitations imposed thereon;
. the priority of that series with respect to any other series;
. the group of series, if any, in which that series will be included for
purposes of sharing certain excess finance charge collections; and
. any other relevant terms of that series.
38
<PAGE>
None of the Bank, the servicer, the trustee or the Trust is required or
intends to obtain the consent of any certificateholder of any outstanding series
to issue any additional series. The Bank may offer any series to the public
under a prospectus supplement or other disclosure document in transactions
either registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or exempt from registration thereunder directly, through one or more
underwriters or placement agents, in fixed-price offerings or in negotiated
transactions or otherwise. See "Plan of Distribution". Any such series may be
issued in fully registered or book-entry form in minimum denominations
determined by the Bank. The Bank intends to offer, from time to time, additional
series.
The pooling agreement provides that the Bank may designate whether any
class of a series has an accumulation period or a scheduled amortization period,
which in each case may have a different length and begin on a different date
than those periods for any other class or series. Further, one or more series
may be in their accumulation period or scheduled amortization period while other
series are not. Principal collections otherwise allocable to a series which is
not amortizing or accumulating principal will be treated as shared principal
collections and reallocated to a series which is amortizing or accumulating
principal. Moreover, each series may have the benefits of series enhancements
issued by enhancement providers different from the providers of series
enhancement with respect to other series. Under the pooling agreement, the
trustee will hold any such series enhancement only on behalf of the series to
which that series enhancement relates. With respect to each such series
enhancement, the Bank may deliver a different form of series enhancement
agreement. The Bank also has the option under the pooling agreement to vary
among series the terms upon which a series may be repurchased by the Bank or
remarketed to other investors. There is no limit to the number of new issuances
of certificates that the Bank may cause under the pooling agreement. The Trust
will terminate only as provided in the pooling agreement. There can be no
assurance that the terms of any series will not have an impact on the timing and
amount of payments received by a certificateholder of another series.
A new issuance of certificates may only occur upon the satisfaction of
certain conditions provided in the pooling agreement. The obligation of the
trustee to authenticate the certificates of that new series and to execute and
deliver the related pooling agreement supplement is subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions:
. At least five business days before the date on which the new issuance
is to occur, the Bank gives the trustee, the servicer, the rating
agencies and certain providers of series enhancement written notice of
that new issuance and the date on which the new issuance is to occur.
. The Bank delivers to the trustee the pooling agreement supplement for
that series, in form satisfactory to the trustee, executed by each
party to the pooling agreement other than the trustee.
. The Bank delivers to the trustee any related series enhancement
agreement executed by each of the parties to that agreement.
. The trustee must receive confirmation from the rating agencies that
such new issuance will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the
ratings on any certificate.
. The Bank delivers to the trustee and certain providers of series
enhancement a certificate of an authorized officer, dated the date on
which the new issuance is to occur, to the effect that the Bank
reasonably believe that the issuance will not, based on the facts
known to that officer at the time of certification, cause a pay out
event to occur with respect to any series.
. The Bank delivers to the trustee, the rating agencies and certain
providers of series enhancement a tax opinion.
39
<PAGE>
. The Bank's remaining interest in principal receivables will not be
less than 2% of the total amount of principal receivables, in each
case as of the date on which the new issuance is to occur after giving
effect to that issuance.
. The sum of the invested amounts to be used in calculating the floating
allocation percentages of all outstanding series will not exceed the
amount of principal receivables to be used in calculating those
floating allocation percentages, in each case as of the date of the
new issuance and after giving effect to that new issuance.
. Additional conditions may be specified in the pooling agreement
supplement for any series.
Upon satisfaction of the above conditions, the trustee will execute the
pooling agreement supplement and issue to the Bank the certificates of that new
series for execution and redelivery to the trustee for authentication.
Allocation Percentages
For each day during any month, the servicer will allocate finance charge
collections, the defaulted amount and principal collections among the
certificateholders' interests of each series and the seller's interest.
Finance charge collections and the defaulted amount will be allocated to
the certificateholders' interest of a series based on the floating allocation
percentage of that series.
Principal collections will be allocated to the certificateholders' interest
of a series based on the principal allocation percentage of that series.
The "floating allocation percentage" and the "principal allocation
percentage" for any series offered by this prospectus will be determined as
described in the related pooling agreement supplement and prospectus supplement.
Amounts not allocated to the certificateholders' interest of any series as
described above will be allocated to the seller's interest.
Shared Principal Collections
Principal collections for any month allocated to the certificateholders'
interest of any series offered hereby will first be used to cover certain
amounts described in the related prospectus supplement (including any required
deposits in a principal funding account or required distributions to
certificateholders of that series). The servicer will determine the amount of
principal collections for any month (plus certain other amounts described in the
related prospectus supplement) allocated to that series remaining after covering
those required deposits and distributions and any similar amount remaining for
any other series (collectively, "shared principal collections"). The servicer
will allocate the shared principal collections to cover any principal shortfalls
resulting if principal distributions to certificateholders and deposits to
principal funding accounts for any series which are either scheduled or
permitted are less than the principal collections and certain other amounts
initially allocated to that series. If these principal shortfalls exceed shared
principal collections for any month, shared principal collections will be
allocated pro rata among the applicable series based on the respective principal
shortfalls of those series. To the extent that shared principal collections
exceed principal shortfalls, the balance will be allocated to the Bank. However,
shared principal collections will be distributed to the Bank only to the extent
that the seller's interest in principal receivables is greater than zero (see
"The Trust Accounts--Deposits in the Collection Account"), and in certain
circumstances described below under "The Trust Accounts--Special Funding
Account", shared principal collections will not be distributed to the Bank, but
instead will be deposited into the special funding account. Any such
reallocation of shared
40
<PAGE>
principal collections will not result in a reduction in the invested amount of
the series to which those collections were initially allocated. There can be no
assurance that there will be any shared principal collections with respect to
any month.
Sharing of Additional Finance Charge Collections within Groups of Series
Any series offered hereby may be included in a group of series. Each series
in a specific group will be entitled to share additional finance charge
collections from other series in that group, consisting of the excess of the
finance charge collections and certain other amounts allocable to the
certificateholders' interest of any series in that group over the amounts
necessary to make required payments with respect to that series (including
payments to the provider of any related series enhancement) that are payable out
of finance charge collections, in the manner, and to the extent, described below
with each other series in that group. The prospectus supplement with respect to
a series offered hereby will specify whether that series will be included in a
group and whether any previously issued series have been included in that group.
Series issued later may also be included in that group.
Additional finance charge collections arising from any series in a group
will be applied to cover any shortfalls with respect to amounts payable from
finance charge collections allocable to any other series in that group, pro rata
based upon the amount of the shortfall, if any, with respect to each other
series in that group. However, the sharing of additional finance charge
collections among series in any group will be discontinued if the Bank delivers
to the trustee a certificate of an authorized officer to the effect that, in the
reasonable belief of the Bank, the continued sharing of additional finance
charge collections among series in any group would have adverse regulatory
implications with respect to the Bank. Following the delivery by the Bank of any
such certificate to the trustee there will not be any further sharing of
additional finance charge collections among the series in any group. In all
cases, any additional finance charge collections remaining after covering
shortfalls with respect to all outstanding series in a group will be paid to the
Bank.
While any series offered hereby may be included in a group, there can be no
assurance that:
. any other series will be included in that group;
. there will be any additional finance charge collections with respect
to the series in that group for any month; or
. the Bank will not at any time deliver a certificate as described
above.
While the Bank believes that, based upon applicable rules and regulations
as currently in effect, the sharing of additional finance charge collections
among the series in a group will not have adverse regulatory implications for
it, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be true in the future.
The Funding Period
For any series, the related prospectus supplement may specify that during a
funding period, an amount will be held in a prefunding account (a "prefunding
account") pending the transfer of additional receivables to the Trust or pending
the reduction of the certificateholders' interest of other series issued by the
Trust. The related prospectus supplement will specify the initial
certificateholders' interest with respect to that series, the initial aggregate
principal amount of that series (the "initial amount") and the date by which the
certificateholders' interest is expected to equal the initial amount of that
series. The funding period for a prefunded series will not exceed one year.
41
<PAGE>
If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, during the funding
period funds on deposit in the prefunding account for a series may or, under
certain circumstances, must be withdrawn and paid to the Bank to effect
increases in the certificateholders' interest. If the certificateholders'
interest does not for any reason equal the initial amount by the end of the
funding period, any amount remaining in the prefunding account and any
additional amounts, if any, specified in the related prospectus supplement will
be payable to the certificateholders of that series in the manner and at the
times set forth in the related prospectus supplement.
If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, funds in the
prefunding account will be invested by the trustee in eligible investments or
will be subject to a guaranteed rate or investment agreement or other similar
arrangement, and, in connection with each distribution date during the funding
period, investment earnings on funds in the prefunding account during the
related month will be withdrawn from the prefunding account and deposited,
together with any applicable payment under a guaranteed rate or investment
agreement or other similar arrangement, in the collection account for
distribution in respect of interest on the certificates of the related series in
the manner specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Credit Enhancement
General. For any series, credit enhancement may be provided with respect to
one or more classes thereof. Credit enhancement with respect to one or more
classes of a series offered hereby may include a letter of credit, the
establishment of a cash collateral account, a surety bond, an insurance policy
or another form of credit enhancement described in the related prospectus
supplement, or any combination of the foregoing. Credit enhancement may also be
provided to a class or classes of a series by subordination provisions which
require that distributions of principal and/or interest be made with respect to
the certificates of such class or classes before distributions are made to one
or more other classes of that series. If so specified in the related prospectus
supplement, any form of credit enhancement may be structured so as to be
available to more than one series or class to the extent described therein.
The presence of credit enhancement with respect to a class is intended to
enhance the likelihood of receipt by certificateholders of that class of the
entire principal balance of their certificates and interest thereon and to
decrease the likelihood that those certificateholders will experience losses.
However, the credit enhancement, if any, with respect thereto will not provide
protection against all risks of loss and will not guarantee repayment of the
entire principal balance of the certificates and interest thereon. If losses
occur which exceed the amount covered by the credit enhancement or which are not
covered by the credit enhancement, certificateholders will bear their allocable
share of deficiencies. In addition, if specific credit enhancement is provided
for the benefit of more than one series or class, certificateholders of any such
series or class will be subject to the risk that such credit enhancement will be
exhausted by the claims of certificateholders of other series or classes.
If credit enhancement is provided with respect to a series offered hereby,
the related prospectus supplement will include a description of:
. the amount payable under that credit enhancement and any conditions to
payment thereunder not otherwise described in this prospectus;
. the conditions, if any, under which the amount payable under that
credit enhancement may be reduced and under which that credit
enhancement may be terminated or replaced; and
. any material provisions of any agreement relating to that credit
enhancement.
42
<PAGE>
Additionally, in certain cases, the related prospectus supplement may set
forth certain information with respect to the provider of any third-party credit
enhancement, including:
. a brief description of its principal business activities;
. its principal place of business, place of incorporation and/or the
jurisdiction under which it is chartered or licensed to do business;
. if applicable, the identity of regulatory agencies which exercise
primary jurisdiction over the conduct of its business; and
. its total assets, and its stockholders' or policyholders' surplus, if
applicable, as of a date specified in the prospectus supplement.
If so described in the related prospectus supplement, credit enhancement
with respect to a series offered hereby may be available to pay principal of the
certificates of that series following the occurrence of certain pay out events
with respect to that series. In that event, the provider of the credit
enhancement will have an interest in certain cash flows in respect of the
receivables to the extent described in that prospectus supplement (the
"enhancement invested amount") and may be entitled to the benefit of the
trustee's security interest in the receivables, in each case subordinated to the
interests of the certificateholders of that series.
Subordination. If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, one or
more classes of a series (including classes in which the Bank may have an
interest) may be subordinated to one or more other classes of that series. If so
specified in the related prospectus supplement, the rights of the holders of the
subordinated classes to receive distributions of principal and/or interest on
any date will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the classes which
are senior to those subordinated classes to the extent set forth in the related
prospectus supplement. The related prospectus supplement will also set forth
information concerning the amount of subordination of a class or classes in a
series, the circumstances in which the subordination will be applicable, the
manner, if any, in which the amount of subordination will decrease over time,
and the conditions under which amounts available from payments that would
otherwise be made to holders of the subordinated classes will be distributed to
holders of classes which are senior to the subordinated classes. The amount of
subordination will decrease whenever amounts otherwise payable to the holders of
subordinated classes are paid to the holders of the classes which are senior to
the subordinated classes.
Letter of Credit. If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, a
letter of credit with respect to a series or class of certificates offered
hereby may be issued by a bank or financial institution specified in the related
prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions specified in the
related prospectus supplement, the letter of credit issuer will be obligated to
honor drawings under a letter of credit in an aggregate dollar amount (which may
be fixed or may be reduced as described in the related prospectus supplement),
net of unreimbursed payments thereunder, equal to the amount described in the
related prospectus supplement. The amount available under a letter of credit
will be reduced to the extent of the unreimbursed payments thereunder.
Cash Collateral Account. If specified in the related prospectus supplement,
the certificates of any series or class offered hereby may have the benefit of a
cash collateral account. A cash collateral account with respect to a series or
class will be funded on the series issuance date with respect thereto and the
funds on deposit therein will be invested in eligible investments. The amount
available to be withdrawn from a cash collateral account will be the lesser of
the amount on deposit in the cash collateral account and an amount specified in
the related prospectus supplement. The related prospectus supplement will set
forth the circumstances under which withdrawals will be made from the Cash
Collateral Account.
43
<PAGE>
Surety Bond or Insurance Policy. If so specified in the related prospectus
supplement, insurance with respect to a series or class of certificates offered
hereby may be provided by one or more insurance companies. That insurance will
guarantee, with respect to one or more classes of the related series,
distributions of interest or principal in the manner and amount specified in the
related prospectus supplement.
If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, a surety bond may be
purchased for the benefit of the holders of any series or class of certificates
offered hereby to assure distributions of interest or principal with respect to
that series or class of certificates in the manner and amount specified in the
related prospectus supplement.
Spread Account. If so specified in the related prospectus supplement,
support for a series of one or more classes of a series offered hereby may be
provided by the periodic deposit of certain available excess cash flow from the
trust assets into an account intended to assure the subsequent distributions of
interest and principal on the certificates of that series or class in the manner
specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Other Series Enhancement. For any series or for any class of any series,
there may be, in addition to credit enhancement, other series enhancement in the
form of a guaranteed rate agreement, maturity liquidity facility, tax protection
agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate swap agreement or other
similar arrangement for the benefit of certificateholders of that series or
class.
Pay Out Events
As described above, the revolving period for a series will continue until
the beginning of the accumulation period or the scheduled amortization period
with respect thereto, which will continue until the invested amount of that
series will have been paid in full or the series termination date with respect
to that series occurs, unless a pay out event occurs with respect to that series
before any of those dates. A "pay out event" with respect to a series refers to
any of the following events and any other events specified as such in the
related prospectus supplement:
. The Bank fails to make any payment or deposit required under the
pooling agreement or the pooling agreement supplement for that series
within five business days after the date on which that payment or
deposit is required to be made.
. The Bank fails to observe or perform any other covenants or agreements
of the Bank set forth in the pooling agreement or pooling agreement
supplement for that series, if that failure has a material adverse
effect on the certificateholders of that series and if that failure
continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after written notice.
However, the 60-day cure period not will apply in the case of a
failure by the Bank to perform its agreement to accept reassignment of
receivables which were the subject of a breached representation or
warranty as described in the first paragraph under "The Trust
Portfolio and the Trust Assets--Representations and Warranties
Relating to Accounts and Receivables" and only a five-day cure period
will apply in the case of a failure by the Bank to observe its
covenant not to grant a security interest or otherwise intentionally
create a lien on the receivables.
. Any representation or warranty made by the Bank in the pooling
agreement or the pooling agreement supplement for that series or any
information required to be given by the Bank to the trustee to
identify the accounts designated to the Trust portfolio proves to have
been incorrect in any material respect when made and continues to be
incorrect in any material respect for a period of 60 days after
written notice and as a result of which the interests of the
certificateholders of that series are materially and adversely
affected. However, a pay out event will not be deemed to
44
<PAGE>
occur thereunder if the Bank has repurchased the related receivables
or all such receivables, if applicable, during that period in
accordance with the provisions of the pooling agreement.
. An insolvency event relating to the Bank occurs. An "insolvency event"
will occur if the FDIC is appointed receiver of the Bank or if certain
other events relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership of
the Bank occur.
. The Bank fails to make an addition of receivables or participations to
the Trust by the day on which it is required to make that addition
pursuant to the pooling agreement.
. The Trust becomes an "investment company" within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
. The average of the portfolio yields for any three consecutive months
is less than the average of the base rates with respect to that series
for those months. The terms "base rate" and "portfolio yield" with
respect to a series offered hereby will have the meanings set forth in
the related prospectus supplement.
. The occurrence of any servicer default.
. The Bank becomes unable for any reason to transfer receivables to the
Trust in accordance with the pooling agreement.
In the case of any event described in the first, second, third or eighth
bullet points above, a pay out event with respect to any series will be deemed
to have occurred only if, after the applicable grace period described therein,
if any, either the trustee or certificateholders holding certificates evidencing
more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the certificates of
any series to which that event relates by written notice to the Bank and the
servicer (and the trustee, if given by the certificateholders) declare that a
pay out event has occurred as of the date of that notice. See "Risk Factors--For
Some Purposes, Certificateholders of Other Series or Classes May Take Actions
Which are Opposed to Your Interests". In the case of any event described in the
fourth, fifth, sixth or ninth bullet points above, a pay out event with respect
to all series will be deemed to have occurred without any notice or other action
on the part of the trustee or the certificateholders of any series immediately
upon the occurrence of that event. In the case of the event described in the
seventh bullet point above, a pay out event with respect to the related series
will be deemed to have occurred without any notice or other action on the part
of the trustee or the certificateholders immediately upon the determination date
following the occurrence of that event. An early amortization period (an "early
amortization period") for a series will begin on the day on which a pay out
event occurs with respect thereto. Monthly distributions of principal to the
certificateholders of that series will begin on the distribution date in the
month following the month in which that pay out event occurs (that distribution
date and each distribution date following the beginning of an early amortization
period for a series, an "early amortization payment date"). Any amounts on
deposit in a principal funding account or an interest funding account at the
beginning of an early amortization period for a series will be distributed on
the first early amortization payment date to the certificateholders of that
series. If a series has more than one class of certificates, each class may have
different pay out events which, in the case of any series of certificates
offered hereby, will be described in the related prospectus supplement.
In addition to the consequences of a pay out event discussed above, if an
insolvency event occurs, on the day of that insolvency event, the Bank will
immediately cease to transfer principal receivables to the Trust and promptly
give notice to the trustee of that insolvency event. Under the terms of the
pooling agreement, within 15 days the trustee will publish a notice of the
occurrence of the insolvency event stating that the trustee intends to sell,
dispose of or otherwise liquidate the receivables in a commercially
45
<PAGE>
reasonable manner and on commercially reasonable terms unless within 90 days
from the date that notice is published each other holder of the seller's
interest and the holders of certificates of each series or, if a series includes
more than one class, each class of that series evidencing more than 50% of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of each such series or class (and, in the case
of any series with respect to which there is an enhancement invested amount, any
provider of the relevant credit enhancement) instruct the trustee not to dispose
of or liquidate the receivables and to continue transferring principal
receivables as before that insolvency event. The proceeds from any such sale,
disposition or liquidation of the receivables will be deposited into the
collection account and allocated as described in the pooling agreement and the
applicable pooling agreement supplement. If the sum of:
. the portion of those proceeds allocated to the certificateholders'
interest of any series;
. plus the proceeds of any collections on the receivables in the
collection account allocated to the certificateholders' interest of
that series
is not sufficient to pay the invested amount of the certificates of that series
in full, certificateholders of that series will incur a loss.
Record Date
Payments on the certificates of a series offered hereby will be made as
described in this prospectus and in the relevant prospectus supplement to the
certificateholders in whose names the certificates were registered (expected to
be Cede, as nominee of DTC) at the close of business on the record date for the
certificates, which is the last business day of the calendar month preceding the
date of that payment (the "record date"). However, the final payment on the
certificates of a series offered hereby will be made only upon presentation and
surrender of those certificates. Distributions will be made to DTC in
immediately available funds. See "--Book-Entry Registration".
46
<PAGE>
Optional Termination
On any day occurring on or after the day that the sum of the invested
amount of the certificates of a series and the enhancement invested amount, if
any, with respect to that series is reduced to 5% (or any other percentage that
may be specified in the related prospectus supplement) or less of the initial
invested amount of the certificates of that series, the Bank will have the
option to repurchase the certificateholders' interest of that series. The
purchase price will be equal to the sum of:
. the invested amount of that series;
. less the amount, if any, on deposit in any principal funding account
with respect to that series;
. plus the enhancement invested amount, if any, with respect to that
series;
. plus accrued and unpaid interest on the unpaid principal amount of the
certificates, and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to interest
amounts that were due but not paid on a prior interest payment date or
early amortization payment date, at the applicable certificate rate,
through
. if the day on which that repurchase occurs is a distribution
date, the day preceding that distribution date; or
. if the day on which that repurchase occurs is not a distribution
date, the day preceding the distribution date following that day.
Following any such repurchase, the certificateholders of that series will
have no further rights with respect to the receivables. If the Bank falls for
any reason to deposit the aggregate purchase price for the certificateholders'
interest of a series offered hereby, payments would continue to be made to the
certificateholders of that series as described in this prospectus and in the
related prospectus supplement.
Final Payment of Principal on Series Termination Date
The last payment of principal and interest on the certificates of a series
offered hereby will be due and payable not later than the date (the "series
termination date") specified in the related prospectus supplement. If the
invested amount of the certificates of that series is greater than zero on the
series termination date or a distribution date prior to the series termination
date specified in the related prospectus supplement, the trustee may, subject to
any conditions specified in that prospectus supplement, sell or cause to be sold
interests in the principal receivables or certain principal receivables,
together in each case with related finance charge receivables, as specified in
that prospectus supplement, in an amount equal to the sum of the invested amount
and the enhancement invested amount, if any, with respect to that series. The
net proceeds of any such sale will be deposited into the collection account and
allocated to the certificateholders of that series, as provided in that
prospectus supplement.
Book-Entry Registration
Certificateholders may initially hold certificates of a series offered
hereby through DTC (in the United States) or Clearstream Banking, societe
anonyme ("Clearstream, Luxembourg") or Euroclear (in Europe) if they are
participants of those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are
participants in those systems.
Cede, as nominee for DTC, will be the registered holder of the global
certificates. No certificateholder will be entitled to receive a certificate
representing that person's interest in the certificates. Unless and until
definitive certificates are issued under the limited circumstances described
47
<PAGE>
below, all references in this prospectus to actions by certificateholders will
refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and all
references in this prospectus to distributions, notices, reports and statements
to certificateholders will refer to distributions, notices, reports and
statements to Cede, as the registered holder of the certificates, for
distribution to certificateholders in accordance with DTC procedures.
Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf
of their participants through customers' securities accounts in Clearstream,
Luxembourg's and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective depositaries
which in turn will hold those positions in customers' securities accounts in the
depositaries' names on the books of DTC. Citibank, N.A. will act as depositary
for Clearstream, Luxembourg and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York will
act as depositary for Euroclear.
Transfers between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in
accordance with DTC rules. Transfers between participants in Clearstream,
Luxembourg and participants in Euroclear will occur in the ordinary way in
accordance with their applicable rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly
through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream,
Luxembourg or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in
accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international
clearing system by its depositary; however, those cross-market transactions will
require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing
system by the counterparty in that system in accordance with its rules and
procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant
European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its
settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its depositary to take action
to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities
in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for
same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Participants in Clearstream,
Luxembourg and Euroclear may not deliver instructions directly to the
depositaries.
Because of time zone differences, credits of securities received in
Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC
participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and
dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Those credits or any
transactions in those securities settled during that processing will be reported
to the relevant participant in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear on that
business day. Cash received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result
of sales of securities by or through a participant in Clearstream, Luxembourg or
Euroclear to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement
date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear
cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC. For
information with respect to tax documentation procedures relating to the
certificates, see "Tax Matters--Federal Tax Consequences to Non-U.S.
Certificateholders".
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the UCC and a "clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. DTC was created to hold securities for its participating organizations
and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies and clearing corporations and may include certain other
organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to others
such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or
indirectly.
48
<PAGE>
Certificateholders that are not direct or indirect participants in DTC but
desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of, or other interests
in, certificates may do so only through direct and indirect participants. In
addition, certificateholders will receive all distributions of principal of and
interest on the certificates from the paying agent or the trustee through DTC
and its participants. Under a book-entry format, certificateholders will receive
payments after the related interest payment date or early amortization payment
date, because, while payments are required to be forwarded to Cede, as nominee
for DTC, on each such date, DTC will forward those payments to its direct
participants which thereafter will be required to forward them to indirect
participants or certificateholders. It is anticipated that the only
"certificateholder" (as that term is used in the pooling agreement and the
pooling agreement supplements) will be Cede, as nominee of DTC. Beneficial
holders of interests in the certificates will not be recognized by the trustee
as "certificateholders" under the pooling agreement and the pooling agreement
supplements, and will only be permitted to exercise the rights of
certificateholders under the pooling agreement and the pooling agreement
supplements indirectly through DTC and its participants, which in turn will
exercise their rights through DTC.
Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and
its operations, DTC is required to make book-entry transfers among participants
on whose behalf it acts with respect to the certificates and is required to
receive and transmit distributions of principal of and interest on the
certificates. Direct and indirect DTC participants with which certificateholders
have accounts with respect to the certificates similarly are required to make
book-entry transfers and receive and transmit those payments on behalf of their
respective certificateholders.
Because DTC can only act on behalf of its direct participants, which in
turn act on behalf of indirect participants and certain banks, the ability of a
certificateholder to pledge certificates to persons or entities that do not
participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of those
certificates, may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate for those
certificates.
DTC has advised the Bank that it will take any action permitted to be taken
by a certificateholder under the pooling agreement or the pooling agreement
supplements only at the direction of one or more direct participants to whose
account with DTC the certificates are credited. Additionally, DTC has advised
the Bank that it will take those actions with respect to specified percentages
of the certificateholders' interest only at the direction of and on behalf of
direct participants whose holdings include undivided interests that satisfy
those specified percentages. DTC may take conflicting actions with respect to
other undivided interests to the extent that those actions are taken on behalf
of direct participants whose holdings include those undivided interests.
Clearstream, Luxembourg, formerly known as Cedelbank, societe anonyme, is
incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depository.
Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its participating organizations and
facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its
participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates. Transactions may be settled in Clearstream, Luxembourg in any of
38 currencies, including United States dollars. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides
to its participants, among other things, services for safekeeping,
administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities
and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream, Luxembourg interfaces with
domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depository,
Clearstream, Luxembourg is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary
Institute. The participants in Clearstream, Luxembourg are recognized financial
institutions around the world including underwriters, securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations and may include any underwriters, agents or dealers with respect
to a series of certificates offered hereby. Indirect access to Clearstream,
Luxembourg is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
participant in Clearstream, Luxembourg, either directly or indirectly.
49
<PAGE>
The Euroclear System was created in 1968 to hold securities for
participants in the Euroclear system and to clear and settle transactions
between its participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery
against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and
cash. Transactions may now be settled in any of 40 currencies, including United
States dollars. The Euroclear System includes various other services, including
securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in
several countries generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market
transfers with DTC described above. The Euroclear System is operated by Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels, Belgium office, under contract
with Euroclear Clearance System S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation. All
operations are conducted by the Euroclear operator, and all Euroclear securities
clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear
operator, not the cooperative corporation. The cooperative corporation
establishes policy for the Euroclear system on behalf of its participants.
Participants in Euroclear include banks (including central banks), securities
brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may
include any underwriters, agents or dealers with respect to a series of
certificates offered hereby. Indirect access to the Euroclear System is also
available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship
with a participant in Euroclear, either directly or indirectly.
The Euroclear operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is
regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking
Commission.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear operator
are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the
related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law.
These rules govern transfers of securities and cash within the Euroclear System,
withdrawals of securities and cash from the Euroclear System and receipts of
payments with respect to securities in the Euroclear System. All securities in
the Euroclear System are held on a fungible basis without attribution of
specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear
operator acts only on behalf of participants in Euroclear, and has no record of
or relationship with persons holding indirectly through participants in
Euroclear.
Distributions with respect to certificates held through Clearstream,
Luxembourg or Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of participants in
Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear in accordance with the relevant system's
rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depositary. Those
distributions will be subject to tax reporting in accordance with relevant
United States tax laws and regulations. See "Tax Matters". Clearstream,
Luxembourg or the Euroclear operator, as the case may be, will take any other
action permitted to be taken by a certificateholder under the pooling agreement
or the relevant pooling agreement supplement on behalf of a participant in
Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear only in accordance with its relevant rules
and procedures and subject to its depositary's ability to effect those actions
on its behalf through DTC.
Although DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear have agreed to the
foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of certificates among
participants of DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear, they are under no
obligation to perform or continue to perform those procedures, and those
procedures may be discontinued at any time.
Definitive Certificates
The certificates of a series offered hereby will be issued in fully
registered, certificated form to certificateholders or their respective nominees
("definitive certificates"), rather than to DTC or its nominee only if:
50
<PAGE>
. the Bank advises the trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing
or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as a depository
with respect to the certificates, and the trustee or the Bank is
unable to locate a qualified successor;
. the Bank, at its option, elects to terminate the book-entry system
through DTC; or
. after the occurrence of a servicer default, certificateholders
evidencing not less than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount
of the certificates of any class of that series advise the trustee and
DTC through its participants in writing that the continuation of a
book-entry system through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in
the best interests of the certificateholders.
Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the preceding
paragraph, DTC is required to notify all of its participants of the availability
through DTC of definitive certificates. Upon surrender by DTC of the definitive
certificates representing the certificates and instructions for re-registration,
the trustee will issue those certificates in the form of definitive
certificates, and thereafter the trustee will recognize the holders of those
definitive certificates as "certificateholders" under the pooling agreement and
the relevant pooling agreement supplement.
If definitive certificates are issued, distribution of principal and
interest on the definitive certificates will be made by the paying agent or the
trustee directly to the certificateholders in whose names the definitive
certificates were registered on the related record date in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this prospectus and in the pooling agreement and the
relevant pooling agreement supplement. Distributions will be made by check
mailed to the address of each certificateholder as it appears on the register
maintained by the trustee, except that the final payment on any definitive
certificate will be made only upon presentation and surrender of that definitive
certificate on the date for final payment at the office or agency that is
specified in the notice of final distribution to holders. The trustee will
provide that notice to holders not later than the fifth day of the month of the
final distribution.
Definitive certificates will be transferable and exchangeable at the
offices of the transfer agent and registrar, which will initially be the
trustee. No service charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer or
exchange, but the transfer agent and registrar may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection
therewith.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the sale of the certificates of any series offered
hereby will be paid to the Bank and will be used for the Bank's general
corporate purposes or will be applied in any other manner that may be specified
in the related prospectus supplement.
THE TRUST ACCOUNTS
Creation of the Trust Accounts
The servicer maintains for the benefit of the certificateholders of each
series, in the name of the trustee, on behalf of the Trust, several trust
accounts for the benefit of the certificateholders of each series.
In addition to the collection account and the special funding account,
which are for the benefit of the certificateholders of all series, the Trust
will establish additional trust accounts for each series of certificates, which
may include the following accounts:
51
<PAGE>
. One or more principal funding accounts.
. One or more interest funding accounts.
. One or more reserve accounts.
. One or more prefunding accounts.
. One or more cash collateral or spread accounts.
. One or more other accounts specified in the related prospects supplement.
All of the trust accounts will be eligible deposit accounts. An "eligible
deposit account" means either
. a segregated account with an eligible institution; or
. a segregated trust account with the corporate trust department of a
depository institution organized under the laws of the United States or
any one of the states thereof, including the District of Columbia, or any
domestic branch of a foreign bank, and acting as a trustee for funds
deposited in that account, so long as any of the securities of that
depository institution will have a credit rating from the rating agencies
in one of the generic credit rating categories which signifies investment
grade.
An "eligible institution" means a depository institution (which may be the
trustee) organized under the laws of the United States or any one of the states
thereof which at all times:
. has either a long-term unsecured debt rating of A2 or better by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or a certificate of deposit rating
of P-1 by Moody's;
. has either a long-term unsecured debt rating of AAA by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services ("Standard & Poor's"), or a certificate of deposit
rating of A-1+ by Standard & Poor's; and
. is a member of the FDIC.
All trust accounts are currently maintained with Bankers Trust Company. If
at any time any trust account ceases to be an eligible deposit account, it will
be moved so that it will again be qualified as an eligible deposit account.
Investment of Trust Account Funds in Eligible Investments
Funds in the trust accounts generally will be invested in eligible
investments. "eligible investments" means:
. obligations fully guaranteed by the United States of America;
. demand deposits, time deposits or certificates of deposit of depository
institutions or trust companies, the commercial paper, if any, of which
has the highest rating from the rating agencies;
. commercial paper or other short-term obligations having, at the time of
the Trust's investment therein, a rating in the highest rating category
from the rating agencies;
52
<PAGE>
. demand deposits, time deposits and certificates of deposit which are
fully insured by the FDIC;
. notes or bankers' acceptances issued by any depository institutions or
trust companies, the commercial paper, if any, of which has the
highest rating from the rating agencies;
. money market funds which have the highest rating from, or have
otherwise been approved in writing by, the rating agencies;
. time deposits with an entity, the commercial paper of which has the
highest rating from the rating agencies; and
. any other investments approved in writing by the rating agencies.
Funds in trust accounts may be invested in debt obligations of Providian
Financial Corporation or its affiliates so long as those obligations qualify as
eligible investments.
The Collection Account
The servicer maintains for the benefit of the certificateholders of each
series, in the name of the trustee, on behalf of the Trust, a collection account
bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are
held in trust for the benefit of the certificateholders of each series.
The servicer will have the revocable power to withdraw funds from the
collection account and to instruct the trustee to make withdrawals and payments
from the collection account for the purpose of carrying out its duties under the
pooling agreement and any pooling agreement supplement. The paying agent will
have the revocable power to withdraw funds from the collection account for the
purpose of making distributions to the certificateholders. The paying agent will
initially be the trustee.
Any earnings (net of losses and investment expenses) on funds in the
collection account will be treated as finance charge collections with respect to
the last day of the related month except as otherwise specified in any pooling
agreement supplement.
Deposits in the Collection Account
The Bank may use for its own benefit all collections received with respect
to the receivables in each month until the business day preceding the related
distribution date if the Bank remains the servicer under the pooling agreement
and either:
. the Bank, as the servicer, provides to the trustee a letter of credit
covering collection risk of the servicer acceptable to the rating
agencies, as evidenced by a letter from each rating agency to the
effect that no reduction or withdrawal of the rating on any
certificates of any series would occur; or
. the Bank has and maintains a certificate of deposit rating of at least
A-1 and P-1 (or their equivalent) by the rating agencies,
in which case, on the business day preceding the relevant distribution date, the
Bank, as servicer, will deposit those collections, to the extent described
below, in the collection account.
However, if the Bank is no longer the servicer, or is the servicer but
fails to meet the conditions in the preceding paragraph, the servicer will make
those deposits, as described below, not later than two business days after the
business day on which the servicer records the transaction, except in the case
of
53
<PAGE>
collections consisting of interchange, which will be deposited not later than
the applicable distribution date.
In any case, the servicer will only be required to deposit collections in
the collection account up to the sum of:
. the aggregate amount of collections required to be deposited into an
account established for any series, including any monthly interest to
be distributed to certificateholders or providers of series
enhancement, on the related distribution date, or without duplication,
distributed on the related distribution date, interest payment date or
early amortization payment date to certificateholders of any series or
to any provider of series enhancement pursuant to the terms of any
pooling agreement supplement or series enhancement agreement;
. plus the aggregate of the certificateholders' portions of the daily
defaulted amounts for that month;
. plus the aggregate of the daily allocations of the monthly investor
servicing fees for that month.
However, as long as the Bank is the servicer:
. with respect to any series for which any monthly interest is
determined on a floating rate basis, at that time in each month when
each floating rate that is used in calculating monthly interest for
that series for that month has been determined, to the extent that all
funds required under the first bullet point above have been deposited
into the collection account with respect to that series, then no
additional funds will be required to be deposited pursuant to the
third bullet point above; and
. with respect to any series for which monthly interest is determined on
a fixed rate basis, to the extent that all funds required under the
first bullet point above have been deposited into the collection
account with respect to that series, then no additional funds will be
required to be deposited pursuant to the third bullet point above.
Moreover, if at any time before a distribution date the amount of
collections deposited into the collection account exceeds the amount required to
be deposited with respect to that distribution date, the servicer will be
permitted to withdraw that excess from the collection account.
If at any time the Bank or another eligible affiliate of the Bank is not
the servicer, the collection account will be moved from the Bank, if then
maintained there, unless otherwise agreed by the rating agencies.
On the earlier of the second business day after the business day on which
the servicer records the transaction and the day on which the servicer deposits
any collections in the collection account, the servicer will pay to the Bank:
. the Bank's allocable portion of principal collections, but only if the
seller's interest in principal receivables on that day is greater than
zero, after giving effect to any new receivables transferred to the
Trust on that day; and
. the Bank's allocable portion of finance charge collections, other than
collections consisting of interchange.
The Bank's allocable portion of finance charge collections consisting of
interchange will be retained by the Bank.
54
<PAGE>
Any amount not allocated to the Bank because the seller's interest in
principal receivables is zero will be will be deposited on each distribution
date in the special funding account. However, if an accumulation period,
scheduled amortization period or early amortization period has begun for any
series, that amount will be treated as shared principal collections to the
extent needed to cover principal payments due to or for the benefit of that
series.
Special Funding Account
If, on any date, the seller's interest is less than or equal to the
required seller's participation amount or the amount of principal receivables in
the Trust is less than or equal to the required principal balance, the servicer
will not distribute to the Bank any shared principal collections that otherwise
would be distributed to the Bank, but will retain those funds in the collection
account and on each distribution date will deposit those funds in an eligible
deposit account established and maintained by the servicer for the benefit of
the certificateholders of each series, in the name of the trustee, on behalf of
the Trust, and bearing a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited
therein are held for the benefit of the certificateholders of each series (the
"special funding account"). Funds on deposit in the special funding account will
be withdrawn and paid to the Bank on any distribution date to the extent that,
after giving effect to that payment, the seller's interest exceeds the required
sellers participation amount and the amount of principal receivables in the
Trust exceeds the required principal balance on that date. However, if an
accumulation period, scheduled amortization period or early amortization period
begins with respect to any series, any funds on deposit in the special funding
account will be released from the special funding account, deposited into the
collection account and treated as shared principal collections to the extent
needed to cover principal payments due to or for the benefit of that series.
Funds on deposit in the special funding account will be invested by the
trustee, at the direction of the servicer, in eligible investments. Any earnings
(net of losses and investment expenses) earned on amounts on deposit in the
special funding account during any month will be withdrawn from the special
funding account and treated as finance charge collections with respect to that
month.
THE SERVICER
Servicing Fees and Payment of Expenses
The servicer's compensation for its servicing activities and reimbursement
for its expenses for any month will be a servicing fee payable monthly on each
distribution date in an amount equal to one-twelfth of the product of:
. the weighted average of the applicable servicing fee percentages with
respect to each series outstanding, based upon the applicable
servicing fee percentage for each series and the amount of receivables
serviced on behalf of each series; and
. the amount of principal receivables in the Trust on the last day of
the prior month.
The servicing fee will be allocated among the seller's interest, the
certificateholders' interests of each series and, after the certificates of a
series have been paid in full, the interest represented by the enhancement
investment amount, if any, with respect to that series. The monthly investor
servicing fee, which is the share of the servicing fee allocable to the
certificateholders' interest - including the enhancement invested amount, if any
- of a series offered hereby with respect to any distribution date will be equal
to one-twelfth of the product of:
55
<PAGE>
. the servicing fee percentage specified in the related prospectus
supplement with respect to that series; and
. the sum of the invested amount with respect to that series (less the
amount, if any, on deposit in any principal funding account with
respect to that series and the amount, if any, on deposit in the
special funding account allocable to that series) and the enhancement
invested amount, if any, with respect to that series as of the last
day of the prior month.
The portion of the servicing fee not so allocated to the
certificateholders' interest of a series will be paid by the Bank and in no
event will the Trust, the trustee or the certificateholders of any series be
liable for the share of the servicing fee to be paid by the Bank. In the case of
the first distribution date for any series, the monthly investor servicing fee
will accrue from the series issuance date for that series. The monthly investor
servicing fee with respect to a series will be funded from finance charge
collections allocable to that series, and will be paid on the distribution date
with respect to each month from the collection account (unless that amount has
been netted against deposits by the servicer to the collection account).
The servicer will pay from its servicing compensation certain expenses
incurred in connection with servicing the receivables including, without
limitation, expenses related to the enforcement of the receivables, payment of
the fees and disbursements of the trustee and independent accountants and other
fees which are not expressly stated in the pooling agreement to be payable by
the Trust, the certificateholders of a series or the Bank (other than Federal,
state, local and foreign income, franchise or other taxes based on income, if
any, or any interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed upon the Trust).
If the Bank is acting as servicer and fails to pay the fees and disbursements of
the trustee, the trustee will be entitled to receive the portion of the
servicing fee that is equal to those unpaid amounts. In no event will the
certificateholders of a series be liable to the trustee for the servicer's
failure to pay those amounts, and any amounts so paid to the trustee will be
treated as paid to the servicer for all other purposes of the pooling agreement.
Indemnification
The pooling agreement provides that the servicer will indemnify the Trust
and the trustee from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or injury
suffered or sustained arising out of the servicer's actions or omissions with
respect to the Trust pursuant to the pooling agreement.
Under the pooling agreement, the Bank has agreed to be liable directly to
an injured party for the entire amount of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (other than those incurred by a certificateholder in the capacity of
an investor in the certificates of any series) arising out of or based on the
arrangement created by the pooling agreement (to the extent that the trust
assets remaining after the certificateholders and certain providers of series
enhancement have been paid in full are insufficient to pay those losses, claims,
damages, or liabilities) as though that agreement created a partnership under
the New York Uniform Partnership Act in which the Bank was a general partner. In
the event of the appointment of a successor servicer, the successor servicer
will indemnify and hold harmless the Bank for any losses, claims, damages and
liabilities of the Bank as described in this paragraph arising from the actions
or omissions of that successor servicer.
Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the pooling agreement
provides that none of the Bank, the servicer or any of their directors,
officers, employees or agents will be under any other liability to the Trust,
the trustee, the certificateholders of any series, any provider of series
enhancement or any other person for any action taken, or for refraining from
taking any action, in good faith pursuant to the pooling agreement. However,
none of the Bank, the servicer or any of their directors, officers, employees or
agents will be protected against any liability which would otherwise be imposed
by reason of willful
56
<PAGE>
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of any such person in the performance
of their duties or by reason of reckless disregard of their obligations and
duties thereunder.
In addition, the pooling agreement provides that the servicer is not under
any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which is not
incidental to its servicing responsibilities under the pooling agreement. The
servicer may, in its sole discretion, undertake any legal action which it may
deem necessary or desirable for the benefit of the certificateholders of any
series with respect to the pooling agreement and the rights and duties of the
parties thereto and the interest of the certificateholders thereunder.
Collection and Other Servicing Procedures
The servicer is responsible for servicing, collecting, enforcing and
administering the receivables in accordance with its customary and usual
procedures for servicing receivables comparable to the receivables and the
Bank's lending guidelines.
Servicing activities to be performed by the servicer include collecting and
recording payments, communicating with accountholders, investigating payment
delinquencies, evaluating the increase of credit limits and the issuance of
credit cards, providing billing and tax records, if any, to accountholders and
maintaining internal records with respect to each account. Managerial and
custodial services performed by the servicer on behalf of the Trust include
providing assistance in any inspections of the documents and records relating to
the accounts and receivables by the trustee pursuant to the pooling agreement,
maintaining the agreements, documents and files relating to the accounts and
receivables as custodian for the Trust and providing related data processing and
reporting services for certificateholders of any series and on behalf of the
trustee.
The Bank, as servicer, has the right to delegate any of its
responsibilities and obligations as servicer to any of its affiliates and to
certain third-party service providers that agree to conduct those duties in
accordance with the pooling agreement and the Bank's lending guidelines. The
Bank currently contracts with Total System Services, Inc. and intends to
continue to contract with Total System (and possibly one or more other
third-party service providers) to perform certain of its servicing activities as
described under "The Bank's Credit Card Business--The Bank Portfolio of
Accounts". Notwithstanding any delegation to any entity, the servicer will
continue to be liable for all of its obligations under the pooling agreement.
In servicing the accounts, the servicer is required to apply its usual and
customary servicing procedures for servicing receivables comparable to the
receivables in the Trust, and to act in accordance with the Bank's lending
guidelines.
Servicer Covenants
In the pooling agreement, the servicer has covenanted as to each receivable
and related account as follows:
. It will duly fulfill all obligations on its part to be fulfilled under
or in connection with the receivable or account, and will maintain in
effect all qualifications required in order to service the receivable
or account the failure to comply with which would have a material
adverse effect on the certificateholders or any provider of series
enhancement.
. It will not permit any rescission or cancelation of the receivable
except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
governmental authority or in the ordinary course of business and in
accordance with the Bank's lending guidelines.
57
<PAGE>
. It will do nothing to substantially impair the rights of the
certificateholders in the receivables or accounts.
. It will not reschedule, revise or defer payments due on the receivable
except in accordance with the Bank's lending guidelines.
. Except in connection with its enforcement or collection of an account,
it will take no action to cause any receivables to be evidenced by any
instruments (as defined in the UCC) and if any receivable is so
evidenced, it will be assigned to the servicer as provided below.
Under the terms of the pooling agreement, if any of the representations,
warranties or covenants of the servicer above with respect to any receivable or
the related account is breached, that breach is not cured within 60 days (or a
longer period, not in excess of 150 days, that may be agreed to by the trustee)
of the earlier to occur of the discovery of that event by the servicer or
receipt by the servicer of written notice of that event given by the trustee,
and as a result of that breach the Trust's rights in any receivables in the
related account or the proceeds of those receivables are impaired or those
proceeds are not available for any reason to the Trust free and clear of any
lien, then all receivables in the accounts to which that event relates will be
reassigned or assigned to the servicer on the terms and conditions set forth
below. However, those receivables will not be assigned to the servicer if, on
any day before the end of that 60- day or longer period:
. the relevant representation and warranty becomes true and correct, or
the relevant covenant is complied with, in all material respects; and
. the servicer delivers to the trustee a certificate of an authorized
officer describing the nature of the breach and the manner in which
the breach was cured.
If the Bank is the servicer, that assignment will be made on or before the
distribution date following the month in which that assignment obligation arises
by the servicer deducting the portion of any such receivable which is a
principal receivable from the aggregate amount of principal receivables used to
calculate the seller's interest. In addition, if the deduction of that principal
receivable would reduce the seller's interest below zero, the Bank as the
servicer will deposit into the collection account the applicable transfer
deposit amount described above under "The Trust Portfolio and the Trust
Assets--Representations and Warranties Relating to Accounts and Receivables". If
the Bank is not the servicer, that assignment and transfer will be made when the
servicer deposits an amount equal to the amount of that receivable in the
collection account on the business day preceding the distribution date following
the month during which that obligation arises. The amount of that deposit will
be deemed a transfer deposit amount hereunder and will be treated as a portion
of shared principal collections as described under "The Certificates--Shared
Principal Collections". This assignment to the servicer constitutes the sole
remedy available to the certificateholders of any series if the representations,
warranties or covenants of the servicer described above are breached and the
Trust's interest in the related receivables will be automatically assigned to
the servicer.
Certain Matters Regarding the Servicer
The servicer may not resign from its obligations and duties under the
pooling agreement, except upon determination that those duties are no longer
permissible under applicable law. No such resignation will become effective
until the trustee or a successor to the servicer has assumed the servicer's
responsibilities and obligations under the pooling agreement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Bank may transfer its servicing obligations to any other
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Providian Financial Corporation
(which meets certain eligibility standards set forth in the pooling agreement)
and be relieved of its obligations and duties under the pooling agreement.
58
<PAGE>
Any person into which, in accordance with the pooling agreement, the Bank
or the servicer may be merged or consolidated or any person resulting from any
merger or consolidation to which the Bank or the servicer is a party, or any
person succeeding to the business of the Bank or the servicer, will be the
successor to the Bank, as servicer, or the servicer, as the case may be, under
the pooling agreement.
Servicer Default
In the event of any servicer default, either the trustee or
certificateholders holding certificates evidencing more than 50% of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all outstanding series, by written
termination notice to the servicer (and to the trustee and certain providers of
series enhancement, if given by the certificateholders), may terminate all of
the rights and obligations of the servicer, as servicer, under the pooling
agreement. If the trustee within 60 days of receipt of a termination notice is
unable to obtain any bids from eligible servicers and the Bank delivers an
officer's certificate to the effect that the servicer cannot in good faith cure
the servicer default which gave rise to the termination notice, then the trustee
will offer the Bank the right at its option to purchase the certificateholders'
interests for all series. The purchase price for such a purchase will be paid on
a distribution date and will generally be equal to, with respect to each series,
the higher of:
. the sum of:
. the invested amount and the enhancement invested amount, if any,
of that series on that distribution date, less the amount, if
any, on deposit in any principal funding account with respect to
that series;
. plus accrued and unpaid interest at the applicable certificate
rate, together with, if applicable, interest on interest amounts
that were due and not paid on a prior date, through the last day
of the month preceding that distribution date; and
. the sum of:
. the average bid price quoted by at least two recognized dealers
for similar securities rated in the same rating category as the
initial rating of the certificates of that series with a
remaining maturity approximately equal to the remaining maturity
of the certificates of that series;
. plus the enhancement invested amount, if any, of that series.
The trustee will, as promptly as possible after giving a termination notice
to the servicer following a servicer default, appoint a successor servicer, and
if no successor servicer has been appointed by the trustee and has accepted that
appointment by the time the servicer ceases to act as servicer, all rights,
authority, power and obligations of the servicer under the pooling agreement
will pass to the trustee until the appointment of a successor servicer, and the
trustee will seek to obtain bids from potential servicers meeting certain
eligibility requirements set forth in the pooling agreement to serve as a
successor servicer for servicing compensation not in excess of the applicable
servicing fee. The rights and interest of the Bank under the pooling agreement
and any pooling agreement supplement in the seller's interest will not be
affected by any termination notice following a servicer default or by the
appointment of a successor servicer.
59
<PAGE>
A "servicer default" refers to any of the following events:
. failure by the servicer to make any payment, transfer or deposit, or
to give instructions or to give notice to the trustee to make a
payment, transfer or deposit, on the date the servicer is required to
do so under the pooling agreement or any pooling agreement supplement,
which is not cured within a five business day grace period;
. failure on the part of the servicer duly to observe or perform in any
material respect any other covenants or agreements of the servicer in
the pooling agreement or any pooling agreement supplement which has a
material adverse effect on the certificateholders of any series or
class (which determination will be made without regard to whether
funds are then available pursuant to any series enhancement) and which
continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after written notice, or
the servicer delegates its duties under the pooling agreement, except
as specifically permitted thereunder, and that delegation continues
unremedied for 15 days after written notice;
. any representation, warranty or certification made by the servicer in
the pooling agreement or any pooling agreement supplement or in any
certificate delivered pursuant to the pooling agreement or any pooling
agreement supplement proves to have been incorrect when made, which
has a material adverse effect on the rights of the certificateholders
of any series or class (which determination will be made without
regard to whether funds are then available pursuant to any series
enhancement), and which material adverse effect continues for a period
of 60 days after written notice; or
. the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
receivership with respect to the servicer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a delay in or failure of performance
referred to under the first bullet point above for a period of five business
days or referred to under the second and third bullet points above for a period
of 60 days (in addition to any period provided in these bullet points) will not
constitute a servicer default until the expiration of those additional five
business days or 60 days, respectively, if that delay or failure could not be
prevented by the exercise of reasonable diligence by the servicer and that delay
or failure was caused by an act of God or other similar occurrence. Upon the
occurrence of any such event the servicer will not be relieved from using its
best efforts to perform its obligations in a timely manner in accordance with
the terms of the pooling agreement and any pooling agreement supplement and the
servicer will provide the trustee, the Bank, certain providers of series
enhancement and the certificateholders of each series prompt notice of that
failure or delay by it, together with a description of its efforts to so perform
its obligations. The servicer will immediately notify the trustee in writing of
any servicer default.
Evidence as to Compliance
On or before March 31 of each year the servicer will cause a firm of
nationally recognized independent public accountants (who may also provide other
services to the servicer or the Bank) to furnish a report addressed to the
trustee to the effect that such firm has applied certain procedures agreed upon
with the servicer and examined certain documents and records relating to the
servicing of the accounts and that, on the basis of those procedures, such firm
is of the opinion that such servicing was conducted in compliance with the
pooling agreement and the applicable provisions of each pooling agreement
supplement except for those exceptions or errors as such firm will believe to be
immaterial and any other exceptions that may be set forth in that statement.
The pooling agreement provides for delivery to the trustee, the rating
agencies and certain providers of series enhancement on or before March 31 of
each year of a statement signed by an officer of the
60
<PAGE>
servicer to the effect that, to the best of that officer's knowledge, the
servicer has performed its obligations in all material respects under the
pooling agreement throughout the preceding year or, if there has been a default
in the performance of any such obligation, specifying the nature and status of
the default.
Copies of all statements, certificates and reports furnished to the trustee
may be obtained by a request in writing delivered to the trustee.
AMENDMENTS TO THE POOLING AGREEMENT AND SUPPLEMENTS
The pooling agreement and any pooling agreement supplement may be amended
from time to time, including in connection with:
. the issuance of a supplemental certificate out of a portion of the
seller's interest;
. the addition of credit card participations to the Trust; or
. the designation of an additional seller, by agreement of the trustee
and the Bank without the consent of the certificateholders of any
series or the consent of the provider of any series enhancement, but
only if:
. the Bank has delivered to the trustee a certificate of an authorized
officer to the effect that the Bank reasonably believes, based on the
facts known to that officer at the time of certification, that the
amendment will not adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of any such certificateholder; and
. the amendment will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of the
ratings on any certificate.
The pooling agreement and any pooling agreement supplement may also be
amended from time to time by the Bank, the servicer and the trustee with the
consent of the certificateholders evidencing not less than 66-2/3% of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the certificates of all adversely affected
series for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or
eliminating any of the provisions of the pooling agreement or any pooling
agreement supplement or of modifying in any manner the rights of those
certificateholders. However, no such amendment may:
. reduce in any manner the amount of or delay the timing of any
distributions to be made to certificateholders or deposits of amounts
to be so distributed or the amount available under any series
enhancement without the consent of each certificateholder affected
(except that an amendment of the terms of a pay out event will not be
deemed to be within the scope of this bullet point);
. change the definition or the manner of calculating the interest of any
certificateholder without the consent of each affected
certificateholder;
. reduce the aforesaid percentage required to consent to any such
amendment, without the consent of each certificateholder; or
. adversely affect the rating of any series or class by the rating
agencies without the consent of the certificateholders of that series
or class evidencing not less than 66-2/3% of the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the certificates of that series or class.
61
<PAGE>
Promptly following the execution of any such amendment (other than an
amendment not requiring the consent of certificateholders described above), the
trustee will furnish written notice of the substance of that amendment to each
certificateholder.
INVESTOR INFORMATION
Monthly Reports
No later than the third business day before each distribution date, the
servicer will forward to the trustee and the paying agent, and no later than
each distribution date, the paying agent will provide to each rating agency, a
monthly report prepared by the servicer setting forth certain information with
respect to the Trust and the certificates of that series (unless otherwise
indicated), including:
. the aggregate amount of principal receivables and finance charge
receivables in the Trust as of the end of that month;
. the invested amount with respect to that series (and, if that series
includes more than one class, each such class);
. the floating allocation percentage and, during any accumulation
period, scheduled amortization period or early amortization period for
that series, the principal allocation percentage with respect to that
series;
. the amount of principal collections and finance charge collections
processed during the related month and the portion thereof allocated
to the certificateholders' interest of that series;
. the aggregate outstanding balance of accounts which were 30, 60 and 90
days or more delinquent as of the end of that month;
. the defaulted amount with respect to that month and the portion
thereof allocated to the certificateholders' interest of that series;
. the amount, if any, of charge-offs with respect to the
certificateholders' interest of that series for that month;
. the monthly investor servicing fee with respect to that series for
that month; and
. the available amount of credit enhancement with respect to that series
for that distribution date.
With respect to each interest payment date or early amortization payment
date, as the case may be, the monthly report with respect to any series will
include the following additional information with respect to the certificates of
that series:
. the total amount distributed, including the amount of that
distribution allocable to principal on the certificates and the amount
of that distribution allocable to interest on the certificates; and
. the amount, if any, by which the unpaid principal balance of the
certificates exceeds the invested amount of that series as of the
record date with respect to that interest payment date or early
amortization payment date.
62
<PAGE>
On each distribution date, the paying agent, on behalf of the trustee, will
forward to each certificateholder of record a copy of the monthly report.
On or before January 31 of each year, the paying agent, on behalf of the
trustee, will furnish (or cause to be furnished) to each person who at any time
during the preceding year was a certificateholder of record a statement
containing the information required to be provided by an issuer of indebtedness
under the Internal Revenue Code for that preceding year or the applicable
portion thereof during which that person was a certificateholder, together with
such other customary information as is necessary to enable the
certificateholders to prepare their tax returns. See "Tax Matters".
List of Investor Certificateholders
If any definitive certificates have been issued, upon written request of
any certificateholder or group of certificateholders of record holding
certificates evidencing not less than 10% of the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the certificates of a series or all outstanding series, as the case
may be, the trustee will afford those certificateholders access during normal
business hours to the current list of certificateholders of that series or all
outstanding series, as the case may be, for purposes of communicating with other
certificateholders with respect to their rights under the pooling agreement or
any pooling agreement supplement or certificates. See "The
Certificates--Book-Entry Registration" and "The Certificates--Definitive
Certificates".
The pooling agreement does not provide for any annual or other meetings of
certificateholders.
THE TRUSTEE
Bankers Trust Company is the trustee under the pooling agreement. The
Corporate Trust Department of Bankers Trust Company is located at Four Albany
Street, New York, New York 10006. The Bank, the servicer and their respective
affiliates may from time to time enter into normal banking and trust
relationships with the trustee and its affiliates. The trustee, the Bank, the
servicer and any of their respective affiliates may hold certificates of any
series in their own names; however, any certificates so held will not be
entitled to participate in any decisions made or instructions given to the
trustee by those certificateholders as a group. In addition, for purposes of
meeting the legal requirements of certain local jurisdictions, the trustee will
have the power to appoint a co-trustee or separate trustees of all or any part
of the Trust. In the event of such appointment, all rights, powers, duties and
obligations will be conferred or imposed upon the trustee and the separate
trustee or co-trustee jointly, or, in any jurisdiction in which the trustee will
be incompetent or unqualified to perform certain acts, singly upon the separate
trustee or co-trustee, who will exercise and perform those rights, powers,
duties and obligations solely at the direction of the trustee.
The trustee may resign at any time, in which event the Bank will be
obligated to appoint a successor trustee. The servicer may also remove the
trustee if the trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as such under the
pooling agreement or if the trustee becomes insolvent. In those circumstances,
the servicer will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee. Any resignation
or removal of the trustee and appointment of a successor trustee will not become
effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor trustee.
63
<PAGE>
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES
Transfer of Receivables
The Bank has sold and will sell receivables to the Trust. Pursuant to the
pooling agreement, the Bank represents and warrants that the transfer of
receivables by it to the Trust constitutes either:
. a valid transfer and assignment to the Trust of all of the Bank's
ownership interest in those receivables, except for the interest of
the Bank as a holder of the seller's interest; or
. a grant of a security interest to the Trust in those receivables.
The Bank also represents and warrants to the Trust in the pooling agreement
that, if the transfer of receivables by the Bank to the Trust is deemed to
create a security interest under the UCC, then:
. there will exist a valid, subsisting and enforceable first priority
perfected security interest in those receivables in favor of the
Trust, in existence at the time of the related account is designated
to the Trust portfolio; and
. a valid, subsisting and enforceable first priority perfected security
interest in those receivables created thereafter in favor of the Trust
on and after their creation, in each case until termination of the
Trust.
For a discussion of the Trust's rights arising from these representations
and warranties not being satisfied, see "The Pooling Agreement--Representations
and Warranties".
Pursuant to the pooling agreement, the Bank represents that the receivables
transferred by it to the Trust are "accounts" or "general intangibles" for
purpose of the UCC. Both the sale of accounts and the transfer of accounts as
security for an obligation are treated under the UCC as creating a security
interest therein and are subject to its provisions, and the filing of an
appropriate financing statement or statements is required to perfect the
interest of the Trust in the receivables. If a transfer of general intangibles
is deemed to create a security interest, the UCC applies and filing an
appropriate financing statement or statements is also required in order to
perfect the Trust's security interest. Financing statements covering the
receivables have been and will be filed under the UCC to protect the Trust if
the transfer by the Bank is deemed to be subject to the UCC. If a transfer of
general intangibles is deemed to be a sale, then the UCC is not applicable and
no further action under the UCC is required to protect the Trust's interest from
third parties. Although the priority of a transfer of general intangibles
arising after the formation of the Trust or the date of addition is not as clear
under the laws of the States of California and New Hampshire as the priority of
interests governed by the UCC, counsel to the Bank is of the opinion, in New
Hampshire, that it would be inconsistent for a court to afford the Trust less
favorable treatment if the transfer of the receivables is deemed to be a sale
than if it were deemed to be a security interest, and, in California, that a
court should conclude that a sale of receivables (including after-arising
receivables) consisting of general intangibles would be deemed to have occurred
as of the date of execution of the related assignment under the pooling
agreement.
There are certain limited circumstances under the UCC in which prior or
subsequent transferees of receivables coming into existence after the date of
the pooling agreement could have an interest in those receivables with priority
over the Trust's interest. A tax or other government lien on property of the
Bank arising before the time a receivable comes into existence may also have
priority over the interest of the Trust in those receivables. Furthermore, if
the FDIC were appointed as a receiver of the Bank, the receiver's administrative
expenses may also have priority over the interest of the Trust in those
receivables. Under the pooling agreement, however, the Bank warrants that it has
transferred the
64
<PAGE>
receivables to the Trust free and clear of the lien of any third party (subject
to certain potential tax liens referred to under "The Trust Portfolio and the
Trust Assets--Representations and Warranties Relating to Accounts and
Receivables"). In addition, the Bank covenants that it will not sell, pledge,
assign, transfer or grant any lien on any receivable (or any interest therein)
other than to the Trust.
Certain Matters Relating to Receivership
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA"), as amended by the Financial
Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA"), sets
forth certain powers that the FDIC could exercise if it were appointed as
receiver or conservator of the Bank.
Subject to clarification by FDIC regulations or interpretations, it would
appear from the positions taken by the FDIC that the FDIC, in its capacity as
receiver or conservator for the Bank, would not interfere with the timely
transfer to the Trust of payments collected on the receivables or interfere with
the timely liquidation of receivables as described below. To the extent that the
Bank has granted a security interest in the receivables to the Trust, and that
security interest is validly perfected before an insolvency event and is not
taken in contemplation of insolvency or with the intent to hinder, delay or
defraud the Bank or its creditors, based upon opinions issued by the general
counsel of the FDIC and related policy statements issued by the FDIC addressing
the enforceability against the FDIC, as conservator or receiver for a depository
institution, of a security interest in collateral granted by that depository
institution, that security interest should not be subject to avoidance, and
payments to the Trust with respect to the receivables should not be subject to
recovery, by the FDIC. However, those opinions and policy statements are not
binding on the FDIC and, if the FDIC were to assert a contrary position, certain
provisions of the FDIA which, at the request of the FDIC, have been applied in
lawsuits to avoid security interests in collateral granted by depository
institutions, would permit the FDIC to avoid that security interest, thereby
resulting in possible delays and reductions in payments to the
certificateholders of all outstanding series. In addition, if the FDIC were to
require the trustee to establish its right to those payments by submitting to
and completing the administrative claims procedure under the FDIA, as amended by
FIRREA, delays in payments on the certificates of all series and possible
reductions in the amount of those payments could occur.
The pooling agreement provides that, upon the occurrence of an insolvency
event, the Bank will promptly give notice thereof to the trustee and a pay out
event will occur with respect to each outstanding series. Under the pooling
agreement, no new principal receivables will be transferred to the Trust and,
unless otherwise instructed within a specified period by each other holder of
the seller's interest and the certificateholders holding certificates of each
series or, if a series includes more than one class, each class of that series,
evidencing more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of each such
series or class (and, in the case of any series with respect to which there is
an enhancement invested amount, any provider of the relevant credit
enhancement), or unless otherwise prohibited by law, the trustee will proceed to
sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate the receivables in a commercially
reasonable manner and on commercially reasonable terms. The proceeds from the
sale of the receivables would then be treated by the trustee as collections on
the receivables. This procedure, however, could be delayed as described above.
Upon the occurrence of an insolvency event, if no pay out event other than that
insolvency event exists, the FDIC may have the power to continue to require the
Bank to transfer new principal receivables to the Trust and to prevent the early
sale, liquidation or disposition of the receivables and the beginning of an
early amortization period. See "The Certificates--Pay Out Events".
In the event of a servicer default, if a conservator, receiver or
liquidator is appointed for the servicer, and no servicer default other than
that conservatorship, receivership, liquidation or insolvency of the servicer
exists, the conservator, receiver or liquidator may have the power to prevent
either the trustee or the requisite percentage of certificateholders of all
series from appointing a successor servicer. See "The Servicer--Servicer
Default".
65
<PAGE>
Consumer Protection Laws
The relationship between an accountholder and a consumer lender is
extensively regulated by federal, state and local consumer protection laws. The
most significant federal laws relating to the accounts owned by the Bank include
the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act., Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit
Reporting Act, Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, Fair
Debt Collection Practices Act and Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. These
statutes require certain disclosures before and when an account is opened or at
the end of monthly billing cycles. These statues also limit accountholder
liability for unauthorized use, prohibit certain discriminatory practices in
extending credit, impose certain limitations on the type of account-related
charges that may be issued, regulate collection practices by third parties and
restrict a lender's ability to collect and use data on applicants and
accountholders. In addition, accountholders are entitled under these laws to
have payments and credits applied to their accounts promptly and to require
billing errors to be resolved promptly. The Trust may be liable for certain
violations of consumer protection laws that apply to the receivables, either as
assignee from the Bank with respect to obligations arising before transfer of
the receivables to the Trust or as the party directly responsible for
obligations arising after the transfer. In addition, an accountholder may be
entitled to assert those violations by way of set-off against the obligation to
pay the amount of receivables owing. See "Risk Factors--Consumer Protection Laws
May Restrict the Bank's Ability to Collect Receivables and Maintain Yield on the
Trust Portfolio and May Lead to an Early Pay Out or Inability to Pay
Certificates in Full" and "Risk Factors--A Change in Terms of the Receivables
May Adversely Affect the Amount or Timing of Collections and May Cause an Early
Payment or a Downgrade of Your Certificates".
All receivables that were not created in compliance in all material
respects with the requirements of those laws, subject to certain conditions
described under "The Pooling Agreement--Representations and Warranties", will be
reassigned to the Bank. The servicer has also agreed in the pooling agreement to
indemnify the Trust, among other things, for any liability arising from those
violations. For a discussion of the Trust's rights if the receivables were not
created in compliance in all material respects with applicable laws, see "The
Trust Portfolio and the Trust Assets--Representations and Warranties Relating to
Accounts and Receivables".
The Soldier's and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 allows individuals on
active duty in the military to cap the interest rate on debts incurred before
the call to active duty at 6% per annum. In addition, subject to judicial
discretion, any action or court proceeding in which an individual in military
service is involved may be stayed if the individual's rights would be prejudiced
by denial of such a stay.
Application of federal and state bankruptcy and debtor relief laws would
affect the interests of the certificateholders of all series if those laws
result in any receivables being charged off as uncollectible. See "The Trust
Portfolio and the Trust Assets--Defaulted Receivables; Rebates and Fraudulent
Charges".
TAX MATTERS
This section summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences
to certificateholders. However, the discussion is limited in the following ways:
. The discussion only covers you if you buy your certificates in the
initial offering.
. The discussion only covers you if you hold your certificates as a
capital asset (that is, for investment purposes), and if you do not
have a special tax status.
66
<PAGE>
. The discussion does not cover tax consequences that depend upon your
particular tax circumstances in addition to your ownership of
certificates. We suggest that you consult your tax advisor about the
consequences of holding certificates in your particular situation.
. The discussion is based on current law. Changes in the law may change
the tax treatment of the certificates.
. The discussion does not cover state, local or foreign law.
. The discussion does not cover every type of certificate that we might
issue. For example, it does not cover certificates with an expected
final payment date within one year of the issue date, certificates
denominated in foreign currency, or certificates whose tax
characterization is different than that described below. If your
certificates are of a type not described in this summary, additional
tax information will be provided in the relevant prospectus
supplement.
. The discussion does not apply to certificates issued at more than a
small discount from their principal amount. More precisely, the
discussion applies only if any such discount is less than 0.25% times
the number of full years from the issue date to the expected final
payment date of the certificates. This discount is referred to as "de
minimis OID". If the discount on your certificates exceeds this de
minimis amount, the original issue discount ("OID") rules of the
Internal Revenue Code will apply and additional information will be
provided in the relevant prospectus supplement.
. The discussion does not apply to you if you are a non-U.S.
certificateholder and if you:
. own 10% or more of the voting stock of Providian Financial
Corporation;
. are a "controlled foreign corporation" with respect to Providian
Financial Corporation;
. are related to holders of any equity interest in the Trust other
than the Bank; or
. are a bank making a loan in the ordinary course of its business.
. There is no authority concerning many of the tax issues concerning the
Trust and the certificates. We have not requested a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on the tax consequences of owning the
certificates. As a result, the IRS could disagree with portions of
this discussion.
Because of these limitations, and because of the uncertainties described
below, we suggest that you consult your tax advisor before purchasing
certificates.
Tax Characterization of the Certificates
In the opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, special federal tax counsel to
the Bank and the Trust ("tax counsel"), the certificates are properly
characterized as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes. In addition,
certificateholders will agree, by acquiring certificates, to treat the
certificates as debt of the Bank for federal, state and local income and
franchise tax purposes. The Bank agrees to treat the certificates in the same
manner for these purposes, although it will treat the certificates as equity for
certain nontax purposes.
67
<PAGE>
The opinion of tax counsel is based on a balancing of factors. The most
important factor is the economic substance of the certificates. The certificates
have economic substance as indebtedness for the following principal reasons:
. The certificates have many characteristics typical of debt, including
a fixed principal amount, a predetermined interest rate, and one or
more specified dates on which principal payments are expected to be
made. These features are generally independent of, and very different
from, the cash flows on the underlying assets of the Trust.
. The economic position of the certificateholders with respect to the
trust assets is different than the economic position of an owner of an
equity interest in those assets. The principal economic
characteristics of a typical owner of an equity interest are the
opportunity to gain if the assets increase in value and the risk of
loss if the assets decrease in value. The economic position of the
certificateholders is much more similar to the economic position of a
lender making a nonrecourse loan, where the lender is generally
unaffected by the value of the underlying assets unless they become
insufficient to pay the full principal and interest on the loan. (A
nonrecourse loan is a loan where only specified assets, rather than
all assets of the borrower, are available to repay the loan.)
Tax Characterization of the Trust
In the opinion of tax counsel, the Trust will not be an association or
publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes. As a result, the Trust will not be subject to federal income tax.
The precise tax characterization of the Trust for federal income tax
purposes is not certain. It might be viewed as merely holding assets on behalf
of the Bank as collateral for certificates issued by the Bank. On the other
hand, the Trust could be viewed as a separate entity for tax purposes, probably
a partnership, issuing its own certificates. This distinction, however, should
not have a significant tax effect on certificateholders except as stated below.
U.S. and Non-U.S. Certificateholders
Many of the tax consequences of your owning certificates depend upon
whether you are a "U.S. certificateholder" or a "non-U.S. certificateholder".
A "U.S. certificateholder" is:
. an individual U.S. citizen or resident alien;
. a corporation, or entity taxable as a corporation, that was created
under U.S. law (federal or state); or
. an estate or trust whose worldwide income is subject to U.S. federal
income tax.
A "non-U.S. certificateholder" is:
. an individual that is a nonresident alien;
. a corporation organized or created under non-U.S. law; or
68
<PAGE>
. an estate or trust that is not taxable in the U.S. on its worldwide
income.
If a partnership holds certificates, the tax treatment of a partner will
generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the
partnership. Partners of partnerships holding certificates should consult their
tax advisors.
Federal Tax Consequences to U.S. Certificateholders
Interest
Unless the OID rules apply as described below:
. If you are a cash method taxpayer (which includes most individual
certificateholders), you must report interest on the certificates in
your income when you receive it.
. If you are an accrual method taxpayer, you must report interest on the
certificates in your income as it accrues.
Possible OID on the Certificates
Your certificates might be treated as having OID, even though they satisfy
the requirement for de minimis OID described above. This result could arise in
two ways:
. Interest on your certificates is not paid in full on a scheduled
payment date. Your certificates might then be treated as having OID
from that date until their principal is fully paid.
. When your certificates are issued, there is more than a "remote" risk
of a late payment or nonpayment of interest. Your certificates would
then have OID from their date of issuance. However, the Bank intends
to take the position that OID does not arise under this rule, because
the risks in question are "remote".
If your certificate has OID, all interest on the certificate would be
subject to the tax rules for accruing OID. In general, there would not be a
significant adverse effect on you. However:
. you would have to report interest income on the certificates as it
accrues rather than when it is paid, even if you are on the cash
method of accounting; and
. if the certificates were issued at a small discount from their face
amount -- that is, with de minimis OID -- you would have to accrue
that discount into income over the life of the certificates.
Premium and Discount
Additional special rules apply in the following situations:
. If you buy a certificate in the initial offering for more than its
principal amount, the excess amount you pay will be "bond premium".
You can use bond premium to reduce your taxable interest income over
the life of your certificate.
. If you buy a certificate in the initial offering for less than its
initial offering price to the public, special rules concerning "market
discount" may apply.
69
<PAGE>
Appropriate adjustments to tax basis are made in these situations.
Certificateholders in these situations should consult their tax advisors.
Sale or Retirement of Certificates
On your sale or retirement of your certificates:
. You will have taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount received by you and your tax basis in your certificates.
. Your tax basis in your certificates is your cost, subject to certain
adjustments for OID, premium and discount.
. Your gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss, and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if you held your certificates for more
than one year.
. If your certificates were issued at a de minimis OID, you must report
that discount in your income as taxable gain on a proportionate basis
as you receive principal on the certificates.
. If you sell your certificates between interest payment dates, a
portion of the amount you receive reflects interest that has accrued
on the certificates but has not yet been paid by the sale date. That
amount is treated as ordinary interest income and not as sale
proceeds.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Under the tax rules concerning information reporting to the IRS:
. Assuming you hold your certificates through a broker or other
securities intermediary, the intermediary must provide information to
the IRS concerning interest, OID and retirement proceeds on the
certificates, unless an exemption applies.
. Similarly, unless an exemption applies, you must provide the
intermediary with your taxpayer identification number for its use in
reporting information to the IRS. If you are an individual, this is
your social security number. You are also required to comply with
other IRS requirements concerning information reporting.
. If you are subject to these requirements but do not comply, the
intermediary must withhold 31% of all amounts payable to you on your
certificates (including principal payments). This is called "backup
withholding". If the intermediary withholds payments, you may use the
withheld amount as a credit against your federal income tax liability.
. All individuals are subject to these requirements. Some holders,
including all corporations, tax- exempt organizations and individual
retirement accounts, are exempt from these requirements.
Other Possible Tax Characterizations
Since we are not obtaining a ruling from the IRS on the tax consequences of
the certificates, the IRS could disagree with the intended tax consequences or
with the opinions of tax counsel described above. As a result:
. The certificates might be treated as equity interests in a partnership
rather than debt for tax purposes. Certificateholders would then be
treated as partners in a partnership, with possible
70
<PAGE>
adverse tax results. In particular, individual certificateholders
would be required to include income of the Trust in their own income
as it accrues rather than when it is paid, and certificateholders
might not be allowed a deduction for certain expenses of the Trust
(resulting in a greater amount of taxable income than cash received).
. The Trust might initially or in the future be treated as a taxable
corporation, with the certificates treated as debt or equity in the
corporation. Tax imposed on the Trust could significantly reduce the
amount of cash otherwise available for payment to certificateholders.
In particular, under a special tax rule, a noncorporate entity such as the
Trust is taxable as a corporation if:
. it is considered to be engaged in the financial business;
. it issues any class of interests treated as equity for tax purposes;
and
. any such class of equity interests is "publicly traded" as broadly
defined.
Because the Trust might be considered to satisfy the condition in the first
bullet point above, the Trust might be a taxable corporation if it issues any
certificates or other interests that are equity for tax purposes and that meet
the broad test for being "publicly traded".
Federal Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Certificateholders
Withholding Taxes
Generally, assuming the certificates are debt for federal income tax
purposes (as provided in the opinion of tax counsel), payments of principal and
interest on the certificates will not be subject to U.S. withholding taxes.
However, for the exemption from withholding taxes to apply to you, you must
meet one of the following requirements:
. You or your agent provide your name, address and a signed statement
that you are the beneficial owner of the certificates and that you are
not a U.S. certificateholder. This statement is generally made on IRS
Form W-8BEN.
. You or your agent claim an exemption from withholding tax under an
applicable tax treaty. This claim is generally made on Form W-8BEN.
. You or your agent claim an exemption from withholding tax on the
ground that the income is effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the U.S. This claim is generally made on Form
W-8ECI.
We suggest that you consult your tax advisor about the specific procedures
for satisfying these requirements. These procedures will change on January 1,
2001. In addition, a claim for exemption will not be valid if the person
receiving the applicable form has actual knowledge that the statements on the
form are false.
71
<PAGE>
Sale or Retirement of Certificates
If you sell certificates or they are redeemed, you will not be subject to
federal income tax on any gain unless one of the following applies:
. The gain is connected with a trade or business that you conduct in the
U.S.
. You are an individual, you are present in the U.S. for at least 183
days during the year in which you dispose of the certificates, and
certain other conditions are satisfied.
. The gain represents accrued interest or OID, in which case the rules
for interest would apply.
U.S. Trade or Business
If you hold your certificates in connection with a trade or business that
you are conducting in the U.S.:
. Any interest on the certificates, and any gain from disposing of the
certificates, generally will be subject to income tax as if you were a
U.S. certificateholder.
. If you are a corporation, you may be subject to the "branch profits
tax" on your earnings that are connected with your U.S. trade or
business, including earnings from the certificates. This tax is 30%,
but may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty.
Estate Taxes
If you are an individual, your certificates will not be subject to U.S.
estate tax when you die. However, this rule only applies if, at your death,
payments on your certificates were not connected to a trade or business that you
were conducting in the U.S.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
U.S. rules concerning information reporting and backup withholding are
described above. These rules apply to Non-U.S. Certificateholders as follows:
. Principal and interest payments you receive will be automatically
exempt from the usual rules if you provide the tax certifications
needed to avoid withholding tax on interest, as described above. The
exemption does not apply if the recipient of the applicable form knows
that the form is false. In addition, interest payments made to you
will be reported to the IRS on Form 1042-S.
. Sale proceeds you receive on a sale of your certificates through a
broker may be subject to information reporting and/or backup
withholding if you are not eligible for an exemption. In particular,
these rules may apply if you use the U.S. office of a broker, and
information reporting (but not backup withholding) may apply if you
use the foreign office of a broker that has certain connections to the
U.S. We suggest that you consult your tax advisor concerning
information reporting and backup withholding on a sale.
Other Possible Tax Characterizations
If the Trust is treated as a taxable corporation, as discussed above, the
tax liability of the Trust could reduce the amount of cash available to
certificateholders. In addition, if your certificates are characterized
72
<PAGE>
as equity rather than debt for federal income tax purposes, there could be
material adverse tax consequences to you. For example:
. If your certificates were equity interests in a partnership, 30% U.S.
withholding tax might apply to the gross amount of income of the Trust
allocable to you. Instead, you might have to file a tax return in the
U.S. and pay tax on your share of net income of the Trust as if such
income were your U.S. business income. In the latter case, withholding
tax would apply to net income of the Trust allocable to you, and a
corporate certificateholder might also be subject to the "branch
profits tax".
. If your certificates are equity interests in a corporation, all
interest payable to you might be treated as a dividend subject to 30%
withholding tax (or a lower rate provided for dividends by a tax
treaty).
We suggest that Non-U.S. Certificateholders consult their tax advisors
concerning these risks.
State and Local Taxation
The discussion above does not address the taxation of the Trust or the tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of an interest in the
certificates under any state or local law. Each investor should consult its own
tax advisor regarding state and local tax consequences.
BENEFIT PLAN INVESTORS
Benefit plans are subject to restrictions under the Internal Revenue Code
and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). These
restrictions include rules concerning prudence and diversification of the
investment of assets of a benefit plan ("plan assets"). A benefit plan fiduciary
should consider whether an investment by the benefit plan in certificates
complies with these requirements.
In general, a benefit plan for these purposes includes:
. an employee benefit plan that is tax-qualified under the Internal
Revenue Code and provides deferred compensation to employees (such as
a pension, profit-sharing, section 401(k) or Keogh plan);
. an individual retirement account; and
. a collective investment fund or other entity, if the fund or entity
has one or more benefit plan investors and certain "look-through"
rules apply and treat the assets of the fund or entity as constituting
plan assets of such benefit plan investor.
However, a plan maintained by a government is not a benefit plan unless it
is tax-qualified under the Internal Revenue Code. A fund or other entity
(including an insurance company general account) considering an investment in
certificates should consult its tax advisors concerning whether its assets might
be considered plan assets under these rules.
Prohibited Transactions
ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code also prohibit transactions of a
specified type between a benefit plan and a party in interest who is related in
a specified manner to the benefit plan. Violation of these
73
<PAGE>
prohibited transaction rules may result in significant penalties. There are
statutory exemptions from the prohibited transaction rules, and the U.S.
Department of Labor has granted administrative exemptions for specified
transactions.
Potential Prohibited Transactions from Investment in Certificates
There are two categories of prohibited transactions that might arise from a
benefit plan's investment in certificates. Fiduciaries of benefit plans
contemplating an investment in certificates should carefully consider whether
the investment would violate these rules.
Prohibited transactions between the benefit plan and a party in interest
The first category of prohibited transaction could arise on the grounds
that the benefit plan, by purchasing certificates, was engaged in a prohibited
transaction with a party in interest. A prohibited transaction could arise, for
example, if the certificates were viewed as debt of the Bank and the Bank was a
party in interest as to the benefit plan. A prohibited transaction could also
arise if the Bank, the trustee, the servicer or another party with an economic
relationship to the Trust either:
. is involved in the investment decision for the benefit plan to
purchase certificates; or
. is otherwise a party in interest as to the benefit plan.
If a prohibited transaction might result from the benefit plan's purchase
of certificates, an administrative exemption from the prohibited transaction
rules might be available. The exemptions that are potentially available include
the following class exemptions:
. 96-23 (available to "in-house asset managers");
. 95-60 (available to insurance company general accounts);
. 91-38 (available to bank collective investment funds);
. 90-1 (available to insurance company pooled separate accounts); and
. 84-14 (available to "qualified professional asset managers").
However, even if the benefit plan is eligible for one of these exemptions, the
exemption may not cover every aspect of the investment by the benefit plan that
might be a prohibited transaction.
Prohibited transactions between the Trust and a party in interest
The second category of prohibited transactions could arise if:
. a benefit plan acquires certificates; and
. under a Department of Labor plan asset regulation, assets of the Trust
are treated as if they were plan assets of the benefit plan.
In this case, every transaction by the Trust would be treated as a transaction
by the benefit plan using plan assets.
74
<PAGE>
If assets of the Trust are treated as plan assets, a prohibited transaction
could result if the Trust itself engages in a transaction with a party in
interest as to the benefit plan. For example, if the trust assets are treated as
plan assets and the Trust holds a receivable that is an obligation of an
employee participating in the benefit plan, then there would be an extension of
credit between the benefit plan and a party in interest (the participant). This
would be a prohibited transaction.
As a result, if assets of the Trust are treated as plan assets, there would
be a significant risk of prohibited transactions. Moreover, the class exemptions
referred to above could not be relied on to exempt all the transactions of the
Trust from the prohibited transaction rules. In addition, because all the assets
of the Trust would be treated as plan assets, managers of those assets might
become subject to the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA.
Investment by Benefit Plan Investors
For the reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph, it is important that
the assets of the Trust not be treated as plan assets. Under an exception in the
plan asset regulation, trust assets will not be treated as plan assets if the
certificates held by the benefit plan are considered to be a "publicly offered
security". For this exception to apply, each of the following conditions must be
satisfied for the certificates of the particular series or class held by the
benefit plan:
. They must be freely transferable. All the certificates offered by this
prospectus will satisfy this condition.
. They must meet specified registration requirements under the
securities law. All the certificates offered by this prospectus will
satisfy this condition.
. At the end of the initial offering of the certificates of any
particular series or class offered hereby, they must be owned by at
least 100 investors independent of the issuer and independent of one
another.
It is not possible to determine in advance whether the third condition will
be satisfied for any particular series or class of certificates offered hereby.
As a result, for each series or class of certificates offered by this
prospectus:
. The Bank will notify the trustee if the certificates will be held by
at least 100 separately named persons at the conclusion of the
offering. However, this notice will be based on information given to
the Bank by the underwriters or other selling agents, and will not be
independently confirmed by the Bank. In addition, the notice will not
specify whether the holders are independent of the Bank or of one
another, as is required for the certificates to be publicly offered
securities under the plan asset regulation.
. If the Bank gives notice that there will be at least 100 holders of
the certificates, benefit plans will be permitted to purchase the
certificates.
. If the Bank does not give notice that there will be at least 100
holders, benefit plans will not be permitted to purchase the
certificates. Every purchaser of certificates will be deemed to have
represented and warranted that it is not a benefit plan and is not
using the assets of a benefit plan to purchase the certificates.
Even if benefit plans are permitted to purchase certificates, there cannot
be complete assurance that a benefit plan's purchase of certificates would not
result in a prohibited transaction. This is because:
75
<PAGE>
. as discussed above, the Bank's notice to the trustee will not provide
assurance that the certificates are publicly offered securities under
the plan asset regulation; and
. even of the certificates are publicly offered securities under the
plan asset regulation, a prohibited transaction could result as
described under the subheading "Potential Prohibited Transactions from
Investment in Certificates--Prohibited transactions between the
benefit plan and a party in interest".
As a result, it remains the responsibility of the fiduciary of a benefit
plan to determine that an investment in certificates is permitted by ERISA and
the Internal Revenue Code and will not result in a prohibited transaction.
Tax Consequences to Benefit Plans
In general, assuming the certificates are debt for federal income tax
purposes, interest income on certificates would not be taxable to benefit plans
that were tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code, unless the certificates
were "debt-financed property". However, if (contrary to the opinion of tax
counsel) for federal income tax purposes the certificates were equity interests
in a partnership, and the partnership were viewed as having other outstanding
debt, then all or part of the interest income on the certificates would be
taxable to the benefit plan as "debt-financed income". Benefit plans should
consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of purchasing
certificates.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Bank may sell certificates in any of three ways: through underwriters
or dealers; directly to one or more purchasers; or through agents.
The related prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering
of any certificates offered hereby, including, without limitation, the names of
any underwriters, the purchase price of those certificates and the proceeds to
the Bank from the sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting
underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
If underwriters are used in a sale of any certificates of a series or class
offered hereby, the certificates will be acquired by the underwriters for their
own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions,
including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at
varying prices to be determined at the time of sale or at the time of
commitment. Those certificates may be offered to the public either through
underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters
without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the
certificates will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the certificates if any of the
certificates are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time
to time.
Certificates of a series or class offered hereby may also be offered and
sold, if so indicated in the related prospectus supplement, in connection with a
remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment
pursuant to their terms, by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals
for their own account or as agents for the Bank. Any remarketing firm will be
identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with the Bank and its
compensation will be described in the related prospectus supplement. Remarketing
firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the certificates
remarketed thereby.
76
<PAGE>
Certificates may also be sold directly by the Bank or through agents
designated by the Bank from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or
sale of certificates will be named, and any commissions payable by the Bank to
that agent will be set forth, in the related prospectus supplement. Any such
agent will act on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Any underwriters, agents or dealers participating in the distribution of
certificates may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions
received by them on the sale or resale of certificates may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Agents and
underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with the Bank to
indemnification by the Bank against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to
payments that the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions
with, or perform services for, the Bank or their affiliates in the ordinary
course of business.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the certificates will be passed upon for
the Bank and the Trust by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, New York, New York and for
any underwriters, agents or dealers by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, New
York, New York. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP acts as counsel for the Bank
in connection with certain other matters from time to time. Certain federal
income tax matters will be passed upon for the Bank by Cravath, Swaine & Moore,
New York, New York.
REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
The servicer will prepare monthly and annual reports that will contain
information about the Trust. The financial information contained in the reports
will not be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. Unless and until definitive certificates are issued, the reports
will be sent to Cede, as the nominee of DTC and the registered holder of the
certificates. No financial reports will be sent to you.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We filed a registration statement relating to the certificates with the
SEC. This prospectus is part of the registration statement, but the registration
statement includes additional information.
The servicer will file with the SEC all required annual, monthly and
special SEC reports and other information about the Trust.
You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file
at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC
20549. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating
fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at (800) 732- 0330 for further
information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are
also available to the public on the SEC Internet site (http://www.sec.gov.).
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information we file with
it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered
to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will
automatically update the information in this prospectus. In all cases, you
should rely on the later information over different information included in this
prospectus or the accompanying prospectus
77
<PAGE>
supplement. We incorporate by reference any future annual, monthly and special
reports for the SEC and proxy materials filed by or on behalf of the Trust until
we terminate our offering of the certificates.
As a recipient of this prospectus, you may request a copy of any document
we incorporate by reference, except exhibits to the documents (unless the
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), at no cost, by writing us
at: Providian National Bank, in care of Providian Financial Corporation, 201
Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, attention: Chief Financial Officer or
calling us at (415) 543-0404.
78
<PAGE>
INDEX OF TERMS FOR PROSPECTUS
Term Page
---- ----
accumulation period ....................................................... 37
base rate ................................................................. 45
Cede ...................................................................... 36
Clearstream, Luxembourg ................................................... 47
defaulted amount .......................................................... 29
defaulted receivables ..................................................... 29
definitive certificates ................................................... 50
distribution date ......................................................... 37
DTC ....................................................................... 36
early amortization payment date ........................................... 45
early amortization period ................................................. 45
eligible account .......................................................... 27
eligible deposit account .................................................. 52
eligible investments ...................................................... 52
enhancement invested amount ............................................... 43
ERISA ..................................................................... 73
FDIA ...................................................................... 65
FDIC ...................................................................... 22
finance charge receivables ................................................ 22
FIRREA .................................................................... 65
floating allocation percentage ............................................ 40
ineligible receivables .................................................... 25
initial amount ............................................................ 41
insolvency event .......................................................... 45
interest funding account .................................................. 36
interest payment dates .................................................... 38
invested amount ........................................................... 38
investment company ........................................................ 45
IRS ....................................................................... 67
Moody's ................................................................... 52
OID ....................................................................... 67
participations ............................................................ 31
pay out event ............................................................. 44
plan assets ............................................................... 73
pooling agreement ......................................................... 21
pooling agreement supplement .............................................. 36
portfolio yield ........................................................... 45
prefunding account ........................................................ 41
principal allocation percentage ........................................... 40
principal funding account ................................................. 37
principal receivables ..................................................... 22
record date ............................................................... 46
revolving period .......................................................... 37
rollouts .................................................................. 18
scheduled amortization period ............................................. 37
Securities Act ............................................................ 39
series issuance date ...................................................... 26
series termination date ................................................... 47
shared principal collections .............................................. 40
special funding account ................................................... 55
Standard & Poor's ......................................................... 52
tax counsel ............................................................... 67
tax opinion ............................................................... 21
transfer deposit amount ................................................... 26
trust cut-off date ........................................................ 23
UCC ....................................................................... 26
79
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK]
Providian Master Trust
Issuer
Providian National Bank
Seller and Servicer
$544,250,000 Floating Rate Class A
Asset Backed Certificates
$71,750,000 Floating Rate Class B
Asset Backed Certificates
SERIES 2000-3
-------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Dated November 9, 2000
-------------------------------------
Underwriters of the Class A certificates
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Chase Securities Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston
Lehman Brothers
Salomon Smith Barney
Underwriters of the Class B certificates
Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown
Chase Securities Inc.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with different information.
We are not offering the Class A certificates and Class B certificates in any
state where the offer is not permitted.
Dealers will deliver a prospectus supplement and prospectus when acting as
underwriters of the Class A certificates and Class B certificates and with
respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions. In addition, all dealers
selling the Class A certificates and Class B certificates will deliver a
prospectus supplement and prospectus until February 7, 2001.
