As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 1996
Registration No. 333-07185
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
AMENDMENT NO. 3
to
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_________________
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE MASTER TRUST
(Issuer of the Certificates)
_________________
FIRESTONE RETAIL CREDIT CORPORATION
(Originator of the Trust described herein and exact name
of registrant as specified in its government instrument.)
_________________
Massachusetts 6141 13-3205598
(State of (Primary Standard Industrial (IRS Employer
Incorporation) Classification Code Number) Identification Number)
JH Management Corporation
R. Douglas Donaldson
One International Place, Suite 520
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2624
(617) 951-7690
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code of registrant's principal executive offices)
_________________
copies to:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Saul Solomon, Esq. Reed D. Auerbach, Esq. Cathy Kaplan, Esq.
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Brown & Wood LLP
50 Century Boulevard Seven Hanover Square 1 World Trade Center
Nashville, Tennessee 37214 New York, New York 10004-2696 New York, New York 10048
(615) 872-1496 (212) 806-6648 (212) 839-5531
</TABLE>
_________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public. As
soon as practicable on or after the effective date of this Registration
Statement, as determined by market conditions.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act
of 1933, please check the following box. / /
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. / /
__________________
<TABLE>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<CAPTION>
Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
Title of Securities Amount Being Offering Price Aggregate Offering Registration
Being Registered Registered(1) Per Unit(1) Price(1) Fee(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Asset Backed
Certificates, Series 1996-1 . . $1,000,000 100% $1,000,000 $435
Class B Asset Backed
Certificates, Series 1996-1 . . $1,000,000 100% $1,000,000 $435
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee.
(2) Total registration fee of $870.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that the
Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with
Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange
Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
FIRESTONE RETAIL CREDIT CORPORATION
FURNISHED PURSUANT TO ITEM
501(b) OF REGULATION S-K
Form S-1 Item Number and Heading Heading in Prospectus
- -------------------------------- ---------------------
1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and Forefront of Registration
Outside Front Page of Prospectus . . . . Statement and Outside
Front Cover Page of
Prospectus
2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages Inside Front Cover and
of Prospectus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outside Back Cover Page
of the Prospectus
3. Summary Information and Risk Factors . . . . Summary of Terms; Risk
Factors
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges . . . . . *
4. Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use of Proceeds
5. Determination of Offering Price . . . . . . *
6. Dilution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *
7. Selling Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . *
8. Plan of Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . Underwriting
9. Description of Securities to be Registered . The Trust; Description
of the Offered
Certificates and the
Agreement
10. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel . . . Legal Matters
11. Information with Respect to the Registrant . The Transferor and
Bridgestone/Firestone
12. Disclosure of Commission Position on See Part II
Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
__________________
*Answer negative or item inapplicable.
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold without
the delivery of a final Prospectus. This Prospectus shall not constitute an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any
sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or
sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such State.
PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER __, 1996
- ----------
$_______
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE MASTER TRUST
$(200,000,000) CLASS A ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 1996-1
$(28,000,000) CLASS B ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 1996-1
Firestone Retail Credit Corporation Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Transferor Servicer
Each Class A Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1996-1 (the "Class A
Certificates") and each Class B Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1996-1 (the
"Class B Certificates" and, together with the Class A Certificates, the
"Offered Certificates") will evidence an undivided interest in the
Bridgestone/Firestone Master Trust (the "Trust") created pursuant to the
Amended and Restated Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated
as of October __, 1996, as supplemented by the Series 1996-1 Series
Supplement, dated as of October __, 1996, and each among Firestone Retail
Credit Corporation, as transferor (the "Transferor"), Bridgestone/Firestone,
Inc. ("Bridgestone/Firestone"), as servicer (the "Servicer"), and The Fuji
Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Trust assets (the
"Trust Assets") include (i) a portfolio of account balances (the
"Receivables") generated or to be generated under a private label credit card
program (the "Credit Card Program") established by Credit First National
Association ("CFNA"; together with any successor originator, the
"Originator"), (ii) a portfolio of certain designated Receivables to be
generated by the Originator under other credit card programs to be
established by the Originator (the "Alternative Programs"), (iii) all monies
due or to become due under the Receivables, (iv) the right to receive certain
merchant fees attributed to cardholder charges giving rise to Receivables,
(v) all Recoveries on Defaulted Receivables, (vi) any Enhancement issued with
respect to any Series, (vii) the proceeds of the Servicer Letter of Credit
and the Transferor Letter of Credit, (viii) all of the Transferor's right,
title and interest in and to the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the
Participation Agreement, (ix) all moneys on deposit in the Collection Account
and any other accounts established for the benefit of any other Series (which
other accounts will not be available to Certificateholders) and (x) all
proceeds of any of the foregoing.
Concurrently with the issuance of the Offered Certificates, the Trust
will issue $(10,000,000) principal amount Class C Floating Rate Asset Backed
Certificates, Series 1996-1 (the "Class C Certificates") and the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate (the "Subordinated Transferor Certificate" and,
together with the Class C Certificates and the Offered Certificates, the
"Certificates"). The fractional undivided interest in the Trust represented
by the Class B Certificates will be subordinated to the extent necessary to
fund payments with respect to the Class A Certificates as described herein.
The Class C Certificates and the Subordinated Transferor Certificate will be
subordinated to the extent necessary to fund payments with respect to the
Class A Certificates and the Class B Certificates as described herein. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement." The Class C
Certificates and the Subordinated Transferor Certificate are not being
offered hereby.
(Continued on the next page)
There currently is no secondary market for the Offered Certificates and
there can be no assurance that one will develop. The Underwriters expect,
but are not obligated, to make a market in the Offered Certificates.
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY SUCH MARKET WILL CONTINUE. POTENTIAL
INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN
"RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 29 IN THE PROSPECTUS.
THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES REPRESENT INTERESTS IN THE TRUST ONLY AND DO NOT
REPRESENT
INTERESTS IN OR RECOURSE OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRANSFEROR, THE SERVICER, THE
ORIGINATOR OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF. AN OFFERED CERTIFICATE IS NOT A
DEPOSIT AND NEITHER THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES NOR THE UNDERLYING
ACCOUNTS OR RECEIVABLES ARE INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE
COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTA-
TION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL PUBLIC UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
OFFERING PRICE (1) DISCOUNT TRANSFEROR(1)(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Class A Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . % % %
Per Class B Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . % % %
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ $
</TABLE>
(1) Plus accrued interest, at the Class A Certificate Rate or Class B
Certificate Rate, as applicable, from October __, 1996.
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $_______ payable by the
Transferor.
The Offered Certificates are offered by the Underwriters as described in
"Underwriting", subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters and
subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected
that the Offered Certificates will be delivered in book-entry form on or
about October __, 1996 through the facilities of The Depository Trust
Company, CEDEL S.A. and the Euroclear System.
------------------------------
Citicorp Securities, Inc Chase Securities Inc.
The date of this Prospectus is October __, 1996.
(Continued from the previous page)
The Class A Certificateholders and the Class B Certificateholders (the
"Offered Certificateholders") will be entitled to certain assets of the
Trust, including the right to receive a varying percentage of each month's
collections with respect to the Receivables at the times and in the manner
described herein. The Trust has also issued a certificate representing a one
percent interest in the Trust to Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (the
"Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate"). The Transferor will own the remaining
interest in the Trust not represented by the Certificates (subject to the
Participation Agreement with Bridgestone/Firestone), the
Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate and the interest of holders of other
outstanding Series. The Transferor has offered and from time to time may
offer other series of certificates that evidence undivided interests in the
Trust (each, a "Series"), which may have terms significantly different from
the Certificates, by exchanging a portion of its interest in the Trust. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement."
Interest will accrue on the Class A Certificates at the rate of __% per
annum (the "Class A Certificate Date"). Interest will accrue on the Class B
Certificates at the rate of __% per annum (the "Class B Certificate Rate").
Interest will accrue on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Interest with respect to the Certificates is payable monthly on the 1st of
each month (or, if such day is not a business day, the next succeeding
business day) (each, a "Distribution Date"). Principal on the Class A
Certificates is scheduled to be distributed on each Distribution Date
commencing on the Distribution Date in __________ and ending on the
Distribution Date in __________, but may be paid earlier or later under
certain limited circumstances described herein. Principal on the Class B
Certificates is scheduled to be distributed on each Distribution Date
commencing __________, but may be paid earlier or later under certain limited
circumstances described herein. No principal will be payable to the Class B
Certificates until the final principal payment has been made to the Class A
Certificates. No principal will be payable to the Class C Certificates until
the final payment has been made to the Class A Certificates and Class B
Certificates. No principal will be payable to the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate until the final payment has been made to the Class A
Certificates, the Class B Certificates and Class C Certificates. See
"Maturity Assumptions." The issuance of the Class B Certificates, the Class
C Certificates and the Subordinated Transferor Certificate are conditions
precedent to the issuance of the Class A Certificates. The issuance of the
Class C Certificates and the Subordinated Transferor Certificate are
conditions precedent to the issuance of the Class B Certificates. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement."
An application will be made to list the Offered Certificates on the
London Stock Exchange Limited.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVERALLOT OR
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE
OFFERED CERTIFICATES OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT
OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. (SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON
THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE LIMITED) SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
--------------------
REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Unless and until Definitive Certificates (as defined herein) are issued,
monthly and annual reports, containing information concerning the Trust and
prepared by the Servicer, will be sent on behalf of the Trust to Cede & Co.
("Cede"), as registered holder of the Offered Certificates, pursuant to the
Agreement. On each Distribution Date a Payment Date Statement (as defined
herein) prepared by the Servicer will be provided setting forth information
regarding the Offered Certificates. Such reports will be made available on a
monthly basis by The Depository Trust Company to Participants (as hereinafter
defined), upon request by such Participants to The Depository Trust Company,
in accordance with the rules, regulations and procedures creating and
affecting The Depository Trust Company. Certificate Owners (as defined
herein) may contact their Participants or the Trustee to receive copies of
such reports. See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--Book-Entry Registration" and "--Reports to Certificateholders."
Such reports will not contain information that has been examined and reported
on by independent public accountants and will not constitute financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. The Transferor does not intend to send any of its financial
reports to Certificateholders or to the owners of beneficial interests in the
Offered Certificates (the "Certificate Owners"). The Servicer on behalf of
the Trust will file with the Commission such periodic reports with respect to
the Trust as are required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder. However, in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder, the Transferor expects that the
Trust's obligation to file such reports will be terminated following the end
of 1996. Upon the termination of the Trust's obligation, the Transferor
intends not to file Exchange Act reports.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Transferor, as originator of the Trust, has filed a Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), with the
Commission with respect to the Offered Certificates offered pursuant to this
Prospectus. For further information, reference is made to the Registration
Statement and amendments and exhibits thereto (the "Registration Statement"),
which are available for inspection without charge at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549; 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048; and
Citicorp Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Copies of the Registration Statement may be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates and electronically through the
Commission's Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system at the
Commission's Web site (http:\\www.sec.gov).
SUMMARY OF TERMS
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. Certain
capitalized terms used in this summary are defined elsewhere in this
Prospectus. A listing of the pages on which some of such terms are defined
is found in the "Index of Terms" herein.
SECURITIES OFFERED... $(200,000,000) Class A Asset Backed Certificates,
Series 1996-1 (the "Class A Certificates") to be
fully paid by ________ __, 1999 and $(28,000,000)
Class B Asset Backed Certificates, Series 1996-1
(the "Class B Certificates", together with the Class
A Certificates, the "Offered Certificates), to be
fully paid by ________ __, 1999. The Offered
Certificates will be issued pursuant to the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement, as supplemented by the
Series 1996-1 Series Supplement, dated as of October
__, 1996 (collectively, the "Agreement"), among
Firestone Retail Credit Corporation, as transferor
(the "Transferor"), Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
("Bridgestone/Firestone"), as servicer (the
"Servicer") and The Fuji Bank and Trust Company, as
trustee (the "Trustee"). The Class C Certificates
and the Subordinated Transferor Certificate (herein
collectively referred to as the "Other
Certificates"), to be issued pursuant to the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement (see "Description of the
Offered Certificates" below), are not being offered
hereby. The issuance of the Other Certificates is a
condition precedent to the issuance of the Offered
Certificates. The Other Certificates, together with
the Offered Certificates, will be referred to herein
as the "Certificates." Any information contained
herein regarding the Other Certificates is included
solely to permit a better understanding of the
Offered Certificates. See "Description of the
Offered Certificates and the Agreement--General."
Bridgestone/Firestone is a direct wholly owned
subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a corporation
under the laws of Japan. Bridgestone/Firestone is a
multinational organization whose principal business
is the development, manufacture and sale of a
broad line of tires for passenger, truck and
agricultural vehicles, in both the original
equipment and replacement markets. Credit
First National Association ("CFNA" or together
with any successor originator, the "Originator"),
a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone/
Firestone, was organized for the purpose of
making credit card loans and activities incidental
thereto.
The Certificates represent beneficial interests in
the Trust only and do not represent interests in
or recourse obligations of the Transferor, the
Servicer, CFNA or any affiliate thereof.
The Trust has previously issued several other Series.
See "Annex I: Outstanding Series" for a summary
of all Series currently outstanding.
TRANSFEROR..... Firestone Retail Credit Corporation, a Massachusetts
corporation, is the transferor of the Receivables
and the originator of the Trust. The Transferor
is a nominally capitalized special purpose
corporation and was organized for the limited
purpose of purchasing, holding, owning and selling
receivables and any activities incidental to
and necessary or convenient for the accomplishment
of the foregoing. The Transferor's principal
executive offices are located at One International
Place, Suite 520, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
Its telephone number is (617) 951-7690. See
"The Transferor and Bridgestone/Firestone."
SERVICER...... The Receivables will be serviced by Bridgestone/
Firestone, Inc., an Ohio corporation. CFNA will
perform certain sub-servicing functions on behalf
of the Servicer including, but not limited to the
approval of new account applications, the approval
of all credit charge transactions involving existing
accounts and collection efforts.
TRUST ASSETS... The Trust Assets include (i) a portfolio of account
balances (the "Receivables") generated or to be
generated by the Originator in the ordinary course
of its business and existing or arising in certain
credit card accounts (the "Accounts") established
or to be established under a private label credit
card program described more fully herein (the
"Credit Card Program") established by the
Originator for customers of (a) Bridgestone/
Firestone stores, which sell tires and automotive
maintenance and repair products and services, (b)
dealers and marketers which have contractual
arrangements with Bridgestone/Firestone to
market Bridgestone/Firestone tires and related
products, as well as automotive maintenance and
repair services, and (c) certain other dealers
and marketers of automotive products, which
include tires and automotive maintenance and
repair services, which dealers and marketers do
not have such contractual arrangements with
Bridgestone/Firestone, (ii) a portfolio of certain
designated Receivables generated or to be generated
by the Originator and existing or arising under
certain accounts to be established under other
credit card programs established or to be
established by the Originator (the "Alternative
Programs"), (iii) all monies due or to become
due under the Receivables on or after the billing
cycle cut-off dates occurring in the Collection
Period (as defined below) from October 19, 1992
to November 18, 1992 (the "Cut-off Date"), (iv)
the right to receive certain merchant fees
attributed to cardholder charges giving
rise to Receivables pursuant to the Purchase and
Sale Agreement (as defined below), (v) all
Recoveries (as defined below) on Defaulted
Receivables (as defined below), (vi) any
Enhancement (as defined below) issued with respect
to any Series, (vii) the proceeds of the Servicer
Letter of Credit and the Transferor Letter of
Credit (each as defined below), (viii) all of
the Transferor's right, title and interest in
and to the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the
Participation Agreement (as defined below),
(ix) all moneys on deposit in the Collection
Account and any other accounts established
for the benefit of any other series (which
other accounts will not be available to
Certificateholders) and (x) all proceeds of any
of the foregoing.
The Accounts will include (i) all eligible
credit card accounts ("Eligible Accounts")
established under the Credit Card Program
subsequent to the Cut-off Date and (ii) all
eligible additional accounts established under
Alternative Programs subsequent to the Cut-off
Date which are designated by the Transferor
as Eligible Additional Accounts (as defined below)
in accordance with selection criteria relating
to the addition of accounts. See "The Credit
Card Program--General" and "--Addition of Accounts"
herein.
The term "Defaulted Receivables" shall mean
with respect to any Collection Period, all
Receivables in any Account which are written
off as uncollectible in such Collection Period
in accordance with CFNA guidelines. Notwith-
standing the foregoing sentence, a Receivable
shall be deemed a Defaulted Receivable no later
than the last day of the Collection Period
following the Collection Period in which it
becomes 180 days delinquent. The term
"Recoveries", with respect to any Collection
Period, shall mean all amounts or payments
received by the Servicer with respect to
Receivables which have previously become
Defaulted Receivables in a prior Collection
Period, net of reasonable expenses of the
Servicer incurred and deducted from such
amounts or payments. The Servicer may deduct
reasonable expenses in connection with such
Recoveries. The term "Enhancement" shall mean,
with respect to any Series or class within a
Series, any letter of credit, guaranteed rate
agreement, cash collateral account, cash
collateral guaranty, liquidity facility,
maturity guaranty facility, tax protection
agreement, interest rate swap or other
contract or agreement for the benefit of the
certificateholders of such Series.
The Receivables have been and will be purchased by
the Transferor from the Originator pursuant to the
Second Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale
Agreement, dated October __, 1996, among the
Transferor, Bridgestone/Firestone and the
Originator (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement").
The Purchase and Sale Agreement provides that
the Originator shall sell and assign to the
Transferor, and the Transferor will purchase
from the Originator, on each business day,
all Receivables arising in the Accounts under
the Credit Card Program and certain Receivables
arising in designated Accounts under the
Alternative Programs, provided, among other things,
that the Transferor is not in default thereunder
and that no Servicer Event of Default (as defined
herein) and no Originator insolvency shall have
occurred. See "Description of the Purchase and
Sale Agreement." The right to receive certain
merchant fees attributed to cardholder charges
giving rise to Receivables will be transferred
by the Originator to the Transferor pursuant to the
Purchase and Sale Agreement. The Transferor has
transferred and will transfer such Receivables
and the merchant fees to the Trust pursuant to
the Agreement. See "Description of the Offered
Certificates and the Agreement--Conveyance of
Receivables."
The "Receivables" consist of amounts charged by
cardholders under the Accounts for goods and
services, and all late fees, returned check
charges, convenience checks and amounts
charged in respect of credit-related insurance
and periodic finance charges as described
herein.
A portion of the Collections (as defined below)
received in any applicable billing cycle for an
Account (the monthly billing cycle periods for the
Accounts ending in the period of time commencing on
the 19th calendar day of each calendar month and
ending on the 18th calendar day of the next
succeeding calendar month during the term of the
Trust being collectively referred to herein as a
"Collection Period") allocable to Receivables
will be treated as "Finance Charge Collections"
and a portion will be treated as "Principal
Collections." Under the Agreement and as
otherwise specified therein, the Collections
on the Receivables for any Collection Period
will be allocated such that all finance charges
billed or accrued in respect of Receivables in
the prior Collection Period (less certain rebates
as described herein) will be deemed
Finance Charge Collections and the remaining
amount of such Collections will be deemed
Principal Collections. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Recoveries received in any Collection
Period shall be treated as Finance Charge
Collections for such Collection Period for all
purposes. In addition, merchant fees received or
accrued in any Collection Period shall be treated
as Finance Charge Collections for such Collection
Period for all purposes.
As of the Collection Period ended on ___________, 1996
the amount of Aggregate Receivables (as defined
below) in the Trust was $_____________. The
total amount of Receivables and merchant fees in the
Trust will fluctuate from day to day as a result
of the transfer of new Receivables to the Trust and
as a result of collections on existing Receivables
("Collections").
ADDITION OF ACCOUNTS.. The Accounts consist of all Accounts established
under the Credit Card Program subsequent to the
Cut-off Date. In addition, the Transferor is
permitted (subject to certain limitations and
conditions) to designate from time to time
additional eligible Accounts established under
Alternative Programs ("Eligible Additional
Accounts") and to convey to the Trust
Receivables of such Eligible Additional
Accounts, whether such Receivables are then
existing or thereafter created until either the
Ten Percent Number Test (as defined below) or
Ten Percent Aggregate Test (as defined below)
is met. Thereafter, if the Transferor has not
obtained the consent of the applicable rating
agencies, as described below, additional
accounts and additional receivables from
Alternative Programs shall not be transferred
to the Trust.
Such "Alternative Programs" (are programs for which
CFNA underwrites and originates Accounts and
Receivables and) may include, but are not
limited to, the establishment of additional
private label credit card programs and the offering
of general purpose credit cards. As of the date
of the issuance of the Certificates, the Originator
has not established any of these Alternative
Programs. The "Ten Percent Number Test" is met
when the number of Eligible Additional Accounts
equals 10% of the number of all Accounts in the
Trust. The "Ten Percent Aggregate Test" is met
when the dollar amount of Receivables from such
Eligible Additional Accounts equals 10% of
the Aggregate Receivables. See "Description of
the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--
Addition of Accounts."
Once the Transferor has met the Ten Percent Number
Test or the Ten Percent Aggregate Test, the
Transferor must request written confirmation
from the applicable rating agencies to transfer to
the Trust additional Accounts related to a
designated Alternative Program and all Receivables
arising from such Accounts. Upon receiving such
written confirmation from the applicable rating
agencies, the Transferor will be permitted to
include in the Trust Eligible Additional Accounts
from such designated Alternative Program, subject
to a 15% Quarterly Cap and a 20% Yearly Cap (each
as defined below). The "15% Quarterly Cap" will
be met when the number of Eligible Additional
Accounts from such designated Alternative
Program equals 15% of the number of Eligible
Accounts in the Trust as of the last day of
March, June, September and December. The "20%
Yearly Cap" will be met when the number of
Eligible Additional Accounts from such
designated Alternative Program equals 20% of
the number of Eligible Accounts in the Trust
as of December 31 of each year. The Transferor
may continue to designate Eligible Additional
Accounts from Alternative Programs in accordance
with the selection criteria described in "The
Credit Card Program -- Addition of Accounts."
REMOVAL OF ACCOUNTS. The Transferor has the right to accept Accounts
for removal from the Trust in an amount not greater
than the excess of the Transferor Amount (plus
the B/F Amount and amounts available under the
Transferor Letter of Credit) over __% of the
Aggregate Certificateholders' Interest (as
defined herein), provided, among other conditions,
that the Transferor has not employed a selection
procedure adverse to the interests of the
Certificateholders and the Transferor reasonably
believes that the removal of such Accounts
from the Trust will not result in the occurrence
of an Amortization Event. See "Description of the
Offered Certificates and the Agreement--Removal of
Accounts."
DESCRIPTION OF THE
CERTIFICATES..... Payments received on the Trust's assets will be
allocated among the interest of the Class A
Certificateholders (the "Class A Interest"), the
interest of the Class B Certificateholders (the
"Class B Interest"), the interest of the Class C
Certificateholders (the "Class C Interest") and the
subordinated interest of the holder of the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate (the
"Subordinated Transferor Interest," together
with the Class A Interest, the Class B Interest
and the Class C Interest, the "Certificateholders'
Interest"), the interest of the holders of
other outstanding Series (together with the
Certificateholders' Interest, the "Aggregate
Certificateholders' Interest"), the interest
of Bridgestone/Firestone as holder of the
Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate (the "B/F
Interest") and the pari passu interest of the
Transferor (the last ---- ----- being referred
to as the "Transferor Interest"). The amount
of the Transferor Interest at any time (the
"Transferor Amount") shall equal the Aggregate
Receivables at such time minus the sum of the
invested amount of the holders of other outstanding
Series, the Class A Invested Amount, Class B
Invested Amount, the Class C Invested Amount,
the Subordinated Transferor Amount and the amount
of the B/F Interest (the "B/F Amount").
The Transferor Interest will be evidenced by a
certificate (the "Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate") which will evidence an
undivided interest in the Trust Assets allocated to
the Transferor Interest. The principal amount of
the Transferor Interest will fluctuate as the
amount of the Receivables held by the Trust
changes from time to time. The Transferor Amount
(plus the amount available under the Transferor
Letter of Credit (as defined below) and the B/F
Amount) shall at all times equal ___% or more of
the aggregate invested amount of all outstanding
Series of certificates. The initial Transferor
Amount is equal to __________.
The Class A Certificates offered hereby will
evidence undivided interests in the Trust Assets
allocated to the Class A Interest and will represent
the right to receive from such Trust Assets funds up
to (but not in excess of) the amounts required to
make payments of interest at the rate per annum equal
to __% (the "Class A Certificate Rate") payable
monthly on each Distribution Date, and the payment
of principal on each Distribution Date commencing
____________, or earlier or later under certain
circumstances, to the extent of the Class A Invested
Amount (as defined herein) (which may be less than
the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Class
A Certificates, in certain circumstances, if
the Investor Default Amount (as defined herein)
exceeds available Finance Charge Collections and
Reallocated Principal Collections (as defined herein)
and the Class B Invested Amount (as defined herein),
the Class C Invested Amount (as defined herein) and
the Subordinated Transferor Amount are each
zero). See "Description of the Offered
Certificates and the Agreement--General,"
"--Allocation Percentages," "--Reallocation of
Cash Flows," "--Distributions from the Collection
Account" and "-- Subordination of the Class B
Certificates."
The Class B Certificates offered hereby will
evidence undivided interests in the Trust Assets
allocated to the Class B Interest and will represent
the right to receive from such Trust Assets funds up
to (but not in excess of) the amounts required to
make payments of interest at the rate per annum
equal to __% (the "Class B Certificate Rate")
payable monthly on each Distribution Date, and
the payment of principal on each Distribution
Date commencing ____________, or earlier or later
under certain circumstances, to the extent of the
Class B Invested Amount (which may be less than
the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Class
B Certificates, in certain circumstances, if the
Investor Default Amount exceeds available Finance
Charge Collections and Reallocated Principal
Collections and the Class C Invested Amount and
the Subordinated Transferor Amount are each
zero). The Class B Certificates are subordinate
in right of payment to the Class A Certificates
to the extent necessary to fund payments with
respect to the Class A Certificates. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--General," "--Allocation Percentages,"
"--Reallocation of Cash Flows," "--Distributions
from the Collection Account" and "--Subordination
of the Class B Certificates."
The Class C Certificates will evidence undivided
interests in the Trust Assets allocated to the
Class C Interest and will represent the right
to receive from such assets funds up to (but not
in excess of) the amounts required to make payments
of interest at a rate per annum (the "Class C
Certificate Rate") based on the London
interbank offered rate for __ month United States
dollar deposits ("LIBOR") and of principal with
respect to the Class C Certificates to the extent
of the Class C Invested Amount (which may be less
than the aggregate unpaid principal balance
of the Class C Certificates, in certain
circumstances, if the Investor Default Amount
exceeds available Finance Charge Collections and
Reallocated Principal Collections and the
Subordinated Transferor Amount is zero) following
the final principal payment with respect to the
Offered Certificates. The Class C Certificates are
subordinated in right of payment to the Offered
Certificates to the extent necessary to fund
payments with respect to the Offered
Certificates. The Class C Certificates will be
offered privately and are not being offered hereby.
The Subordinated Transferor Certificate will
evidence an undivided interest in the Trust
Assets allocated to the Subordinated Transferor
Interest and will represent the right to receive
from such assets funds up to (but not in excess of)
the amounts required to make payments of principal
with respect to the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate following the final principal payment
with respect to the Class C Certificates (which may
be less than the aggregate unpaid principal balance
of the Subordinated Transferor Certificate, in
certain circumstances, if the Investor Default
Amount exceeds available Finance Charge Collections
and Reallocated Principal Collections). The holder
of the Subordinated Transferor Certificate will not
be entitled to receive any payments of
interest. The Subordinated Transferor Certificate
is subordinate in right of payment to the Offered
Certificates and the Class C Certificates to the
extent necessary to fund payments with respect
to the Offered Certificates and the Class C
Certificates. The Subordinated Transferor
Certificate will be retained by the Transferor
and is not being offered hereby.
The Series 1992-A Certificates and the Series
1992-B Certificates (collectively, the "Series
1992 Certificates"), the Series 1995-A Asset
Backed Certificates (the "Series 1995-A
Certificates"), the Bridgestone/Firestone
Certificate and the Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate are the only certificates that have
been issued by the Trust as of the date hereof.
None of the Series 1992 Certificates, the Series
1995-A Certificates, the Class C Certificates,
the Subordinated Transferor Certificate, the
Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate, the
Exchangeable Transferor Certificate are being
offered hereby. Each outstanding Series represents
a pari passu interest in the Trust.
---- -----
The Class A Interest, the Class B Interest, the Class
C Interest and the Subordinated Transferor Interest
will each include the right to receive (but only
to the extent needed to make required payments
under the Agreement) varying percentages of
Finance Charge Collections and Principal
Collections during each Collection Period.
Finance Charge Collections and Defaulted Receivables
will be allocated at all times to the Class A
Interest, the Class B Interest, the Class C
Interest and the Subordinated Transferor Interest
based on the Floating Allocation Percentage (as
defined herein) applicable to such Class or
Interest during the related Collection Period.
The "Class A Floating Allocation Percentage",
the "Class B Floating Allocation Percentage",
the "Class C Floating Allocation Percentage" and
the "Subordinated Floating Allocation Percentage"
shall be equal to the percentage equivalent of
the ratio which the Class A, Class B, Class C
Invested Amount or the Subordinated Transferor
Amount, as applicable, on the last day of
the immediately preceding Collection Period
bears to the amount of Aggregate Receivables in the
Trust, or, with respect to Finance Charge
Collections, bears to the sum of the numerators
used to calculate the invested percentage with
respect to Finance Charge Collections for all
Series of certificates outstanding during such
Collection Period and the B/F Percentage. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--Allocation Percentages."
During the Revolving Period (as defined below),
subject to certain limitations, all Principal
Collections allocable to the Certificates
(other than Reallocated Principal Collections
(as defined below) that are used to pay interest
due on the Class A, Class B and Class C
Certificates) will be paid to the Transferor in
respect of the Transferor Interest. During the
Controlled Amortization Period (as defined below)
and any Rapid Amortization Period (as defined
below), Principal Collections will be allocated
to the Class A Interest, the Class B Interest,
the Class C Interest and the Subordinated
Transferor Interest based on the Fixed Allocation
Percentage with respect to such Class or Interest.
The Floating Allocation Percentage and Fixed
Allocation Percentage are sometimes referred to
herein as an "Invested Percentage." See
"Principal Payments; Controlled Amortization Period"
herein.
EXCHANGES...... The Agreement authorizes the Trustee to issue three
types of certificates: (i) one or more Series of
certificates which may be in one or more classes
and which may be transferable and have the
characteristics described below, (ii) the
Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate which is
currently and will continue to be held by
Bridgestone/Firestone and which is not transferable,
and (iii) the Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate, which is held by the Transferor and
which was sold to Bridgestone/Firestone pursuant
to an Amended and Restated Participation
Agreement, dated as of October __, 1996, by and
between the Transferor and Bridgestone/Firestone
(the "Participation Agreement"). The Agreement
also provides that, pursuant to any one or more
supplements to the Agreement (each, a "Supplement"),
the Transferor may tender the Exchangeable
Transferor Certificate or, if permitted by the
applicable Supplement, certificates representing any
Series of certificates and the Exchangeable
Transferor Certificate, to the Trustee and,
upon satisfying certain other terms and
conditions, cause the Trustee to issue one or
more new series and reissue an Exchangeable
Transferor Certificate (any such tender, an
"Exchange"). Any Exchange involving only the
tender of the Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate to the Trustee will have the effect
of decreasing the Transferor Interest.
Under the Agreement, the Transferor may define,
with respect to any Series, the Principal Terms (as
defined below) of the Series. The Transferor may
offer any Series to the public or other investors
under a prospectus or other disclosure document
(a "Disclosure Document") in transactions either
registered under the Act or exempt from
registration thereunder, directly or through the
Underwriters (as defined below) or one or more
other underwriters or placement agents, in
fixed-price offerings or in negotiated
transactions or otherwise. See Annex I
for a listing of all outstanding Series. The
Transferor may offer, from time to time, additional
Series issued by the Trust.
Under the Agreement and pursuant to a Supplement, an
Exchange may occur only upon delivery to the
Trustee of the following: (i) a Supplement
specifying the Principal Terms of such Series,
(ii) an opinion of counsel to the effect that
the certificates of such Series under existing law
will be characterized as indebtedness for Federal
income tax purposes and that the issuance of such
Series will not materially adversely affect the
Federal income tax characterization of any
outstanding Series, (iii) if required by the
related Supplement, a form of Enhancement and
any related agreement, (iv) written confirmation
from the applicable Rating Agency (see "Rating
of the Offered Certificates" below) that the
Exchange will not result in such Rating
Agency reducing or withdrawing its rating on
any then outstanding Series rated by it or
otherwise adversely affect any rating on any then
outstanding Series, and (v) the existing
Exchangeable Transferor Certificate and, if
applicable, the certificates representing the
Series to be exchanged. See "Description
of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--
Exchanges."
REGISTRATION OF THE OFFERED
CERTIFICATES... The Class A Certificates will be issued in book-
entry form only in the initial principal amount of
($200,000,000) (the "Initial Class A Invested
Amount") (which will be decreased or reinstated
under certain circumstances as described herein).
The Class A Certificates will initially be
represented by one or more Class A
Certificates registered in the name of Cede &
Co. ("Cede") as the nominee of The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"), in the United States, or Cedel
Bank, societe anonyme ("CEDEL") or the Euroclear
System ("Euroclear") in Europe. The Class B
Certificates will be issued in book-entry form
only in the initial principal amount of
($28,000,000) (the "Initial Class B Invested
Amount") (which will be decreased or reinstated
under certain circumstances as described herein
and, accordingly, the amount available to fund
payments with respect to the Class A Certificates
may be decreased). The Class B Certificates will
initially be represented by one or more Certificates
registered in the name of Cede as the nominee
of DTC, in the United States or CEDEL or
Euroclear in Europe. Transfers within DTC,
CEDEL or Euroclear, as the case may be, will be in
accordance with the usual rules and operating
procedures of the relevant system. So long as
Offered Certificates are in book-entry form,
such Offered Certificates will be evidenced
by one or more securities registered in the name
of Cede, as the nominee of DTC or one or the
relevant depositaries (collectively, the
"European Depositaries"). Cross-market transfers
between persons holding directly or indirectly
through DTC, on the one hand, and counterparties
holding directly or indirectly through CEDEL or
Euroclear, on the other, will be effected in DTC
through Citibank N.A. ("Citibank") or The Chase
Manhattan Bank ("Chase"), the relevant depositaries
of CEDEL and Euroclear, respectively, and each a
participating member of DTC. See "Description of
the Certificates--Definitive Certificates."
As used herein, the term "Class A Certificate-
holders" refers to registered holders of the
Class A Certificates, the term "Class B
Certificateholders" refers to registered holders
of the Class B Certificates, the term "Class C
Certificateholders" refers to registered holders
of the Class C Certificates, and the term "Offered
Certificateholders" refers to the Class A
Certificateholders and the Class B Certificate-
holders collectively.
The holders of beneficial interests in the Class A
Certificates and the Class B Certificates (the
"Certificate Owners") will not be entitled to
receive a definitive certificate representing such
person's interest, except in the event that Definitive
Certificates are issued under the limited
circumstances described herein. In such event,
interests in the Class A Certificates and Class B
Certificates will be available in denominations
of $1,000 and in integral multiples thereof. All
references herein to Class A Certificateholders,
Class B Certificateholders or Offered
Certificateholders shall refer to Certificate
Owners, except as otherwise specified herein.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates
and the Agreement--Book-Entry Registration" and
"--Definitive Certificates."
INTEREST ON THE CLASS A
CERTIFICATES... Interest will accrue on the unpaid principal amount
of the Class A Certificates at a per annum rate
equal to the Class A Certificate Rate and, except
as otherwise provided herein, be distributed to
Class A Certificateholders monthly on each
Distribution Date, commencing ___________________
in an amount equal to one-twelfth of the product
of (i) the Class A Certificate Rate and (ii) the
outstanding principal balance of the Class A
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution
Date (or in the case of the first Distribution
Date, as of the Closing Date). Interest for any
Distribution Date due but not paid on any
Distribution Date will be due on the next
succeeding Distribution Date together with, to
the extent permitted by applicable law,
additional interest on such amount at the Class A
Certificate Rate. Interest for the first
Distribution Date will include accrued interest
at the Class A Certificate Rate from the
Closing Date through . Interest will be
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months ("30/360 Basis"). See "Description of
the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--General"
and "--Distributions from the Collection Account."
INTEREST ON THE CLASS B
CERTIFICATES.... Interest will accrue on the unpaid principal amount
of the Class B Certificates at a per annum rate
equal to the Class B Certificate Rate and, except
as otherwise provided herein, be distributed to
Class B Certificateholders monthly on each
Distribution Date, commencing ___________________,
in an amount equal to one-twelfth of the product of
(i) the Class B Certificate Rate and (ii) the
outstanding principal balance of the Class B
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution
Date (or in the case of the first Distribution
Date, as of the Closing Date). Interest for any
Distribution Date due but not paid on any
Distribution Date will be due on the next
succeeding Distribution Date together with, to
the extent permitted by applicable law,
additional interest on such amount at the Class B
Certificate Rate. Interest for the first
Distribution Date will include accrued interest
at the Class B Certificate Rate from the
Closing Date through . Interest
will be calculated on a 30/360 Basis. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--General" and "--Distributions from the
Collection Account."
DISTRIBUTION DATE The 1st day of each month (or, if such day is not a
business day, the next succeeding business day).
RECORD DATE The 15th day of the month immediately preceding any
Distribution Date.
REVOLVING PERIOD No principal will be payable to the Offered
Certificateholders until the Distribution Date
occurring in _____________, or upon the occurrence
of an Amortization Event (as defined below) as
described herein, on the first Distribution Date
following the Collection Period during which an
Amortization Event occurs. No principal will be
payable to the Class B Certificateholders until the
final principal payment has been made to the Class A
Certificateholders. No principal will be payable to
the Class C Certificateholders until the final
principal payment has been made to the Offered
Certificateholders. No principal will be payable to
the holder of the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate until the final principal payment has
been made to the Offered Certificateholders and
the Class C Certificateholders. For each
Collection Period during the period beginning after
the Cut-off Date and ending on the day prior to the
day on which the Controlled Amortization Period
or the Rapid Amortization Period commences (the
"Revolving Period"), all Principal Collections
otherwise allocable to the Certificateholders'
Interest (other than Shared Principal Collections
paid to holders of certificates of other Series and
any Reallocated Principal Collections that are used
to pay interest due on the Class A, Class B and
Class C Certificates) will, subject to certain
limitations, be distributed to the Transferor in
respect of the Transferor Interest.
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS; CONTROLLED
AMORTIZATION PERIOD Unless or until an Amortization Event (as defined
below) has occurred, commencing on the
Distribution Date occurring three years after
the Closing Date (the "Controlled Amortization
Date") and ending when the Class A Invested
Amount has been paid in full or when the Trust
or Series otherwise terminates or on the day on
which an Amortization Event occurs or is deemed
to have occurred (the "Controlled Amortization
Period"), Principal Collections and Shared
Principal Collections allocable to the
Certificates (other than Reallocated Principal
Collections that are used to pay interest due
on the Class A, Class B and Class C
Certificates) will be distributed monthly to
the Class A Certificateholders, as provided
herein, on each Distribution Date beginning
with the Distribution Date following the
Collection Period commencing on the Controlled
Amortization Date. During the Controlled
Amortization Period, the amount of Principal
Collections and Shared Principal Collections
allocable to the Certificates will equal the
product of such Principal Collections and the
Fixed Allocation Percentage (as defined below)
which will be paid through to the Class A
Certificateholders to the extent of the lesser
of such product and $ ____________ (the
"Controlled Amortization Amount"). The Class A
Expected Final Payment Date is
______________________. See "Description of
the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--
General" and "--Distributions from the
Collection Account."
During either the Controlled Amortization Period or any Rapid
Amortization Period (as described below), the amount of Principal
Collections allocable to the Certificateholders will equal an
amount determined by multiplying (A) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the sum of the Class A Invested Amount, the Class B
Invested Amount, the Class C Invested Amount and the Subordinated
Transferor Amount (together, the "Invested Amount"), each as of the
end of the last day of the Revolving Period and the denominator of
which is the greater of (i)(a) the amount of Receivables (minus the
amount of any Ineligible Receivables) in the Trust as of the last
day of the prior Collection Period minus Defaulted Receivables,
minus (b)(i) the amount of finance charges billed or accrued in
respect of such Receivables in such prior Collection Period minus
(ii) finance charges rebated in such Collection Period minus (iii)
amounts billed in (b)(i) net of rebates in (b)(ii) with respect to
that portion of such Receivables that are Discount Option
Receivables (as defined below) (the "Aggregate Receivables") or
(ii) the sum of the numerators used to calculate the invested
percentage with respect to Principal Collections for all Series of
certificates outstanding for the current Distribution Date by (B)
the Principal Collections received during the related Collection
Period (the "Fixed Allocation Percentage").
The Class B Certificateholders will not receive any payments of
principal until the Class A Certificateholders have received all
payments of principal due to them. Once the Class A Invested
Amount has been reduced to zero, the Class B Invested Amount will
be paid in full to the Class B Certificateholders on _________ (the
"Class B Expected Final Payment Date"). See "Description of the
Offered Certificates and the Agreement--General" and "--
Distributions from the Collection Account."
The Class C Certificateholders will not receive any payments of
principal until the Class A and the Class B Certificateholders have
received all payments of principal due to them. Once the Class A
Invested Amount and the Class B Invested Amount have been reduced
to zero, the Class C Invested Amount will be paid in full to the
Class C Certificateholders on __________ (the "Class C Expected
Final Payment Date").
The holder of the Subordinated Transferor Certificates will not receive
any payments of principal until the Class A, the Class B and the
Class C Certificateholders have received all payments of principal
due to them. Once the Class A Invested Amount, the Class B
Invested Amount and the Class C Invested Amount have been reduced
to zero, the Subordinated Transferor Amount will be paid in full to
the holder of the Subordinated Transferor Certificate. The
Expected Final Payment Date for the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate is .
--------
RAPID AMORTIZATION PERIOD During the period from the earlier of the date
on which the Class A Invested Amount has
been paid in full or an Amortization Event
occurs or is deemed to have occurred to
the earlier of the date on which the
Invested Amount has been paid in full or
the Final Series 1996 Termination Date
(see "Final Payment of Principal;
Termination of the Trust" below) (the
"Rapid Amortization Period"), Principal
Collections and Shared Principal
Collections allocable to the
Certificateholders' Interest will no
longer be distributed to the Transferor
but instead will be distributed as
principal payments on each Distribution
Date beginning with the first Distribution
Date following the Collection Period in
which the Class A Invested Amount has been
paid in full or an Amortization Event
occurs or is deemed to have occurred.
Such Principal Collections and Shared
Principal Collections will be distributed
to the Class A Certificateholders (to the
extent not already paid in full) and,
following the final principal payment to
the Class A Certificateholders, to the
Class B Certificateholders and, following
the final principal payment to the Class B
Certificateholders, to the Class C
Certificateholders, and, following the
final principal payment to the Class C
Certificateholders, to the holder of the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates
and the Agreement--Amortization Events."
FLOW OF FUNDS Funds on deposit in the Collection Account allocable to the
Class A, Class B and Class C Certificates and the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate with respect to each
Distribution Date shall be applied in the priority set
forth below:
(a) the Class A Floating Allocation Percentage of Finance Charge
Collections will be distributed as follows:
(i) Class A Monthly Interest, plus the amount of any unpaid
interest due;
(ii) the Class A Investor Default Amount will be
distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor
Interest during the Revolving Period up to the amount of the
Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make
principal payments);
(iii) the Class A Monthly Servicing Fee (in the event
Bridgestone/Firestone is not the Servicer, this amount will be
distributed before the amount in clause (ii)); and
(iv) the balance will constitute a portion of Excess Finance
Charge Collections (as defined below) and will be allocated
and distributed as described under "Excess Finance Charge
Collections."
(b) the Class B Floating Allocation Percentage of Finance Charge
Collections will be distributed as follows:
(i) Class B Monthly Interest, plus the amount of any unpaid
interest due;
(ii) the Class B Investor Default Amount will be
distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor
Interest during the Revolving Period up to the amount of the
Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make
principal payments);
(iii) the Class B Monthly Servicing Fee (in the event
Bridgestone/Firestone is not the Servicer, this amount will be
distributed before the amount in clause (ii)); and
(iv) the balance, if any, will constitute a portion of Excess
Finance Charge Collections and will be allocated and
distributed as described under "Excess Finance Charge
Collections."
(c) the Class C Floating Allocation Percentage of Finance Charge
Collections will be distributed as follows:
(i) Class C Monthly Interest, plus the amount of any
unpaid interest due;
(ii) the Class C Investor Default Amount will be
distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor
Interest during the Revolving Period up to the amount of the
Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make
principal payments);
(iii) the Class C Monthly Servicing Fee (in the event
Bridgestone/Firestone is not the Servicer, this amount will be
distributed before the amount in clause (ii)); and
(iv) the balance, if any, will constitute a portion of
Excess Finance Charge Collections and will be allocated and
distributed as described under "--Excess Finance Charge
Collections."
(d) the Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation Percentage of
Finance Charge Collections will be distributed as follows:
(i) the Subordinated Transferor Monthly Servicing Fee; and
(ii) the balance, if any, will constitute a portion of
Excess Finance Charge Collections and will be allocated and
distributed as described under "--Excess Finance Charge
Collections."
(e) For each Distribution Date with respect to the Revolving
Period, the remaining funds on deposit in the Collection Account
allocable to the Class A, Class B and Class C Certificates and the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate (other than certain Excess Finance
Charge Collections and Reallocated Principal Collections) will be
applied as Shared Principal Collections and the balance will be
distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest.
(f) For each Distribution Date with respect to the Controlled
Amortization Period or any Rapid Amortization Period, the remaining
funds on deposit in the Collection Account allocable to the Class A,
Class B and Class C Certificates and the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate (other than certain Excess Finance Charge Collections and
Reallocated Principal Collections) will be distributed as follows:
(i) Class A Monthly Principal for such Distribution Date
until the Class A Invested Amount is paid in full;
(ii) once the Class A Invested Amount is paid in full,
the remaining amount will be distributed to the Class B
Certificateholders until the Class B Invested Amount is paid
in full;
(iii) once the Class B Invested Amount is paid in full,
the remaining amount will be distributed to the Class C
Certificateholders until the Class C Invested Amount is paid
in full;
(iv) once the Class C Invested Amount is paid in full,
the remaining amount will be distributed to the holder of the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate until the Subordinated
Transferor Amount is paid in full;
(v) an amount equal to the balance of any such remaining
funds on deposit in the Collection Account will be paid to the
Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest up to the
amount of the Transferor Interest; and
(vi) the balance will be applied as Shared Principal
Collections to the extent necessary and the remainder will be
distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor
Interest.
"Class A Monthly Interest" equals, with respect to any Distribution
Date, one-twelfth of the product of (i) the Class A Certificate
Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class A
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (after
subtracting therefrom the aggregate amount of all distributions of
Class A Monthly Principal made to the Class A Certificateholders on
such Distribution Date) or, with respect to the first Distribution
Date, the Class A Initial Invested Amount, provided, however, that
with respect to the initial Distribution Date, Class A Monthly
Interest shall equal $_______________.
"Class B Monthly Interest" equals, with respect to any Distribution
Date, one-twelfth of the product of (i) the Class B Certificate
Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class B
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (after
subtracting therefrom the aggregate amount of all distributions of
Class B Monthly Principal made to the Class B Certificateholders on
such Distribution Date) or, with respect to the first Distribution
Date, the Class B Initial Invested Amount, provided, however, that
with respect to the initial Distribution Date, Class B Monthly
Interest shall equal $_______________.
"Class C Monthly Interest" means, with respect to any Distribution Date,
the Class C Monthly Interest equals the product of (i) the actual
number of days in the related Class C Interest Accrual Period (as
defined below) divided by 360, (ii) the Class C Certificate Rate
and (iii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class C
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (after
subtracting therefrom the aggregate amount of all distributions of
Class C Monthly Principal made to the Class C Certificateholders on
such Distribution Date) or, with respect to the first Distribution
Date, the Class C Initial Invested Amount. With respect to any
Distribution Date, the "Class C Interest Accrual Period" is the
period from and including the first day of the preceding calendar
to and including the last day of such preceding calendar month,
except the initial Class C Interest Accrual Period shall be deemed
to be the period from the Closing Date through the last day of the
calendar month preceding the initial Distribution Date.
"Class A Investor Default Amount" means, a portion of all Defaulted
Receivables which will be allocated to the Class A
Certificateholders for each Distribution Date in an amount equal to
the product of the Class A Floating Allocation Percentage
applicable during the immediately preceding Collection Period and
the amount of Defaulted Receivables for such Collection Period.
"Class B Investor Default Amount" means, a portion of all Defaulted
Receivables which will be allocated to the Class B
Certificateholders for each Distribution Date in an amount equal to
the product of the Class B Floating Allocation Percentage
applicable during the immediately preceding Collection Period and
the amount of Defaulted Receivables for such Collection Period.
"Class C Investor Default Amount" means, a portion of all Defaulted
Receivables which will be allocated to the Class C
Certificateholders for each Distribution Date in an amount equal to
the product of the Class C Floating Allocation Percentage
applicable during the immediately preceding Collection Period and
the amount of Defaulted Receivables for such Collection Period.
"Subordinated Transferor Default Amount" means, a portion of all
Defaulted Receivables which will be allocated to the holder of the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate for each Distribution Date in
an amount equal to the product of the Subordinated Transferor
Floating Allocation Percentage applicable during the immediately
preceding Collection Period and the amount of Defaulted Receivables
for such Collection Period.
"Monthly Servicing Fee" means, with respect to any Distribution Date,
the sum of (a) the Class A Monthly Servicing Fee, the Class B
Monthly Servicing Fee, the Class C Monthly Servicing Fee and the
Subordinated Transferor Monthly Servicing Fee and (b) the Servicing
Fee allocable to the Transferor Amount and the B/F Amount.
The portion of the Servicing Fee allocable to the Class A Interest on
each Distribution Date (the "Class A Monthly Servicing Fee"), to
the Class B Interest on each Distribution Date (the "Class B
Monthly Servicing Fee"), to the Class C Interest on each
Distribution Date (the "Class C Monthly Servicing Fee") and to the
Subordinated Transferor Interest on each Distribution Date (the
"Subordinated Transferor Monthly Servicing Fee") generally will be
equal to one-twelfth of the product of 2.00% per annum and the
amount of the Class A Invested Amount, the Class B Invested Amount,
the Class C Invested Amount, or the Subordinated Transferor Amount,
as the case may be, on the last day of the second preceding
Collection Period (in the case of the first Distribution Date, the
initial principal amount of the Class A Certificates, Class B
Certificates, the Class C Certificates or the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate, as the case may be).
"Class A Invested Amount" for any date means an amount equal to the
initial principal balance of the Class A Certificates, minus the
amount of principal payments made to Class A Certificateholders
prior to such date and minus the excess, if any, of the aggregate
amount of Class A Investor Charge-Offs (as defined below) for all
Distribution Dates preceding such date over the aggregate amount of
any reimbursements of Class A Investor Charge-Offs for all
Distribution Dates preceding such date.
"Class B Invested Amount" for any date means an amount equal to (i) the
initial principal balance of the Class B Certificates, minus (ii)
the amount of principal payments made to the Class B
Certificateholders prior to such date, minus (iii) the aggregate
amount of Class B Investor Charge-Offs (as defined below) for all
prior Distribution Dates, (minus (iv) the aggregate amount of Class
B Reallocated Principal Collections for all prior Distribution
Dates for which the Subordinated Transferor Amount and the Class C
Invested Amount have not been reduced,) minus (v) an amount equal
to the aggregate amount by which the Class B Invested Amount has
been reduced to fund the Class A Investor Default Amount on all
prior Distribution Dates as described herein, and plus (vi) the
amount of Excess Finance Charge Collections applied on all prior
Distribution Dates for the purpose of reimbursing amounts deducted
pursuant to the foregoing clauses (iii), (iv) and (v).
"Class C Invested Amount" for any date means an amount equal to (i) the
initial principal balance of the Class C Certificates, minus (ii)
the amount of principal payments made to the Class C
Certificateholders prior to such date, (minus (iii) the aggregate
amount of Class C Investor Charge-Offs (as defined below) for all
prior Distribution Dates,) minus (iv) the aggregate amount of Class
C Reallocated Principal Collections for all prior Distribution
Dates for which the Subordinated Transferor Amount has not been
reduced, minus (v) an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which
the Class C Invested Amount has been reduced to fund the Class A
and Class B Investor Default Amount on all prior Distribution Dates
as described herein, and plus (vi) the amount of Excess Finance
Charge Collections applied on all prior Distribution Dates for the
purpose of reimbursing amounts deducted pursuant to the foregoing
clauses (iii), (iv) and (v).
"Subordinated Transferor Amount" for any date means an amount equal to
(i) the initial principal balance of the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate, minus (ii) the amount of principal payments made to
the holder of the Subordinated Transferor Certificate prior to such
date, minus (iii) the aggregate amount of Subordinated Transferor
Charge-Offs (as defined below) for all prior Distribution Dates,
minus (iv) the aggregate amount of Reallocated Principal
Collections for all prior Distribution Dates, minus (v) an amount
equal to the aggregate amount by which the Subordinated Transferor
Amount has been reduced to fund the Class A, Class B and Class C
Investor Default Amount on all prior Distribution Dates as
described herein, and plus (vi) the amount of Excess Finance Charge
Collections applied on all prior Distribution Dates for the purpose
of reimbursing amounts deducted pursuant to the foregoing clauses
(iii), (iv) and (v).
"Excess Finance Charge Collections" shall mean, with respect to any
Distribution Date, an amount equal to the sum of the amounts
described in clause (a)(iv), clause (b)(iv), clause (c)(iv) and
clause (d)(ii) above.
See "Description of the Offered certificates and the Agreement--
Distributions from the Collection Account."
EXCESS FINANCE
CHARGE COLLECTIONS Excess Finance Charge Collections will be applied as
follows:
(a) to fund the Class A Required Amount;
(b) Class A Investor Charge-Offs which have not been previously
reimbursed will be distributed to the Transferor in respect of the
Transferor Interest during the Revolving Period up to the amount of the
Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make principal
payments);
(c) to fund the Class B Required Amount;
(d) an amount equal to the amount by which the Class B Invested
Amount has been reduced below the Initial Class B Invested Amount (for
reasons other than the payment of principal to the Class B
Certificateholders) will be distributed to the Transferor in respect of
the Transferor Interest during the Revolving Period, up to the amount of
the Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make principal
payments);
(e) to fund the Class C Required Amount;
(f) an amount equal to the amount by which the Class C Invested
Amount has been reduced below the Initial Class C Invested Amount (for
reasons other than the payment of principal to the Class C
Certificateholders) will be distributed to the Transferor in respect of
the Transferor Interest during the Revolving Period up to the amount of
the Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make principal
payments);
(g) the Subordinated Transferor Default Amount will be distributed
to the Transferor during the Revolving Period up to the amount of the
Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make principal
payments);
(h) the amount by which the Subordinated Transferor Amount has been
reduced below the initial Subordinated Transferor Amount (for reasons
other than the payment of principal to the holder of the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate) will be distributed to the Transferor in respect
of the Transferor Interest during the Revolving Period up to the amount
of the Transferor Interest after the purchase of new Receivables (and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make principal
payments);
(i) the balance, if any, will be treated as Shared Excess Finance
Charge Collections to the extent necessary; and
(j) any remaining amounts not treated as Shared Excess Finance
Charge Collections will be treated as Shared Principal Collections.
The "Class A Required Amount" means the amount, if any, by which the sum
of Class A Monthly Interest, any overdue Class A Monthly Interest
(with interest thereon), the Class A Investor Default Amount, the
Class A Monthly Servicing Fee for such Collection Period exceeds
the funds allocable to the Class A Certificates to pay such
amounts.
The "Class B Required Amount" means the amount, if any, by which the sum
of Class B Monthly Interest, any overdue Class B Monthly Interest
(with interest thereon), the Class B Investor Default Amount, the
Class B Monthly Servicing Fee for such Collection Period exceeds
the funds allocable to the Class B Certificates to pay such
amounts.
The "Class C Required Amount" means the amount, if any, by which the sum
of Class C Monthly Interest, any overdue Class C Monthly Interest
(with interest thereon), the Class C Investor Default Amount, the
Class C Monthly Servicing Fee for such Collection Period exceeds
the funds allocable to the Class C Certificates to pay such
amounts.
The "Required Amount" shall equal the sum of the Class A, Class B and
Class C Required Amounts.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--Excess
Finance Charge Collections."
REALLOCATED PRINCIPAL
COLLECTIONS Principal Collections allocable first to the Subordinated
Transferor Interest, then to the Class C Interest and
then to the Class B Interest with respect to a Collection
Period will be applied as follows:
(a) an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Required Amount over
(ii) the Excess Finance Charge Collections will be used to fund the
Required Amount; and
(b) Collections not applied in the foregoing manner (and therefore
not constituting Reallocated Principal Collections) will during the
Revolving Period, be applied as Shared Principal Collections and, during
the Controlled Amortization Period or any Rapid Amortization Period,
will be included in the funds available to make principal payments.
The amounts described in the following paragraph will equal the
"Subordinated Transferor Reallocated Principal Collections", the
"Class C Reallocated Principal Collections" and the "Class B
Reallocated Principal Collections", as applicable. "Reallocated
Principal Collections" will equal the sum of Subordinated
Transferor Reallocated Principal Collections, Class C Reallocated
Principal Collections and Class B Reallocated Principal
Collections.
(With respect to any Collection Period during the Revolving Period,
Reallocated Principal Collections will be allocated to each of the
Subordinated Transferor Interest, the Class C Interest and the
Class B Interest based on the Subordinated Transferor Floating
Allocation Percentage, the Class C Floating Allocation Percentage
or the Class B Floating Allocation Percentage for such Collection
Period, as applicable. With respect to any Collection Period
during the Controlled Amortization Period or any Rapid Amortization
Period, Reallocated Principal Collections will be allocated to each
of the Subordinated Transferor Interest, the Class C Interest and
the Class B Interest based on the Fixed Allocation Percentage of
Principal Collections for such Collection Period multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which is equal to the Subordinated
Transferor Amount, the Class C Invested or the Class B Invested
Amount, as applicable, as of the close of business on the last day
of the prior Collection Period and the denominator of which is
equal to the Invested Amount at the close of business on such day.)
See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--
Reallocated Principal Collections."
ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS AVAILABLE
TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS If Finance Charge Collections allocable to interest
for any Collection Period are insufficient to
pay the Required Amount, Excess Finance Charge
Collections will be applied to fund the
Required Amount as described herein under
"Excess Finance Charge Collections." If Excess
Finance Charge Collections available with
respect to such Collection Period are less than
the Required Amount, Principal Collections for
such Collection Period will then be used to
fund the remaining Required Amount as
described herein under "Description of the
Offered Certificates and the Agreement --
"Reallocated Principal Collections."
If Reallocated Principal Collections with respect to any Collection
Period are insufficient to fund the remaining Class A Required
Amount for such Collection Period, then a portion of the
Subordinated Transferor Amount (after giving effect to reductions
for any Subordinated Transferor Charge-Offs and Reallocated
Principal Collections for such Collection Period) equal to such
insufficiency (but not in excess of the Class A Investor Default
Amount for such Distribution Date) will be allocated to the Class A
Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class A
Certificates, and the Subordinated Transferor Amount will be
reduced by such amount.
If the Subordinated Transferor Amount is reduced to zero, the Class C
Invested Amount (after giving effect to reductions for any Class C
Investor Charge-Offs and any Class C Reallocated Principal
Collections for such Collection Period) will be reduced by the
amount by which the Subordinated Transferor Amount would have been
reduced below zero (but not by more than the excess of the Class A
Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date over the amount
of such reduction, if any, of the Subordinated Transferor Amount
for such Distribution Date) and such amount will be allocated to
the Class A Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to the
Class A Certificates.
If the Class C Invested Amount is reduced to zero, the Class B Invested
Amount (after giving effect to reductions for any Class B Investor
Charge-Offs and any Class B Reallocated Principal Collections for
such Collection Period) will be reduced by the amount by which the
Class C Invested Amount would have been reduced below zero (but not
by more than the excess of the Class A Investor Default Amount for
such Distribution Date over the amount of such reduction, if any,
of the Subordinated Transferor Amount and the Class C Invested
Amount for such Distribution Date) and such amount will be
allocated to the Class A Certificates to avoid a charge-off with
respect to the Class A Certificates.
If the Class B Invested Amount is reduced to zero, the Class A Invested
Amount will be reduced by the amount by which the Class B Invested
Amount would have been reduced below zero, but not in excess of the
Class A Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date (a
"Class A Investor Charge-Off"), and the Class A Certificateholders
will bear directly the credit and other risks associated with their
undivided interest in the Trust.
After payment of the Class A Required Amount, if Class C Reallocated
Principal Collections and Subordinated Transferor Reallocated
Principal Collections with respect to any Collection Period are
insufficient to fund the remaining Class B Required Amount for such
Collection Period, then a portion of the Subordinated Transferor
Amount (before giving effect to reductions for any Subordinated
Transferor Charge-Offs, Reallocated Principal Collections and any
adjustments made thereto for the benefit of the Class A
Certificateholders) equal to such insufficiency (but not in excess
of the Class B Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date)
will be allocated to the Class B Certificates to avoid a charge-off
with respect to the Class B Certificates, and the Subordinated
Transferor Amount will be reduced by such amount.
If the Subordinated Transferor Amount is reduced to zero, the Class C
Invested Amount (after giving effect to reductions for any Class C
Investor Charge-Offs, Class C Reallocated Principal Collections and
any adjustments made thereto for the benefit of the Class A
Certificateholders) will be reduced by the amount by which the
Subordinated Transferor Amount would have been reduced below zero
(but not by more than the excess of the Class B Investor Default
Amount for such Distribution Date over the amount of such
reduction, if any, of the Subordinated Transferor Amount for such
Distribution Date) and such amount will be allocated to the Class B
Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class B
Certificates.
If the Class C Invested Amount is reduced to zero, the Class B Invested
Amount will be reduced by the amount by which the Class C Invested
Amount would have been reduced below zero, but not in excess of the
Class B Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date (a
"Class B Investor Charge-Off"), and the Class B Certificateholders
will bear directly the credit and other risks associated with their
undivided interest in the Trust.
After payment of the Class B Required Amount, if Subordinated Transferor
Reallocated Principal Collections with respect to any Collection
Period are insufficient to fund the remaining Class C Required
Amount for such Collection Period, then a portion of the
Subordinated Transferor Amount (before giving effect to reductions
for any Subordinated Transferor Charge-Offs, Reallocated Principal
Collections and any adjustments made thereto for the benefit of the
Class B and Class A Certificateholders) equal to such insufficiency
(but not in excess of the Class C Investor Default Amount for such
Distribution Date) will be allocated to the Class C Certificates to
avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class C Certificates, and
the Subordinated Transferor Amount will be reduced by such amount.
If the Subordinated Transferor Amount is reduced to zero, the Class C
Invested Amount will be reduced by the amount by which the
Subordinated Transferor Amount would have been reduced below zero,
but not in excess of the Class C Investor Default Amount for such
Distribution Date (a "Class C Investor Charge-Off"), and the Class
C Certificateholders will bear directly the credit and other risks
associated with their undivided interest in the Trust.
On each Distribution Date, if the Subordinated Transferor Default Amount
for such Distribution Date exceeds the amount of Excess Finance
Charge Collections which is allocated and available to fund such
amount as described under "Excess Finance Charge Collections", the
Subordinated Transferor Amount (after giving effect to reductions
for Reallocated Principal Collections and the amount of any
adjustments made thereto for the benefit of the Class A, Class B or
Class C Certificateholders) will be reduced but not in excess of
the Subordinated Transferor Default Amount (the "Subordinated
Transferor Charge-Off").
In the event that any of the Subordinated Transferor Amount, the Class C
Invested Amount, the Class B Invested Amount or the Class A
Invested Amount is reduced, such amount will thereafter be
increased (but not to a level in excess of the unpaid principal
balance of the Subordinated Transferor Certificate, the Class C
Certificates, the Class B Certificates or the Class A Certificates,
as applicable) on any Distribution Date by the amount of Excess
Finance Charge Collections allocated and available for that purpose
as described under "--Excess Finance Charge Collections."
The "Subordinated Transferor Amount" will initially be equal to
$(19,000,000) and the "Class C Invested Amount" will initially be
equal to $(10,000,000).
See "Description of the Offered Certificates--Additional Amounts
Available to Certificateholders."
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS; CERTAIN
ALLOCATIONS Principal Collections with respect to any Collection Period
will be allocated on the related Determination Date on
the basis of the applicable Invested Percentage. Under
the Agreement, such collections will be either paid to
the Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest, as
described above during the Revolving Period, or to the
holders of the Certificates in respect of the Class A
Invested Amount, Class B Invested Amount, the Class C
Invested Amount or Subordinated Transferor Amount, or to
both the Transferor and the holders of the Certificates.
Such allocations will be performed during the Revolving
Period, Controlled Amortization Period and any Rapid
Amortization Period.
In the event that other Series are offered by the Trust, such other
Series may or may not have amortization periods like the Controlled
Amortization Period or the Rapid Amortization Period or revolving
periods like the Revolving Period for the Certificates, and such
periods may have different lengths and begin on different dates
than the Controlled Amortization Period, the Rapid Amortization
Period or the Revolving Period. Thus, certain Series may be in
their revolving periods, while others are in periods during which
Principal Collections are distributed to such Series. Under
certain circumstances, one or more Series may be in their
amortization periods, while other Series are not. In addition,
other Series may allocate Principal Collections based upon
different invested percentages.
SHARED PRINCIPAL COLLECTIONS To the extent that Principal Collections and
other amounts that are allocated to the
interest of the holders of any class of
any series (other than the Transferor
Interest) are not needed to make payments
to the certificateholders of such class,
they may be applied to cover principal
payments due to or for the benefit of
certificateholders of another Series
("Shared Principal Collections"). Any
such reallocation will not result in a
reduction in the interest of the holders
of the Series to which such Principal
Collections were initially allocated. In
addition, Principal Collections and
certain other amounts otherwise allocable
to other Series, to the extent such
collections are not needed to make
payments to the certificateholders of such
other Series, may be applied to cover
principal payments due to or for the
benefit of the holders of the Certificates.
See "Description of the Offered
Certificates and the Agreement--Shared
Principal Collections."
SHARING OF EXCESS FINANCE
CHARGE COLLECTIONS Finance Charge Collections on any business day in excess
of the amounts necessary to make required payments
on such business day with respect to the
Certificates will be applied to cover any shortfalls
with respect to amounts payable from Finance Charge
Collections allocable to any other Series then
outstanding, pro rata based upon the amount of the
shortfall, if any, with respect to such other
Series. In addition, Finance Charge Collections in
excess of the amounts necessary to make required
payments on such business day with respect to
certificates of other outstanding Series will be
applied to cover any shortfalls with respect to
Finance Charge Collections allocable to the
Certificates. Any Excess Finance Charge Collections
remaining after covering shortfalls with respect to
all outstanding Series will be paid to the
Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--Sharing of Excess Finance Charge
Collections."
DISCOUNT OPTION The Agreement provides that the Transferor may at any
time and from time to time, but without any
obligation to do so, designate a fixed percentage or
a variable percentage based on a formula (the
"Discount Percentage"), but in either case not to
exceed 6%, of Receivables giving rise to Principal
Collections ("Principal Receivables") that are
charges for goods or services or obligations for
repayment of cash advances, part of which have not
previously been sold as Discount Option Receivables,
arising from then on to be treated as Receivables
giving rise to Finance Charge Collections ("Finance
Charge Receivables"). Such Receivables will be
designated "Discount Option Receivables." After any
such designation, pursuant to the Agreement, the
Transferor may, without notice to or consent of the
Certificateholders, from time to time increase,
reduce or withdraw the Discount Percentage. Such
increase, reduction or withdrawal will become
effective upon satisfaction of the conditions in the
Agreement, including written confirmation by each
Rating Agency.
On each Distribution Date on or after the date the exercise of the
discount option takes effect, the product of (i) the Discount
Percentage then in effect and (ii) collections of Receivables, that
arise in the Accounts on or after the date such option is exercised
and during the prior Collection Period, that otherwise would be
Principal Receivables will be deemed collections of Finance Charge
Receivables and will be applied accordingly. Such feature is
intended to permit the Transferor to increase the Portfolio Yield
and thereby decrease the risk of the occurrence of an Amortization
Event.
On the Closing Date, the Transferor will designate an initial Discount
Percentage equal to 2.0%. Any increase, reduction or withdrawal of
such Discount Percentage will be made in accordance with the
conditions described in the Agreement.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement -
Discount Option."
AMORTIZATION EVENTS An "Amortization Event" with respect to the Certificates
refers to any of the following events:
(i) failure on the part of the Servicer, the Originator or the
Transferor to make any payment or deposit required by the terms of the
Agreement on or before five business days after the date such payment or
deposit is required to be made thereunder;
(ii) the failure on the part of the Servicer, the Originator or the
Transferor duly to observe or perform in any material respect certain
covenants or agreements set forth in the Agreement or the Purchase and
Sale Agreement which, in the case of certain of such covenants or
agreements, continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after the date
on which written notice of such failure requiring the same to be
remedied shall have been given to the Servicer, the Originator or the
Transferor, as applicable, provided, however, that an Amortization Event
shall not be deemed to occur if the Transferor has accepted the transfer
of the related Receivable (or all of such Receivables, if applicable)
during such period (or such longer period as the Trustee may specify not
to exceed an additional 60 days) in accordance with the provisions of
the Agreement or the Purchase and Sale Agreement;
(iii) any representation or warranty made by the Servicer, the
Originator or the Transferor in the Agreement or the Purchase and Sale
Agreement or any information required to be delivered by the Transferor
shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or
when delivered, which continues to be incorrect in any material respect
for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such
failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the
Servicer, the Originator or the Transferor, as applicable, and as a
result of which the interests of the certificateholders are materially
and adversely affected; provided, however, that such an Amortization
Event shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Transferor has
accepted the transfer of the related Receivable (or all of such
Receivables, if applicable) during such period (or such longer period as
the Trustee may specify) in accordance with the provisions of the
Agreement;
(iv) certain events of insolvency, conservatorship, receivership or
bankruptcy with respect to the Originator, Bridgestone/Firestone or the
Transferor;
(v) the annualized percentage equivalent of a fraction, the
numerator of which is the amount of Finance Charge Collections for the
related Collection Period, calculated on an accrual basis after
subtracting the Defaulted Amount, and the denominator of which is the
Aggregate Receivables as of the end of the preceding Collection Period,
(the "Portfolio Yield") averaged over any three consecutive Collection
Periods is less than a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of
(a) the product of the Class A Certificate Rate and the Class A Invested
Amount, (b) the product of the Class B Certificate Rate and the Class B
Invested Amount and (c) the product of the Class C Certificate Rate and
the Class C Invested Amount, and the denominator which is the sum of the
Class A Invested Amount, the Class B Invested Amount and the Class C
Invested Amount (such fraction equaling the "Weighted Average
Certificate Rate") plus 2.00% per annum (the "Base Rate");
(vi) the Trust shall become an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
(vii) the Transferor Amount (plus the amount available under the
Transferor Letter of Credit and the B/F Amount) is less than __% of the
aggregate invested amount of all outstanding Series of certificates
issued by the Trust as of the last day of any Collection Period;
(viii) the sum of (a) the Transferor Amount, (b) the B/F Amount,
(c) the Subordinated Transferor Amount and (d) the invested amount of
any subordinated class of certificates of any other Series which, when
issued, is retained by the Transferor and with respect to which no legal
opinion is delivered characterizing such certificates as indebtedness is
less than __% of the Aggregate Receivables as of the last day of any
Collection Period; or
(ix) any Servicer Event of Default shall occur which would have a
material adverse effect on the Certificateholders.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--
Amortization Events."
FINAL PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL;
TERMINATION OF THE TRUST The Certificates will be subject to optional
repurchase by the Transferor on any
Distribution Date on or after which the
Invested Amount is reduced to an amount
less than or equal to $________ (5% of the
sum of the initial Invested Amount),
unless certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or receivership have occurred
with respect to the Transferor. The
repurchase price will be equal to the
Invested Amount plus accrued and unpaid
interest on the Certificates through the
day preceding the Distribution Date on
which the repurchase occurs. After such
date, neither the Trust nor the Transferor
will have any further obligation to pay
principal or interest on the Certificates.
In any event, the final payment of
principal and interest on the Class A
Certificates will be no later than the
_______________ Distribution Date (the
"Final Class A Termination Date") and the
final payment of principal and interest on
the Class B Certificates will be no later
than the ______ Distribution Date (the
"Final Class B Termination Date"). The
final payment of principal and interest
with respect to the Other Certificates
will be no later than ___________,
_________ (the "Final Series 1996
Termination Date").
SERVICING Under the Agreement, the Servicer (initially,
Bridgestone/Firestone) will be responsible for servicing,
managing and making collections on all Receivables in the
Trust. Subject to certain conditions including the
availability of the Servicer Letter of Credit (as defined
below), the Servicer may use for its own benefit and not
segregate Collections of Receivables received in each
Collection Period until the business day preceding the
Distribution Date for such Collection Period (the "Transfer
Date"). On the second business day preceding each
Distribution Date (each, a "Determination Date") or, at the
Servicer's option, more frequently, the Servicer will allocate
as described herein all Collections of Receivables received
with respect to the related Collection Period to the
Certificates, any other applicable Series,
Bridgestone/Firestone and the Transferor and on the Transfer
Date will deposit the portion allocable to the
Certificateholders and the holders of certificates of any other
Series into a segregated trust account held in the name of
the Trustee for the benefit of certificateholders (the
"Collection Account"). In certain limited circumstances,
Bridgestone/Firestone may resign or be removed as
Servicer, in which event either the Trustee or a third-
party servicer may be appointed as successor Servicer
(Bridgestone/Firestone or any such successor Servicer is
referred to herein as the "Servicer"). As servicing
compensation from the Trust, the Servicer will receive a
Servicing Fee from allocations of Finance Charge Collections
based upon the outstanding principal amount, from time to
time, of certificates issued by the Trust. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--Collection and Other Servicing Procedures,"
"--Servicer Covenants," "--Servicing Compensation and
Payment of Expenses," "--Servicer Events of Default"
and "--Certain Matters Regarding the Servicer."
The Servicer may perform any of its obligations under the Agreement
through one or more Subservicers. The Servicer will remain liable
for its servicing duties and obligations as if the Servicer alone
were servicing the Receivables. CFNA shall initially act as a
Subservicer.
SERVICER LETTER OF CREDIT The Servicer has obtained an irrevocable letter
of credit (the "Servicer Letter of
Credit") issued by The Sumitomo Bank,
Limited, acting through its New York
Branch (the "Letter of Credit Bank"), in
favor of the Trustee on behalf of
certificateholders of all Series
(including the Series 1992 Certificates
and the Certificates), to secure timely
remittance of Collections by the Servicer
to the Trustee. The Servicer Letter of
Credit was initially in the stated amount
of $45,000,000 and will expire on May 30,
1997, unless extended or earlier
terminated by the Letter of Credit Bank.
During the period that
Bridgestone/Firestone is the Servicer, if
aggregate Collections at any time held by
Bridgestone/Firestone exceed the amount
available under the Servicer Letter of
Credit, the Servicer shall deposit all
such Collections in excess of the amount
available under the Servicer Letter of
Credit into the Collection Account no
later than the second business day after
the date of processing thereof. In the
event that (i) the Letter of Credit Bank's
unsecured short-term debt ratings are
reduced below A-1 + or P-1 or F-1+ by the
applicable Rating Agency and either (x) a
substitute Servicer Letter of Credit is
not delivered to the Trustee, (y) the
Servicer Letter of Credit is not drawn on
in full as described in the Prospectus or
(z) the Servicer has not established a
cash collateral account in the name of the
Trustee for the benefit of
Certificateholders or (ii) the Servicer is
not Bridgestone/Firestone, the Servicer
shall deposit Collections into the
Collection Account no later than the
second business day after the date of
processing thereof. In addition, in the
event that a substitute Servicer Letter of
Credit is not delivered to the Trustee on
or before the fifth business day prior to
the expiration of the Servicer Letter of
Credit or a cash collateral account has
not been established, the Servicer shall
commence depositing Collections into the
Collection Account no later than the
second business day after the date of
processing thereof. See "The Letter of
Credit Bank" and "Description of the
Offered Certificates and the Agreement--
The Letters of Credit."
TRANSFEROR LETTER OF CREDIT The Transferor has obtained an irrevocable
letter of credit (the "Transferor Letter
of Credit") issued by the Letter of Credit
Bank in favor of the Trustee, on behalf
of Certificateholders, to secure the
obligation of the Transferor to make
certain payments in respect of returned
merchandise and other credit adjustments
on the Receivables. The Transferor Letter
of Credit was initially in the stated
amount of $15,000,000 and will expire
on May 30, 1997, unless extended or
earlier terminated by the Letter of
Credit Bank. The Transferor Letter of
Credit will be available, up to its stated
amount, to cover any shortfall in payments allocated to any Series
and required to be deposited into the Collection Account by the
Transferor. The proceeds of any drawing on the Transferor Letter
of Credit will be allocated in much the same manner as are the
Collections (generally speaking, such allocations to the
Certificates will be based on the ratio of the Invested Amount to
the Aggregate Receivables). As a result, if other Series of
certificates are outstanding, such other Series will benefit from
drawings made on the Transferor Letter of Credit. Initially, the
Invested Amount of the Certificates will be approximately __% of
the Aggregate Receivables. See "The Letter of Credit Bank" and
"Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--The
Letters of Credit."
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES Special tax counsel to the Transferor has advised the
Transferor that, in its opinion, (i) the Offered
Certificates will be treated for Federal income tax
purposes as indebtedness and (ii) the Trust will not be
treated as either an association or a publicly traded
partnership taxable as a corporation for Federal income
tax purposes. Under the Agreement, the Transferor, the
Trustee and, pursuant to the terms of the Offered
Certificates by virtue of the acceptance thereof, the
Offered Certificateholders and the Certificate Owners
agree to treat the Offered Certificates as debt for
Federal and state tax purposes. If the Offered
Certificates are not characterized as debt, there may be
adverse tax consequences for Certificate Owners. See
"Federal Income Tax Consequences."
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS Under the regulations issued by the Department of
Labor, the Trust's assets would not be deemed
"plan assets" of any employee benefit plan
holding interests in the Class A Certificates
or the Class B Certificates if certain
conditions are met, including that interests in
the Class A Certificates or Class B
Certificates, as applicable, be held by at
least 100 independent persons upon completion
of the public offering being made hereby. The
Underwriters expect, although no assurance can
be given, that interests in each Class of the
Offered Certificates will be held by at least
100 independent persons, and it is anticipated
that the other conditions of the regulations
will be met. However, if the Class A or Class
B Certificates are not held by at least 100
independent persons and the Trust's assets were
deemed to be "plan assets" of such a plan,
there is uncertainty as to whether existing
exemptions from the "prohibited transaction"
rules of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
would apply to all transactions involving the
Trust's assets. Accordingly, employee benefit
plans contemplating purchasing Offered
Certificates should consult their counsel
before making a purchase.
RATING OF THE OFFERED
CERTIFICATES It is a condition to the issuance of the Class A Certificates
that they be rated by Standard & Poor's Rating Services,
a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") and
"Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"). It
is a condition to the issuance of the Class B
Certificates that they be rated "A" by S&P and "A3" by
Moody's. Such ratings are based primarily on the quality
of the Receivables and the terms of the subordination of
the Class B Certificates, the Class C Certificates and
the Subordinated Transferor Certificate, as applicable.
RISK FACTORS There are risks associated with the purchase of the Offered
Certificates. See "Risk Factors" herein.
RISK FACTORS
Investors should consider, among other things, the following factors in
connection with the purchase of the Offered Certificates:
NO ASSURANCE THAT SECONDARY MARKET WILL DEVELOP. There currently is no
secondary market for the Offered Certificates, and there can be no assurance
that a secondary market will develop or, if it does develop, that it will
provide Offered Certificateholders with liquidity of investment or will
continue for the life of the Offered Certificates. The Underwriters expect,
but are not obligated, to make a market in the Offered Certificates. There
can be no assurance that any such market will continue.
NON-RECOURSE OBLIGATION. Certificateholders will not have recourse for
payment of their Offered Certificates to any assets of the Transferor, the
Originator, Bridgestone/Firestone, the Servicer or any of their affiliates.
Consequently, the Certificateholders must rely solely upon payments on the
Receivables for the payment of principal of and interest on the Offered
Certificates. Furthermore, under the Agreement, the Certificateholders have
an interest in the Receivables and Collections with respect thereto only to
the extent of the Certificateholders' Interest. Should the Offered
Certificates not be paid in full on a timely basis, Certificateholders may
not look to any assets of any of the Transferor, Bridgestone/Firestone, the
Servicer, the Originator or any affiliates thereof to satisfy their claims.
COMMINGLING. While Bridgestone/Firestone is the Servicer, Collections
held by Bridgestone/Firestone may, subject to certain conditions, including
the availability of the Servicer Letter of Credit, be commingled and used for
Bridgestone/Firestone's own benefit prior to the business day preceding each
Distribution Date and, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of
Bridgestone/Firestone or, in certain circumstances, the lapse of certain time
periods, the Trust may not have a perfected interest in such Collections and
such Collections are subject to risk of loss, including risk of loss due to
Bridgestone/Firestone's bankruptcy or insolvency. During the period that
Bridgestone/Firestone is the Servicer, if aggregate Collections at any time
held by Bridgestone/Firestone exceed the amount available under the Servicer
Letter of Credit, the Servicer shall deposit all such Collections in excess
of the amount available under the Servicer Letter of Credit into the
Collection Account no later than the second business day after the date of
processing thereof. In the event that either (x) the unsecured short-term
debt rating of the Letter of Credit Bank is reduced below A-1+, P-1 or F-1+
by the applicable Rating Agency (the "Required Ratings"), within 35 days of
notice thereof to the Servicer or (y) in the event that the Servicer Letter
of Credit is scheduled to expire within five business days, either (i)
Bridgestone/Firestone will begin depositing Collections received within two
business days of the date of processing thereof directly into the Collection
Account, (ii) Bridgestone/Firestone will provide the Trustee with a
substitute letter of credit substantially similar to the Servicer Letter of
Credit issued by a financial institution whose unsecured short-term debt
rating is A-1+, P-1 or F-1+ by the applicable Rating Agency or (iii) the
Trustee will, but only with respect to clause (x) hereof, make a demand under
the Servicer Letter of Credit for the full amount available thereunder and
deposit the proceeds of such demand into a segregated trust account to be
available to the Trustee in the event Bridgestone/Firestone fails to timely
remit Collections to the Collection Account. The Letter of Credit Bank's
unsecured short-term debt rating has been reduced to A-1, which is below the
Required Ratings and the full amount of the proceeds from the Servicer Letter
of Credit are currently held in a segregated trust account available to the
Trustee in the event Bridgestone/Firestone fails to timely remit Collections
to the Collection Account. The Letter of Credit Bank's unsecured short-term
rating is unlikely to increase to the Required Rating. Furthermore, there
can be no assurance that any increase in the Letter of Credit Bank's
unsecured sheet-term rating will occur. See "Description of the Offered
Certificates and the Agreement--Allocation of Collections; Deposits in
Collection Account."
POTENTIAL PRIORITY OF CERTAIN LIENS. The Originator warrants in the
Purchase and Sale Agreement that the sale or transfer of the Receivables
thereunder by it to the Transferor is free and clear of any lien, security
interest, encumbrance or other right, title or interest of any person and
that all filings and recordings required to perfect the title of the
Transferor in the Receivables have been accomplished and are in full force
and effect, and the Transferor warrants in the Agreement that the transfer of
such Receivables to the Trust is either a valid transfer and assignment of
the Receivables to the Trust or the grant to the Trust of a security interest
in the Receivables. The Originator and the Transferor will take all actions
as are required under Ohio and Massachusetts law to perfect the Trust's
interest in the Receivables and the Transferor warrants that if the
transfer by the Transferor to the Trust granted the Trust a security
interest in the Receivables, the Trust will at all times have a first
priority perfected security interest therein and, with certain exceptions,
and for certain limited periods of time, in proceeds thereof.
Nevertheless, if the sale or transfer of Receivables to the Transferor or
the transfer of the Receivables to the Trust is deemed to create a security
interest therein under the New York, Ohio and Massachusetts Uniform
Commercial Code (collectively, the "UCC"), a tax or government lien
or other nonconsensual lien on property of the Originator or the Transferor
arising before any Receivable comes into existence may have priority over the
Transferor's or the Trust's interest in such Receivables. The existence of
such liens or the rights of the receiver of the Transferor could reduce the
amount payable on the Receivables and result in possible reductions in the
amounts of payments on the Certificates. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables--Transfer of Receivables."
INSOLVENCY OR BANKRUPTCY OF ORIGINATOR. The Originator and the
Transferor have treated and will treat the transfer of Receivables under the
Purchase and Sale Agreement as a sale. A court could treat such transactions
as assignments of collateral as security. To the extent that the Originator
has granted or will grant a security interest in the Receivables to the
Transferor and that security interest was validly perfected before any
insolvency of the Originator and was not granted or taken in or will not be
granted or taken in contemplation of insolvency or with the intent to hinder,
delay or defraud the Originator or its creditors, that security interest
should not be subject to avoidance in the event of the insolvency and
receivership of the Originator, and payments to the Transferor with respect
to the Receivables should not be subject to recovery by a conservator or
receiver for the Originator. If, however, the conservator or receiver were
to assert a contrary position, or were to require the Transferor to establish
its rights to those payments by submitting to and completing the
administrative claims procedure established under the Financial Institutions
Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA"), or the conservator
or receiver were to request a stay of proceedings with respect to the
Originator as provided under FIRREA, delays in payments on the Offered
Certificates and possible reductions in the amount of such payments could
occur. If a conservator or receiver is appointed for the Originator,
pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, new Receivables would not be
sold to the Transferor and an Amortization Event would occur. Upon the
occurrence of an Amortization Event, if a conservator or receiver is
appointed for the Originator and no other Amortization Event other than such
conservatorship, receivership or insolvency of the Originator exists, the
conservator or receiver may have the power to prevent the commencement of the
Rapid Amortization Period. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--
Certain Matters Relating to Bankruptcy."
SOLE REMEDY FOR BREACHES OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO
THE RECEIVABLES. The Transferor will make certain representations and
warranties relating to the validity and enforceability of the Accounts and
the Receivables. However, it is not anticipated that the Trustee will make
any examination of the Receivables or the records relating thereto for the
purpose of establishing the presence or absence of defects, compliance with
such representations and warranties, or for any other purpose. Pursuant to
the Agreement, in the event of a material breach of such representations and
warranties with respect to any Receivables, the Transferor will be obligated
to accept the transfer of such Receivables, whereupon such Receivables will
no longer be included in the Trust. With certain exceptions, such obligation
will constitute the sole remedy in the event of any such breach. Pursuant to
the agreement by which Bridgestone/Firestone purchased a participation
interest in the Exchangeable Transferor Certificate and will purchase a
participation interest in the Subordinated Transferor Certificate (the
"Participation Agreement"), Bridgestone/Firestone will agree, for the benefit
of the Trustee, to purchase from the Transferor any Ineligible Receivable
required to be repurchased by the Transferor from the Trust and certificates
purchased by the Transferor as described above. See "Description of the
Offered Certificates and the Agreement--Covenants, Representations and
Warranties."
EFFECTS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION AND BANKING LAWS. The Accounts and the
Receivables are subject to numerous Federal and state consumer protection
laws which impose requirements on the extension of consumer credit and
collections of such obligations. In addition, the extension of credit, and
the interest charged thereon, by national banks such as the Originator, is
subject to regulation under Federal law. Such laws, as well as any new laws,
rulings or decisions construing such laws or rulings which may be adopted,
whether Federal or state, may adversely affect the ability of the Servicer to
collect on the Receivables or maintain previous levels of monthly finance
charges and other charges. One effect of any legislation which
regulates the amount of interest and other charges that may be assessed on
credit card account balances would be to reduce the Portfolio Yield on
Accounts. If a significant reduction in Portfolio Yield occurred, an
Amortization Event could occur, in which case the Rapid Amortization Period
would commence. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables--Consumer
Protection and Banking Laws."
Application of Federal and state bankruptcy, debtor relief or consumer
protection laws would affect the interest of the Certificateholders in the
Receivables, if such laws result in any Receivables being written off as
uncollectible when there are no funds available from other sources to cover
any resulting shortfalls in amounts payable to Certificateholders. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates--Defaulted Receivables; Recoveries,
Rebates and Fraudulent Charges."
EFFECTS OF NEW LEGISLATION. From time to time, there are proposed in
the Congress and certain state legislatures new laws and amendments to
existing laws to regulate further the consumer credit industry. The
Transferor is unable to determine and has no basis on which to predict
whether or to what extent changes in laws or regulations will affect charge
use, payment patterns or revenues.
DEPENDENCE ON BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE. Because the credit cards issued
under the Credit Card Program are primarily used by customers of Bridgestone/
Firestone stores and dealers and marketers of Bridgestone/Firestone products,
the Trust is largely dependent upon Bridgestone/Firestone and such dealers
and marketers for the generation of Receivables and new Accounts. In
addition to manufacturing a full line of tires, Bridgestone/Firestone is a
major retailer of tires, automotive maintenance and repair services in the
United States with approximately ( ) company operated tire and automotive
service centers and is a major supplier of tires to several thousand
independent dealer outlets. However, there are thousands of competitors that
compete with Bridgestone/Firestone operated service centers and independent
dealer outlets. The automotive service and repair industry is highly
competitive. Many considerations enter into the competition for the
customer's patronage, including quality, service, product mix, convenience,
price and credit availability and terms. Further, there can be no assurance
that new Accounts or new Receivables will continue to be generated under the
Credit Card Program at the same rate as in prior years or that the Originator
will implement Alternative Programs.
COMPETITION IN THE CREDIT CARD INDUSTRY. The credit card market is
highly competitive and is experiencing increasing use of advertising, target
marketing and pricing competition in finance charges and other fees as
traditional and new credit card issuers seek to expand or enter the market.
The ability of the Credit Card Program and any Alternative Programs to
compete in the credit card industry will affect the Originator's ability to
generate new Accounts and new Receivables. Bridgestone/Firestone stores and
dealers accept certain third-party credit cards not issued by the Originator.
If consumers choose to use competing sources of payment or credit, the rate
at which the new Accounts are opened and/or new Receivables are generated in
Accounts may be reduced and certain purchase and payment patterns with
respect to Receivables may be affected. Historically, the opening of new
Accounts has been a (primary) source for the generation of new Receivables.
If the rate at which the new Accounts are opened and/or the new Receivables
are generated declines significantly, an Amortization Event could occur, in
which case, a Rapid Amortization Period would commence. See "The Credit Card
Program."
SOCIAL, LEGAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS. Changes in card use and payment
patterns by cardholders may result from a variety of legal, economic and
social factors, including the rate of unemployment and inflation and relative
interest rates offered for various types of loans. Such factors will also be
reflected in changes in consumer spending and payment patterns including
increased risk of default by cardholders. The Transferor is unable to
determine, and has no means of predicting, whether or to what extent legal or
economic factors will affect future credit purchases or repayment patterns.
TIMING OF PAYMENTS AND MATURITY. A number of legal and economic factors
may affect payment patterns and there is no accurate means of predicting the
effect of such factors. The Receivables may be paid at any time and there is
no assurance that any particular pattern of cardholder repayments will occur
or that sufficient eligible Receivables will be generated to maintain
required levels of collateralization. A significant decline in the amount of
Receivables generated or the failure of the Transferor to maintain the
Aggregate Receivables as of the last day of each Collection Period at a level
sufficient to result in (i) the Transferor Amount (plus the amount available
to be drawn under the Transferor Letter of Credit and the B/F Amount)
being not less than __% of the aggregate invested amount of all outstanding
Series of certificates (including the Certificates) issued by the Trust or
(ii) the Transferor Amount plus the B/F Amount plus the Class B Invested
Amount (plus the invested amount of the Series 1992-B Certificates and any
subordinated class of certificates of additional Series which, when issued,
is retained by the Transferor and with respect to which no legal opinion is
delivered characterizing such certificates as indebtedness) being not less
than __% of Aggregate Receivables could result in the occurrence of an
Amortization Event. During either the Controlled Amortization Period or a
Rapid Amortization Period (either such period, an "Amortization Period"), a
significant decrease in the cardholder monthly payment rate could slow the
return of principal. See "The Credit Card Program" and "Maturity
Assumptions."
EFFECT OF SUBORDINATION. The Class B Certificates will be subordinated
in right of payment of principal to the Class A Certificates. Payments of
principal in respect of the Class B Certificates will not commence until
after the Class A Invested Amount has been paid in full. Moreover, the Class
B Invested Amount is subject to reduction on any Determination Date if
Principal Collections allocable to the Class B Certificates are reallocated
to cover the Class A Required Amount or (b) if Reallocated Principal
Collections with respect to any Collection Period are insufficient to fund
the remaining Class A Required Amount and the Subordinated Transferor Amount
and the Class C Invested Amount have been reduced to zero. If the Class B
Invested Amount suffers such a reduction, Finance Charge Collections
allocable to the Class B Certificateholders' Interest in future Collection
Periods will be reduced. Moreover, to the extent the amount of such
reduction in the Class B Certificateholders is not reimbursed, the amount of
principal distributable to the Class B Certificateholders will be reduced.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates--Allocation Percentages," "--
Reallocated Principal Collections," "--Additional Amounts Available to
Certificateholders" and "--Subordination of the Class B Certificates."
THE ORIGINATOR'S ABILITY TO CHANGE TERMS OF RECEIVABLES OR POLICIES
RELATING TO THE ACCOUNTS. Subject to applicable law and with the consent of
Bridgestone/Firestone, the Originator reserves the right to amend the terms
or policies applicable to the Accounts, including, without limitation, the
level of finance charges and other fees applicable from time to time to the
Accounts and the minimum monthly payments required on the Accounts. Except
as specified in the next succeeding sentence, there are no restrictions on
the Originator's ability to change the terms or policies of the Accounts or
other credit card guidelines or policies, including policies on credit
approval. Under the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Originator will agree
that, except as otherwise required by law or as is deemed by the Originator,
in its sole discretion, based upon a good faith assessment by it of the
nature of its competition, to be necessary or advisable, it will not reduce
the annual percentage rate of the monthly finance charge assessed on the
Receivables, if as a result of such reduction, its reasonable expectation is
that the Portfolio Yield (defined below) (see "Description of the Offered
Certificates and the Agreement--Amortization Events") would be a rate less
than the Base Rate, or reduce the minimum payment terms or otherwise alter
the terms of the Accounts or the policies applicable thereto, if, as a result
of such change, in its reasonable expectation, an Amortization Event with
respect to the Certificates or any other Series of certificates would occur.
While the Originator and Bridgestone/Firestone have no current intention of
changing the terms of the Accounts, there can be no assurance that changes in
applicable law, in the marketplace or prudent business practice might not
result in a determination by the Originator and Bridgestone/Firestone to make
or to consent to such a change.
MASTER TRUST CONSIDERATIONS AND THE EFFECT OF THE ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL
SERIES. The Trust, as a master trust, may issue additional Series from time
to time. While the Principal Terms of any Series will be specified in a
Supplement, the provisions of a Supplement and, therefore, the terms of any
additional Series, will not be subject to the prior review or consent of
holders of the certificates of any previously issued Series. Such Principal
Terms may include methods for determining applicable investor percentages and
allocating Collections, provisions creating different or additional security
or other credit enhancement, provisions subordinating such Series to another
Series or other Series (if the Supplement relating to such Series so permits)
to such Series, and any other amendment or supplement to the Agreement which
is made applicable only to such Series. As long as the Offered Certificates
are outstanding, a condition to the execution of any Supplement will be that
each applicable Rating Agency shall have advised the Trustee that the
issuance of such Series will not result in the reduction or withdrawal of
their rating of any prior outstanding Series (including the Offered
Certificates). See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--Exchanges." Any such determination by any such Rating Agency
would not, however, provide any assurance that the issuance of any such
Series would not, in fact, have a materially adverse effect on the
Offered Certificates. In addition, certain remedies require the consent of a
majority of the holders of all outstanding Series of certificates, and the
interest of the holders of one Series of certificates may conflict with the
interest of another Series of certificates. See "Description of the Offered
Certificates and the Agreement--Exchanges."
SCOPE OF CERTIFICATE RATING. It is a condition to the issuance of the
Class A Certificates that they be rated at least "AAA" by S&P and "Aaa" by
Moody's and to the issuance of the Class B Certificates that they be rated
"A" by S&P and "A3" by Moody's (the rating agency or rating agencies
requested by the Transferor and initially rating any Series is herein
referred to as the "Rating Agency"). The rating of the Class A Certificates
is based primarily on the quality of the Receivables and the terms of the
subordination of the Class B Certificates, the Class C Certificates and the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate. The rating of the Class B Certificates
is based primarily on the quality of the Receivables and the terms of the
subordination of the Class C Certificates and the Transferor Subordinated
Certificate. The ratings of the Offered Certificates are not a
recommendation to purchase, hold or sell the Offered Certificates, and such
ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular
investor. There is no assurance that the rating will remain for any given
period of time or that the rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely
by the Rating Agency, if in its judgment circumstances in the future so
warrant.
DISCOUNT OPTION. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Transferor has the
option to designate a fixed or variable percentage of Receivables that
otherwise would be treated as Principal Receivables to be treated as Finance
Charge Receivables. Any such designation would result in an increase in the
amount of Finance Charge Receivables and a slower rate of payment of
collections in respect of Principal Receivables than otherwise would occur.
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Transferor can make such a designation without
notice to or the consent of the Certificateholders. The Transferor must
provide 30 days' prior written notice to the Servicer, the Trustee, and any
provider of Enhancement and each Rating Agency of any such designation, and
such designation will become effective only if (i) in the reasonable belief
of the Transferor such designation would not cause to occur a Series 1996-1
Amortization Event or an event which with notice or the lapse of time or both
would constitute a Series 1996-1 Amortization Event and (ii) each Rating
Agency confirms in writing its then current rating on any outstanding Series.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates--Discount Option."
EFFECTS OF BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION. The Offered Certificates initially
will be represented by Certificates registered in the name of Cede, the
nominee for DTC, and will not be registered in the names of the Certificate
Owners or their nominees. As a result, unless and until Definitive
Certificates are issued, Certificate Owners will not be recognized by the
Trustee as Certificateholders, as that term is used in the Agreement. Until
such time, Certificate Owners will only be able to receive payments from, and
exercise the rights of Certificateholders indirectly, through DTC, CEDEL or
Euroclear and their participating organizations, and, unless a Certificate
Owner requests a copy of any such report from the Trustee, Certificate Owners
will receive reports and other information provided for under the Agreement
only if, when and to the extent provided to Certificate Owners at such
Certificate Owners' request through DTC and its participating organizations.
In addition, the ability of Certificate Owners to pledge Offered Certificates
to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or
otherwise take actions in respect of such Certificates, may be limited due to
the lack of physical certificates for such Certificates. See "Description of
the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--Book-Entry Registration" and "--
Definitive Certificates."
EFFECT OF THE ISSUANCE OF NEW SERIES. The Trust, as a master trust, is
expected to issue new Series from time to time. While the terms of any
Series will be specified in a Supplement, the provisions of a Supplement and,
therefore, the terms of any new Series, will not be subject to the prior
review or consent of holders of the Certificates of any previously issued
Series. Such terms may include methods for determining applicable investor
percentages and allocating collections, provisions creating different or
additional security or other enhancements, provisions subordinating such
Series to other Series or subordinating other Series (if the Supplement
relating to such Series so permits) to such Series, and any other amendment
or supplement to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement which is made applicable
only to such Series. The obligation of the Trustee to issue any new Series
is subject to the condition that the Trustee shall have received the
following: (a) a Supplement in form satisfactory to the Trustee executed by
the Transferor and specifying the principal terms of such Series, (b) the
applicable Enhancement, if any, (c) an opinion of counsel to the effect that
the newly issued Series of Securities will be characterized as either
indebtedness or an interest in a partnership under existing law for
Federal income tax purposes and that the issuance of the newly issued
Series of Securities will not have any material adverse impact
on the Federal income tax characterization of any outstanding Series that
have been the subject of a previous opinion of tax counsel, (d) an agreement,
if any, to provide Enhancement, (e) written confirmation from each Rating
Agency that such issuance will not result in the Rating Agency's reducing or
withdrawing its rating or otherwise adversely affect any rating on any then
outstanding Series rated by it and (f) the existing Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate or applicable Series, as the case may be. There can be no
assurance, however, that the issuance of any other Series, including any
Series issued from time to time hereafter, might not have an impact on the
timing or amount of payments received by a Certificateholder.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the sale of the Series 1996-1 Asset Backed
Certificates will be used first to repay an outstanding Series of Investor
Certificates, the Series 1995-A Asset-Backed Certificates. The remaining
balance will be paid to the Transferor. The proceeds will be distributed by
the Transferor to Bridgestone/Firestone in accordance with the Participation
Agreement.
THE TRANSFEROR AND BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE
The Transferor was incorporated in Massachusetts on October 24, 1983
under the name 1200 Capital Corporation, which was later amended to Firestone
Consumer Funding Corporation. On October 3, 1989, Firestone Consumer Funding
Corporation filed a Certificate of Merger, merging it with Firestone Retail
Credit Corporation. The Transferor was the surviving corporation. The
Transferor is a nominally capitalized special purpose corporation and was
organized for the limited purpose of purchasing, holding, owning and selling
receivables and any activities incidental to and necessary or convenient for
the accomplishment of such purpose. The Transferor's principal executive
office is located c/o JH Management Corporation, One International Place,
Suite 520, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, telephone (617) 951-7690.
Bridgestone/Firestone, formerly named The Firestone Tire & Rubber
Company, was incorporated in Ohio on March 4, 1910 and is the successor to
the business founded by Harvey S. Firestone in 1900. Pursuant to a merger
which became effective on May 5, 1988, Bridgestone/Firestone became a direct
wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a corporation organized
under the laws of Japan. On August 1, 1989, Bridgestone/Firestone adopted
its current name.
Bridgestone/Firestone is a multinational organization whose principal
business is the development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of tires
for passenger, truck and agricultural vehicles, in both the original
equipment and replacement markets. It sells tires under Firestone,
Bridgestone, Dayton and other brand names through a large network of
independent dealers. Bridgestone/Firestone also provides a wide range of
automotive maintenance and repair services and sells tires and automotive
replacement parts and supplies through Bridgestone/Firestone operated retail
stores. Other products sold by Bridgestone/Firestone include single-ply
rubber roofing systems, synthetic rubber, air springs, and synthetic fibers
and textiles.
THE CREDIT CARD PROGRAM
GENERAL
The Receivables that the Originator has sold and will sell to the
Transferor pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement and which the
Transferor has or will in turn transfer to the Trust pursuant to the
Agreement have been and will be generated primarily from purchases charged
under credit cards issued by the Originator pursuant to a private label
credit card program (the "Credit Card Program") established for customers of
(a) Bridgestone/Firestone stores, which sell tires and automotive maintenance
and repair products and services, (b) dealers and marketers which have
contractual arrangements with Bridgestone/Firestone to market Bridgestone/
Firestone tires and related products as well as automotive maintenance and
repair services and (c) certain other dealers and marketers of automotive
products, which include tires and automotive maintenance and repair services,
which dealers and marketers do not have such contractual
arrangements with Bridgestone/Firestone (collectively, the "Retail
Establishments"). The Receivables will also include a portfolio of certain
designated Receivables generated or to be generated by the Originator and
existing or arising under certain accounts to be established under other
credit card programs established or to be established by the Originator (the
"Alternative Programs"). See "Description of the Offered Certificates and
the Agreement--Addition of Accounts" herein.
The initial purpose of a credit card program was to support the
merchandising efforts of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, now known as
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. ("Bridgestone/Firestone"). Credit cards were
first issued in 1978 to revolving account holders at company operated stores.
In early 1979, the credit card program was extended to include customers of
independent authorized Firestone dealers. In 1983, the program was extended
again to include independent authorized dealers of Dayton and Road King
tires, which are associate brands manufactured by Bridgestone/Firestone.
Such credit card program was replaced in 1985 by the Credit Card Program
described herein.
In July 1989, the Credit Card Program was extended to customers of
Bridgestone dealers. In 1990, the Credit Card Program was extended to
unaffiliated third-parties including Merchants, Inc., and American Car Care
Centers, Inc. In 1992, the program was extended to certain customers of
independent dealers selling Bridgestone/Firestone manufactured private brand
tires. Prior to 1993, Society National Bank ("SNB") acted as originator of
the Credit Card Program. In 1993, Credit First National Association ("CFNA"
or the "Originator"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone/Firestone, was
organized for the purpose of making credit card loans and activities
incidental to such purpose and replaced SNB. In 1994, the Credit Card
Program with American Car Care Center, Inc. terminated. Also, in 1994,
Bridgestone/Firestone introduced convenience checks drawn on the Originator
for use by existing Credit Card Program cardholders to purchase consumer
merchandise. Such cash advances made via convenience checks are estimated to
be less than 3% of total card sales. In 1995, the Credit Card Program was
further extended to Meineke Discount Muffler Shops, Inc., an unaffiliated
third-party.
As originator of the credit cards, the Originator is responsible for all
aspects of the Credit Card Program, including underwriting and granting of
credit, issuance of cards and direct customer service. BFS Credit Services
("Credit Services"), a stand-alone profit center of Bridgestone/Firestone
based in Brook Park, Ohio, provides certain administration and servicing
functions on behalf of the Originator. The Originator earns certain merchant
fees attributed to cardholder charges giving rise to Receivables. Such
merchant fees shall be transferred to the Transferor pursuant to the Purchase
and Sale Agreement. The Transferor will transfer such merchant fees to the
trust pursuant to the Agreement.
The Accounts consist of all eligible credit card accounts ("Eligible
Accounts") established under the Credit Card Program as of the Cut-off Date
and accounts to be established under Alternative Programs subsequent to the
Cut-off Date which are designated by the Transferor as Eligible Accounts in
accordance with the selection criteria relating to the addition of accounts.
The Receivables will include all amounts payable by cardholders under the
Accounts as of the Cut-off Date and thereafter. The Initial Invested Amounts
were determined by taking into account, among other considerations, the
nature of the Accounts and the Receivables.
Account balances are created primarily by the purchase of merchandise
and service from the Retail Establishments. The Trust will consequently
depend on the continued ability of the Retail Establishments to generate
credit sales. In addition, since many of the Retail Establishments accept
other credit cards, such as American Express, Diner's Club and Carte Blanche
charge cards and Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards, the Trust also
will depend upon decisions of customers purchasing merchandise at the Retail
Establishments to use the cards of the Credit Card Program and any
Alternative Programs, rather than other credit cards. See "Risk Factors--
Competition in the Credit Card Industry." The following table shows the
relationship between Credit Card Program sales at Bridgestone/Firestone
company operated stores and total Credit Card Program sales for the periods
indicated.
CREDIT CARD PROGRAM SALES AT
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE COMPANY OPERATED STORES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> PERCENT OF CREDIT CARD
CREDIT CARD SALES AT SALES
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE- AT BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE-
YEAR OPERATED STORES TOTAL CREDIT CARD SALES OPERATED STORES
- ---- ----------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1989 386,001 528,610 73.02%
1990 409,145 568,364 71.99%
1991 419,054 594,152 70.53%
1992 412,470 593,284 69.52%
1993 396,353 592,392 66.91%
1994 401,589 618,219 64.96%
1995 392,894 617,485 63.63%
</TABLE>
MARKETING AND ORIGINATION
CFNA is responsible for the marketing of the Credit Card Program. CFNA
works directly with the sales organizations of Bridgestone/Firestone and
other dealers and marketers of automotive products and services. CFNA
promotes each credit card program primarily through (i) communicating through
a wide variety of mediums (such as point of sale displays and mail
promotions) the advantages of using the credit card; (ii) coordinating the
activities of Credit Services' field account representatives; and (iii)
developing client incentive programs to increase credit card activity and
acquire new accountholders. In addition, CFNA directs and administers
various accountholder direct response programs, such as direct mail
merchandise programs and other services available to accountholders, which
promote the use of the credit card and generate additional revenue for the
credit card operations.
NEW ACCOUNT ORIGINATION
The Credit Authorization area ("Credit Authorization") of CFNA is
responsible for (i) processing credit applications to establish new accounts,
(ii) authorizing sales to existing accounts, and (iii) managing credit limits
and continually assessing credit risk. New accounts are generated primarily
through Retail Establishment operations. Credit card applications are
available in the Retail Establishments, whose personnel offer the Credit Card
Program to customers. Customers interested in purchasing specified
merchandise or services on credit may complete a credit card application in
the Retail Establishment. An application may be processed either by direct
telephone contact with Credit Authorization or by mailing a completed
application to Credit Authorization.
Most new accounts are opened at the point of sale in a Retail
Establishment. Through the use of a direct computer link with the major
credit bureaus and a computer supported credit scoring system, most decisions
on new credit applications are made within three to four minutes.
In accordance with CFNA credit card policies, Credit Authorization
evaluates the ability of an applicant to repay credit card balances by
applying a credit scoring model jointly developed by CFNA and outside
consultants. Credit scoring is intended to provide a general indication,
based upon available information (including credit bureau reports), of the
applicant's willingness and ability to repay account balances. The result of
the credit scoring computed for a prospective cardholder is the primary
factor in determining the approval decision and the initial credit limit.
The scores required for credit approval are established on the basis of
expected profitability from the accounts. Profitability is projected on the
basis of anticipated finance charge receipts as these may be offset by credit
losses sustained in the accounts. The probability of losses is predicted on
the basis of statistical evaluation performed by the credit scoring models
which are based on past performance, periodically reviewed for statistical
accuracy, of credit card accounts.
Initial credit limits, which are based on an applicant's risk, score
and, in certain cases, income, range from $300 to $2,500. Credit limits for
individual accounts may be adjusted periodically based upon an evaluation of
the cardholder's payment performance. Credit limits may be increased
annually for accounts that exceed a pre-determined score. Credit limits on
delinquent accounts may be reduced at any time if warranted by the risk
score. Decisions to adjust credit limits are based upon a customer's payment
history and/or credit bureau status.
BILLING AND PAYMENT
The accounts are grouped into billing cycles. Each billing cycle has a
separate monthly billing date on which the activity in the related accounts
during the month ended on such billing date is processed and billed to
cardholders. New accounts are assigned to billing cycles in a manner
generally intended, for purposes of administrative convenience, to equalize
the number of accounts in the billing cycles.
In connection with the servicing of the Credit Card Program, Credit
Services generates and mails to each cardholder at the end of each
cardholder's monthly billing cycle a statement summarizing account activity,
unless there is no balance, no payment due (as occurs in the "No Payment for
90 Days" payment plan described below) or no account activity. Accordingly,
cardholders must make a minimum monthly payment by the date shown on the
monthly statement. The minimum monthly payment is calculated by taking 5% of
the new balance resulting after a purchase of products and services that are
charged to the account and rounding that amount to an even $5.00 increment.
To that amount Credit Services adds any past due to establish the total
minimum payment due. The minimum payment due will not be less than $10.00
except where the remaining balance plus unpaid finance charges and other fees
is less than $10.00.
A monthly finance charge is assessed on the account when the account is
not paid in full. The periodic rate now ranges between 1.587% and 1.82%
monthly (or between 19.04% and 21.84% per annum). The finance charge is a
flat rate, based on competitive conditions. No finance charge is assessed on
unpaid finance charges. The monthly finance charge is calculated by
multiplying the periodic rate times the average daily balance. The average
daily balance is determined, where permitted by applicable state law, by
taking the beginning balance each day, subtracting any payments or credits
and adding any new purchases each day. All the daily balances are added for
the billing cycle and divided by the number of days in the billing cycle.
The Originator currently has a "No Payment for 90 Days" payment plan
where if the full amount of any qualifying purchase made under such plans is
not paid within the specified time (i.e., within 90 days from the initial
billing date), finance charges associated with the purchase will be imposed
from the date of purchase. A minimum monthly payment is not required under
this plan during the 90-day period. A pay-ahead option is also available for
cardholders who are not past due and who make a payment of at least twice the
amount of the minimum payment due. A minimum monthly payment will not be due
in the following month. There are also special promotions, in which certain
rights under the credit card agreement may be waived from time to time for
limited periods for qualifying purchases.
LOSS AND DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE
CFNA performs certain collection activity on behalf of Credit Services.
Collection methods with regard to delinquent credit card receivables include
collection activity by company personnel, collection agencies and attorneys
in private practice.
Delinquent cardholders who do not make scheduled payments by the payment
due date may be subject to several actions. These actions include billing
statement notices, collection letters, automated telephone reminders,
telephone contact with collectors for accounts delinquent from 30-150 days
and placement with third-party collection agencies or collection attorneys
for accounts delinquent beyond 150 days. The specific action or actions
depend on the number of missed payments, the dollar amount of the outstanding
balance and a statistical probability of further delinquency which is
developed using a customized statistical scoring model.
An account generally is closed to further purchases when two payments
are past due. Pursuant to the Agreement, Receivables in any Account will be
deemed defaulted and classified as "Defaulted Receivables" on the last day of
the Collection Period following the Collection Period in which such
Receivable becomes 180 days delinquent or earlier upon the Servicer's receipt
of notice of bankruptcy.
Cardholders requesting financial relief may be given a reduction in
their minimum monthly payment if certain conditions are met and upon receipt
of the new monthly payment amount. If qualified, the account is re-aged to
current. Credit Card Program credit evaluation, servicing and charge-off
policies and collection practices may change at any time in accordance with
the Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreement and applicable law and the
business judgment of the Originator and the Servicer.
Losses and delinquencies are affected by a number of factors such as
competitive behavior and general economic conditions, including consumer debt
levels. Bridgestone/Firestone has informed the Transferor that it is unable
to determine the extent to which, if any, loss and delinquency experience
described herein reflects the influence of these or other factors.
The following tables set forth the historical default and delinquency
experience for the Receivables generated in Eligible Accounts under the
Credit Card Program. The statistics are with respect to payments by
cardholders for the Collection Periods noted. There can be no assurance,
however, that loss and delinquency experience for the Receivables in the
future will be similar to the historical experience.
DEFAULTED RECEIVABLES
---------------------
($ IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Collection Twelve Collection Periods
Periods ending ending December 18,
September 18,
1996 1995 1994 1993
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Receivables Outstanding/1/ . . $448,907 $457,317 $445,293 $418,862
Defaulted Receivables/2/:
Contractual Past-due aging (210 days
past due) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29,143 $28,234 $21,102 $21,593
Bankrupt/Other . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,628 9,416 8,106 8,925
Less -- Recoveries/3/ . . . . . . . . . (5,694) (6,448) (6,576) (7,064)
Net Defaulted Receivables . . . . . . $32,077 $31,202 $22,632 $23,454
Percent per annum of Average
Receivables Outstanding . . . . . . . 9.53% 6.82% 5.08% 5.60%
</TABLE>
________________________________
/1/ Average Receivables Outstanding is a thirteen-point average. It
averages the December 19 balance at the start of the first Collection
Period with the ending balances of each of the twelve Collection Periods
(or in the case of 1996, with the ending balance of each of the nine
Collection Periods through September 18, 1996).
/2/ "Contractual Past-due aging" Defaulted Receivables represent those
receivables deemed defaulted on the last day of the Collection Period
following the period in which such Receivable becomes 180 days
delinquent. "Bankrupt" Defaulted Receivables represents those
Receivables deemed defaulted upon the Servicer's notice of bankruptcy.
/3/ Recoveries are gross account receivable recoveries. They are not net of
collection costs and commission.
AVERAGE DELINQUENCIES
($ IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 1996 YTD 1995 1994 1993
Delinquent Amount/1/ Amount/1/ Percent Amount/1/ Percent Amount/1/ Percentage
Receivables: Percentage
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1-30 Days $63,650 14.18% $64,633 14.13% $67,425 15.14% $78,719 18.79%
31-60 Days 19,820 4.42% 18,932 4.14% 17,007 3.82% 19,630 4.69%
61-90 Days 9,169 2.04% 8,042 1.76% 6,694 1.50% 7,208 1.72%
91-180 Days 15,123 3.37% 12,081 2.64% 9,460 2.13% 9,672 2.31%
Average
Receivables
Outstanding $448,907 100.00% $457,317 100.00% $445,293 100.00% $418,862 100.00%
</TABLE>
_______________
/1/ Average amounts outstanding of Delinquent Receivables and total
receivables are calculated by the thirteen-point average method,
described in Footnote 1 of the table titled "Defaulted Receivables."
/2/ Percentages are calculated by dividing delinquent receivables by average
receivables outstanding for the applicable period.
REVENUE EXPERIENCE
The following table sets forth the gross revenues from monthly finance
charge billings for the Collection Periods noted. The table includes only
the Receivables and finance charge billings generated in Eligible Accounts
under the Credit Card Program.
The historic gross revenue figures in the table are calculated on an as
billed basis and represent amounts billed to cardholders before deduction of
charge-offs, reductions due to fraud, returned goods and customer disputes
and other expenses. Future cash collections on Receivables may not reflect
the historical experience in the table. During periods of increasing
delinquencies, billings of monthly finance charges may exceed cash as amounts
collected on Receivables lag behind amounts billed to cardholders.
Conversely, as delinquencies decrease, cash may exceed billings of monthly
finance charges as amounts collected in a current period may include amounts
billed during prior periods. However, the Transferor believes that during
the periods shown, revenues on a billed basis closely approximated revenues
on a cash basis. Revenues from monthly finance charges on both a billed and
a cash basis will be affected by numerous factors, including the monthly
finance charges on principal receivables, the percentage of cardholders who
pay off their balances in full each month and do not incur monthly finance
charges on purchases, the number of promotional programs offered to
cardholders and changes in the delinquency rate on the Receivables.
REVENUE EXPERIENCE
------------------
($ IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> Twelve Collection Periods
Nine Collection ending December 18,
Periods ending
Sept. 18, 1996 1995 1994 1993
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Start-of-Month Receivables/1/ $449,771 $456,513 $444,147 $417,475
Finance Charges Billed/2/ . . . . . . $58,856 $81,026 $78,828 $78,547
Finance Charges Billed as Percentage
of Average Receivables Outstanding 17.45% 17.75% 17.75% 18.81%
</TABLE>
_______________
/1/ "Average Start-of-Month Receivables" is a twelve-point average. It
averages the receivables balances at the start of each of the periods
noted. It differs from the Average Receivables in the "Defaulted
Receivables" and "Average Delinquencies" tables, which are thirteen-
point averages.
/2/ Finance Charges are as billed during the Collection Periods noted in
each column, adjusted for rebated finance charges and accruals of "No
Payment for 90 Days" finance charges.
PROMOTIONS
The Credit Card Program features a "No Payment for 90 Days" payment plan
which is intended to increase sales to existing cardholders and to generate
new accounts. Under this program, if customers pay the full purchase price
of merchandise or services within 90 days from the initial billing date, the
finance charges associated with the initial purchase will not be imposed on
the account. If the customer does not pay the full purchase price within the
specified 90-day period, finance charges associated with the purchase will be
imposed from the date of purchase.
Special financing programs are offered to customers from time to time to
promote merchandise and service sales and the greater utilization of the
Credit Card Program. The most frequently offered program is a deferred
payment program in which customers may be allowed to defer their payment
obligations for a period generally ranging from two to six months.
Typically, finance charges accrue during the deferral period.
THE ACCOUNTS
The following tables summarize the portfolio of Active and Creditworthy
Accounts in the Credit Card Program by various criteria as of September 30,
1996. An Account is an "Active Account" if it currently has a balance. An
Account is a "Creditworthy Account" if it does not currently have a balance,
but it has had a balance within the last 17 months and is eligible for
further sales. Given the specialized nature of the eligible merchandise and
services offered under the Credit Card Program, customers typically use their
credit cards infrequently. Because the future composition of the Credit Card
Program portfolio will change over time, these tables are not necessarily
indicative of future results.
As of September 30, 1996, the Active and Creditworthy Accounts in the
Credit Card Program totaled 4,289,184 Accounts and Receivables totaled
$435,910,099. Approximately 10.53%, 9.21%, 8.93% and 5.75% of the Total
Receivables Outstanding related to Account holders having billing addresses
in Texas, Florida, California and Ohio, respectively. Not more than 5% of
the Receivables related to Account holders having billing addresses in any
other single state.
COMPOSITION OF ACTIVE AND CREDITWORTHY
ACCOUNTS BY TYPE OF RETAILER
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Number of Number Receivables Receivables
Card Program Participants Accounts of Accounts Outstanding Outstanding
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Bridgestone/Firestone operated stores and
Participating Dealers . . . . . . . . . . 4,040,958 94.21% $420,471,205 96.46%
Third-Party Dealers and marketers
without contractual arrangements. . . . 248,226 5.79% $15,438,895 3.54%
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,289,184 100.00% $435,910,099 100.00%
</TABLE>
COMPOSITION OF ACTIVE AND CREDITWORTHY
ACCOUNTS BY CREDIT LIMIT
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Number of Number Receivables Receivables
Credit Limit(1) Accounts of Accounts Outstanding Outstanding
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 . . . . . . . . . . . . 265,025 6.2% $61,492,900 14.1%
$100 to $500 . . . . . . . 360,190 8.4% 41,499,281 9.5%
$600 to 1,000 . . . . . . . 1,848,572 43.1% 156,143,445 35.8%
$1,100 to $1,500 . . . . . 1,081,816 25.2% 66,306,727 15.2%
$1,600 to $2,000 . . . . . 686,955 16.0% 105,567,049 24.2%
$2,100 and up . . . . . . . 46,626 1.1% 4,900,698 1.1%
Total . . . . . . . . . 4,289,184 100.0% $435,910,099 100.0%
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) Credit limits are in increments of $100.
(2) Credit policy sets credit limit to $0 for any cardholder 90 days or more
delinquent.
COMPOSITION OF ACTIVE AND CREDITWORTHY
ACCOUNTS BY ACCOUNT BALANCE
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Number of Number Receivables Receivables
Account Balance Accounts of Accounts Outstanding Outstanding
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Credit Balance(1) . . . . . . . . 16,939 0.39% ($684,627) -0.16%
No Balance(2) . . . . . . . . . . 3,081,723 71.85% --
$.01 to $100 . . . . . . . . . . 221,279 5.16% 10,524,448 2.41%
$101 to $200 . . . . . . . . . . 194,116 4.53% 29,148,835 6.69%
$201 to $300 . . . . . . . . . . 187,853 4.38% 46,886,809 10.76%
$301 to $400 . . . . . . . . . . 167,179 3.90% 58,401,262 13.40%
$401 to $500 . . . . . . . . . . 133,773 3.12% 59,891,809 13.74%
$501 to $600 . . . . . . . . . . 88,741 2.07% 48,508,844 11.13%
$601 to $1,000 . . . . . . . . . 139,075 3.24% 104,878,819 24.06%
$1,001 and up . . . . . . . . . . 58,506 1.36% 78,353,900 17.97%
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,289,184 100.0% $435,910,099 100.0%
</TABLE>
(1) Credit balances are a result of cardholder payments and credit
adjustments applied in excess of an Account's unpaid balance. Accounts
currently with a credit balance are included, as Receivables may be
generated with respect thereto in the future.
(2) Accounts currently with no balance are included, as Receivables may be
generated with respect thereto in the future.
COMPOSITION OF ACTIVE AND CREDITWORTHY
ACCOUNTS BY AGE
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Percentage
of Total of Total
Number of Number Receivables Receivables
Age(1) Accounts of Accounts Outstanding Outstanding
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Under 6 months . . . . . . . . . . . 300,988 7.02% $50,382,519 11.56%
6 months to 1 year . . . . . . . . . 295,649 6.89% 39,070,155 8.96%
1-2 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 675,884 15.76% 75,596,531 17.34%
2-3 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537,860 12.54% 43,669,963 10.02%
3-4 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481,247 11.22% 30,800,234 7.07%
4-5 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497,923 11.61% 26,455,882 6.07%
5-6 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339,263 7.91% 24,042,440 5.52%
6-7 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257,738 6.01% 21,423,891 4.91%
7-8 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171,169 3.99% 16,259,922 3.73%
8-9 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109,710 2.56% 11,910,929 2.73%
9-10 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103,387 2.41% 12,281,658 2.82%
10 years or older . . . . . . . . . . 518,366 12.09% 84,015,975 19.27%
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,289,184 100.0% $435,910,099 100.0%
</TABLE>
__________________
(1) Age is calculated based on the initial opening of the account.
MATURITY ASSUMPTIONS
The Agreement provides that the Controlled Amortization Period will
commence on the Controlled Amortization Date and that the Rapid Amortization
Period will commence on the day on which an Amortization Event occurs or is
deemed to occur. Although it is anticipated that principal payments will be
made on the Class A Certificates in an amount equal to the Controlled
Amortization Amount beginning on the _________ Distribution Date and on the
Class B Certificates beginning on the __________ Distribution Date, no
assurance can be given in that regard. Payments of principal are scheduled
to be made on the Class A Certificates on each Distribution Date during the
Controlled Amortization Period in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the
Controlled Amortization Amount and (b) the product of (i) the Fixed
Allocation Percentage and all Principal Collections in respect of the
applicable Collection Period (other than Reallocated Principal Collections
that are used to pay interest due on the Class A Certificates, Class B
Certificates and the Class C Certificates). Based on the following
assumptions, among others: cardholder monthly payment rates for the Accounts
being not less than ____% (which rate is below the average monthly payment
rate shown in the "Monthly Payment Rates" table below), Aggregate Receivables
being constant, the net charge-offs as a percentage of average receivables
remaining constant at the levels indicated in the tables above for the period
ended __________, the Series 1992-B Certificates are not outstanding, there
is no sharing of principal among series and no Amortization Event, Servicer
Event of Default (defined below) or default by the Transferor under the
Purchase and Sale Agreement occurring during the Controlled Amortization
Period, the Transferor believes that there will be sufficient funds on each
Distribution Date of the Controlled Amortization Period to pay the Controlled
Amortization Amount on such date. However, the actual rate of payment of
principal to Certificateholders will depend, among other factors, on the
rate of repayment, the rate of default by cardholders and the amount of
Aggregate Receivables.
In the event of the occurrence of an Amortization Event, the Rapid
Amortization Period will begin on the day on which such Amortization Event
occurs or is deemed to occur. During the Rapid Amortization Period,
distributions of principal to Class A Certificateholders will not be subject
to the Controlled Amortization Amount. Principal Collections allocable to
the Certificateholders' Interest will no longer be distributed to the
Transferor but instead will be distributed as principal payments to the Class
A Certificateholders and, following the final principal payment to the Class
A Certificateholders, to the Class B Certificateholders. Although the
Transferor believes that the likelihood of an Amortization Event occurring is
remote, there can be no assurance that an Amortization Event will not occur.
See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--Amortization
Events."
The following table sets forth the cardholder payment rates for Eligible
Accounts under the Credit Card Program. For the groups of nine or twelve
Collection Periods noted, the table gives the lowest payment rate for any
Collection Period, the highest payment rate for any one-month Collection
Period, and the average payment rate for all nine or twelve Collection
Periods. The payment rate for any Collection Period represents the payments
arising under Eligible Accounts for the Collection Period, divided by the
Receivables generated under Eligible Accounts as of the start of the
Collection Period. Payments shown in the table include amounts which would
be deemed Principal Collections and Finance Charge Collections (except
recoveries on charged-off Receivables, certain credit-related insurance
proceeds and merchant fees) under the Agreement.
MONTHLY PAYMENT RATES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Collection
Periods ending Twelve Collection Periods
Sept. 18, 1996 ending December 18,
Payment Rate 1995 1994 1993
<S> <C> <C>
Low 11.00% 11.60% 11.30% 12.14%
High 13.34% 13.07% 12.87% 13.62%
Average 12.51% 12.30% 12.41% 13.20%
</TABLE>
The amount of Collections may vary from period to period, due to
seasonal variations, general economic conditions and payment habits of
individual cardholders. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that future
cardholder monthly payment rate experience, and thus the rate at which
Certificateholders could expect to receive payments of principal on their
Offered Certificates during any Rapid Amortization Period, will be similar to
the historical experience shown above. See "Risk Factors."
THE LETTER OF CREDIT BANK
The Servicer Letter of Credit and Transferor Letter of Credit will be
issued by The Sumitomo Bank, Limited, New York Branch (the "Letter of Credit
Bank"), a New York state licensed branch of The Sumitomo Bank, Limited (the
"Bank"). (According to the American Banker, the Bank was Japan's second-
largest bank in terms of assets as of March 31, 1992. As of such date, the
Bank operated a network of 331 offices in Japan with 17 branches and 25
representative offices throughout the world.)
(As of March 31, 1992 the Bank had total assets exceeding (Yen)61.6
trillion (U.S. $463.7 billion), total liabilities exceeding (Yen)59.4
trillion (U.S. $447.4 billion) and total equity exceeding (Yen)2.2 trillion
(U.S. $16.6 billion). U.S. dollar figures were translated using an exchange
rate of 132.85 Japanese yen to each U.S. dollar.)
Upon request therefor, the Bank will provide without charge to each
person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, a copy of the annual report of
the Bank which contains the consolidated statements of the Bank for fiscal
year ended March 31, 1995. Written requests should be sent to (The Sumitomo
Bank, Limited, New York Branch, Suite 9651, One World Trade Center, New York,
NY 10048 Attention: Loan Operations.)
DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED
CERTIFICATES AND THE AGREEMENT
The Certificates will be issued pursuant to the Agreement, as
supplemented by the Series 1996-1 Supplement, entered into among the
Transferor, the Servicer and the Trustee, substantially in the forms filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Transferor may execute further Supplements
thereto between the Transferor and the Trustee in order to issue additional
Series. See "--Exchanges." The Trustee will provide a copy of the Agreement
(without exhibits or schedules), including any Supplements, to Class A and
Class B Certificateholders without charge upon written request. The
following summary describes certain terms of the Agreement and the Series
1996-1 Series Supplement.
GENERAL
The Class A Certificates and the Class B Certificates will represent
undivided interests in the Trust, including the right to receive the Class A
Invested Percentage and the Class B Invested Percentage, respectively, of all
Collections received with respect to the Receivables in the Trust. The Trust
Assets will consist of the following: (i) the Receivables existing on or
created after the Cut-off Date under the Accounts established under the
Credit Card Program, (ii) Receivables arising under designated Accounts
established under Alternative Programs, (iii) all amounts due or to become
due on or after the Cut-off Date, (iv) all Recoveries with respect to
previously charged-off Receivables, net of reasonable expenses of the
Servicer incurred and deducted from such amounts or payments, (v) the right
to receive certain merchant fees attributed to cardholder charges giving rise
to Receivables, (vi) all of the Transferor's right, title and interest under
the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Participation Agreement, (vii) the
proceeds of the Servicer Letter of Credit and the Transferor Letter of
Credit, (viii) all moneys on deposit in the Collection Account and any other
accounts established for the benefit of any other Series (which other
accounts will not be available to Certificateholders), (ix) payments made in
respect of Enhancements issued with respect to any other Series (the drawing
on or payment of such Enhancement not being available to Certificateholders)
and (x) all proceeds of any of the foregoing. The term "Enhancement" is
defined in the Agreement as any letter of credit, liquidity facility,
guaranteed rate agreement, maturity guaranty, facility, cash collateral
account, cash collateral guaranty, tax protection agreement, interest rate
swap or other contract or agreement for the benefit of the certificateholders
of any Series issued by the Trust. As of the Cut-off Date, the Class A
Invested Amount will be $(200,000,000) and the Class B Invested Amount will
be $(28,000,000).
The Transferor will initially hold the interest (the "Transferor
Interest") not represented by the Certificates, the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate, the Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate and any other Series of
certificates to be issued. The Transferor Interest will be evidenced by the
Exchangeable Transferor Certificate and will represent an undivided interest
in the Trust, which may vary from month to month. The Transferor will
participate an interest in the Exchangeable Transferor Certificate to
Bridgestone/Firestone pursuant to the Participation Agreement. The issuance
of the Class B Certificates, the Class C Certificates and the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate are conditions to the issuance of the Class A
Certificates. The issuance of the Class C Certificates and the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate are conditions to the issuance of the Class B
Certificates.
Interest will accrue on the unpaid principal amount of the Class A
Certificates at a per annum rate equal to the Class A Certificate Rate and,
except as otherwise provided herein, be distributed to the Class A
Certificateholders monthly on each Distribution Date, commencing __________,
in an amount equal to one-twelfth of the product of (i) the Class A
Certificate Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class A
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (or in the case of the
first Distribution Date, as of the Closing Date). Interest will accrue on
the unpaid principal amount of the Class B Certificates at a per annum rate
equal to the Class B Certificate Rate and, except as otherwise provided
herein, be distributed to the Class B Certificateholders monthly, commencing
on __________, in an amount equal to the product of (i) the Class B
Certificate Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class B
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (or in the case of the
first Distribution Date, as of the Closing Date). Interest will be
calculated on an 30/360 Basis.
No principal payments will be made to the Class A Certificateholders
until the Distribution Date occurring in _________ or, upon the occurrence of
an Amortization Event as described herein. No principal payments will be
made to the Class B Certificateholders until the final principal payment has
been made to the Class A Certificateholders. No principal payments will be
made to the Class C Certificateholders until the final principal
payment has been made to the Class B Certificateholders. The holder of the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate will not receive any payments of
principal until the Class A, the Class B and the Class C Certificateholders
have received all payments of principal due them. On each Distribution Date
with respect to the Revolving Period (and, at the option of the Servicer,
more frequently), Principal Collections allocable to the Certificateholders'
Interest will, subject to certain limitations, including certain Excess
Finance Charge Collections and the reallocation of any Reallocated Principal
Collections with respect to the related Collection Period, be applied as
Shared Principal Collections and the balance will be paid to the Transferor
in respect of the Transferor Interest to maintain the Class A Invested
Amount, the Class B Invested Amount, the Class C Invested Amount and the
Subordinated Transferor Amount.
Unless and until an Amortization Event shall have occurred, on each
Distribution Date with respect to the Controlled Amortization Period, all
Principal Collections allocable to the Certificateholders' Interest plus
certain other amounts comprising Class A Monthly Principal, Class B Monthly
Principal and Class C Monthly Principal (defined below) will no longer be
paid to the Transferor as described above but instead an amount thereof up to
the Controlled Amortization Amount will be distributed to the Class A
Certificateholders. Any such collections in excess of the Controlled
Amortization Amount will be paid to the Transferor in respect of the
Transferor Interest.
Distributions of principal and interest on the Offered Certificates will
be made by the Trustee directly to Certificateholders in accordance with the
procedures set forth herein and in the Agreement. Interest payments and any
principal payments on each Distribution Date will be made to
Certificateholders in whose name the Offered Certificates were registered
(expected to be Cede, as nominee of DTC) at the close of business on the 15th
day of the calendar month preceding such Distribution Date (each a "Record
Date") (however, the final payment on any Offered Certificates will be made
only upon presentation and surrender of such Offered Certificate).
Distributions will be made to DTC in immediately available funds.
The Offered Certificates will initially be represented by one or more
Certificates registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") (together with any successor depository selected by the
Transferor, the "Depository") except as set forth below. The interests of
holders of beneficial interests in the Class A Certificates and the Class B
Certificates ("Certificate Owners") will be available for purchase in
denominations of $1,000 (representing 1/__________ of the undivided interest
of the Class A Certificateholders in the Trust and 1/__________ of the
undivided interest of the Class B Certificateholders in the Trust) and
integral multiples thereof in book-entry form only. The Transferor has been
informed by DTC that DTC's nominee will be Cede. Accordingly, Cede is
expected to be the holder of record of the Offered Certificates. Unless and
until Definitive Certificates are issued under the limited circumstances
described herein, no Certificate Owner will be entitled to receive a
certificate representing such person's interest in the Offered Certificates.
All references herein to actions by Certificateholders shall refer to actions
taken by DTC upon instructions from its participating organizations (the
"Participants") and all references herein to distributions, notices, reports
and statements to Certificateholders shall refer to distributions, notices,
reports and statements to DTC or Cede, as the registered holder of the Class
A Certificates and the Class B Certificates, as the case may be, for
distribution to Certificate Owners in accordance with DTC procedures. See "-
- -Book-Entry Registration" and "--Definitive Certificates."
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
Holders of the Certificates or the Offered Certificates (the "Offered
Certificates") may hold through DTC (in the United States) or, solely in the
case of the Offered Certificates, CEDEL or Euroclear (in Europe) if they are
participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are
participants in such systems. The Certificates may not be held, directly or
indirectly, through CEDEL or Euroclear.
Cede, as nominee for DTC, will hold the Offered Certificates. CEDEL and
Euroclear will hold omnibus positions in the Offered Certificates on behalf
of the CEDEL Participants and the Euroclear Participants, respectively,
through customers' securities accounts in CEDEL's and Euroclear's names on
the books of their respective depositaries (collectively, the
"Depositaries"), which in turn will hold such positions in customers'
securities accounts in the Depositaries' names on the books of DTC.
Transfers between DTC's participating organizations (the "Participants")
will occur in accordance with DTC rules. Transfers between CEDEL
Participants and Euroclear Participants 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 CEDEL
Participants 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, such cross-market transactions
will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international
clearing system by the counterparty in such 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.
CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions
directly to the Depositaries.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities in CEDEL or
Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a Participant will be made during
the subsequent securities settlement processing, dated the business day
following the DTC settlement date, and such credits or any transactions in
such securities settled during such processing will be reported to the
relevant CEDEL Participant or Euroclear Participant on such business day.
Cash received in CEDEL or Euroclear as a result of sales of securities by or
through a CEDEL Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a Participant will
be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in
the relevant CEDEL or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day
following settlement in DTC.
For a description of transfers between persons holding directly or
indirectly through DTC, see also "Global Clearance, Settlement and Tax
Documentation Procedures" in Annex II to this Prospectus.
Cedel Bank, societe anonyme ("CEDEL") is incorporated under the laws of
Luxembourg as a professional depository. CEDEL holds securities for its
participating organizations ("CEDEL Participants") and facilitates the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions between CEDEL
Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of CEDEL
Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certifi-
cates. Transactions may be settled in CEDEL in any of 28 currencies,
including United States dollars. CEDEL provides to its CEDEL Participants,
among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and
settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and
borrowing. CEDEL interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As
a professional depository, CEDEL is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg
Monetary Institute. CEDEL Participants 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 the Underwriters. Indirect access to CEDEL is also available
to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a CEDEL Participant, either
directly or indirectly.
The Euroclear System was created in 1968 to hold securities for
participants of the Euroclear System ("Euroclear Participants") and to clear
and settle transactions between Euroclear 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
Euroclear in any of 32 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 in "Global Clearance, Settlement and Tax Documentation
Procedures" in Annex II of the Prospectus. The Euroclear System is operated
by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels, Belgium office (the
"Euroclear Operator" or "Euroclear"), under contract with Euroclear Clearance
System, S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the "Cooperative"). 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. The Cooperative establishes
policy for the Euroclear System on behalf of Euroclear Participants.
Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities
brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may
include the Underwriters. Indirect access to the Euroclear System is also
available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Euroclear Participant, 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 (collectively, the "Terms and Conditions"). The Terms and
Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within the Euroclear
System, withdrawal 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 under the Terms and Conditions only on
behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no record of or relationship with
persons holding through Euroclear Participants.
Distributions with respect to Offered Certificates held through CEDEL or
Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of CEDEL Participants or
Euroclear Participants in accordance with the relevant system's rules and
procedures, to the extent received by its Depositary. Such distributions
will be subject to tax reporting in accordance with relevant United States
tax laws and regulations. See "Federal Income Tax Consequences" herein and
"Global Clearance, Settlement and Tax Documentation Procedures" in Annex II
to this Prospectus. CEDEL or the Euroclear Operator, as the case may be,
will take any other action permitted to be taken by a Certificateholder under
the Indenture on behalf of a CEDEL Participant or Euroclear Participant only
in accordance with its relevant rules and procedures and subject to its
Depositary's ability to effect such actions on its behalf through DTC.
Although DTC, CEDEL and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing
procedures in order to facilitate transfers of Offered Certificates among
participants of DTC, CEDEL and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to
perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be
discontinued at any time.
In the event that any of DTC, CEDEL or Euroclear should discontinue its
services, the Administrator would seek an alternative depository (if
available) or cause the issuance of Definitive Securities to the owners
thereof or their nominees in the manner described in "Global Clearance,
Settlement and Tax Document Procedures" in Annex II to this Prospectus.
DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATES
The Offered Certificates will be issued in fully registered,
certificated form to Certificate Owners or their nominees (the "Definitive
Certificates"), rather than to DTC or its nominee, only if (i) the Transferor
advises the Trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing or able to
discharge properly its responsibilities as Depository with respect to the
Offered Certificates, and the Trustee or the Transferor is unable to locate a
qualified successor, (ii) the Transferor, at its option, elects to terminate
the book-entry system through DTC, or (iii) after the occurrence of a
Servicer Event of Default, Certificate Owners representing in the aggregate
not less than a majority of the aggregate invested amount of all Series then
issued and outstanding advise the Trustee and DTC through Participants in
writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through any Depository
is no longer in the best interest of the Certificate Owners.
Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately
preceding paragraph, the Trustee, through DTC, is required to notify all
Participants of the availability through DTC of Definitive Certificates.
Upon surrender by DTC to the Trustee of the Definitive Certificates
representing the Offered Certificates and instructions for re-registration,
the Trustee will issue the Offered Certificates as Definitive Certificates,
and thereafter the Trustee will recognize the holders of such Definitive
Certificates as holders under the Agreement ("Holders").
Distributions of principal and interest on the Offered Certificates will
be made by the Paying Agent directly to Holders of Definitive Certificates in
accordance with the procedures set forth herein and in the Agreement.
Interest and principal payments on each Distribution Date will be made to
Holders in whose names the Definitive Certificates were registered at the
close of business on the related Record Date. Distributions will be made by
check mailed to the address of such Holder as it appears on the certificate
register. The final payment on any Offered Certificate (whether Definitive
Certificates or the Offered Certificates registered in the name of Cede
representing the Offered Certificates), however, will be made only upon
presentation and surrender of such Offered Certificate at the office or
agency specified in the notice of final distribution to Certificateholders.
The Trustee will provide such notice to registered Certificateholders not
later than the day of such final distribution.
Definitive Certificates will be transferable and exchangeable at the
offices of the transfer agent and registrar, which shall 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.
CONVEYANCE OF RECEIVABLES
Upon creation of the Trust, the Transferor transferred and assigned to
the Trust all of its right, title and interest in and to Receivables in the
Accounts outstanding as of the Cut-off Date, all of the Receivables
thereafter created under the Accounts and the proceeds of all of the
foregoing (including Recoveries with respect to previously charged-off
Receivables). Prior to such transfer and assignment, and pursuant to the
Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Originator sold to the Transferor all
Receivables existing under the Accounts as of the Cut-off Date. Pursuant to
the Purchase and Sale Agreement, provided, among other things, that the
Transferor is not in default of its obligations under the Purchase and Sale
Agreement and no Servicer Event of Default or Originator insolvency shall
have occurred, the Originator sell and assigned to the Transferor, and the
Transferor purchase from the Originator, on each business day, all
Receivables arising in the Accounts. On the Closing Date, and concurrently
with the transfer of the Receivables to the Trust, the Trustee will
authenticate the Offered Certificates and deliver such Offered Certificates
to the Transferor which will in turn deliver the Offered Certificates to the
Underwriters against payment of the net proceeds of the sale of the Offered
Certificates. The Trustee will also deliver a newly issued Exchangeable
Transferor Certificate and the Subordinated Transferor Certificate to the
Transferor, and the Class C Certificate to the purchaser thereof.
In connection with the sale of the Receivables by the Originator to the
Transferor and the transfer of the Receivables by the Transferor to the
Trust, the Originator and Bridgestone/Firestone will indicate in their
computer files that the Receivables have been sold to the Transferor and then
transferred to the Trust and the Transferor will indicate in its files that
the Receivables have been transferred from the Transferor to the Trust.
Bridgestone/Firestone, 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 will not be segregated from
those relating to other consumer accounts and receivables and neither the
computer files nor the physical documentation relating to the Accounts or
Receivables will be stamped or marked to reflect the transfer of Receivables
to the Trust. The Trustee will have reasonable access to such records and
agreements as required by applicable law or to enforce the rights of the
Certificateholders. The Originator will file one or more UCC-1 financing
statements in accordance with Ohio state law to perfect the Transferor's
interest in the Receivables. The Transferor, in turn, will file one or more
UCC-1 financing statements in accordance with Massachusetts state law to
perfect the Trust's interest in the Receivables. See "Risk Factors" and
"Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables."
ADDITION OF ACCOUNTS
The Accounts consist of all Accounts established under the Credit Card
Program subsequent to the Cut-off Date. In addition, the Transferor is
permitted (subject to certain limitations and conditions) to designate from
time to time additional eligible Accounts established under Alternative
Programs ("Eligible Additional Accounts") and to convey to the Trust
Receivables of such Eligible Additional Accounts, whether such Receivables
are then existing or thereafter created until either the Ten Percent Number
Test (as defined below) or Ten Percent Aggregate Test (as defined below) is
met. Thereafter, if the Transferor has not obtained the consent of the
applicable rating agencies, as described below, additional accounts and
additional receivables from Alternative Programs shall not be transferred to
the Trust.
Such "Alternative Programs" (are programs for which CFNA underwrites and
originates Accounts and Receivables and) may include, but are not limited to,
the establishment of additional private label credit card programs and the
offering of general purpose credit cards. As of the date of the issuance of
the Certificates, the Originator has not established any of these Alternative
Programs. The "Ten Percent Number Test" is met when the number of Eligible
Additional Accounts equals 10% of the number of all Accounts in the Trust.
The "Ten Percent Aggregate Test" is met when the dollar amount of Receivables
from such Eligible Additional Accounts equals 10% of the Aggregate
Receivables. See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement-
- -Addition of Accounts."
Once the Transferor has met the Ten Percent Number Test or the Ten
Percent Aggregate Test, the Transferor must request written confirmation from
the applicable rating agencies to transfer to the Trust additional Accounts
related to a designated Alternative Program and all Receivables arising from
such Accounts. Upon receiving such written confirmation from the applicable
rating agencies, the Transferor will be permitted to include in the Trust
Eligible Additional Accounts from such designated Alternative Program,
subject to a 15% Quarterly Cap and a 20% Yearly Cap (each as defined below).
The "15% Quarterly Cap" will be met when the number of Eligible Additional
Accounts from such designated Alternative Program equals 15% of the number of
Eligible Accounts in the Trust as of the last day of March, June, September
and December. The "20% Yearly Cap" will be met when the number of Eligible
Additional Accounts from such designated Alternative Program equals 20% of
the number of Eligible Accounts in the Trust as of December 31 of each year.
The Transferor may continue to designate Eligible Additional Accounts from
Alternative Programs in accordance with the selection criteria described in
"The Credit Card Program -- Addition of Accounts."
REMOVAL OF ACCOUNTS
Subject to the conditions set forth in the next succeeding sentence, on
each Determination Date on which the Transferor Amount (plus the B/F Amount
and any amounts available under the Transferor Letter of Credit) exceeds __%
of the aggregate invested amount of all outstanding Series of certificates
issued by the Trust, the Transferor may, but shall not be obligated to,
accept all Receivables and proceeds thereof from certain Accounts offered to
it by the Trustee ("Removed Accounts"), without notice to the
Certificateholders. The Transferor may, at its sole discretion, accept such
offer in an aggregate amount equal to an amount not greater than the excess
of the Transferor Amount (plus the B/F Amount and any amounts available under
the Transferor Letter of Credit) over __% of the aggregate invested amount of
all outstanding Series of certificates issued by the Trust. The Transferor
is permitted to designate and require reassignment to it of the Receivables
from Removed Accounts only upon satisfaction of the following conditions: (i)
the Trustee shall have executed and delivered to the Transferor a written
reassignment and the Transferor shall have delivered a computer file or
microfiche list containing a true and complete list of all Accounts in the
Trust after such removal, the Accounts to be identified by account number,
(ii) the Transferor shall represent and warrant that no selection procedure
used by the Transferor which is adverse to the interests of the
certificateholders was utilized in selecting the Removed Accounts, (iii) the
removal of any Receivables of any Removed Accounts shall not, in the
reasonable belief of the Transferor, cause an Amortization Event to occur,
(iv) the Transferor shall have delivered written notice twenty days prior to
such removal to each Rating Agency which has rated any outstanding Series and
prior to the date on which such Receivables are to be removed the Trustee
shall have received confirmation from each Rating Agency of its intention not
to reduce or withdraw the rating of any Series of certificates as a result of
such removal and (v) the Transferor shall have delivered to the Trustee an
officer's certificate confirming the items set forth in clauses (i) through
(iv) above.
EXCHANGES
The Agreement provides for the Trustee to issue four types of
certificates: (i) one or more Series of certificates which generally are
transferable and have the characteristics described below, (ii) the
Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate, which is currently and will continue to be
held by Bridgestone/Firestone and which generally is not transferable,
(iii) the Exchangeable Transferor Certificate, a certificate which evidences
the Transferor Interest, and (iv) the Subordinated Transferor Certificate, a
certificate of the Transferor which evidences an interest subordinate to the
Transferor Certificate. The Exchangeable Transferor Certificate was
initially held by the Transferor and participated to Bridgestone/Firestone
pursuant to a Participation Agreement by and between the Transferor and
Bridgestone/Firestone (the "Participation Agreement"). The Subordinated
Transferor Certificate will also be participated to Bridgestone/Firestone
pursuant to the Participation Agreement. The Agreement also provides that,
pursuant to any one or more Supplements, the Transferor may tender the
Exchangeable Transferor Certificate, or the Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate and the certificates evidencing any Series of certificates to the
Trustee in exchange for one or more new Series and a reissued Exchangeable
Transferor Certificate. Under the Agreement, the Transferor may define, with
respect to any newly issued Series: (i) its name or designation, (ii) its
initial principal amount (or method for calculating such amount), (iii) its
coupon rate (or formula for the determination thereof), (iv) the interest
payment date or dates and the date or dates from which interest shall accrue,
(v) the method for allocating collections to certificateholders, (vi) the
names of any accounts to be used by such Series and the terms governing the
operation of any such accounts, (vii) the percentage used to calculate
monthly servicing fees, (viii) the minimum transferor interest percentage,
(ix) the minimum amount of Aggregate Receivables required
to be maintained by the Transferor, (x) the issuer and terms of any
Enhancement with respect thereto, (xi) the base rate applicable to such
Series, (xii) the terms on which the certificates of such Series may be
repurchased by the Transferor or remarketed to other investors, (xiii) the
Series termination date, (xiv) any deposit into any account maintained for
the benefit of certificateholders, (xv) the number of classes of such Series,
and if more than one class, the rights and priorities of each such class,
(xvi) the extent to which the certificates of such Series will be issuable in
bearer form and any limitations imposed thereon, (xvii) whether discount
revenue or commissions will be included in funds available to
certificateholders, (xviii) the priority of any Series with respect to any
other Series, (xix) the rights of the holder of the Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate that have been transferred to the holders of such Series and (xx)
any other relevant terms (all such terms, the "Principal Terms" of such
Series). None of the Transferor, the Servicer, the Trustee or the Trust is
required to obtain the consent of any Certificateholder to issue any
additional Series. However, as a condition of an Exchange, the Transferor
will deliver to the Trustee written confirmation that the Exchange will not
result in the applicable Rating Agency reducing or withdrawing its rating of
any outstanding Series or otherwise adversely affect any rating on any then
outstanding Series, including the Offered Certificates. The Transferor may
offer any Series to the public under a Disclosure Document in transactions
either registered under the Act or exempt from registration thereunder
directly, through the Underwriters or one or more other underwriters or
placement agents, in fixed-price offerings or in negotiated transactions or
otherwise. Any such Series may be issued in fully registered or book-entry
form in minimum denominations determined by the Transferor. See Annex I for
a listing of Outstanding Series. The Transferor may offer, from time to
time, additional Series.
The Agreement provides that the Transferor may perform Exchanges and
define Principal Terms such that each Series has a period during which
amortization of the principal amount thereof is intended to occur which may
have a different length and begin on a different date than such period for
any other Series. Further, one or more Series may be in their amortization
periods while other Series are not. Thus, certain Series may be in their
revolving periods, while other Series are amortizing. Moreover, each Series
may have the benefits of a form of Enhancement issued by issuers different
from the issuers of the form of Enhancement with respect to any other Series.
Under the Agreement, the Trustee shall hold any such Enhancement only on
behalf of the Series with respect to which each relates. Likewise, with
respect to each such Enhancement, the Transferor may deliver a different form
of Enhancement agreement. The Agreement also provides that the Transferor
may specify different coupon rates and monthly servicing fees with respect to
each Series. Finance Charge Collections not used to pay interest on the
certificates, the monthly servicing fee, the investor default amount or
investor charge-offs with respect to any Series will be allocated as provided
in such form of Enhancement agreement, if applicable. The Transferor also
has the option under the Agreement to vary between Series the terms upon
which a Series may be repurchased by the Transferor or remarketed to other
investors. Additionally, certain Series may be subordinated to other Series,
or classes within a Series may have different priorities. No Series of
certificates may be senior to this Series of Certificates. The Class B
Certificates will be subordinate to the Class A Certificates but not to any
other Series of certificates. The Class C Certificates and the Subordinated
Transferor Certificates will be subordinate to the Class B Certificates but
not to any other Series of Certificates. There is no limit to the number of
Exchanges that the Transferor may perform under the Agreement. The Trust
will terminate only as provided in the Agreement.
Under the Agreement and pursuant to a Supplement, an Exchange may only
occur upon the satisfaction of certain conditions provided in the Agreement.
Under the Agreement, the Transferor may perform an Exchange by notifying the
Trustee, at least five days in advance of the date upon which the Exchange is
to occur. Under the Agreement, the notice will state the designation of any
Series to be issued on the date of the Exchange and, with respect to each
such Series: (i) its initial principal amount (or method for calculating such
amount), (ii) its certificate rate and (iii) the issuer of the form of
Enhancement, if any, which is expected to provide credit support with respect
to it. On the date of the Exchange, the Agreement provides that the Trustee
will issue any such Series only upon delivery to it of the following: (i) a
Supplement in form satisfactory to the Trustee signed by the Transferor and
specifying the Principal Terms of such Series, (ii) an opinion of counsel to
the effect that certificates of such Series will be characterized as either
indebtedness or an interest in a partnership under existing law for Federal
income tax purposes and that the issuance of such Series will not materially
adversely impact the Federal income tax characterization of any outstanding
Series, (iii) the Enhancement, if any, and the form of Enhancement agreement,
if any, with respect thereto executed by the Transferor and the provider of
the form of Enhancement, (iv) written confirmation from the applicable Rating
Agency that the Exchange will not result in such Rating Agency reducing or
withdrawing its rating on any outstanding Series or otherwise adversely
affect any rating on any then outstanding Series and (v) the existing
Exchangeable Transferor Certificate and the applicable certificates of the
Series to be exchanged, if applicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions,
the Trustee will cancel the existing Exchangeable Transferor Certificate
and the certificates of the exchange Series, if applicable, and issue the new
Series and a new Exchangeable Transferor Certificate.
COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Transferor will covenant to the Trustee for the benefit of all
certificateholders of all Series which from time to time may have an interest
in the Trust that, as to the Receivables and the Accounts, unless cured
within 60 days from the earlier to occur of the discovery of such event by
the Transferor or Bridgestone/Firestone or receipt of notice by the
Transferor or Bridgestone/Firestone from the Trustee, the Servicer or the
Originator, the Transferor will accept the transfer of any Receivable which
is determined to be an Ineligible Receivable. Additionally, the Transferor
covenants in the Agreement to accept, under certain conditions, the transfer
of each Receivable which is subject to certain specified liens immediately
upon the discovery of such liens.
The Transferor shall accept the transfer of any Receivable as described
above (an "Ineligible Receivable") by paying the principal balance of such
Receivables to the Trust (the "Transfer Deposit Amount"). In the event that
such payment is not made, the principal balance of such Receivables shall be
deducted from the amount of Aggregate Receivables used to calculate the
Transferor Interest; provided, however, that if such deduction would reduce
the Transferor Interest below zero or would otherwise not be permitted by
law, the principal balance of such Receivables shall be deducted from the B/F
Amount. Any such deposit shall be treated as a collection of such Receivable
and be allocated as provided in the Agreement. Such remedy with respect to
such breach will constitute the sole remedy of the Certificateholders in the
event of any such breach.
In the Agreement, the Transferor has made additional representations and
warranties as to the following: (i) the organization and good standing of the
Transferor and the legality and enforceability of the Agreement against the
Transferor, (ii) that the Agreement constitutes a valid transfer to the Trust
of all right, title and interest of the Transferor in and to the Receivables,
whether then existing or thereafter created in the applicable Accounts, and
the proceeds thereof (including amounts in any of the accounts established
for the benefit of the Certificateholders) or the grant of a first priority
perfected security interest in such Receivables and the proceeds thereof
(including amounts in any of the accounts established for the benefit of
the Certificateholders), which is effective as to each Receivable upon the
transfer thereof to the Trust or upon its creation, as the case may be, (iii)
that all material information with respect to the Accounts and Receivables
provided to the Trustee was true and correct in all material respects as of
the Cut-off Date, (iv) each Receivable conveyed to the Trust is free and
clear of liens (except for liens which may be permitted by the Agreement),
(v) the Transferor has obtained all consents, licenses, approvals or
authorizations required in connection with the conveyance of the Receivables
to the Trust, (vi) the due qualification of the Transferor, (vii) the due
authorization of the Transferor to execute and deliver the Purchase and Sale
Agreement, the Agreement and the Certificates, (viii) the creation of a
binding obligation of the Transferor by the Purchase and Sale Agreement and
the Agreement, (ix) the non-violation by the execution and delivery of the
Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Agreement and the Certificates of any
agreement binding the Transferor or its property, (x) the non-existence of
any proceedings threatening the transfer of the Receivables or the issuance
of the Certificates and (xi) the eligibility of each Receivable. In the
event that any of the representations and warranties described in clauses
(ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (viii) above are not true and correct and such
event has a material adverse effect on the interests of holders of the
certificates of all Series, either the Trustee or the holders of certificates
evidencing undivided interests in the Trust aggregating more than 50% of the
outstanding principal balance of all Series, by written notice to the
Transferor (and to the Trustee and the Servicer, if given by the
certificateholders), may direct the Transferor to purchase all certificates
of all Series outstanding (including the Certificates) within 60 days of such
notice. The Transferor shall be obligated to purchase all Series on a
Distribution Date occurring within such applicable period, unless the
representations and warranties shall then be satisfied in all material
respects and any adverse effect on the certificateholders caused thereby
shall have been cured. The purchase price for the certificates shall be
equal to the aggregate invested amount of all Series on the Record Date
related to the applicable payment date on which the purchase is scheduled to
be made plus an amount equal to all interest accrued but unpaid on all Series
at the applicable certificate rates through the end of the interest accrual
periods of such Series. The payment of such purchase price into the
Collection Account in immediately available funds will be considered a
prepayment in full of all Receivables and will be paid in full to the
certificateholders upon presentation and surrender of their certificates.
The obligations described above shall be the sole remedies respecting the
foregoing representations, warranties and events available to the Trustee or
the certificateholders. Pursuant to the Participation Agreement,
Bridgestone/Firestone will agree, for the benefit of the
Trustee, to purchase from the Transferor any Ineligible Receivable
repurchased by the Transferor from the Trust and any certificates purchased
by the Transferor as described above.
A "Receivable" is defined to mean each receivable (i) which has risen
under an Eligible Account or an Eligible Additional Account (as defined
below), (ii) which was created in compliance with all requirements of law and
pursuant to an accountholder agreement which complies with all requirements
of law in either case other than those with respect to which there is no
reasonable likelihood that a failure to comply could have a material adverse
effect upon certificateholders, (iii) with respect to which all consents,
licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations with, any
governmental authority required to be obtained or given in connection with
the creation of such Receivable or the execution, delivery and performance of
the related accountholder agreement have been duly obtained or given and are
in full force and effect as of such date of creation, (iv) as to which the
Trust will at all times have good and marketable title, free and clear of all
liens, encumbrances, charges and security interests (except those permitted
by the Agreement), (v) which has been the subject of either a valid transfer
and assignment from the Transferor to the Trust of all of the Transferor's
right, title and interest therein or the grant to the Trust of a perfected
security interest therein (and in the proceeds thereof) which is prior to any
interest of all third-parties, effective until the termination of the Trust,
(vi) which will at all times be the legal, valid and binding payment
obligation of the accountholder thereof enforceable against such
accountholder in accordance with its terms, subject to certain bankruptcy and
equity related exceptions, (vii) which constitutes either an "account" or a
"general intangible" under and as defined in Article 9 of the UCC as then in
effect in the States of New York and Ohio and the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, (viii) which, at the time of its transfer to the Trust, has
not been waived or modified except as permitted by the Agreement, (ix) which
is not subject to any right of rescission, setoff, counterclaim or other
defense (including the defense of usury), other than certain bankruptcy and
equity related defenses and adjustments permitted by the Agreement to be made
by the Servicer, (x) as to which each of the Originator and the Transferor
has satisfied all obligations to be fulfilled pursuant to the credit card
agreement or in connection with the transfer of the Receivable at the time of
transfer of the Receivable to the Trust or at the time of sale of such
Receivable to the Transferor and (xi) as to which the Originator and the
Transferor have done nothing, at the time of its transfer to the Trust, to
impair the rights of the Trust or certificateholders therein. An "Eligible
Account" is defined to mean an account (i) which has been established under
the Credit Card Program, (ii) which is denominated in U.S. dollars, (iii) the
credit card or cards related to which have not been reported lost or stolen,
(iv) the obligor on which has provided, as its most recent billing address,
an address with a zip code in the United States or its territories or
possessions, (v) which is not an account of an obligor in bankruptcy or an
account as to which the Servicer has any confirmed record of any
fraud-related activity, and (vi) the Receivables in which have not been
charged off or the account itself has not been closed prior to its billing
cycle cut-off date. An "Eligible Additional Account" is defined to mean an
account (i) which has been established under an Alternative Program
subsequent to the Cut-off Date, (ii) which has been designated by the
Transferor in accordance with the criteria relating to the Addition of
Accounts, (iii) which is denominated in U.S. dollars, (iv) the credit card or
cards related to which have not been reported lost or stolen, (v) the obligor
on which has provided, as its most recent billing address, an address with a
zip code in the United States or its territories or possessions, (vi) which
is not an account of an obligor in bankruptcy or an account as to which the
Servicer has any confirmed record of any fraud-related activity; and (vii)
the Receivables in which have not been charged off or the account itself has
not been closed prior to its billing cycle cut-off date.
It is not required or anticipated that the Trustee will make any initial
or periodic general examination of the Receivables or any records relating to
the Receivables for the purpose of establishing the presence or absence of
defects, compliance with the Transferor'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 general examination of the
Servicer for the purpose of establishing the compliance by the Servicer with
its representations or warranties or the performance by the Servicer of its
obligations under the Agreement for any other purpose. The Servicer,
however, is required to deliver to the Trustee on or before March 31 of each
year beginning in 1994 an opinion of counsel with respect to the necessity of
filing additional UCC financing statements or other filings as may be
required under state law to continue the Trust's perfection of the security
interest of the Trust in and to the Receivables and certain other components
of the Trust.
COLLECTION ACCOUNT
The Trustee has caused to be established and maintained an account with
respect to the Certificates (the "Collection Account") for deposit of
Collections received from the Servicer. Funds on deposit in the Collection
Account shall be invested in one or more Permitted Investments maturing no
later than the next succeeding Transfer Date. Net investment earnings on
funds in the Collection Account will be paid monthly to the Transferor. The
Servicer has 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 the Servicer's or the
Trustee's duties under the Agreement.
The term "Permitted Investments" means (a) investments having maturities
at the date of purchase of not later than the next succeeding Transfer Date
in the following: (i) obligations issued by, or the principal of and interest
on which is fully guaranteed by, the United States of America; (ii)
commercial paper rated A-1+ by S&P, F-1+ by Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
("Fitch") and P-1 by Moody's; (iii) certificates of deposit, other deposits
or bankers' acceptances, which are rated A-1+ by S&P, F-1+ by Fitch and P-1
by Moody's, or money market funds rated A-1+ by S&P, F-1+ by Fitch and P-1 by
Moody's, (iv) investments in money market funds having the highest long-term
rating granted by the applicable Rating Agency and maintained by commercial
banks having unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus of at least
$500,000,000; (v) eurodollar time deposits that have been rated A-1+ by S&P
and F-1+ by Fitch and P-1 by Moody's; and (vi) repurchase agreements
involving any of the Permitted Investments described in clauses (i) through
(iv) above so long as the other party to the repurchase agreement has the
rating described in clause (ii) above and (vii) any other investment the
applicable Rating Agency confirms will not adversely affect any ratings of
the Certificates and (b) demand deposit or time deposits in any institution
described in clause (iii) above.
SUBORDINATION OF THE CLASS B CERTIFICATES
The Class B Certificate will be subordinated to the extent necessary to
fund certain payments with respect to the Class A Certificates. Certain
principal payments otherwise allocable to the Class B Certificateholders may
be reallocated to cover amounts in respect of the Class A Certificates and
the Class B Invested Amount may be reduced if the Class C Invested Amount is
equal to zero. To the extent the Class B Invested Amount is reduced, the
percentage of collections of Finance Charge Receivables allocated to the
Class B Certificates in subsequent Collection Periods will be reduced.
Moreover, to the extent the amount of such reduction in the Class B Invested
Amount is not reimbursed, the amount of principal distributable to, and the
amounts available to be distributed with respect to interest on, the Class B
Certificateholders will be reduced. No principal will be paid to the Class B
Certificateholders until the Class A Invested Amount is paid in full. See
"Risk Factors--Effect of Subordination" and "--Allocation Percentages," "--
Reallocated Principal Collections" and "--Additional Amounts Available to
Certificateholders."
ALLOCATION PERCENTAGES
Pursuant to the Agreement, for each Collection Period the Servicer will
allocate Finance Charge Collections (including Recoveries on Defaulted
Receivables and merchant fees), all Principal Collections and the amount of
all Defaulted Receivables (defined below) (see "--Defaulted Receivables;
Recoveries; Rebates and Fraudulent Charges") among the Class A Interest, the
Class B Interest, the Class C Interest, the Subordinated Transferor Interest,
any other Series of certificates issued by the Trust, the B/F Interest and,
in the case of Principal Collections and the amount of Defaulted Receivables,
the Transferor Interest. Finance Charge Collections will be allocated at all
times to the Class A Interest, the Class B Interest, the Class C Interest and
the Subordinated Transferor Interest based on the percentage equivalent of
the ratio which the amount of the Class A Invested Amount, the Class B
Invested Amount, the Class C Invested Amount or the Subordinated Transferor
Amount, as applicable, on the last day of the immediately preceding
Collection Period bears to the amount of Aggregate Receivables in the Trust,
or, with respect to Finance Charge Collections, bears to the sum of the
numerators used to calculate the Invested Percentage with respect to Finance
Charge Collections for all Series of certificates outstanding during such
Collection Period and the B/F Percentage (the "Class A Floating Allocation
Percentage," the "Class B Floating Allocation Percentage," the "Class C
Floating Allocation Percentage" and the "Subordinated Transferor Floating
Allocation Percentage," in each case with respect to Finance Charge
Collections). The amount of Defaulted Receivables will be allocated to the
Class A Interest, the Class B Interest, the Class C Interest and the
Subordinated Transferor Interest based on the percentage equivalent of the
ratio which the Class A Invested Amount, the Class B Invested
Amount, the Class C Invested Amount and the Subordinated Transferor Amount,
as applicable, on the last day of the immediately preceding Collection Period
bears to the Aggregate Receivables on the last day of the immediately
preceding Collection Period (the "Class A Floating Allocation Percentage,"
the "Class B Floating Allocation Percentage," the "Class C Floating
Allocation Percentage" and the "Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation
Percentage," in each case with respect to the amount of Defaulted
Receivables). During the initial Collection Period following the date of
issuance of the Certificates, the Class A Floating Allocation Percentage, the
Class B Floating Allocation Percentage, the Class C Floating Allocation
Percentage and the Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation Percentage
will be calculated by reference to the date of such issuance. During the
Revolving Period, all Principal Collections will be allocated and paid to the
Transferor (except for Reallocated Principal Collections used to pay interest
on the Class A Certificates, Class B Certificates and Class C Certificates,
as described under "--Reallocation of Cash Flows" and Shared Principal
Collections distributable to the holder of the Bridgestone/Firestone
Certificate in accordance with its interest in the Trust) but not exceeding
the Transferor Interest after giving effect to any purchases of Receivables.
During the Controlled Amortization Period and any Rapid Amortization Period,
all Principal Collections will be allocated to the Class A Interest, the
Class B Interest, the Class C Interest and the Subordinated Transferor
Interest based on the percentage equivalent of the ratio which the Class A
Invested Amount, the Class B Invested Amount, the Class C Invested Amount and
the Subordinated Transferor Amount, as applicable, each as of the last day of
the Revolving Period, bears to the greater of (a) the Aggregate Receivables
on the last day of the prior Collection Period and (b) the sum of the
numerators used to calculate the Invested Percentage with respect to
Principal Collections for all Series of certificates outstanding for such
Collection Period (the "Fixed Allocation Percentage") and the remainder will
be allocated to the Transferor Interest and to the B/F Interest.
"Class A Invested Amount" for any date means an amount equal to the
initial principal balance of the Class A Certificates, minus the amount of
principal payments made to Class A Certificateholders prior to such date and
minus the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Class A Investor
Charge-Offs (as defined below) for all Distribution Dates preceding such date
over the aggregate amount of any reimbursements of Class A Investor
Charge-Offs for all Distribution Dates preceding such date.
"Class B Invested Amount" for any date means an amount equal to (i) the
initial principal balance of the Class B Certificates, minus (ii) the amount
of principal payments made to Class B Certificateholders prior to such date,
minus (iii) the aggregate amount of Class B Investor Charge-Offs (as defined
below) for all prior Distribution Dates, minus (iv) the aggregate amount of
Class B Reallocated Principal Collections for all prior Distribution Dates
for which the Subordinated Transferor Amount and the Class C Invested Amount
have not been reduced, minus (v) an amount equal to the aggregate amount by
which the Class B Invested Amount has been reduced to fund the Class A
Investor Default Amount on all prior Distribution Dates as described herein
and plus (vi) the amount of Excess Finance Charge Collections applied on all
prior Distribution Dates for the purpose of reimbursing amounts deducted
pursuant to the foregoing clauses (iii), (iv) and (v).
"Class C Invested Amount" for any date means an amount equal to (i) the
initial principal balance of the Class C Certificates, minus (ii) the amount
of principal payments made to the Class C Certificateholders prior to such
date, minus (iii) the aggregate amount of Class C Investor Charge-Offs (as
defined below) for all prior Distribution Dates, minus (iv) the aggregate
amount of Class C Reallocated Principal Collections for all prior
Distribution Dates for which the Subordinated Transferor Amount has not been
received, minus (v) an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which the
Class C Invested Amount has been reduced to fund the Class A and Class B
Investor Default Amount on all prior Distribution Dates as described herein,
and plus (vi) the amount of Excess Finance Charge Collections applied on all
prior Distribution Dates for the purpose of reimbursing amounts deducted
pursuant to the foregoing clauses (iii), (iv) and (v).
"Subordinated Transferor Amount" for any date means an amount equal to
(i) the initial principal balance of the Subordinated Transferor Certificate,
minus (ii) the amount of principal payments made to the holder of the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate prior to such date, minus (iii) the
aggregate amount of Subordinated Transferor Charge-Offs (as defined below)
for all prior Distribution Dates, minus (iv) the aggregate amount of
Reallocated Principal Collections for all prior Distribution Dates, minus (v)
an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which the Subordinated Transferor
Amount has been reduced to fund the Class A, Class B and Class C Investor
Default Amount on all prior Distribution Dates as described herein, and plus
(vi) the amount of Excess Finance Charge Collections applied on all prior
Distribution Dates for the purpose of reimbursing amounts deducted pursuant
to the foregoing clauses (iii), (iv) and (v).
"Invested Amount" means the sum of the Class A Invested Amount, the
Class B Invested Amount, the Class C Invested Amount and the Subordinated
Transferor Amount and
"Transferor Percentage" means (i) when used with respect to Principal
Collections during the Revolving Period and the amount of Defaulted
Receivables, 100% minus the sum of the applicable Floating Allocation
Percentages with respect to all Series of certificates then issued and
outstanding and 1% (the "B/F Percentage") and (ii) when used with respect to
Principal Collections during the Controlled Amortization Period and any Rapid
Amortization Period, 100% minus the sum of the Fixed Allocation Percentages
with respect to all Series of certificates then issued and outstanding and
the B/F Percentage.
As a result of the Class A Floating Allocation Percentage, the Class B
Floating Allocation Percentage, the Class C Floating Allocation Percentage
and the Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation Percentage, Finance
Charge Collections allocated to the Class A, Class B, Class C and the
Subordinated Transferor Certificateholders may change each Collection Period
based on the relationship between the amount of the Class A Invested Amount,
the Class B Invested Amount and the Class C Invested Amount to the aggregate
invested amount of all Series of certificates issued by the Trust. In
addition, the portion of Defaulted Receivables allocated to the Class A,
Class B, Class C and the Subordinated Transferor Certificateholders will
change each Collection Period based in part on the relationship of the amount
of the Class A Invested Amount, the Class B Invested Amount, the Class C
Invested Amount and the Subordinated Transferor Amount to the Aggregate
Receivables on the last day of the immediately preceding Collection Period.
The numerator used to calculate the Fixed Allocation Percentage each day
during the Controlled Amortization Period or any Rapid Amortization Period
will remain fixed; however, the denominator used to calculate such percentage
may increase or decrease from time to time.
ALLOCATION OF COLLECTIONS; DEPOSITS IN COLLECTION ACCOUNT
The Servicer, no later than the second business day following the date
of processing, will deposit into the Collection Account any payment collected
by the Servicer on the Receivables and will make the allocations and payments
described below to the Collection Account and the parties shown below on the
day of such deposit; provided, however, that for so long as Bridgestone/
Firestone is the Servicer, and either (i) the unsecured short-term debt
ratings of the Letter of Credit Bank have not been reduced below A-1+ or F-1+
by the applicable Rating Agency or withdrawn by the Rating Agency for a
period in excess of 35 days of notice to the Servicer thereof, and at least
five business days remain prior to the expiration of the Servicer Letter of
Credit, (ii) the Servicer has delivered to the Trustee a substitute Servicer
Letter of Credit issued by a financial institution whose unsecured short-term
debt ratings are A-1+ and F-1+ by the applicable Rating Agency and at least
five business days remain prior to the expiration of such substitute Servicer
Letter of Credit or (iii) the Trustee has drawn the full amount available
under the Servicer Letter of Credit and deposited the proceeds of such demand
into a segregated trust account available to the Trustee in the event the
Servicer fails to timely remit Collections to the Collection Account, then
the Servicer may use for its own benefit all such Collections up to the
amount of the Servicer Letter of Credit until the business day preceding the
Distribution Date, at which time the Servicer will make a deposit to the
Collection Account in an amount equal to the net amount of such deposits and
withdrawals which would have been made had the conditions of this proviso not
applied.
While Collections are held by the Servicer pending deposit into the
Collection Account, the Servicer shall be permitted to use such funds for its
own benefit and the certificateholders of all Series (including the
Certificateholders) are subject to risk of loss, including risk of loss
resulting from the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Servicer. The Servicer
Letter of Credit will be available in the event that Bridgestone/Firestone as
Servicer fails to deposit the required amount of Collections into the
Collection Account on the business day prior to any Distribution Date,
including any such failure caused by the bankruptcy or insolvency of
Bridgestone/Firestone as Servicer. The Servicer will not pay to the Trust
any fee for use of the Collections. See "Risk Factors--Commingling." Under
the Agreement, the Collections on the Receivables for any Collection Period
will be allocated such that all finance charges billed or accrued in respect
of Receivables in the prior Collection Period (less the aggregate amount of
finance charges billed or accrued on Accounts in prior periods which are
rebated to cardholders during such Collection Period) will be deemed Finance
Charge Collections and the remaining amount of such Collections will be
deemed Principal Collections. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Recoveries
received in any Collection Period shall be treated as Finance Charge
Collections for such Collection Period for all purposes.
In addition, merchant fees received or accrued in any Collection Period shall
be treated as Finance Charge Collections for such Collection Period for all
purposes.
If the amount in respect of Finance Charge Collections to be deposited
into the Collection Account on any Distribution Date pursuant to the
preceding sentence exceeds the sum of (a) the Class A Monthly Interest for
such Distribution Date, any overdue Class A Monthly Interest (plus any
additional interest accrued on such overdue Class A Monthly Interest), the
Class A Investor Default Amount, the Class B Monthly Interest for such
Distribution Date, any overdue Class B Monthly Interest (plus any additional
interest accrued on such overdue Class B Monthly Interest), the Class B
Investor Default Amount, the Class C Monthly Interest for such Distribution
Date and any overdue Class C Monthly Interest (plus any additional interest
accrued on such overdue Class C Monthly Interest for such Distribution Date)
and (b) the Class A Monthly Servicing Fee, the Class B Monthly Servicing Fee,
the Class C Monthly Servicing Fee and the Subordinated Monthly Servicing Fee
(collectively, the "Monthly Servicing Fee"), the Servicer may deduct the
Monthly Servicing Fee (see "--Servicing Compensation and Payment of
Expenses"), and during the Revolving Period, the Class A Investor Default
Amount, the Class B Investor Default Amount, the Class C Investor Default
Amount and the Subordinated Transferor Default Amount (which will be
distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest, but not
in an amount exceeding the Transferor Interest on such day (after giving
effect to any new Receivables transferred to the Trust on such day)) from the
net amount to be deposited into the Collection Account.
APPLICATION OF COLLECTIONS
Any amounts in respect of Principal Collections not distributed to the
Transferor because such Principal Collections would exceed the Transferor
Interest (after giving effect to any new Receivables transferred to the Trust
for the Collection Period relating to such Determination Date) ("Unallocated
Principal Collections") will be held in the Collection Account until
distributable to the Transferor or, if the Controlled Amortization Period or
the Rapid Amortization Period has commenced, on each Distribution Date all or
a portion thereof will be treated as part of Class A Monthly Principal. Any
Transfer Deposit Amounts, Adjustment Payments and the proceeds of any sale,
disposition or liquidation of Receivables following the occurrence of an
Amortization Event caused by the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Transferor
or Bridgestone/Firestone or in connection with the Final Series 1996-A
Termination Date will also be deposited into the Collection Account
immediately upon receipt and will be allocated as Principal Collections or
Finance Charge Collections, as applicable.
THE LETTERS OF CREDIT
Bridgestone/Firestone as Servicer will deliver to the Trustee on the
Closing Date the Servicer Letter of Credit. The Servicer Letter of Credit
will be available, up to its stated amount, to cover any shortfall in
Collections allocated to any Series and required to be deposited into the
Collection Account by the Servicer. The Servicer Letter of Credit shall
provide that the Trustee may make a demand thereunder on any day on which
Bridgestone/Firestone as Servicer fails to remit to the Collection Account
the full amount of Collections required to be remitted pursuant to the
Agreement. The amount of any such demand shall be equal to the difference
between the total Collections required to be so deposited and the total
Collections actually so deposited. The initial stated amount of the Servicer
Letter of Credit shall be $45,000,000. The proceeds of any drawing on the
Servicer Letter of Credit will be allocated among all outstanding Series of
certificates (including the Certificates issued by the Trust). Initially,
the Invested Amount of the Certificates will be approximately ____% of the
Aggregate Receivables. Such allocations will be performed in much the same
manner as are allocations of Collections (generally speaking, such
allocations will be based on the ratio of the Invested Amount to the
Aggregate Receivables). During the period that Bridgestone/Firestone is the
Servicer, if aggregate Collections at any time held by the Servicer exceed
the amount available under the Servicer Letter of Credit, the Servicer shall
deposit all such Collections in excess of the amount available under the
Servicer Letter of Credit into the Collection Account no later than the
second business day after the date of processing thereof.
In the event that either the unsecured short-term debt rating of the
Letter of Credit Bank is lowered below A-1+, P-1 or F-1+ by the applicable
Rating Agency, then within 35 days of notice to the Servicer of such event
(or immediately if such rating is reduced to or below A-2, P-2 or F-2 by the
applicable Rating Agency) or in the event that five business days or less
remain prior to the expiration of the Servicer Letter of Credit, Bridgestone/
Firestone shall either (i) commence depositing Collections into the
Collection Account within two business days of the date of processing thereof
or (ii) deliver to the Trustee an irrevocable letter of credit substantially
identical to the Servicer Letter of Credit (a "Substitute Servicer Letter
of Credit") issued by a financial institution whose unsecured short-term
debt is rated A-1+, P-1 or F-1+ by the applicable Rating Agency or (iii) only
in the event that the unsecured short-term debt rating of the Servicer
Letter of Credit Bank is lowered below A-1+, P-1, or F-1+ by the applicable
Rating Agency, the Trustee shall draw on the Servicer Letter of Credit in
full and deposit the proceeds of such drawing in a segregated trust account
maintained for the benefit of the certificateholders of all Series. Any
amounts on deposit in such account shall be invested in Permitted
Investments. The Trustee shall withdraw funds from such account under the
same circumstances as it would have drawn under the Servicer Letter of
Credit. Upon the earlier of (x) the delivery to the Trustee of a Substitute
Servicer Letter of Credit meeting the requirements described in
clause (ii) above or (y) the originally scheduled expiration date
of the Servicer Letter of Credit, the Trustee shall release
to the Letter of Credit Bank any funds on deposit in such account.
The Transferor Letter of Credit will be delivered to the Trustee on the
Closing Date. The Transferor Letter of Credit will be available, up to its
stated amount, to cover any shortfall in payments allocated to any Series and
required to be deposited into the Collection Account by the Transferor. The
Transferor Letter of Credit shall provide that the Trustee may make a demand
thereunder on any day on which the Transferor fails to make any required
deposit to the Collection Account in respect of Adjustment Payments (see "--
Defaulted Receivables; Recoveries; Rebates and Fraudulent Charges" below).
The amount of any such demand shall be the difference between the amount of
any required Adjustment Payment and the amount in respect thereof actually
deposited into the Collection Account. The Transferor Letter of Credit shall
be issued by the Letter of Credit Bank and shall have an initial stated
amount of $15,000,000. The proceeds of any drawing on the Transferor Letter
of Credit will be allocated among all outstanding Series of certificates
(including the Certificates issued by the Trust). Initially, the Invested
Amount of the Certificates will be approximately ___% of the Aggregate
Receivables. Such allocations will be performed in much the same manner as
are allocations of Collections (generally speaking, such allocations will be
based on the ratio of the Invested Amount to the Aggregate Receivables).
In the event that either the unsecured short-term debt rating of the
Letter of Credit Bank is lowered below A-1+, P-1 or F-1+ by the applicable
Rating Agency, then within 35 days of notice to the Servicer of such event
(or immediately if such rating is reduced to or below A-2, P-2 or F-2 by the
applicable Rating Agency) or in the event that five business days or less
remain prior to the expiration of the Transferor Letter of Credit, either (i)
there shall be delivered to the Trustee an irrevocable letter of credit
substantially similar to the Transferor Letter of Credit (a "Substitute
Transferor Letter of Credit") issued by a financial institution whose
unsecured short-term debt is rated A-1+ and F-1+ by the applicable Rating
Agency or (ii) only in the event that the unsecured short-term debt rating of
the Letter of Credit Bank has been lowered below A-1+, P-1 or F-1+ by the
applicable Rating Agency, the Trustee shall draw on the Transferor Letter of
Credit in full and deposit the proceeds of such drawing in a segregated trust
account maintained for the benefit of the certificateholders of all Series.
Any amounts on deposit in such account shall be invested in Permitted
Investments. The Trustee shall withdraw funds from such account under the
same circumstances as it would have drawn under the Transferor Letter of
Credit. Upon the earlier of (x) the delivery to the Trustee of a Substitute
Transferor Letter of Credit meeting the requirements described in clause (i)
above or (y) the originally scheduled expiration date of the Transferor
Letter of Credit, the Trustee shall release to the Letter of Credit Bank any
funds on deposit in such account. If the Transferor Letter of Credit expires
and is not replaced, an Amortization Event may occur if the sum of the
Transferor Amount and the B/F Amount does not equal at least __% of the
aggregate invested amounts of the outstanding Series of certificates issued
by the Trust. See "--Amortization Events."
After any drawing under either the Servicer Letter of Credit or the
Transferor Letter of Credit for any reason other than a clerical error by the
Servicer or Transferor or a drawing resulting from a lowering of the Letter
of Credit Bank's short-term debt rating, then (i) Bridgestone/Firestone will
begin daily deposits of Collections into the Collection Account, (ii) the
Letter of Credit Bank may, at its option, terminate the Servicer Letter of
Credit upon 21 days advance notice to the Servicer and (iii) the Transferor
shall purchase Class A REMARCs in order to increase the Transferor Amount to
a level such that the sum of the Transferor Amount and the B/F Amount equals
at least __% of the aggregate invested amounts of the outstanding Series of
certificates issued by the Trust, after which time the Transferor Letter of
Credit may be terminated.
REALLOCATION OF CASH FLOWS
On each Determination Date, the Servicer will determine the Class A
Required Amount, the Class B Required Amount and the Class C Required Amount.
The "Class A Required Amount" means the amount, if any, by which the sum of
Class A Monthly Interest, any overdue Class A Monthly Interest (with interest
thereon), the Class A Investor Default Amount and the Class A Monthly
Servicing Fee for such Collection Period exceeds the funds allocable to the
Class A Certificates to pay such amounts. The "Class B Required Amount"
means the amount, if any, by which the sum of Class B Monthly Interest, any
overdue Class B Monthly Interest (with interest thereon), the Class B
Investor Default Amount and the Class B Monthly Servicing Fee for such
Collection Period exceeds the funds allocable to the Class B Certificates to
pay such amounts. The "Class C Required Amount" means the amount, if any, by
which the sum of Class C Monthly Interest, any overdue Class C Monthly
Interest (with interest thereon), the Class C Investor Default Amount and the
Class C Monthly Servicing Fee for such Collection Period exceeds the funds
allocable to the Class C Certificates to pay such amounts. The "Required
Amount" shall equal the sum of the Class A, Class B and Class C Required
Amounts.
If Finance Charge Collections allocable to interest for any Collection
Period are insufficient to pay the Required Amount, Excess Finance Charge
Collections will be used to pay the Required Amount with respect to such
Distribution Date. See "--Excess Finance Charge Collections." If such
Excess Finance Charge Collections are insufficient to pay the Required
Amount, Principal Collections allocable to the Subordinated Transferor
Interest, the Class C Interest and the Class B Interest will then be used to
fund the remaining Required Amount. See "--Reallocated Principal
Collections." If Reallocated Principal Collections with respect to any
Collection Period are insufficient to fund the remaining Required Amount for
such Collection Period, then a portion of the Subordinated Transferor Amount,
the Class C Invested Amount and the Class B Invested Amount, as applicable,
may be reduced for the benefit of Certificates senior to such Certificates.
In the event of such reductions, Excess Finance Charge Collections, if any,
will be used to increase the Class B Invested Amount, Class C Invested Amount
and the Subordinated Transferor Amount, as applicable (but not in excess of
the initial invested amounts). See "--Additional Amounts Available to
Certificateholders."
In certain instances, Principal Collections and certain other amounts
otherwise allocable to other Series, to the extent such collections are not
needed to make payments to the certificateholders of such other series, may
be applied to cover principal payments due to or for the benefit of the
holders of the Certificates. See "--Shared Principal Collections." In
addition, Finance Charge Collections in excess of the amounts necessary to
make required payments with respect to certificates of other outstanding
series will be applied to cover shortfalls with respect to Finance Charge
Collections allocable to the Certificates. See "--Sharing of Excess Finance
Charge Collections."
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE COLLECTION ACCOUNT
On any day on which the Servicer makes a deposit into the Collection
Account with respect to the Revolving Period, the Servicer will withdraw from
the Collection Account and pay to the Transferor an amount equal to the
aggregate amount of such deposits in respect of Principal Collections (other
than Reallocated Principal Collections used to pay interest due on the Class
A Certificates, Class B Certificates and the Class C Certificates), but not
exceeding the Transferor Interest on such day (after giving effect to any new
Receivables transferred to the Trust on such day). On any day on which the
Servicer makes a deposit into the Collection Account with respect to the
Controlled Amortization Period and any Rapid Amortization Period, the
Servicer will withdraw from the Collection Account and pay to the Transferor
an amount equal to the Transferor's Percentage of the amount of such deposits
in respect of Principal Collections, except that the amount of such payments
with respect to Principal Collections shall not exceed the amount of the
Transferor Interest on such day (after giving effect to any new Receivables
transferred to the Trust on such day). On any such day, the Servicer shall
also withdraw from the Collection Account and pay to Bridgestone/Firestone,
as holder of the Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate, the B/F Percentage of the
aggregate amount of such deposits in respect of Principal Collections and
Finance Charge Collections.
There will also be deposited into the Collection Account, Collections
which are not allocable to the Certificates, the Bridgestone/Firestone
Certificate or the Transferor (i.e., such Collections will be allocable to
other Series, including the Series 1992-B Certificates). Such Collections
will be distributed as provided in the Supplement to the Agreement relating
to such other Series and will not be available for distribution to the
Certificateholders.
The Servicer shall apply or shall cause the Trustee to apply the funds
on deposit in the Collection Account allocable to the Certificates with
respect to each Distribution Date shall be applied as in the priority set
forth below:
(a) An amount equal to the Class A Floating Allocation Percentage of
Finance Charge Collections deposited in the Collection Account for the
collection Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date will be
distributed in the following priority:
(i) an amount equal to the Class A Monthly Interest for such
Distribution Date, plus the amount of any Class A Monthly Interest
previously due but not paid on a prior Distribution Date, plus any
additional interest for such Distribution Date, plus the amount of
any additional interest with respect to interest amounts that were
due but not paid on a prior Distribution Date, will be distributed
to the Class A Certificateholders;
(ii) an amount equal to the aggregate Class A Investor Default
Amount for such Distribution Date will be distributed to the
Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest on Distribution
Dates with respect to the Revolving Period (unless such amount has
been previously netted against deposits to the Collection Account),
but not exceeding the Transferor Interest (after giving effect to
any new Receivable transferred to the Trust on such date) and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make
principal payments;
(iii) an amount equal to the Class A Monthly Servicing Fee for
such Distribution Date will be distributed to the Servicer (unless
such amount has been previously netted against deposits to the
Collection Account) (in the event Bridgestone/Firestone is not the
Servicer, amounts described in this clause (iii) shall have
priority over the amounts described in clause (ii) above); and
(iv) the balance, if any, will constitute a portion of Excess
Finance Charge Collections and will be allocated and distributed as
described under "--Excess Finance Charge Collections."
(b) An amount equal to the Class B Floating Allocation Percentage of
Finance Charge Collections deposited in the Collection Account for the
Collection Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date will be
distributed in the following priority:
(i) an amount equal to the Class B Monthly Interest for such
Distribution Date, plus the amount of any Class B Monthly Interest
previously due but not paid on a prior Distribution Date, plus any
additional interest for such Distribution Date, plus the amount of
any additional interest with respect to interest amounts that were
due but not paid on a prior Distribution Date, will be distributed
to the Class B Certificateholders;
(ii) an amount equal to the aggregate Class B Investor Default
Amount for such Distribution Date will be distributed to the
Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest on Distribution
Dates with respect to the Revolving Period (unless such amount has
been previously netted against deposits to the Collection Account),
but not exceeding the Transferor Interest (after giving effect to
any new Receivable transferred to the Trust on such date) and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make
principal payments;
(iii) an amount equal to the Class B Monthly Servicing Fee for
such Distribution Date will be distributed to the Servicer (unless
such amount has been previously netted against deposits to the
Collection Account) (in the event Bridgestone/Firestone is not the
Servicer, amounts described in this clause (iii) shall have
priority over the amounts described in clause (ii) above); and
(iv) the balance, if any, will constitute a portion of Excess
Finance Charge Collections and will be allocated and distributed as
described under "--Excess Finance Charge Collections."
(c) An amount equal to the Class C Floating Allocation Percentage of
Finance Charge Collections deposited in the Collection Account for the
collection Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date will be
distributed in the following priority:
(i) an amount equal to the Class C Monthly Interest for such
Distribution Date, plus the amount of any Class C Monthly Interest
previously due but not paid on a prior Distribution Date, plus any
additional interest for such Distribution Date, plus the amount of
any additional interest with respect to interest amounts that were
due but not paid on a prior Distribution Date, will be distributed
to the Class C Certificateholders;
(ii) an amount equal to the aggregate Class C Investor Default
Amount for such Distribution Date will be distributed to the
Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest on Distribution
Dates with respect to the Revolving Period (unless such amount has
been previously netted against deposits to the Collection Account),
but not exceeding the Transferor Interest (after giving effect to
any new Receivable transferred to the Trust on such date) and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make
principal payments;
(iii) an amount equal to the Class C Monthly Servicing Fee for
such Distribution Date will be distributed to the Servicer (unless
such amount has been previously netted against deposits to the
Collection Account) (in the event Bridgestone/Firestone is not the
Servicer, amounts described in this clause (iii) shall have
priority over the amounts described in clause (ii) above); and
(iv) the balance, if any, will constitute a portion of Excess
Finance Charge Collections and will be allocated and distributed as
described under "--Excess Finance Charge Collections."
(d) An amount equal to the Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation
Percentage of Finance Charge Collections deposited in the Collection
Account for the Collection Period immediately preceding such
Distribution Date will be distributed in the following priority:
(i) an amount equal to the Subordinated Transferor Monthly
Servicing Fee for such Distribution Date will be distributed to the
Servicer (unless such amount has been previously netted against
deposits to the Collection Account); and
(ii) the balance, if any, will constitute a portion of Excess
Finance Charge Collections and will be allocated and distributed as
described under "--Excess Finance Charge Collections."
(e) For each Distribution Date with respect to the Revolving Period, the
remaining funds on deposit in the Collection Account allocable to the
Class A, Class B and Class C Certificates and the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate (other than certain Excess Finance Charge
Collections and Reallocated Principal Collections) will be applied as
Shared Principal Collections and the balance will be distributed to the
Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest.
(f) For each Distribution Date with respect to the Controlled
Amortization Period or any Rapid Amortization Period, the remaining
funds on deposit in the Collection Account allocable to the Class A,
Class B and Class C Certificates and the Subordinated Transferor
Certificate (other than certain Excess Finance Charge Collections and
Reallocated Principal Collections) will be distributed as follows:
(i) an amount equal to Class A Monthly Principal for such
Distribution Date will be distributed to the Class A
Certificateholders until the Class A Invested Amount is paid in
full;
(ii) once the Class A Invested Amount is paid in full, the
remaining amount will be distributed to the Class B
Certificateholders until the Class B Invested Amount is paid in
full;
(iii) once the Class B Invested Amount is paid in full, the
remaining amount will be distributed to the Class C
Certificateholders until the Class C Invested Amount is paid in
full;
(iv) once the Class C Invested Amount is paid in full, the
remaining amount will be distributed to the holder of the
Subordinated Transferor Certificate until the Subordinated
Transferor Amount is paid in full;
(v) an amount equal to the balance of any such remaining funds on
deposit in the Collection Account will be paid to the Transferor in
respect of the Transferor Interest up to the amount of the
Transferor Interest; and
(vi) an amount equal to the balance will be applied as Shared
Principal Collections, to the extent necessary, and the remainder
will be distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor
Interest.
Class A Monthly Interest means, with respect to any Distribution Date,
the Class A Monthly Interest equals the product of (i) the Class A
Certificate Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class A
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (after subtracting
therefrom the aggregate amount of all distributions of Class A Monthly
Principal made to the Class A Certificateholders on such Distribution Date)
or, with respect to the first Distribution Date, the Class A Initial Invested
Amount, provided, however, that with respect to the initial Distribution
Date, Class A Monthly Interest shall equal $_______________.
Class B Monthly Interest means, with respect to any Distribution Date,
the Class B Monthly Interest equals the product of (i) the Class B
Certificate Rate and (ii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class B
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (after subtracting
therefrom the aggregate amount of all distributions of Class B Monthly
Principal made to the Class B Certificateholders on such Distribution Date)
or, with respect to the first Distribution Date, the Class B Initial Invested
Amount, provided, however, that with respect to the initial Distribution
Date, Class B Monthly Interest shall equal $_______________.
Class C Monthly Interest means, with respect to any Distribution Date,
the Class C Monthly Interest equals the product of (i) the actual number of
days in the related Collection Period divided by 360, (ii) the Class C
Certificate Rate and (iii) the outstanding principal balance of the Class C
Certificates as of the preceding Distribution Date (after subtracting
therefrom the aggregate amount of all distributions of Class C Monthly
Principal made to the Class C Certificateholders on such Distribution Date)
or, with respect to the first Distribution Date, the Class C Initial Invested
Amount.
Class A Investor Default Amount means, a portion of all Defaulted
Receivables which will be allocated to the Class A Certificateholders for
each Distribution Date in an amount equal to the product of the Class A
Floating Allocation Percentage applicable during the immediately preceding
Collection Period and the amount of Defaulted Receivables for such Collection
Period.
Class B Investor Default Amount means, a portion of all Defaulted
Receivables which will be allocated to the Class B Certificateholders for
each Distribution Date in an amount equal to the product of the Class B
Floating Allocation Percentage applicable during the immediately preceding
Collection Period and the amount of Defaulted Receivables for such Collection
Period.
Class C Investor Default Amount means, a portion of all Defaulted
Receivables which will be allocated to the Class C Certificateholders for
each Distribution Date in an amount equal to the product of the Class C
Floating Allocation Percentage applicable during the immediately preceding
Collection Period and the amount of Defaulted Receivables for such Collection
Period.
Subordinated Transferor Default Amount means, a portion of all Defaulted
Receivables which will be allocated to the holder of the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate for each Distribution Date in an amount equal to the
product of the Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation Percentage
applicable during the immediately preceding Collection Period and the amount
of Defaulted Receivables for such Collection Period.
Monthly Servicing Fee means, with respect to any distribution date, the
sum of (a) the Class A Monthly Servicing Fee, the Class B Monthly Servicing
Fee, the Class C Monthly Servicing Fee and the Subordinated Transferor
Monthly Servicing Fee and (b) the Servicing Fee allocable to the Transferor
Amount and the B/F Amount.
The portion of the Servicing Fee allocable to the Class A Interest on
each Distribution Date (the "Class A Monthly Servicing Fee"), to the Class B
Interest on each Distribution Date (the "Class B Monthly Servicing Fee"), to
the Class C Interest on each Distribution Date (the "Class C Monthly
Servicing Fee") and to the Subordinated Transferor Interest on each
Distribution Date (the "Subordinated Transferor Monthly Servicing Fee")
generally will be equal to one-twelfth of the product of 2.00%
per annum and the amount of the Class A Invested Amount, the Class
B Invested Amount, the Class C Invested Amount, or the Subordinated
Transferor Amount, as the case may be, on the last day of the second
preceding Collection Period (in the case of the first Distribution Date, the
initial principal amount of the Class A Certificates, Class B Certificates or
the Class C Certificates, as the case may be).
Class A Monthly Principal with respect to any Distribution Date relating
to the Controlled Amortization Period or any Rapid Amortization Period will
equal the sum of (i) an amount equal to the Fixed Allocation Percentage of
Principal Collections received during the Collection Period immediately
preceding such Distribution Date (other than Reallocated Principal
Collections used to pay the interest amount due on the Class A Certificates),
(ii) the amount of Shared Principal Collections allocated to the Class A
Certificates with respect to the preceding Collection Period equal to the
product of (a) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Invested Amount and
the denominator of which is the aggregate invested amounts of all Series then
accumulating or amortizing principal and (b) the amount, if any, of
Unallocated Principal Collections on deposit in the Collection Account on
such Distribution Date, (iii) the amount, if any, of Transfer Deposit Amounts
and Adjustment Payments with respect to such Distribution Date and allocable
to the Certificates and (iv) the amount, if any, of Finance Charge
Collections and Excess Finance Charge Collections allocated and available on
such Distribution Date to (A) fund the Class A Investor Default Amount and
the Class B Investor Default Amount with respect to such Distribution Date
and (B) reimburse Class A Investor Charge-Offs and previous reductions in the
Class B Invested Amount; provided, however, that for each Distribution Date
with respect to the Controlled Amortization Period (unless and until an
Amortization Event shall have occurred), Class A Monthly Principal may not
exceed the Controlled Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date; and
provided further, that with respect to any Termination Payment Date, Class A
Monthly Principal will be an amount equal to the Class A Invested Amount.
Class B Monthly Principal with respect to any Distribution Date,
beginning with the Distribution Date on which the Class A Invested Amount is
paid in full, shall equal (a) the sum of (i) an amount equal to the Fixed
Allocation Percentage of Principal Collections received during the Collection
Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date (or portion thereof, in
the case of an Amortization Event which occurs during such Collection
Period), (ii) the amount of Shared Principal Collections allocated to the
Class B Certificates with respect to the preceding Collection Period, and
(iii) the amount, if any, of Excess Finance Charge Collections to be
distributed to the Class B Certificates with respect to such Distribution
Date, minus (b) the Class A Monthly Principal, if any, with respect to such
Distribution Date.
Class C Monthly Principal with respect to any Distribution Date,
beginning with the Distribution Date on which the Class B Invested Amount is
paid in full, shall equal (a) the sum of (i) an amount equal to the Fixed
Allocation Percentage of Principal Collections received during the Collection
Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date (or portion thereof, in
the case of an Amortization Event which occurs during such Collection
Period), (ii) the amount of Shared Principal Collections allocated to the
Class C Certificates with respect to the preceding Collection Period, and
(iii) the amount, if any, of Excess Finance Charge Collections to be
distributed to the Class C Certificates with respect to such Distribution
Date, minus (b) the Class B Monthly Principal, if any, with respect to such
Distribution Date.
Controlled Distribution Amount for any Distribution Date with respect to
the Controlled Amortization Period shall mean an amount equal to the sum of
the Controlled Amortization Amount and any existing Deficit Controlled
Amortization Amount.
Controlled Amortization Amount means $ .
---------------
Deficit Controlled Amortization Amount shall mean, on the first
Distribution Date with respect to the Controlled Amortization Period, the
excess, if any, of the Controlled Amortization Amount over the amount
distributed as Class A Monthly Principal for such Distribution Date and, on
each subsequent Distribution Date with respect to the Controlled Amortization
Period, the excess, if any, of the Controlled Amortization Amount and any
then existing Deficit Controlled Amortization Amount over the aggregate Class
A Monthly Principal distributed on such Distribution Date.
Excess Finance Charge Collections shall mean, with respect to any
Distribution Date, an amount equal to the sum of the amounts described in
clause (a)(iv), clause (b)(iv) and clause (c)(iv) under "--Distributions from
the Collection Account" above.
Termination Payment Date shall mean the earlier of the first
Distribution Date following the liquidation or sale of the Receivables as a
result of an insolvency event as described under "--Amortization Events" or
the occurrence of the Final Series 1996-1 Termination Date.
EXCESS FINANCE CHARGE COLLECTIONS
On each Distribution Date, the Servicer will apply or cause the Trustee
to apply Excess Finance Charge Collections with respect to the Collection
Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date, to make the following
distributions in the following priority:
(a) an amount equal to the Class A Required Amount, if any, with respect
to such Collection Period will be used to fund the Class A Required Amount;
(b) an amount equal to the aggregate amount of Class A Investor
Charge-Offs which have not been previously reimbursed (after giving effect to
the allocation on such Distribution Date of certain other amounts applied for
that purpose) will be distributed to the Transferor in respect of the
Transferor Interest on Distribution Dates with respect to the Revolving
Period, but not in an amount exceeding the Transferor Interest (after giving
effect to any new Receivables transferred to the Trust on such date) and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make principal
payments;
(c) an amount equal to the Class B Required Amount, if any, with respect
to such Collection Period will be used to fund the Class B Required Amount;
(d) an amount equal to the amount by which the Class B Invested Amount
has been reduced below the Initial Class B Invested Amount (for reasons other
than the payment of principal to the Class B Certificateholders), if any, for
such Distribution Date will be distributed to the Transferor in respect of
the Transferor Interest on Distribution Dates with respect to the Revolving
Period, but not in an amount exceeding the Transferor Interest (after giving
effect to any new Receivables transferred to the Trust on such date) and
thereafter will be included in the funds available to make principal
payments;
(e) an amount equal to the Class C Required Amount, if any, with respect
to such Collection Period will be used to fund the Class C Required Amount;
(f) an amount equal to the amount by which the Class C Invested Amount
has been reduced below the Class C Initial Invested Amount (for reasons other
than the payment of principal to the Class C Certificateholders) will be
distributed to the Transferor on Distribution Dates with respect to the
Revolving Period, but not in an amount exceeding the Transferor Interest in
respect of the Transferor Interest on such day (after giving effect to any
new Receivables transferred to the Trust on such date) and thereafter will be
included in the funds available to make principal payments;
(g) an amount equal to the Subordinated Transferor Default Amount will
be distributed to the Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest on
Distribution Dates with respect to the Revolving Period, but not in an amount
exceeding the Transferor Interest (after giving effect to any new Receivables
transferred to the Trust on such date) and thereafter will be included in the
funds available to make principal payments;
(h) an amount equal to the amount by which the Subordinated Transferor
Amount has been reduced below the initial Subordinated Transferor Amount (for
reasons other than the payment of principal to the holder of the Subordinated
Transferor Certificate) will be distributed to the Transferor in respect of
the Transferor Interest on Distribution Dates with respect to the Revolving
Period, but not in an amount exceeding the Transferor Interest on such day
(after giving effect to any new Receivables transferred to the Trust on such
date) and thereafter will be included in the funds available to make
principal payments)
(i) the balance, if any, will be treated as Shared Excess Finance Charge
Collections to the extent necessary; and
(j) any remaining amounts not treated as Shared Excess Finance Charge
Collections will be treated as Shared Principal Collections.
REALLOCATED PRINCIPAL COLLECTIONS
On each Distribution Date, the Servicer will apply or cause the Trustee
to apply Principal Collections allocable first to the Subordinated Transferor
Interest (the "Subordinated Transferor Reallocated Principal Collections")
then to the Class C Interest (the "Class C Reallocated Principal
Collections") and, then to the Class B Interest (the "Class B Reallocated
Principal Collections") with respect to the Collection Period immediately
preceding such Distribution Date in the following priority (such Collections
applied in accordance with (a) below are collectively called "Reallocated
Principal Collections"):
(a) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the Required Amount,
if any, with respect to such Collection Period over (ii) the amount of Excess
Finance Charge Collections with respect to such Collection Period will be
used to fund the Required Amount; and
(b) any such Collections not applied in the foregoing manner (and
therefore not constituting Reallocated Principal Collections) will, on
Distribution Dates with respect to the Revolving Period, be applied as Shared
Principal Collections and thereafter will be included in the funds available
to make principal payments.
With respect to any Collection Period during the Revolving Period,
Reallocated Principal Collections will be allocated to each of the
Subordinated Transferor Interest, the Class C Interest and the Class B
Interest based on the Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation Percentage,
the Class C Floating Allocation Percentage or the Class B Floating Allocation
Percentage for such Collection Period, as applicable. With respect to any
Collection Period during the Controlled Amortization Period or any Rapid
Amortization Period, Reallocated Principal Collections will be allocated to
each of the Subordinated Transferor Interest, the Class C Interest and the
Class B Interest based on the Fixed Allocation Percentage of Principal
Collections for such Collection Period multiplied by a fraction the numerator
of which is equal to the Subordinated Transferor Amount, the Class C Invested
Amount or the Class B Invested Amount, as applicable, as of the close of
business on the last day of the prior Collection Period and the denominator
of which is equal to the Invested Amount at the close of business on such
day.
ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS AVAILABLE TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
If Reallocated Principal Collections with respect to any Collection
Period are insufficient to fund the remaining Class A Required Amount for
such Collection Period, then a portion of the Subordinated Transferor Amount
(after giving effect to reductions for any Subordinated Transferor Charge-
Offs and Reallocated Principal Collections for such Collection Period) equal
to such insufficiency (but not in excess of the Class A Investor Default
Amount for such Distribution Date) will be allocated to the Class A
Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class A Certificates,
and the Subordinated Transferor Amount will be reduced by such amount.
If the Subordinated Transferor Amount is reduced to zero, the Class C
Invested Amount (after giving effect to reductions for any Class C Investor
Charge-Offs and any Class C Reallocated Principal Collections for such
Collection Period) will be reduced by the amount by which the Subordinated
Transferor Amount would have been reduced below zero (but not by more than
the excess of the Class A Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date
over the amount of such reduction, if any, of the Subordinated Transferor
Amount for such Distribution Date) and such amount will be allocated to the
Class A Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class A
Certificates.
If the Class C Invested Amount is reduced to zero, the Class B Invested
Amount (after giving effect to reductions for any Class B Investor Charge-
Offs and any Class B Reallocated Principal Collections for such Collection
Period) will be reduced by the amount by which the Class C Invested Amount
would have been reduced below zero (but not by more than the excess of the
Class A Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date over the amount of
such reduction, if any, of the Subordinated Transferor Amount and the Class C
Invested Amount for such Distribution Date) and such amount will be
allocated to the Class A Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to
the Class A Certificates.
If the Class B Invested Amount is reduced to zero, the Class A Invested
Amount will be reduced by the amount by which the Class B Invested Amount
would have been reduced below zero, but not in excess of the Class A Investor
Default Amount for such Distribution Date (a "Class A Investor Charge-Off"),
and the Class A Certificateholders will bear directly the credit and other
risks associated with their undivided interest in the Trust.
After payment of the Class A Required Amount, if Class C Reallocated
Principal Collections and Subordinated Transferor Reallocated Principal
Collections with respect to any Collection Period are insufficient to fund
the remaining Class B Required Amount for such Collection Period, then a
portion of the Subordinated Transferor Amount (before giving effect to
reductions for any Subordinated Transferor Charge-Offs, Reallocated Principal
Collections and any adjustments made thereto for the benefit of the Class A
Certificateholders) equal to such insufficiency (but not in excess of the
Class B Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date) will be allocated
to the Class B Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class B
Certificates, and the Subordinated Transferor Amount will be reduced by such
amount.
If the Subordinated Transferor Amount is reduced to zero, the Class C
Invested Amount (after giving effect to reductions for any Class C Investor
Charge-Offs, Class C Reallocated Principal Collections and any adjustments
made thereto for the benefit of the Class A Certificateholders) will be
reduced by the amount by which the Subordinated Transferor Amount would have
been reduced below zero (but not by more than the excess of the Class B
Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date over the amount of such
reduction, if any, of the Subordinated Transferor Amount for such
Distribution Date) and such amount will be allocated to the Class B
Certificates to avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class B Certificates.
If the Class C Invested Amount is reduced to zero, the Class B Invested
Amount will be reduced by the amount by which the Class C Invested Amount
would have been reduced below zero, but not in excess of the Class B Investor
Default Amount for such Distribution Date (a "Class B Investor Charge-Off"),
and the Class B Certificateholders will bear directly the credit and other
risks associated with their undivided interest in the Trust.
After payment of the Class B Required Amount, if Subordinated Transferor
Reallocated Principal Collections with respect to any Collection Period are
insufficient to fund the remaining Class C Required Amount for such
Collection Period, then a portion of the Subordinated Transferor Amount
(before giving effect to reductions for any Subordinated Transferor Charge-
Offs, Reallocated Principal Collections and any adjustments made thereto for
the benefit of the Class B and Class A Certificateholders) equal to such
insufficiency (but not in excess of the Class C Investor Default Amount for
such Distribution Date) will be allocated to the Class C Certificates to
avoid a charge-off with respect to the Class C Certificates, and the
Subordinated Transferor Amount will be reduced by such amount.
If the Subordinated Transferor Amount is reduced to zero, the Class C
Invested Amount will be reduced by the amount by which the Subordinated
Transferor Amount would have been reduced below zero, but not in excess of
the Class C Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date (a "Class C
Investor Charge-Off"), and the Class C Certificateholders will bear directly
the credit and other risks associated with their undivided interest in the
Trust.
On each Distribution Date, if the Subordinated Transferor Default Amount
for such Distribution Date exceeds the amount of Excess Finance Charge
Collections which is allocated and available to fund such amount as described
under "Excess Finance Charge Collections", the Subordinated Transferor Amount
(after giving effect to reductions for Reallocated Principal Collections and
the amount of any adjustments made thereto for the benefit of the Class A,
Class B or Class C Certificateholders) will be reduced but not in excess of
the Subordinated Transferor Default Amount (the "Subordinated Transferor
Charge-Off").
In the event that any of the Subordinated Transferor Amount, the Class C
Invested Amount, the Class B Invested Amount or the Class A Invested Amount
is reduced, such amount will thereafter be increased (but not in excess of
the unpaid principal balance of the Subordinated Transferor Certificate, the
Class C Certificates, the Class B Certificates or the Class A Certificates,
as applicable) on any Distribution Date by the amount of Excess Finance
Charge Collections allocated and available for that purpose as described
under "--Excess Finance Charge Collections."
The "Subordinated Transferor Amount" will initially be equal to
$(19,000,000) and the "Class C Invested Amount" will initially be equal to
$(10,000,000).
SHARED PRINCIPAL COLLECTIONS
To the extent that Principal Collections and other amounts that are
allocated to the interest of the holders of any class of any series (other
than the Transferor Interest) are not needed to make payments to the
certificateholders of such class, they may be applied to cover principal
payments due to or for the benefit of certificateholders of another Series
("Shared Principal Collections"). Any such reallocation will not result in a
reduction in the interest of the holders of the Series to which such
Principal Collections were initially allocated. In addition, Principal
Collections and certain other amounts otherwise allocable to other Series, to
the extent such collections are not needed to make payments to the
certificateholders of such other Series, may be applied to cover principal
payments due to or for the benefit of the holders of the Certificates.
SHARING OF EXCESS FINANCE CHARGE COLLECTIONS
Finance Charge Collections on any business day in excess of the amounts
necessary to make required payments on such business day with respect to the
Certificates will be applied to cover any shortfalls with respect to amounts
payable from Finance Charge Collections allocable to any other Series then
outstanding, pro rata based upon the amount of the shortfall, if any, with
respect to such other Series. In addition, Finance Charge Collections in
excess of the amounts necessary to make required payments on such business
day with respect to certificates of other outstanding Series will be applied
to cover any shortfalls with respect to Finance Charge Collections allocable
to the Certificates. Any Excess Finance Charge Collections remaining after
covering shortfalls with respect to all outstanding Series will be paid to
the Transferor in respect of the Transferor Interest.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Payments to the Certificateholders will be made from the Collection
Account. In addition to the amounts deposited in the Collection Account as
described above, the proceeds of any optional repurchase of the Certificates
by the Transferor will be deposited in the Collection Account on the
Distribution Date on which such repurchase occurs.
The Servicer shall instruct the Trustee or the Paying Agent to
distribute from the Collection Account on each Distribution Date the amounts
described under "--Distributions from the Collection Account" above.
The paying agent (the "Paying Agent") shall initially be the Trustee.
The Paying Agent shall have the revocable power to withdraw funds from the
Collection Account for the purpose of making distributions to the
Certificateholders.
On each Distribution Date, the Servicer will pay to the Transferor any
investment earnings (net of losses and investment expenses) with respect to
the Collection Account.
Distribution Date shall mean ( , 1996), and the first day of
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each calendar month thereafter, or, if such first day is not a business day,
the next succeeding business day.
DEFAULTED RECEIVABLES; RECOVERIES; REBATES AND FRAUDULENT CHARGES
"Defaulted Receivables" for any Collection Period are Receivables in any
Account which were written off as uncollectible in such Collection Period in
accordance with CFNA Guidelines. Receivables in any Account will be
considered charged off for the purposes of the Agreement on the earlier of
(i) the last day of the Collection Period immediately following the
Collection Period in which such Receivable becomes 180 days delinquent and
(ii) the cycle billing date on which such Account is charged off in
accordance with the customary and usual servicing
procedures of the Servicer. The amount of Defaulted Receivables for any
Collection Period will be an amount equal to the principal amount of the
Receivables that became Defaulted Receivables in such Collection Period less
the full amount of any Defaulted Receivables for which the Transferor or the
Servicer becomes obligated to accept reassignment for such Collection Period
unless certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership have occurred
with respect to the Transferor or the Servicer. A portion of all Defaulted
Receivables will be allocated to the Class A Certificateholders, the Class B
Certificateholders, the Class C Certificateholders and the Subordinated
Transferor Certificateholder. See "--Distributions from the Collection
Account."
The term "Recoveries", with respect to any Collection Period, shall mean
all amounts or payments received by the Servicer with respect to Receivables
which have previously become Defaulted Receivables in a prior Collection
Period, net of reasonable expenses of the Servicer incurred and deducted from
such amounts or payments. The Servicer may deduct reasonable expenses in
connection with such Recoveries.
If the Servicer makes a downward adjustment of the amount of any
Receivable because of a rebate, refund, unauthorized charge, billing error or
certain other noncash items to a cardholder, or if the Servicer otherwise
adjusts downward the amount of any Receivable without receiving Collections
therefor or without charging off such amount as uncollectible, or any
Receivable is discovered as having been created through a fraudulent or
counterfeit action the Transferor will be obligated to make a deposit into
the Collection Account in immediately available funds in an amount equal to
any such adjustment or principal amount of the fraudulent or counterfeit
Receivable. If the Transferor fails to make any such deposit the Trustee
shall make a drawing under the Transferor Letter of Credit (any such payment
or proceeds of a drawing under the Transferor Letter of Credit, "Adjustment
Payments"). If funds are not available under the Transferor Letter of
Credit, the Transferor Amount will be reduced by the amount of the adjustment
or the principal amount of the fraudulent or counterfeit Receivable;
provided, however, that if such deduction would reduce the Transferor Amount
below zero or would otherwise not be permitted by law, the B/F Amount will be
reduced by the amount of any such adjustment or the principal amount of the
fraudulent or counterfeit Receivable. Any Adjustment Payments so paid by the
Transferor or the proceeds of any drawing under the Transferor Letter of
Credit in respect thereof shall be allocated in respect of Finance Charge
Collections and Principal Collections as provided in the Agreement.
DISCOUNT OPTION
The Agreement provides that the Transferor may at any time and from time
to time, but without any obligation to do so, designate a fixed percentage or
a variable percentage based on a formula (the "Discount Percentage"), but in
either case not to exceed 6%, of Receivables giving rise to Principal
Collections ("Principal Receivables") that are charges for goods or services
or obligations for repayment of cash advances, part of which have not
previously been sold as Discount Option Receivables, arising from then on to
be treated as Receivables giving rise to Finance Charge Collections ("Finance
Charge Receivables"). Such Receivables will be designated "Discount Option
Receivables." After any such designation, pursuant to the Agreement, the
Transferor may, without notice to or consent of the Certificateholders, from
time to time increase, reduce or withdraw the Discount Percentage. Such
increase, reduction or withdrawal will become effective upon satisfaction of
the conditions in the Agreement, including written confirmation by each
Rating Agency.
On each Distribution Date on or after the date the exercise of the
discount option takes effect, the product of (i) the Discount Percentage then
in effect and (ii) collections of Receivables, that arise in the Accounts on
or after the date such option is exercised and during the prior Collection
Period, that otherwise would be Principal Receivables will be deemed
collections of Finance Charge Receivables and will be applied accordingly.
Such feature is intended to permit the Transferor to increase the Portfolio
Yield and thereby decrease the risk of the occurrence of an Amortization
Event.
On the Closing Date, the Transferor will designate an initial Discount
Percentage equal to 2.0%. Any increase, reduction or withdrawal of such
Discount Percentage will be made in accordance with the conditions described
in the Agreement.
FINAL PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL; TERMINATION OF TRUST
The Certificates will be subject to optional repurchase by the
Transferor on any Distribution Date on or after which the Invested Amount is
reduced to an amount less than or equal to $13,750,000 (5% of the initial
Invested Amount), unless certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
receivership have occurred with respect to the Transferor. The repurchase
price will be equal to the Invested Amount plus accrued and unpaid interest
on the Certificates through the day preceding the Distribution Date on which
the repurchase occurs. After such date, neither the Trust nor the Transferor
will have any further obligation to pay principal or interest of the
Certificates.
Subject to prior termination as provided above, the Agreement provides
that the final distribution of principal and interest on the Class A
Certificates will be made no later than the Distribution Date
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(the "Final Class A Termination Date") and the final payment of principal and
interest on the Class B Certificates will be made no later than the
__________ Distribution Date (the "Final Class B Termination Date"). The
final payment of principal and interest with respect to the Other
Certificates will no later than ______ (the "Final Series 1996-1 Termination
Date"). In the event that the Invested Amount of the Certificates is greater
than zero on the Final Series 1996-1 Termination Date, the Trustee will sell
or cause to be sold, and apply the proceeds to the extent necessary to pay
such remaining amounts to all Certificateholders pro rata as final payment of
the Certificates, an amount of Receivables at the close of business on such
date, as provided in the Agreement. The proceeds of any such sale will be
treated as Collections on the Receivables allocable to the Certificates and
applied as provided above in "--Application of Collections." Such proceeds
will be allocated first to pay amounts due to the Class A Certificateholders
and then to pay amounts due to the Class B Certificateholders.
Subject to laws of general applicability regarding trusts, unless the
Transferor instructs the Trustee otherwise, the Trust will only terminate on
the earlier to occur of: (a) the day after the Distribution Date following
the date on which funds shall have been deposited in the Collection Account
for the payment to certificateholders outstanding sufficient to pay in full
the aggregate investor interest of all Series outstanding plus interest
thereon at the applicable certificate rates to the next Distribution Date and
(b) (September 15, 2092) (the "Final Trust Termination Date"). Upon the
termination of the Trust and the surrender of the Exchangeable Transferor
Certificate, the Trustee shall convey to the Transferor all right, title and
interest of the Trust in and to the Receivables and other funds of the Trust
(other than amounts in the accounts maintained by the Trust for the final
payment of principal and interest to Certificateholders).
AMORTIZATION EVENTS
The Revolving Period will continue through the end of the Collection
Period related to the Distribution Date and the Controlled
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Amortization Period will begin at such time, unless an Amortization Event
occurs. The Rapid Amortization Period will commence on the day on which an
Amortization Event occurs or is deemed to occur. An "Amortization Event"
with respect to the Certificates refers to any of the following events:
(i) failure on the part of the Servicer or the Transferor to make
any payment or deposit required by the terms of the Agreement or before
five business days after the date such payment or deposit is required to
be made thereunder;
(ii) the failure on the part of the Servicer, the Originator or the
Transferor duly to observe or perform in any material respect certain
covenants or agreements set forth in the Agreement or the Purchase and
Sale Agreement which, in the case of certain of such covenants or
agreements, continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after the date
on which written notice of such failure requiring the same to be
remedied shall have been given to the Servicer, the Originator or the
Transferor, as applicable, provided, however, that an Amortization Event
shall not be deemed to occur if the Transferor has accepted the transfer
of the related Receivable (or all of such Receivables, if applicable)
during such period (or such longer period as the Trustee may specify not
to exceed an additional 60 days) in accordance with the provisions of
the Agreement or the Purchase and Sale Agreement;
(iii) any representation or warranty made by the Servicer, the
Originator or the Transferor in the Agreement or the Purchase and Sale
Agreement or any information required to be delivered by the Transferor
shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or
when delivered, which continues to be incorrect in any material respect
for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such
failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the
Servicer, the Originator or the Transferor, as applicable, and as a
result of which the interests of the certificateholders are materially
and adversely affected; provided, however, that such an Amortization
Event shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Transferor has
accepted the transfer of the related Receivable (or all of such
Receivables, if applicable) during such period (or such longer period as
the Trustee may specify) in accordance with the provisions of the
Agreement;
(iv) certain events of insolvency, conservatorship, receivership or
bankruptcy with respect to the Originator, Bridgestone/Firestone or the
Transferor;
(v) the Portfolio Yield averaged over any three consecutive
Collection Periods is less than the Base Rate;
(vi) the Trust shall become an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
(vii) the Transferor Amount (plus the amount available under the
Transferor Letter of Credit and the B/F Amount) is less than __% of the
aggregate invested amount of all outstanding Series of certificates
issued by the Trust as of the last day of any Collection Period;
(viii) the sum of the Transferor Amount plus the B/F Amount plus
the Class B Invested Amount (plus the invested amount of the Series
1992-B Certificates and any subordinated class of certificates of
additional Series which, when issued, is retained by the Transferor and
with respect to which no legal opinion is delivered characterizing such
certificates as indebtedness) is less than __% of the Aggregate
Receivables as of the last day of any Collection Period; or
(ix) any Servicer Event of Default shall occur which would have a
material adverse effect on the Certificateholders;
then, (a) in the case of any event described in subparagraphs (i), (ii),
(iii) or (ix), after the applicable grace period, if any, either the Trustee
or the Certificateholders evidencing interests aggregating not less than 50%
of the Invested Amount by written notice to the Transferor (and to the
Trustee if given by the Certificateholders) may declare that an Amortization
Event has occurred with respect to the Certificates as of the date of such
notice, or (b) in the case of any event described in subparagraphs (iv) or
(vi) an Amortization Event with respect to all series of certificates,
including the Certificates, or (c) in the case of subparagraphs (v), (vii) or
(viii), an Amortization Event with respect to the Certificates, shall occur
immediately upon the occurrence of such event, without any notice or other
action on the part of the Trustee or the Certificateholders. The Rapid
Amortization Period will commence on the day on which an Amortization Event
occurs or is deemed to occur. Monthly distributions of principal to the
Class A Certificateholders will begin (if they have not already) on the
Distribution Date with respect to the Collection Period in which an
Amortization Event occurs or is deemed to have occurred. Following the final
principal payment to the Class A Certificateholders, the Class B
Certificateholders will begin to receive monthly distributions of principal.
Thus, Class A and Class B Certificateholders may begin receiving
distributions of principal earlier than they otherwise would have, which may
shorten the final maturity of the Class A Certificates and Class B
Certificates. If the only Amortization Event to occur is either the
insolvency of the Transferor or the appointment of a receiver or bankruptcy
trustee for the Transferor, the receiver or bankruptcy trustee for the
Transferor may have the power to delay or prevent commencement of the Rapid
Amortization Period.
In addition to the consequences of an Amortization Event discussed
above, if the Transferor or Bridgestone/Firestone voluntarily files a
bankruptcy petition or goes into liquidation or any person is appointed a
receiver or bankruptcy trustee of the Transferor or Bridgestone/Firestone, on
the day of such appointment the Transferor will immediately cease
transferring Receivables to the Trust and promptly give notice to the Trustee
of such appointment. Within 15 days, the Trustee will publish a notice of
the liquidation or the appointment stating that the Trustee intends to sell,
dispose of or otherwise liquidate the Receivables in a commercially
reasonable manner and to the best of its ability. Unless otherwise
instructed within a specified period by the certificateholders representing
undivided interests aggregating more than 50% of the aggregate principal
amount of each Series (or in the case of a series having more than one class
of investor certificates, each class of such Series), the Trustee will sell,
dispose of or otherwise liquidate the Receivables in a commercially
reasonable manner and on commercially reasonable terms. The proceeds from
the sale, disposition or liquidation of the Receivables will be treated as
Collections and such proceeds will be distributed to certificateholders. If
the portion of such proceeds allocable to the Certificateholders' Interest
and the proceeds of any Collections in the Collection Account are not
sufficient to pay in full the remaining amount due on the Class A and Class B
Certificates, the Class A and Class B Certificateholders
will suffer a corresponding loss. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the
Receivables--Certain Matters Relating to Bankruptcy."
INDEMNIFICATION
The Agreement will provide that, subject to certain exceptions specified
therein, the Servicer will indemnify the Trust, for the benefit of
certificateholders, and the Trustee, including its officers, directors and
employees, from and against any loss (excluding any investment loss),
liability, expense, damage or injury suffered or sustained and arising out of
activities of the Trust or the Trustee (or such other Person) pursuant to the
Agreement on any supplement, including those arising out of the Servicer's
actions or omissions with respect to the Trust pursuant to the Agreement or
any Supplement.
Under the Agreement, the Transferor and Bridgestone/Firestone will
indemnify an injured party for the entire amount of any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities arising out of or based on the Agreement or the
actions of the Servicer taken pursuant to the Agreement as though the
Agreement created a partnership under the Uniform Partnership Act. The
Transferor and Bridgestone/Firestone will also indemnify each
certificateholder for any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (other
than those incurred by a certificateholder as a result of defaults on the
Receivables) except to the extent that they arise from any action by any
certificateholder. In the event of a Service Transfer (defined below), the
successor Servicer will indemnify the Transferor for any losses, claims,
damages and liabilities of the Transferor as described in this paragraph
arising from the grossly negligent actions or omissions of such successor
Servicer.
The Agreement provides that none of the Transferor, the Servicer or any
of their directors, officers, employees or agents will be under any other
liability to the Trust, the Trustee, the certificateholders, any Enhancement
provider or any other person for any action taken, or for refraining from
taking any action, in good faith pursuant to the Agreement. However, none of
the Transferor, 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 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 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 Agreement. The
Servicer may, in its sole discretion, undertake any such legal action which
it may deem necessary or desirable for the benefit of certificateholders with
respect to the Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties thereto and
the interest of the certificateholders thereunder.
COLLECTION AND OTHER SERVICING PROCEDURES
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Servicer will be responsible for
servicing, collecting, enforcing and administering the Receivables in
accordance with the policies and procedures and the degree of skill and care
applied or exercised with respect to revolving credit receivables owned or
serviced by the Servicer. The Servicer will be required to maintain fidelity
bond coverage insuring against losses through wrongdoing of its officers and
employees who are involved in the servicing of receivables covering such
actions and in such amounts as the Servicer believes to be reasonable from
time to time.
Servicing activities performed by the Servicer with respect to the
Accounts include collecting and recording payments, communicating with
cardholders, investigating payment delinquencies, providing billing records
to cardholders and maintaining internal records. 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 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 and on behalf of the Trustee.
The Agreement provides that the Servicer may delegate its duties under
that agreement to any entity (a "Subservicer") that agrees to conduct such
duties in accordance with the Agreement and the credit account guidelines set
forth therein. CFNA shall initially act as a Subservicer. Notwithstanding
any such delegation the Servicer will continue to be liable for all of its
obligations under the Agreement.
SERVICER COVENANTS
In the Agreement, the Servicer will covenant to the Certificateholders
and the Trustee as to each Receivable and related Account that: (i) 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 and
will comply with all requirements of law in connection with servicing the
Receivable and the Account the failure to comply with which would have a
material adverse effect on Certificateholders; (ii) it will not permit any
rescission or cancellation of the Receivable, except as ordered by a court of
competent jurisdiction and (iii) it will do nothing to impair the rights of
the Certificateholders in the Receivables and will not reschedule, revise or
defer payments due on any Receivable, except in accordance with the
Servicer's usual and customary servicing practices.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the Servicer is obligated to accept
the transfer of any Receivable if it discovers, or receives written notice
from the Trustee, that (i) any covenant of the Servicer set forth above has
not been complied with, with respect to such Receivable or (ii) the Servicer
has not complied in all material respects with all requirements of law
applicable to the Receivable or Account, and in either case such
noncompliance has not been cured within 60 days thereafter and the Receivable
has been charged off as uncollectible or the proceeds of the Receivable are
not available to the Trust. Such assignment and transfer will be made when
the Servicer deposits an amount equal to the amount of such Receivable
(including monthly finance charges thereon through the end of the related
Collection Period) in the Collection Account on the business day preceding
the Distribution Date following the Collection Period during which such
obligation arises. The amount of such deposit shall be deemed a payment in
respect of the related Receivable and will be treated under the Agreement in
the same manner as are payments received by the Servicer from cardholders
under the Accounts. Any amounts so paid by the Servicer shall be allocated
in respect of Finance Charge Collections and Principal Collections as
provided in the Agreement.
SERVICING COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
The Servicer's compensation for its servicing activities is a monthly
servicing fee (the "Servicing Fee") in an amount, on any Distribution Date,
equal to the sum of, with respect to all Series, one-twelfth of the sum for
each Series of the product of (a) the applicable servicing fee percentages
with respect to each Series and (b) the sum of an allocable portion of the
amount of the Transferor Amount and the B/F Amount and the aggregate invested
amount with respect to each Series on the last day of the second preceding
Collection Period. The Servicing Fee will be allocated among the Transferor
Amount, the B/F Amount, the Certificateholders and certificateholders of all
of the other Series. The portion of the Servicing Fee allocable to the Class
A Interest on each Distribution Date (the "Class A Monthly Servicing Fee") to
the Class B Interest on each Distribution Date (the "Class B Monthly
Servicing Fee") and to the Class C Interest on each Distribution Date (the
"Class C Monthly Servicing Fee") generally will be equal to one-twelfth of
the product of 2.00% per annum and the amount of the Class A Invested Amount,
the Class B Invested Amount or the Class C Invested Amount, as the case may
be, on the last day of the second preceding Collection Period (in the case of
the first Distribution Date, the initial principal amount of the Class A
Certificates, Class B Certificates or the Class C Certificates, as the case
may be). The remaining portion of the Servicing Fee will be allocable to the
Transferor Amount and the B/F Amount. The Class A Monthly Servicing Fee,
Class B Monthly Servicing Fee and the Class C Monthly Servicing Fee will be
paid with respect to each Collection Period from the Collection Account
(unless such amount has been netted against deposits to the Collection
Account) as described under "Distributions from the Collection Account"
above.
The Servicer may perform any of its obligations under the Agreement
through one or more subservicers. The Servicer shall remain liable for its
servicing duties and obligations as if the Servicer alone were servicing the
Receivables. The Servicer shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of
any such subservicer.
The Servicer will pay from its servicing compensation certain expenses
incurred in connection with servicing the Accounts and the Receivables
including, without limitation, expenses related to enforcement of the
Receivables, payment of fees and disbursements of the Trustee and independent
accountants, payment of fees and expenses of any subservicer and all other
fees and expenses which are not expressly stated in the Agreement to be
payable by the Trust or the Certificateholders other than Federal, state and
local income and franchise taxes, if any, of the Trust.
CERTAIN MATTERS REGARDING THE SERVICER
The Servicer may not resign from its obligations and duties under the
Agreement, except upon determination that such duties are no longer
permissible under applicable law or upon the appointment of a successor
Servicer in the business of servicing credit card receivables with a net
worth of at least $100,000,000 and delivery of written confirmation that the
ratings of the Certificates will not be withdrawn or reduced as a result of
such Service Transfer (defined below) and that there will not be a material
adverse impact on the Federal income tax characteristics of the Certificates.
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 Agreement. Under circumstances described in "--Conveyance of
Accounts" below, the obligation of the Servicer may be transferred to a new
servicer.
Any person into which, in accordance with the Agreement, the Transferor
or the Servicer may be merged or consolidated or any person resulting from
any merger or consolidation to which the Transferor or the Servicer is a
party, or any person succeeding to the business of the Transferor or the
Servicer, will be the successor to the Transferor or the Servicer, as the
case may be, under the Agreement.
SERVICER EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, a "Servicer Event of Default"
refers to any of the following events:
(i) failure by the Servicer to make any payment, transfer or
deposit, or to give instructions to the Trustee to make any withdrawal,
on the date the Servicer is required to do so under the Agreement or any
Supplement (or within a five business day grace period);
(ii) failure on the part of the Servicer to observe or perform any
other term, covenant, condition or agreement provided for in the
Agreement or any Supplement or breach by the Servicer of any
representation or warranty in the Agreement if such failure or breach
has a material adverse effect on the certificateholders, which continues
unremedied for a period of 60 days after the earlier of discovery by the
Servicer or the date on which written notice has been given and which
continues to materially adversely affect the rights of the
certificateholders of any Series then outstanding for such period, or
the Servicer assigns its duties under the Agreement, except as
specifically permitted thereunder;
(iii) any representation, warranty or certification made by the
Servicer in the Agreement or any Supplement or in any certificate
delivered pursuant to the Agreement or any Supplement proves to have
been incorrect when made, which has a material adverse effect on the
rights of the certificateholders, and which material adverse effect
continues for the certificateholders for a period of 60 days after
written notice and which continues to materially adversely affect the
rights of the certificateholders of any Series then outstanding for such
period; and
(iv) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
receivership of the Servicer.
In the event of any Servicer Event of Default, either the Trustee or
certificateholders evidencing undivided interests aggregating more than 50%
of the aggregate invested amount of all Series, by written notice to the
Servicer (and to the Trustee, if given by the certificateholders), may
terminate all of the rights and obligations of the Servicer, in its capacity
as servicer under the Agreement, to all of the Receivables held by the Trust
with respect to all Series, and the proceeds thereof, and appoint a new
Servicer (a "Service Transfer"). The Transferor may grant to any Enhancement
provider the right to exercise such rights on behalf of any related Series.
The Trustee shall as promptly as possible appoint (with the consent of the
Originator) a successor Servicer and if no successor Servicer has been
appointed by the Trustee and has accepted such appointment by the time the
Servicer ceases to act as Servicer, all authority, power and obligations of
the Servicer under the Agreement will pass to, and be vested in, the Trustee.
Prior to any Service Transfer, the Trustee will seek to obtain bids from
potential Servicers meeting certain eligibility requirements set forth in the
Agreement to serve as a successor Servicer for servicing compensation not in
excess of the Servicing Fee. In the event that a successor Servicer has not
been appointed and has not accepted its appointment at the time when the
Servicer ceases to act as Servicer, the Trustee without further action will
automatically be appointed the successor Servicer. Notwithstanding the
above, the Trustee will, if it is
legally unable so to act, petition a court of competent jurisdiction to
appoint any established financial institution having a net worth of not less
than $100,000,000 and whose regular business includes the servicing of credit
card receivables as the successor Servicer.
Upon its appointment, the successor Servicer shall be the successor in
all respects to the Servicer with respect to servicing functions under the
Agreement and shall be subject to all the responsibilities, duties and
liabilities relating thereto placed on the Servicer by the terms and
provisions thereof, and all references in the Agreement to the Servicer will
be deemed to refer to the successor Servicer. The successor Servicer shall
expressly be authorized to delegate any of its duties under the Agreement to
the Servicer on and after the date of any transfer of servicing pursuant to
the Agreement.
In connection with such appointment and assumption, the successor
Servicer shall be entitled to servicing compensation not in excess of the
Servicing Fee. The Transferor and Bridgestone/Firestone have agreed that if
a successor Servicer shall be appointed, such successor Servicer may withhold
from amounts otherwise payable to the Transferor or Bridgestone/Firestone an
amount equal to the Monthly Servicing Fee with respect to the Transferor
Interest and the B/F Interest for such related Collection Period.
REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
No later than the second business day prior to each Distribution Date,
the Servicer will forward to the Trustee a statement (the "Monthly Servicer's
Certificate") prepared by the Servicer setting forth certain information with
respect to the Trust and the Certificates, including, among other things: (a)
the aggregate amount of Collections, the aggregate amount of Finance Charge
Collections and the aggregate amount of Principal Collections processed
during the immediately preceding Collection Period; (b) the Class A Floating
Allocation Percentage, the Class B Floating Allocation Percentage and the
Class C Floating Allocation Percentage for such Collection Period and, during
the Controlled Amortization Period and any Rapid Amortization Period, the
Fixed Allocation Percentage; (c) the aggregate outstanding balance of the
Accounts which were delinquent by 30 days to 60 days and by 61 days or more
as of the end of the immediately preceding Collection Period; (d) the Class A
Investor Default Amount, Class B Investor Default Amount and the Class C
Investor Default Amount for such Distribution Date; (e) the amount of Class A
Investor Charge-Offs, Class B Investor Charge-Offs and Class C Investor
Charge-Offs and the amount of reimbursements of each for such Distribution
Date; (f) the amount of the Class A Monthly Servicing Fee, Class B Monthly
Servicing Fee and Class C Monthly Servicing Fee for such Distribution Date;
(g) the existing Deficit Controlled Amortization Amount; (h) the Aggregate
Receivables at the close of business on the last day of the Collection Period
preceding such Distribution Date; (i) the Class A Invested Amount, the Class
B Invested Amount and the Class C Invested Amount at the close of business on
the last day of the Collection Period immediately preceding such Distribution
Date; and (j) the amount of Reallocated Principal Collections for such
Distribution Date. The Trustee will make such statement available to the
Certificateholders upon request.
On each Distribution Date, the Paying Agent, on behalf of the Trustee,
will forward to each Class A Certificateholder and Class B Certificateholder
of record a statement (the "Payment Date Statement") prepared by the Servicer
setting forth the information with respect to the Offered Certificates set
forth in the Monthly Servicer's Certificate supplied to the Trustee as
described in the preceding paragraph since the immediately preceding
Distribution Date and the following additional information (which, in the
case of (a), (b) and (c) below, will be stated on the basis of an original
principal amount of $1,000 per Class A Certificate or Class B Certificate, as
applicable): (a) the total amount distributed; (b) the amount of such
distribution allocable to principal on the Offered Certificates; (c) the
amount of such distribution allocable to interest on the Offered
Certificates; (d) the amount, if any, by which the principal balance of the
Class A Certificates exceeds the Class A Invested Amount and the Class B
Certificates exceed the Class B Invested Amount as of the Record Date with
respect to such Distribution Date, as the case may be; and (e) the "Class A
Pool Factor" and "Class B Pool Factor" as of the end of the Record Date with
respect to such Distribution Date (consisting of an eight-digit decimal
expressing the Class A Invested Amount or Class B Invested Amount, as
applicable, as of such Record Date (determined after taking into account any
increase or decrease in the Class A Invested Amount or Class B Invested
Amount, as applicable, which will occur on the following Distribution Date)
as a proportion of the Class A Initial Invested Amount or Class B Initial
Invested Amount). The Payment Date Statement and the Monthly Servicer's
Certificate will be available to Certificate Owners, as described under
"Special Considerations--Book Entry Registration" and "Available
Information."
On or before January 31 of each calendar 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 calendar year was a Certificateholder of
record (or, if so provided in applicable Treasury regulations, made available
to Certificate Owners) a statement prepared by the Trustee containing the
information required to be provided by an issuer of indebtedness under the
Code for such calendar year or the applicable portion thereof during which
such person was a Certificateholder, together with such other customary
information as the Servicer deems necessary or desirable to enable the
Certificateholders to prepare their tax returns. See "Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
The Agreement provides that on or before March 31 of each calendar year,
the Servicer will cause a firm of independent public accountants to furnish a
report to the effect that such firm has applied certain agreed-upon
procedures to certain documents and records relating to the servicing of the
Receivables and that, based upon such agreed-upon procedures, no matters came
to their attention that caused them to believe that such servicing was not
conducted in compliance with certain applicable terms and conditions set
forth in the Agreement except for such exceptions or errors as such firm
shall believe to be immaterial and such other exceptions as shall be set
forth in such statement. In addition, on or before March 31 of each calendar
year such accountants will compare the mathematical calculations of the
amounts contained in the Monthly Servicer's Certificates and other
certificates delivered during such year with the computer reports of the
Servicer and statements of any agents engaged by the Servicer to perform
servicing activities which were the source of such amounts and deliver a
certificate to the Trustee confirming that such amounts are in agreement
except for such exceptions as they believe to be immaterial and such other
exceptions which shall be set forth in such report.
The Agreement provides for delivery to the Trustee on or before March 31
of each calendar year, of a statement signed by an officer of the Servicer to
the effect that the Servicer has, or has caused to be, fully performed its
obligations in all material respects under the 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.
CONVEYANCE OF ACCOUNTS
Subject to the conditions set forth in the succeeding sentence, the
Originator may transfer or otherwise convey its interest in the Accounts,
including the Receivables in such Accounts (subject to the interest of the
Transferor and the Trustee on behalf of the certificateholders), in whole or
in part. The Originator will be permitted to convey Accounts only upon
satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) the acquiring person will (a)
be organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or
any state or the District of Columbia, and be a bank or other entity that is
not subject to the Bankruptcy Code of 1978 which may be established by and
owned by Bridgestone/Firestone, and (b) expressly assume by an agreement
supplemental to the Purchase and Sale Agreement the performance of the
Originator's obligations with respect to such Accounts; (ii) the Transferor
will deliver to the Trustee opinions of counsel (a) stating that all
conditions precedent to the conveyance have been complied with and (b) to the
effect that the conveyance will not adversely affect the treatment of the
Certificates as debt for Federal and applicable state income tax purposes or
materially adversely impact the Federal income tax consequences that affect
any certificateholder and generally to the effect that the transfer would not
affect the Federal income tax ownership of the Receivables; and (iii) the
Transferor will obtain from each Rating Agency a letter confirming that the
rating of all outstanding Series of certificates, after such conveyance, will
not be lowered or withdrawn.
AMENDMENTS
The Agreement and any Supplement may be amended by the Transferor, the
Servicer and the Trustee, without certificateholder consent, to cure any
ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision therein which may be
inconsistent with any other provision therein or to add any other provisions
with respect to matters or questions arising under the Agreement or any
Supplement which are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Agreement or
any Supplement; provided, however, that such action shall not, as evidenced
by an opinion of counsel, adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of any of the holders of certificates.
The Agreement and any Supplement may also be amended from time to time
by the Servicer, the Transferor and the Trustee, without the consent of any
of the certificateholders, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or
changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Agreement,
or of modifying, in any manner the rights of the holders of certificates;
provided that (i) the Servicer will have provided an officer's certificate to
the Trustee and any Enhancement provider to the effect that such amendment
will not materially and adversely affect the interests of the
certificateholders, (ii) such amendment will not, as evidenced by an opinion
of counsel, cause the Trust to be characterized for Federal income tax
purposes as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise have any
material adverse impact on the Federal income taxation of any outstanding
Series of certificates or any Certificate Owner and (iii) the Rating Agencies
shall confirm that such amendment will not cause a reduction or withdrawal of
the rating of any outstanding Series of certificates; provided, further, that
such amendment will not reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the
timing of, distributions which are required to be made on any certificate of
such Series without the consent of the related certificateholder, change the
definition of or the manner of calculating the interest of any
certificateholder of such Series without the consent of the related
certificateholder or reduce the percentage pursuant to the next paragraph
required to consent to any such amendment, in each case without the consent
of all such certificateholders; provided, further, that (x) the transfer of
the Accounts and/or the servicing functions with respect thereto as described
above under "--Conveyance of Accounts" and the appointment of an entity as
Servicer under the Agreement in connection with such transfer, (y) any
transaction effected in accordance with the merger and consolidations
provisions of the Agreement relating to the Servicer, (z) any other
transactions related, supplemental or incidental thereto will be deemed not
to materially and adversely affect the interests of the certificateholders
and will not require the delivery of an officer's certificate pursuant to
clause (i) above.
The Agreement and any Supplement may be amended by the Transferor, the
Servicer and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of certificates
evidencing undivided interests aggregating not less than 662/3% of the
principal amount of all Series adversely affected, for the purpose of adding
any provisions to, changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of the Agreement or any Supplement or of modifying in any manner
the rights of certificateholders of any Series then issued and outstanding.
No such amendment, however, may (i) reduce in any manner the amount of, or
delay the timing of, distributions required to be made on such Series, (ii)
change the definition or the manner of calculating the interest of any
certificateholder of such Series, or (iii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of
undivided interests the certificateholders of which are required to consent
to any such amendment, in each case without the consent of all
certificateholders of all Series adversely affected. Promptly following the
execution of any amendment to the Agreement or any Supplement, the Trustee
will furnish written notice of the substance of such amendment to each
certificateholder of all Series (or with respect to an amendment of a
Supplement, to the applicable Series).
Pursuant to the Series Supplement providing for the issuance of the
Series 1992-B Certificates, the enhancement providers with respect to the
Series 1992-B Certificates (of which there are two providing unequal amounts
of enhancement) shall be entitled to vote as if such enhancement providers
were Certificateholders under the Agreement to the exclusion of the holders
of the Series 1992-B Certificates.
LIST OF CLASS A AND CLASS B CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Upon written request of three or more Class A Certificateholders of
record or any Class A Certificateholder or group of Class A
Certificateholders of record representing undivided interests in the Trust
aggregating not less than 5% of the Class A Invested Amount, the Trustee will
afford such Class A Certificateholders access during business hours to the
current list of Class A Certificateholders of the Trust for purposes of
communicating with other Class A Certificateholders with respect to their
rights under the Agreement.
Upon written request of three or more Class B Certificateholders of
record or any Class B Certificateholder or group of Class B
Certificateholders of record representing undivided interests in the Trust
aggregating not less than 5% of the Class B Invested Amount, the Trustee will
afford such Class B Certificateholders access during business hours to the
current list of Class B Certificateholders of the Trust for purposes of
communicating with other Class B Certificateholders with respect to their
rights under the Agreement.
The Agreement does not provide for any annual or other meetings of Class
A and Class B Certificateholders.
THE TRUSTEE
The Fuji Bank and Trust Company is Trustee under the Agreement. The
Transferor, the Servicer and their respective affiliates may from time to
time enter into normal banking and trustee relationships with the Trustee and
its affiliates. The Trustee, the Transferor, the Servicer and any of their
respective affiliates may hold Certificates in their own names; however, any
Certificates so held shall not be entitled to participate in any decisions
made or instructions given to the Trustee by the Certificateholders as a
group. The Trustee's address is Two World Trade Center, 81st Floor, New
York, New York 10048, Attention: Trust Administration Department.
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 conferred or imposed
upon the Trustee will be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed
by the Trustee and such 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 such separate trustee or co-trustee who
shall exercise and perform such rights, powers, duties and obligations solely
at the direction of the Trustee.
The Trustee may resign at any time, in which event the Transferor 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 Agreement or if the Trustee becomes insolvent. In such circumstances,
the Servicer will be obligated to appoint a successor Trustee. Any
resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee
does not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the
successor Trustee.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PURCHASE
AND SALE AGREEMENT
The Receivables originated under the Accounts established under the
Credit Card Program transferred to the Trust by the Transferor and existing
as of the Cut-off Date and Receivables originated under the Accounts
established under the Credit Card Program transferred to the Trust by the
Transferor and originated after the Cut-off Date have or will be purchased by
the Transferor from the Originator pursuant to the Purchase and Sale
Agreement. Receivables originated under Eligible Additional Accounts will
also be purchased by the Transferor from the Originator pursuant to the
Purchase and Sale Agreement. (A copy of the Purchase and Sale Agreement is
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is
a part.) The following summary describes certain terms of the Purchase and
Sale Agreement.
SALE OF RECEIVABLES
Under the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Originator has sold
Receivables originated on and before the Cut-off Date and, provided that the
Transferor is not in default thereunder and that no Servicer Event of Default
shall have occurred, for so long as any Series of certificates is
outstanding, the Originator will sell, as applicable, to the Transferor all
its right, title and interest in and to the Receivables originated under the
Accounts existing on and originated after the Cut-off Date. Pursuant to the
Agreement, all such Receivables will be transferred by the Transferor to the
Trust, and the Transferor will assign its rights in, to and under the
Purchase and Sale Agreement with respect to such Receivables to the Trust.
The purchase price of the purchased Receivables will be payable by the
Transferor in cash.
The Purchase and Sale Agreement provides that the Originator may convey
its interest in the Accounts (subject to the interest of the Transferor and
the Trustee on behalf of certificateholders). See "Description of the
Offered Certificates and the Agreement--Conveyance of Accounts" above.
In connection with the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Originator has
indicated and will indicate in its records, including any computer files,
that the Receivables arising under the Accounts have been or will be sold to
the Transferor by the Originator and that such Receivables have been
transferred by the Transferor to the Trust. The records and agreements
relating to such Accounts and Receivables will not be segregated by
Bridgestone/Firestone from other documents and agreements relating to other
charge accounts and receivables and will not be stamped or marked to reflect
the sale thereof to the Transferor. The Originator has filed UCC financing
statements meeting the requirements of state law in Ohio with
respect to such Receivables. See "Risk Factors--Potential Priority of
Certain Liens" and "Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables."
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Originator represents and warrants to the Transferor to the effect,
among other things, that as of the Closing Date: (a) the Originator is duly
organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the United
States as a national banking association, (b) the Purchase and Sale Agreement
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Originator and (c)
the sale by the Originator of Receivables pursuant to the Purchase and Sale
Agreement and the performance of its obligations has been duly authorized by
all requisite corporate action.
The Originator has also agreed to indemnify the Transferor and to hold
the Transferor harmless from and against any and all losses, damages and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by the
Transferor as a result of the breach by the Originator of any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
In addition, the Originator expressly acknowledges and consents to the
Transferor's assignment of its rights relating to the interests sold by the
Originator under the Purchase and Sale Agreement to the Trustee for the
benefit of the Certificateholders.
TERMINATION
If pursuant to certain provisions of Federal law, the Originator becomes
party to any insolvency or similar proceeding (other than as a claimant) and,
if such proceeding is not voluntary and it is not dismissed within 90 days of
its institution, or if a receiver is appointed for the Originator, the
Originator will immediately cease selling Receivables to the Transferor.
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE RECEIVABLES
TRANSFER OF RECEIVABLES
At the time of the formation of the Trust, pursuant to the Purchase and
Sale Agreement, the Originator sold to the Transferor all its right, title
and interest in and to those Receivables existing under the Eligible Accounts
as of the Cut-off Date and, provided that the Transferor is not in default
thereunder and no Servicer Event of Default shall have occurred, its right,
title and interest to those Receivables arising under the Eligible Accounts
from time to time thereafter. The Transferor conveyed to the Trust, without
recourse, all Receivables existing under the Eligible Accounts, as of the
Cut-off Date and thereafter created. The Transferor has covenanted and
warranted that such transfer constitutes either a valid transfer and
assignment to the Trust of all right, title and interest of the Transferor in
and to the Receivables, except for the interest of the Transferor as holder
of the Exchangeable Transferor Certificate, or a grant of a security interest
to the Trust in and to the Receivables. The Transferor also covenanted and
warranted to the Trust in the Agreement that, in the event the transfer of
Receivables by the Transferor to the Trust is deemed to create a security
interest under the UCC and assuming that the Transferor is not at the time
the subject of any insolvency proceedings, there exists a valid, subsisting
and enforceable first priority perfected security interest in the Receivables
in existence since the time of the formation of the Trust in favor of the
Trust and a valid, subsisting and enforceable first priority perfected
security interest in the Receivables created thereafter and, with certain
exceptions, and for certain limited time periods, the proceeds thereof, in
favor of the Trust on and after their creation. For a discussion of the
Trust's rights arising from these covenants and warranties not being
satisfied, see "Description of the Offered Certificates and the Agreement--
Covenants, Representations and Warranties."
The Receivables are "accounts" or "general intangibles" as defined in
Article 9 of the UCC. To the extent the Receivables constitute accounts,
both the absolute transfer of such Receivables and the transfer of such
Receivables as security for an obligation are treated under Article 9 of the
UCC as creating a security interest therein and are subject to its
provisions, including the filing of financing statements to perfect the
Trust's security interest. To the extent Receivables constitute general
intangibles and the transfer of such Receivables is deemed to be a transfer
as security for an obligation, Article 9 of the UCC is applicable to the same
extent as it is applicable to Receivables constituting accounts. Financing
statements covering the Receivables will be filed under the UCC
as in effect in Massachusetts to protect the Transferor and the Trust. In
the event the transfer by the Transferor to the Trust of any general
intangibles is deemed to be an absolute transfer, then the UCC is not
applicable, and no further action is required to perfect the Trustee's
interest in such Receivables from third-party claims.
There are certain limited circumstances under the UCC in which prior or
subsequent transferees of Receivables coming into existence after the Closing
Date could have an interest in such Receivables with priority over the
Trust's interest. A tax or other government lien on property of the
Transferor arising prior to the time a Receivable comes into existence may
also have priority over the interest of the Trust in such Receivables. In
addition, under the Agreement, the Transferor will covenant to accept the
reassignment of the Receivables in any Account containing a Receivable
transferred to the Trust that is not free and clear of the lien of any third-
party, except certain permitted tax liens. Furthermore, the Transferor
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.
Unless continuation statements are filed within five years of the
original filings the time specified in the UCC in respect of the security
interest of either the Transferor or the Trust in the Receivables, the
perfection of such security interest will lapse. Pursuant to the Agreement,
the Servicer will be required to cause such statements to be filed.
Because the Trust's interest in certain of the Receivables is dependent
upon the Transferor's interest in such Receivables, any adverse change in the
priority or perfection of the Transferor's security interest would
correspondingly affect the Trust's interest in the affected Receivables.
Collections of Receivables will, except in certain circumstances, be
available for use by the Servicer until deposited into the Collection Account
on the business day preceding each Distribution Date. In the event of
insolvency or receivership of the Servicer or, in certain circumstances, the
lapse of certain time periods, the Trust may not have a perfected interest in
such cash Collections.
CERTAIN MATTERS RELATING TO BANKRUPTCY
The Agreement provides that, upon the appointment of a receiver or
bankruptcy trustee for the Transferor or Bridgestone/Firestone, the
Transferor or Bridgestone/Firestone, respectively, will promptly give notice
thereof to the Trustee, and an Amortization Event with respect to all Series
will occur. Under the Agreement no new Receivables will be transferred to
the Trust and, unless otherwise instructed within a specified period by the
holders of certificates representing undivided interests aggregating more
than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of each Series or unless otherwise
required by the receiver or bankruptcy trustee for the Transferor, 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. If the only
Amortization Event to occur is the appointment of a receiver or bankruptcy
trustee for the Transferor, such receiver or bankruptcy trustee may have the
power to continue to require the Transferor to continue to transfer new
Receivables to the Trust, as applicable, and to prevent the early sale,
liquidation or disposition of the Receivables and the commencement of a Rapid
Amortization Period. See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--Amortization Events."
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND BANKING LAWS
The relationship between the consumer and the provider of
consumer credit is extensively regulated by Federal and state consumer
protection laws. With respect to the credit cards issued under the Credit
Card Program the most significant Federal laws include the Federal
Truth-In-Lending, Equal Credit Opportunity Acts, Fair Credit Billing, Fair
Credit Reporting, Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure and Fair Debt
Collection Practices Acts and state consumer protection and retail
installment sales laws. Such statutes may also apply to the credit cards
issued under Alternative Programs. These statutes impose disclosure
requirements before and when an Account is opened and at the end of
monthly billing cycles. In addition, cardholders are entitled under
these laws to have payments and credits applied to the account 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 Transferor 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, cardholders may be entitled to assert such
violations by way of set off against the obligation to pay the amount of
Receivables owing. The Transferor has agreed to accept the transfer of
all Receivables that were not created in compliance in all material
respects with the requirements of such laws. The Servicer has also agreed
in the Agreement to indemnify the Trust, among other things, for any
liability arising from such 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 "Description of the Offered
Certificates and the Agreement--Covenants, Representations and Warranties."
Application of Federal and state bankruptcy and debtor relief laws would
affect the interests of the Certificateholders, if such laws result in any
Receivables being charged off as uncollectible in excess of the Class B
Invested Amount available to be allocated to the Class A Certificates and in
excess of the Class C Invested Amount available to be allocated to the Class
B Certificates. See "Description of the Offered Certificates and the
Agreement--Defaulted Receivables; Recoveries; Rebates and Fraudulent
Charges."
The Originator, and the Originator's extension of credit under the
Credit Card Program, is extensively regulated under Federal law. Any change
in such laws, or in the rules, regulations and decisions (both judicial and
administrative) thereunder, could affect the Servicer's ability to collect
the Receivables or maintain previous levels of monthly finance and other
charges.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION
Congress and the states may enact new laws and amendments to existing
laws to regulate further the consumer revolving credit industry or to reduce
finance charges or other fees or charges applicable to consumer revolving
credit accounts. The potential effect of any such legislation could be to
reduce the yield on the Accounts. If such yield is reduced, an Amortization
Event could occur, and the Rapid Amortization Period would commence. See
"Description of the Offered Certificates--Amortization Events."
LEGAL MATTERS AND LITIGATION
Pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, if the interest of the
Certificateholders in a Receivable is materially adversely affected by the
failure of the Receivable to comply in all material respects with applicable
requirements of law, the interest of such Certificateholders in all
Receivables in the affected Account will be reassigned to the Transferor. On
each Series Closing Date, the Transferor will make certain other
representations and warranties relating to the validity and enforceability of
the Accounts and the Receivables. The sole remedy, if any such
representation or warranty is breached and such breach has a material adverse
effect on the interest of Certificateholders in any Receivable and continues
beyond the applicable cure period, is that the interest of the
Certificateholders in the Receivables affected thereby will be reassigned to
the Transferor or assigned to the Servicer, as the case may be. In addition,
in the event of the breach of certain representations and warranties, the
Transferor may be obligated to accept the reassignment of all of the
Receivables in the Accounts in the Trust portfolio.
CLAIMS AND DEFENSES OF CARDHOLDERS AGAINST TRUST
The UCC provides that (a) unless an obligor has made an enforceable
agreement not to assert defenses or claims arising out of a sale, the rights
of the Trust, as assignee, are subject to all the terms of the contract
between the Originator and the obligor and any defense or claim arising
therefrom and to any other defense or claim of the obligor against the
Originator which accrues before the obligor receives notification of the
assignment and (b) any obligor is authorized to continue to pay the
Originator until (i) the obligor receives notification, reasonably
identifying the rights assigned, that the amount due or to become due has
been assigned and that payment is to be made to the Trustee and (ii) if
requested by the obligor, the Trustee has furnished reasonable proof of the
assignment.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
GENERAL
Set forth below is a discussion of material income tax consequences to
Certificate Owners who are original owners of the Offered Certificates and
hold the Offered Certificates as capital assets under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). This discussion does not purport to
be complete or to deal with all aspects
of Federal income taxation that may be relevant to Certificate Owners in
light of their particular circumstances, nor to certain types of Certificate
Owners subject to special treatment under the Federal income tax laws (for
example, banks and life insurance companies). This discussion is based upon
present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder and
judicial and ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, which
change may be retroactive. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH REGARD TO THE FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SPECIAL
CATEGORIES OF INVESTORS IN THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES WITH RESPECT TO THE
PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP OR DISPOSITION OF INTERESTS IN THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES,
AS WELL AS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, FOREIGN
COUNTRY OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
Characterization of the Offered Certificates as Indebtedness. The
Transferor, the Trustee, the Class A Certificateholders and the Class B
Certificateholders express in the Agreement their intent that, for tax
purposes the Offered Certificates will be indebtedness secured by the
Receivables. The Transferor, the Class A Certificateholders and the Class B
Certificateholders, by acquiring an interest in an Offered Certificate, agree
to treat the Offered Certificates as indebtedness for Federal, state and
local tax purposes. However, because different criteria are used to
determine the non-tax accounting characterization of the transaction, the
Transferor will treat the transaction, for financial accounting purposes, as
a sale of an ownership interest in the Receivables and not as the issuance of
a debt obligation.
Based upon the application of existing law to the facts of the
transaction as set forth in the Agreement and other relevant documents, Brown
& Wood LLP, special tax counsel to the Transferor ("Tax Counsel"), has
advised the Transferor that, in its opinion, (i) the Offered Certificates
will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as indebtedness and (ii) the
Trust will not be treated as either an association or a publicly traded
partnership taxable as a corporation for Federal income tax purposes.
However, opinions of counsel are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service
(the "IRS"), and there can be no assurance that the IRS could not
successfully challenge this conclusion.
In general, the characterization of a transaction for Federal income tax
purposes is based upon economic substance, and the substance of the
transaction in which the Offered Certificates are issued is consistent with
the treatment of the Offered Certificates as debt for Federal income tax
purposes. Although there are certain judicial precedents holding that under
appropriate circumstances a taxpayer should be required to treat a
transaction in accordance with the form chosen by the taxpayer, regardless of
the transaction's substance, the operative provisions of the transaction and
the Agreement are not inconsistent with treating the Offered Certificates as
debt and, accordingly, these authorities would not be applied to require sale
characterization.
Based on the foregoing, Tax Counsel has concluded that the
characterization of the Offered Certificates, for Federal income tax
purposes, would be governed by the substance of the transaction, which is the
issuance of debt.
Other Characterizations of the Offered Certificates. If the Agreement
does not create a debt obligation for Federal income tax purposes, the
arrangement among the Transferor, the Class A Certificateholders and the
Class B Certificateholders could be classified, for Federal income tax
purposes, alternatively as a partnership, a publicly traded partnership
taxable as a corporation, or as an association taxable as a corporation.
Because, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, the Offered Certificates will be
characterized as debt for Federal income tax purposes, no attempt will be
made to comply with any reporting or tax payment requirements which might be
applicable if the arrangement between the Transferor and the Certificate
Owners were treated as creating a partnership or a corporation. No IRS
ruling on the Federal income tax characterization of the arrangement among
the Transferor, the Class A Certificateholders and the Class B
Certificateholders will be sought.
If the arrangement created by the Agreement were characterized as a
partnership among the Transferor and the Certificate Owners, such a
partnership would not be subject to Federal income tax, but each item of
income, gain, loss, deduction and credit generated through the ownership of
the Receivables by such a partnership would generally be passed through to
the Transferor and the Certificate Owners as partners in such a partnership
according to their respective interests therein. The amount, timing, and
character of income reportable by the Certificate Owners as partners could
differ materially from the income reportable by the Certificate Owners if the
Offered Certificates are characterized as debt.
If the arrangement were treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable
as a corporation or as an association taxable as a corporation, it would be
subject to Federal income tax at corporate tax rates on its taxable income
generated by ownership of the Receivables. Such a tax could result in
reduced distributions to Certificate Owners. Distributions to the Transferor
and, unless the Offered Certificates were treated as debt of the corporation
if the arrangement were treated as an association taxable as a corporation,
to the Certificate Owners, would not be deductible in computing the taxable
income of the corporation. In addition, if the Offered Certificates were not
treated as debt of the corporation, all or a portion of any such
distributions would, to the extent of the current and accumulated earnings
and profits of such corporation, be treated as dividend income to the
Certificate Owners.
In addition, if the arrangement were treated as a publicly traded
partnership, any income allocated to a Certificate Owner that is a tax-exempt
entity will constitute "unrelated business taxable income", at least where
the publicly traded partnership is taxed as a partnership.
TAXATION OF INTEREST AND DISCOUNT INCOME OF CERTIFICATE OWNERS
Assuming that the Certificate Owners are owners of debt obligations for
Federal income tax purposes, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, interest
generally will be taxable as ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes
when received by the Certificate Owners utilizing the cash method of
accounting and when accrued by Certificate Owners utilizing the accrual
method of accounting. Interest received on the Offered Certificates may also
constitute "investment income" for purposes of certain limitations of the
Code concerning the deductibility of investment interest expense.
While it is not anticipated that the Offered Certificates will be issued
at a greater than de minimis discount, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, under
the Treasury regulations (the "OID Regulations"), it is possible that the
Offered Certificates could nevertheless be deemed to have been issued with
original issue discount ("OID"). This could be the case, for example, if
interest payments were not deemed to be "qualified stated interest payments."
If such regulations were to apply, in general, all of the taxable income to
be recognized with respect to the Offered Certificates would be includible in
income of Certificate Owners as OID, but would not be includible again when
the interest is actually received. If the Offered Certificates are in fact
issued at a greater than de minimis discount or are treated as having been
issued with OID under the OID Regulations, the following general rules will
apply.
The excess of the "stated redemption price at maturity" of the Class A
Certificates or Class B Certificates, as applicable, (generally equal to
their principal amount as of the date of original issuance plus all interest
other than "qualified stated interest payments" payable prior to or at
maturity) over the applicable original issue price (in this case, the initial
offering price at which a substantial amount of the Class A or Class B
Certificates, as applicable, are sold to the public) will constitute OID. A
Certificate Owner must include OID in income over the term of the Offered
Certificates under a constant yield method. In general, OID must be included
in income in advance of the receipt of cash representing that income. In the
case of a debt instrument as to which the repayment of principal may be
accelerated as a result of the prepayment of other obligations securing the
debt instrument, the periodic accrual of OID is determined by taking into
account both the prepayment assumptions used in pricing the debt instrument
and the prepayment experience. If this provision applies to the Offered
Certificates, the amount of OID which will accrue in any given "accrual
period" may either increase or decrease depending upon the actual prepayment
rate.
Certificate Owners should be aware that the resale of an Offered
Certificate may be affected by the market discount rules of the Code. These
rules generally provide that, subject to a de minimis exception, if a holder
of a an Offered Certificate acquires it at a market discount (i.e., at a
price below its stated redemption price at maturity or its "revised issue
price" if it was issued with OID) and thereafter recognizes gain upon a
disposition of the Offered Certificate, the lesser of such gain or the
portion of the market discount that accrued while the Offered Certificate was
held by such holder will be treated as ordinary interest income realized at
the time of the disposition.
Each Certificate Owner should consult his own tax advisor regarding the
impact of the original issue discount and market discount rules.
SALES OR DEEMED SALES OF OFFERED CERTIFICATES
In the opinion of Tax Counsel, in general, a Certificate Owner will
recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable
disposition of an Offered Certificate measured by the difference between (i)
the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received (other
than amounts attributable to, and taxable as, accrued stated interest) and
(ii) the owner's tax basis in the Class A Certificate or Class B Certificate,
as applicable (as increased by any OID or market discount previously included
in income by the holder and decreased by any deductions previously allowed
for amortizable bond premium and by any payments reflecting principal or OID
received with respect to such Class A Certificate or Class B Certificate, as
applicable). Subject to the market discount rules discussed above and to the
one-year holding requirement for long-term capital gain treatment, any such
gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss, provided that
the Class A Certificate or Class B Certificate, as applicable was held as a
capital asset. The Federal income tax rates applicable to capital gains for
taxpayers other than individuals, estates and trusts are currently the same
as those applicable to ordinary income; however, the maximum ordinary income
rate for individuals, estates and trusts has increased to 39.6%, whereas the
maximum long-term capital gains rate for such taxpayers remains at 28%.
Moreover, capital losses generally may be used only to offset capital gains.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
In the opinion of Tax Counsel, a Certificate Owner may be subject to
backup withholding at the rate of 31% with respect to interest paid on the
Offered Certificates if the Certificate Owner, upon issuance, fails to supply
the Trustee or his broker with his taxpayer identification number, fails to
report interest, dividends, or other "reportable payments" (as defined in the
Code) properly, or under certain circumstances, fails to provide the Trustee
or his broker with a certified statement, under penalty of perjury, that he
is not subject to backup withholding. Information returns will be sent
annually to the IRS and to each Class A and Class B Certificateholder setting
forth the amount of interest paid on the Offered Certificates and the amount
of tax withheld thereon.
STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAXATION
The discussion above does not address the tax treatment of the Trust,
the Offered Certificates or the Certificate Owners under state and local tax
laws or foreign tax laws. Prospective investors are urged to consult their
own tax advisors regarding the state and local tax treatment of the Trust and
the Offered Certificates, and the consequences of purchase, ownership or
disposition of the Offered Certificates under any state or local tax law or
any foreign tax law, if applicable.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA") imposes certain restrictions on employee benefit plans ("Plans")
subject to ERISA and persons who have certain specified relationships to such
plans ("Parties-in-Interest"). ERISA also imposes certain duties on persons
who are fiduciaries of Plans subject to ERISA and prohibits certain
transactions between a plan and Parties-in-Interest with respect to such
Plans. Under ERISA, any person who exercises any authority or control
respecting the management or disposition of the assets of a Plan is
considered to be a fiduciary of such Plan (subject to certain exceptions not
here relevant). In accordance with ERISA's fiduciary standards, before
purchasing the Offered Certificates a fiduciary should determine whether such
an investment is permitted under the documents and instruments governing the
plan and is appropriate for the plan in view of its overall investment policy
and the composition and diversification of its investment portfolio.
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit a pension,
profit sharing or other employee benefit plan that is subject to such
provisions from engaging in certain transactions involving "plan assets" with
persons that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons"
under the Code with respect to the plan. A violation of these "prohibited
transaction" rules may generate excise tax and other liabilities under ERISA
and the Code for such persons. In addition, investments by Benefit Plans (as
defined below) are subject to ERISA's general fiduciary requirements,
including the requirements of investment prudence and diversification and the
requirement that a Benefit Plan's investments be made in accordance with the
documents governing the Benefit Plan.
On November 13, 1986, the Department of Labor ("DOL") issued a final
regulation (the "Final Regulation") concerning the definition of what
constitutes the "plan assets" of an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA or
the Code or an individual retirement account (collectively referred to as
"Benefit Plans"). Under the Final Regulation the assets and properties of
certain entities in which a Benefit Plan makes an equity investment could be
deemed to be assets of the Benefit Plan in certain circumstances.
Accordingly, if Benefit Plans purchase the Offered Certificates, the Trust
could be deemed to hold Benefit Plan assets unless one of the exceptions
under the Final Regulation (or another statutory or administrative exemption)
is applicable to the Trust. The operations of the Trust could result in
prohibited transactions if Benefit Plans that purchase the Offered
Certificates are deemed to own an interest in the underlying assets of the
Trust. There may also be an improper delegation of the responsibility to
manage plan assets if Benefit Plans that purchase the Offered Certificates
are deemed to own an interest in the underlying assets of the Trust.
The Final Regulation only applies to the purchase by a Benefit Plan of
an "equity interest" in an entity. Assuming that the Offered Certificates
are equity interests, the Final Regulation contains an exception that
provides that if a Benefit Plan acquires a "publicly-offered security" the
issuer of the security is not deemed to hold Benefit Plan assets. A
"publicly-offered security" is a security that is (i) freely transferable,
(ii) part of a class of securities that is owned by 100 or more investors
independent of the issuer and of one another and (iii) either is (A) a part
of a class of securities registered under section 12(b) or 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or (B) sold to the plan as part of an
offering of securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and the class of securities of
which such security is a part is registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 within 120 days (or such later time as may be allowed by the
Commission) after the end of the fiscal year of the issuer during which the
offering of such securities to the public occurred.
It is anticipated that each Class of the Offered Certificates will meet
the criteria of publicly-offered securities as set forth above. The
Underwriters (defined below) expect (although no assurance can be given) that
each class of the Offered Certificates will be held by at least 100
independent persons at the conclusion of the offering, there are no
restrictions imposed on the transfer of the Offered Certificates, and the
Offered Certificates will be sold as part of an offering pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, and then
will be timely registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If the Class A Certificates or the Class B Certificates, as applicable,
fail to meet the criteria of publicly-offered securities and the Trust's
assets are deemed to include assets of Benefit Plans that are Offered
Certificateholders, transactions involving the Trust and "parties in
interest" or "disqualified persons" with respect to such plans might be
prohibited under Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code unless an
exemption is applicable. Thus, for example, if a participant in any Benefit
Plan is a credit cardholder under the Credit Card Program, under DOL
interpretations the purchase of the Class A Certificates or the Class B
Certificates, as applicable, by such plan could constitute a prohibited
transaction. There are certain class exemptions issued by the DOL that could
apply in such event including DOL Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-14
(Class Exemption for Plan Asset Transactions Determined by Independent
Qualified Professional Asset Managers), 96-23 (Class Exemption for Plan Asset
Transactions Determined by In-house Asset Managers), 91-38 (Class
Exemption for Certain Transactions Involving Bank Collective
Investment Funds) and 90-1 (Class Exemption for Certain Transactions
Involving Insurance Company Pooled Separate Accounts). There is no assurance
that these exemptions, even if all of the conditions specified therein are
satisfied, will apply to all transactions involving the Trust's assets.
In addition, the Transferor may be considered to be a party in interest
or a fiduciary with respect to some Benefit Plans. Accordingly, an
investment by a Benefit Plan in the Offered Certificates may be a prohibited
transaction under ERISA and the Code unless such investment is subject to a
statutory or administrative exemption.
In light of the foregoing, fiduciaries of a Benefit Plan considering the
purchase of the Offered Certificates should consult their own counsel as to
whether the assets of the Trust which are represented by the Offered
Certificates would be considered plan assets, the consequences that would
apply if the Trust's assets were considered plan assets and the applicability
of exemptive relief from the prohibited transaction rules.
Moreover, each Benefit Plan fiduciary should determine whether, under
the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and diversification,
an investment in the Offered Certificates is appropriate for the Benefit
Plan, taking into account the overall investment policy of the Benefit Plan
and the composition of the Benefit Plan's investment portfolio.
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting
Agreement, the Transferor has agreed to sell to Citicorp Securities, Inc. and
Chase Securities, Inc. (the "Underwriters") and the Underwriters have agreed
to purchase the principal amount of Offered Certificates set forth opposite
its name:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> Amount Amount
of Class A of Class B
Underwriter Certificates Certificates
<S> <C> <C>
Citicorp Securities, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . $ $
Chase Securities Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(200,000,000) $(28,000,000)
</TABLE>
In the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters have agreed, subject to
the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the Offered
Certificates if any of the Offered Certificates are purchased.
The 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 such price less concessions not in excess of ____% of the
principal amount of the Class A Certificates. The Underwriters may allow,
and such dealers may reallow, concessions not in excess of ____% of the
principal amount of the Class A Certificates to certain brokers and dealers.
After the initial public offering, the public offering price and other
selling terms may be changed by the Underwriters.
The Underwriters named above 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 such price less concessions not in excess of ____%
of the principal amount of the Class B Certificates. The Underwriters may
allow, and such dealers may reallow, concessions not in excess of ____% of
the principal amount of the Class B Certificates to certain brokers and
dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price and
other selling terms may be changed by the Underwriters.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Transferor and
Bridgestone/Firestone will indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under applicable securities laws, or
contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
Each Underwriter has represented and agreed that: (a) it has not
offered or sold, and will not offer or sell any Offered Certificates to
persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities
involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as
principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in
circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public in the United
Kingdom for the purposes of the Public Offers Securities Regulations 1995,
(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the
Financial Services Act 1986 of Great Britain with respect to anything done by
it in connection with the Offered Certificates in, from or otherwise
involving the United Kingdom and (c) it has only issued or passed on and will
only issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any document in connection with
the issue of the Offered Certificates to a person who is of a kind described
in Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment
Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1995 or to whom the document may otherwise
be lawfully issued or be passed on.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the issuance of the Offered
Certificates for the Transferor will be passed upon by Stroock & Stroock &
Lavan, New York, New York, special New York counsel to the Transferor.
Certain legal matters relating to the issuance of the Offered Certificates
for the Underwriters will be passed upon by Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New
York. Certain legal matters relating to the Federal income tax consequences
of the issuance of the Certificates will be passed upon for the Transferor by
Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.
INDEX OF TERMS
PAGE
----
10% Maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,47
Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,31
Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,8,53
Active Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Actual/360 Basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Additional Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,47
Adjustment Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Aggregate Certificateholders' Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Aggregate Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,33
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,30
Amortization Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,66
Amortization Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,33
Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Base Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Benefit Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
B/F Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,33
B/F Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,57
B/F Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Bridgestone/Firestone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,33
Bridgestone/Firestone Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,5,47
Cede . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,8,35
CEDEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,45
Cedel Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Certificateholders' Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,30
Certificate Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,9,35
Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,31
CFNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,33
Chase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Citibank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,33
Class A Certificateholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,45
Class A Certificate Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,33
Class A Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,33
Class A Floating Allocation Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,52
Class A Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,57
Class A Invested Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,53
Class A Investor Charge-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,63
Class A Investor Default Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,58
Class A Monthly Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,60
Class A Monthly Servicing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,60
Class A Pool Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Class A Required Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,56
Class B Certificate Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Class B Certificateholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,33
Class B Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,32
Class B Expected Final Payment Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Class B Floating Allocation Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,52
Class B Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,57
Class B Invested Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,53
Class B Investor Charge-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,63
Class B Investor Default Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,58
Class B Monthly Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Class B Monthly Servicing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,69
Class B Pool Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Class B Reallocated Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,62
Class C Certificate Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Class C Certificateholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Class C Expected Final Payment Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Class C Floating Allocation Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,52
Class C Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Class C Interest Accrual Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Class C Investor Default Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Class C Invested Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,20,53
Class C Investor Charge-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,63
Class C Monthly Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Class C Monthly Servicing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,60,69
Class C Reallocated Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,62
Class C Required Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,56
Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Collection Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,50
Collection Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,33
Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,30
Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Controlled Amortization Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,45
Controlled Amortization Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,45
Controlled Amortization Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,33
Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Credit Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Credit Card Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,2,33
Credit Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Creditworthy account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Cut-off Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,87
DTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,44
Defaulted Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,65
Definitive Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Depository . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Determination Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,34
Disclosure Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,53
Discount Option Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Discount Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,65
Distribution Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,5,30
DOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,51
Eligible Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,50,33
Eligible Additional Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Enhancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,43
ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,80
Euroclear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,45
Euroclear Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Euroclear Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
European Depositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Excess Finance Charge Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,48
Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Exchange Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,90
Exchangeable Transferor Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,31
Final Class A Termination Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,66
Final Class B Termination Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,66
Final Regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Final Series 1996-1 Termination Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,66
Final Trust Termination Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Finance Charge Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,33
Finance Charge Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,65
FIRREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Fixed Allocation Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,53
Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Ineligible Receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,50
Initial Class A Invested Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Initial Class B Invested Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Invested Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Invested Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,59
IRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Letter of Credit Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,42
LIBOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,62
Monthly Servicer's Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Monthly Servicing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,54
Moody's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
No Payment for 90 Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Offered Certificateholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,8
Offered Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,44
OID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
OID Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Originator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,33
Other Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Alternative Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,33
Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Participation Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,28,48
Parties-in-Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Payment Date Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Permitted Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,33
Principal Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,65
Principal Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Purchase and Sale Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,30
Rapid Amortization Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,31
Rating Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,31
Reallocated Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,2,50
Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Recoveries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,65
Removed Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Required Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,56
Required Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Retail Establishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Revolving Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,48
S&P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,33
Series 1992 Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Shared Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Service Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Servicer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,24
Servicer Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Servicer Letter of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,30
Shared Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,64
Servicing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
SFB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Shared Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,64
Subordinated Transferor Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Subordinated Transferor Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Allocation Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,52
Subordinated Transferor Floating Allocation Percentage . . . . . . . . . 53
Subordinated Transferor Default Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Subordinated Transferor Monthly Servicing Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,66
Subordinated Transferor Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,20,53,64
Subordinated Transferor Reallocated Principal Collections . . . . . . . 18,62
Subordinated Transferor Charge-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,64
Subservicer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Substitute Servicer Letter of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Substitute Transferor Letter of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tax Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Transfer Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,56
Transfer Deposit Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Transferor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,30
Transferor Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,53
Transferor Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,43
Transferor Letter of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,33
Transferor Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Trust Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,30
UCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Unallocated Principal Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Underwriters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
ANNEX I
Outstanding Series
The table below sets forth the principal characteristics of the other
Series previously issued by the Trust and currently outstanding as of
September 30, 1996.
1. Series 1995-A Asset Backed Certificates*
Class A Invested Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $199,200,000
Class B Invested Amount** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $38,095,238
Servicing Fee Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00%
Series Issuance Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 5, 1995
2. Series 1992-B Certificates
Class A REMARCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $152,746,000
Class B REMARCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 29,377,581
Servicing Fee Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00%
Series Issuance Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 4, 1993
* The proceeds from the issuance of the Series 1996-1 Asset Backed
Certificates will be used to retire the Series 1995-A Asset Backed
Certificates.
** Issued pursuant to Series 1992-A Asset Backed Certificates.
ANNEX II
GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
Except in certain limited circumstances, the globally Offered
Certificates (the "Global Securities") will be available only in book-entry
form. Investors in the Global Securities may hold such Global Securities
through any of DTC, CEDEL or Euroclear. The Global Securities will be
traceable as home market instruments in both the European and U.S. domestic
markets. Initial settlement and all secondary trades will settle in same-day
funds.
Secondary market trading between investors holding Global Securities
through CEDEL and Euroclear will be conducted in the ordinary way in
accordance with their normal rules and operating procedures and in accordance
with conventional eurobond practice (i.e., seven calendar day settlement).
Secondary market trading between investors holding Global Securities
through DTC will be conducted according to the rules and procedures
applicable to U.S. corporate debt obligations.
Secondary cross-market trading between CEDEL or Euroclear and DTC
Participants holding Offered Certificates will be effected on a
delivery-against-payment basis through the respective Depositaries of CEDEL
and Euroclear (in such capacity) and DTC Participants.
Non-U.S. holders (as described below) of Global Securities will be
subject to U.S. withholding taxes unless such holders meet certain
requirements and deliver appropriate U.S. tax documents to the securities
clearing organizations or their participants.
INITIAL SETTLEMENT
All Global Securities will be held in book-entry form by DTC in the name
of Cede & Co. as nominee of DTC. Investors' interests in the Global
Securities will be represented through financial institutions acting on their
behalf as direct and indirect Participants in DTC. As a result, CEDEL and
Euroclear will hold positions on behalf of their participants through their
respective Depositaries, which in turn will hold such positions in accounts
as DTC Participants.
Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through DTC will
follow the settlement practices applicable to prior debt issues. Investors
securities custody accounts will be credited with their holdings against
payment in same-day funds on the settlement date.
Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through CEDEL or
Euroclear accounts will follow the settlement procedures applicable to
conventional eurobonds, except that there will be no temporary global
security and no "lock-up" or restricted period. Global Securities will be
credited to the securities custody accounts on the settlement date against
payments in same-day funds.
SECONDARY MARKET TRADING
Since the purchaser determines the place of delivery, it is important to
establish at the time of the trade where both the purchaser's and seller's
accounts are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired
value date.
Trading between DTC Participants. Secondary market trading between DTC
Participants will be settled using the procedures applicable to book-entry
securities in same-day funds.
Trading between CEDEL and/or Euroclear Participants. Secondary market
trading between CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants will be settled
using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in same-day funds.
Trading between DTC seller and CEDEL or Euroclear purchaser. When
Global Securities are to be transferred from the account of a DTC Participant
to the account of a CEDEL Participant or a Euroclear Participant, the
purchaser will send instructions to CEDEL or Euroclear through a CEDEL
Participant or Euroclear Participant at least one business day prior to
settlement. CEDEL or Euroclear, as applicable, will instruct its Depositary
to receive the Global Securities against payment.Payment will include interest
accrued on the Global Securities from and including the last coupon payment
date to and excluding the settlement date. Payment will then be made by such
Depositary to the DTC Participant's account against delivery of the Global
Securities. After settlement has been completed, the Global Securities will
be credited to the applicable clearing system and by the clearing system, in
accordance with its usual procedures, to the CEDEL Participant's or Euroclear
Participant's account. The Global Securities credit will appear the next day
(European time) and the cash debit will be back-valued to, and the interest
on the Global Securities will accrue from, the value date (which would be the
preceding day when settlement occurred in New York). If settlement is not
completed on the intended value date (i.e., the trade fails), the CEDEL or
Euroclear cash debit will be valued instead as of the actual settlement date.
CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants will need to make
available to the respective clearing systems the funds necessary to process
same-day funds settlement. The most direct means of doing so is to
pre-position funds for settlement, either from cash on hand or existing lines
of credit, as they would for any settlement occurring within CEDEL or
Euroclear. Under this approach, they may take on credit exposure to CEDEL or
Euroclear until the Global Securities are credited to their accounts one day
later.
As an alternative, if CEDEL or Euroclear has extended a line of credit
to them, CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants can elect not to
pre-position funds and allow that credit line to be drawn upon the finance
settlement. Under this procedure, CEDEL Participants or Euroclear
Participants purchasing Global Securities would incur overdraft charges for
one day, assuming they cleared the overdraft when the Global Securities were
credited to their accounts. However, interest on the Global Securities would
accrue from the value date. Therefore, in many cases the investment income
on the Global Securities earned during that one-day period may substantially
reduce or offset the amount of such overdraft charges, although this result
will depend on each CEDEL Participant's or Euroclear Participant's particular
cost of funds.
Since the settlement is taking place during New York business hours, DTC
Participants can employ their usual procedures for sending Global Securities
to the respective Depositary for the benefit of CEDEL Participants or
Euroclear Participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC
seller on the settlement date. Thus, to the DTC Participant a cross-market
transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC
Participants.
Trading between CEDEL or Euroclear seller and DTC purchaser. Due to
time zone differences in their favor, CEDEL Participants and Euroclear
Participants may employ their customary procedures for transactions in which
Global Securities are to be transferred by the respective clearing systems,
through their respective Depositaries, to a DTC Participant. The seller will
send instructions to CEDEL or Euroclear through a CEDEL Participant or
Euroclear Participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In
these cases, CEDEL or Euroclear will instruct their respective Depositaries,
as appropriate, to deliver the bonds to the DTC Participant's account against
payment. Payment will include interest accrued on the Global Securities from
and including the last coupon payment date to and excluding the settlement
date. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the CEDEL
Participant or Euroclear Participant the following day, and receipt of the
cash proceeds in the CEDEL Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account
would be back-valued to the value date (which would be the preceding day,
when settlement occurred in New York). Should the CEDEL Participant or
Euroclear Participant have a line of credit with its clearing system and
elect to be in debit in anticipation of receipt of the sale proceeds in its
account, the back-valuation will extinguish any overdraft charges incurred
over that one-day period. If settlement is not completed on the intended
value date (i.e., the trade fails), receipt of the cash proceeds in the CEDEL
Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account would instead be valued as
of the actual settlement date. Finally, day traders that use CEDEL or
Euroclear and that purchase Global Securities from DTC Participants for
delivery to CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants should note that
these trades would automatically fail on the sale side unless affirmative
action were taken. At least three techniques should be readily available to
eliminate this potential problem:
(a) borrowing through CEDEL or Euroclear for one day (until the purchase
side of the day trade is reflected in their CEDEL or Euroclear accounts) in
accordance with the clearing system's customary procedures;
(b) borrowing the Global Securities in the U.S. from a DTC Participant
no later than one day prior to settlement, which would give the Global
Securities sufficient time to be reflected in their CEDEL or Euroclear
account in order to settle the sale side of the trade; or
(c) staggering the value dates for the buy and sell sides of the trade
so that the value date for the purchase from the DTC Participant is at least
one day prior to the value date for the sale to the CEDEL Participant or
Euroclear Participant.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
A beneficial owner of Global Securities holding securities through CEDEL
or Euroclear (or through DTC if the holder has an address outside the U.S.)
will be subject to the 30% U.S. withholding tax that generally applies to
payments of interest (including original issue discount) on registered debt
issued by U.S. Persons, unless (i) each clearing system, bank or other
financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course
of its trade or business in the chain of intermediaries between such
beneficial owner and the U.S. entity required to withhold tax complies with
applicable certification requirements and (ii) such beneficial owner takes
one of the following steps to obtain an exemption or reduced tax rate:
Exemption of non-U.S. Persons (Form W-8). Beneficial owners of Offered
Certificates that are non-U.S. Persons generally can obtain a complete
exemption from the withholding tax by filing a signed Form W-8 (Certificate
of Foreign Status). If the information shown on Form W-8 changes, a new Form
W-8 must be filed within 30 days of such change.
Exemption for non-U.S. Person with effectively connected income (Form
4224). A non-U.S. Person, including a non-U.S. corporation or bank with a
U.S. branch, for which the interest income is effectively connected with its
conduct of a trade or business in the United States can obtain an exemption
from the withholding tax by filing Form 4224 (Exemption from Withholding of
Tax on Income Effectively Connected with the Conduct of a Trade or Business
in the United States).
Exemption or reduced rate for non-U.S. Persons resident in treaty
countries (Form 1001). Non-U.S. Persons that are beneficial owners of
Offered Certificates residing in a country that has a tax treaty with the
United States can obtain an exemption or reduced tax rate (depending on the
treaty terms) by filing Form 1001 (Ownership, Exemption or Reduced Rate
Certificate). If the treaty provides only for a reduced rate, withholding
tax will be imposed at that rate unless the filer alternatively files Form
W-8. Form 1001 may be filed by the beneficial owner of Offered Certificates
or such owner's agent.
Exemption for U.S. Persons (Form W-9). U.S. Persons can obtain a
complete exemption from the withholding tax by filing Form W-9 (Payer's
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification).
U.S. Federal Income Tax Reporting Procedure. The beneficial owner of a
Global Security or, in the case of a Form 1001 or a Form 4224 filer, such
owner's agent, files by submitting the appropriate form to the person through
whom it holds the security (the clearing agency, in the case of persons
holding directly on the books of the clearing agency). Form W-8 and Form
1001 are effective for three calendar years and Form 4224 is effective for
one calendar year.
The term "U.S. Person" means (i) a citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation or partnership organized in or under the laws of
the United States or any political subdivision thereof or (ii) an estate or
trust the income of which is includible in gross income for United States tax
purposes, regardless of its source. This summary does not deal with all
aspects of U.S. federal income tax withholding that may be relevant to
foreign holders of the Global Securities. Investors are advised to consult
their own tax advisors for specific tax advice concerning their holding and
disposing of the Global Securities.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been
authorized to give any information or to make any $(228,000,000)
representations other than those contained or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus in
connection with this offer made by this Prospectus Bridgestone/Firestone
and, if given or made, such information or Master Trust
representations must not be relied upon as having
been authorized by Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.,
Firestone Retail Credit Corporation or the
Underwriter. Neither the delivery of this $(200,000,000) Class A Asset Backed
Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under Certificates, Series 1996-1
any circumstance create an implication that there
has been no change in the affairs of Bridgestone/ $(28,000,000) Class B Asset Backed
Firestone, Inc., Firestone Retail Credit Certificates, Series 1996-1
Corporation, or the Receivables since the date
thereof. This Prospectus does not constitute an
offer or solicitation by anyone in any state in
which such offer or solicitation is not authorized
or in which the person making such offer or
solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone
to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or
solicitation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Firestone Retail Credit
Page Corporation
Reports to Certificateholders . . . . . . . . . . . Transferor
Available Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Transferor and Bridgestone/Firestone . . . 32 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
The Credit Card Program . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Servicer
Maturity Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
The Letter of Credit Bank . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Description of the Offered Certificates and _____________________
the Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Description of the Purchase and Sale P R O S P E C T U S
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Certain Legal Aspects of the Receivables . . . 75 _____________________
Federal Income Tax Consequences . . . . . . . . 78
ERISA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Underwriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Legal Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Index of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Annex I: Outstanding Series . . . . . . . . . A-1
Annex II: Global Clearance, Settlement and Tax
Documentation Procedures . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Until _____ (90 days after the date of this CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.
Prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in
the Offered Certificates, whether or not CHASE SECURITIES INC.
participating in this distribution, may be required
to deliver a Prospectus. This delivery requirement
is in addition to the obligation of dealers to October ___, 1996
deliver a Prospectus when acting as an underwriter
and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions.
</TABLE>
PART II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED
IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the offering of the Securities being registered under this Registration
Statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:
Registration Fee $ 870
Printing and Engraving *
Trustee's Fees *
Legal Fees and Expenses *
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses *
Accountants' Fees and Expenses *
Rating Agency Fees *
Miscellaneous Fees *
-------
Total $ *
_____________
*To be furnished by Amendment
ITEM 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Chapter 156B Section 67 of the Business Corporations Law of
Massachusetts provides that:
"Indemnification of directors, officers, employees and other agents of a
corporation, and persons who serve at its request as directors, officers,
employees or other agents of another organization, or who serve at its
request in any capacity with respect to any employee benefit plan, may be
provided by it to whatever extent shall be specified in or authorized by (i)
the articles of organization or (ii) a by-law adopted by the stockholders or
(iii) a vote adopted by the holders of a majority of the shares of stock
entitled to vote on the election of directors. Except as the articles of
organization or by-laws otherwise require, indemnification of any persons
referred to in the preceding sentence who are not directors of the
corporation may be provided by it to the extent authorized by the directors.
Such indemnification may include payment by the corporation of expenses
incurred in defending a civil or criminal action or proceeding in advance of
the final disposition of such action or proceeding, upon receipt of an
undertaking by the person indemnified to repay such payment if he shall be
adjudicated to be not entitled to indemnification under this section which
undertaking may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of
such person to make repayment. Any such indemnification may be provided
although the person to be indemnified is no longer an officer, director,
employee or agent of the corporation or of such other organization or no
longer serves with respect to any such employee benefit plan.
No indemnification shall be provided for any person with respect to any
matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated in any proceeding not to
have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the
best interest of the corporation or to the extent that such matter relates to
service with respect to any employee benefit plan, in the best interests of
the participants or beneficiaries of such employee benefit plan.
The absence of any express provision for indemnification shall not limit
any right of indemnification existing independently of this section.
A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or other
agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or other agent of another
organization or with respect to any employee benefit plan, against any
liability incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status
as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability."
Section 8a of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant
provides that:
"The corporation shall, to the extent legally possible, indemnify
each of its directors and officers (including persons who serve at its
request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization, or in any
capacity with respect to any employee benefit plan)
against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction
of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees,
reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or disposition of
any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he
may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while in office or
thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a director or officer,
except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated
in any proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that his action was in the best interest of the corporation (any person
serving another organization in one or more of the indicated capacities at
the request of the corporation who shall have acted in good faith in the
reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of such
organization to be deemed as having acted in such manner with respect to the
organization) or, to the extent that such matter relates to service with
respect to any employee benefit plan, in the best interest of the
participants or beneficiaries of such employee benefit plan; provided,
however, that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such
director or officer, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no
indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be
provided unless such compromise shall be approved as in the best interest of
the corporation, after notice that it involves such indemnification: (a) by a
disinterested majority of the directors then in office; or (b) by a majority
of the disinterested directors then in office, provided that there has been
obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel to the effect
that such director or officer appears to have acted in good faith in the
reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the
corporation; or (c) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock at
the time entitled to vote for directors, voting as a single class, exclusive
of any stock owned by any interested director or officer. Expenses,
including counsel fees, reasonably incurred by any director or officer in
connection with the defense or disposition of any such action, suit or other
proceeding may be paid from time to time by the corporation in advance of the
final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by such director or
officer to repay the amounts so paid to the corporation if it is ultimately
determined that indemnification for such expenses is not authorized under
this section. The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be
exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any director or officer may
be entitled. As used in this section, the terms "director" and "officer"
include the relevant individual's heirs, executors and administrators, and an
"interested" director or officer is one against whom in such capacity the
proceedings in question or another proceeding on the same or similar grounds
is then pending. Nothing contained in this section shall affect any rights
to indemnification to which corporate personnel other than directors and
officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law."
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. has agreed to indemnity the officers and
directors of the Registrant with respect to certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Underwriter has agreed to indemnify the Registrant and its officers
and directors against liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, in respect of written material provided by the Underwriter to the
Registrant specifically for use in the prospectus filed as part of this
Registration Statement.
ITEM 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
Series 1995-A Asset Backed Certificates
- Series Issuance Date: June 5, 1995
- Class A Invested Amount: $199,200,000
- Class B Invested Amount: $38,095,238
- Proceeds from issuance of Series 1996-1 Asset Backed
Certificates will be used to retire Series 1995-A Asset
Backed Certificates.
ITEM 16. Exhibits and Financial Statements.
(a) Exhibits
*1.1 - Form of Underwriting Agreement.
*3.1 - Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as currently
in effect.
*3.2 - Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as currently
in effect.
4.1 - Form of Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
4.2 - Form of Series 1996-1 Supplement, including form of Series
1996-1 Certificates.
*4.3 - Form of Amended Purchase and Sale Agreement.
*4.4 - Form of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement.
*4.5 - Form of Servicer Letter of Credit.
*4.6 - Form of Transferor Letter of Credit.
*5.1 - Opinion of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan with respect to legality.
*8.1 - Opinion of Brown & Wood with respect to tax matters.
*23.1 - Consent of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan (included in its opinion
filed as Exhibit 5.1).
*23.3 - Consent of Brown & Wood (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 8.1).
_____________________
*To be furnished by Amendment.
(b) Financial Statements Inapplicable.
ITEM 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4),
or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised in the opinion of the Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion
of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit
to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the questions whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(4) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the
underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements,
certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required
by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
Firestone Retail Credit Corporation has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 10, 1996.
FIRESTONE RETAIL CREDIT CORPORATION
/s/ Nancy D. Smith
---------------------------------
Nancy D. Smith, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment No. 3 has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on October 10, 1996.
/s/ Nancy D. Smith President and Director October 10, 1996
- --------------------- (principal executive
Nancy D. Smith officer)
/s/ R. Douglas Donaldson Treasurer October 10, 1996
- ---------------------- (principal financial
R. Douglas Donaldson officer and principal
accounting officer)
/s/ Louise E. Colby Director and Secretary October 10, 1996
- ----------------------
Louise E. Colby
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBITS
- --------
* 1.1 - Form of Underwriting Agreement.
* 3.1 - Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
* 3.2 - Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant.
4.1 - Form of Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
4.2 - Form of Series 1996-1 Supplement, including form of Series
1996-1 Certificates.
* 4.3 - Form of Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement.
4.4 - Form of Amended and Restated Participation Agreement.
* 4.5 - Form of Servicer Letter of Credit.
* 4.6 - Form of Transferor Letter of Credit.
* 5.1 - Opinion of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan with respect to legality.
* 8.1 - Opinion of Brown & Wood with respect to tax matters.
* 23.1 - Consent of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan (included in its opinion
filed as Exhibit 5.1).
* 23.3 - Consent of Brown & Wood (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 8.1).
* To be filed by amendment.
