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FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(3)
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
REGISTRATION NO. 33-71504
ANNUAL APPENDIX
ANNUAL APPENDIX DATED
APRIL 15, 1997 TO PROSPECTUS
DATED NOVEMBER 16, 1993, AS
SUPPLEMENTED THROUGH MARCH 17, 1997
Discover(R) Card Master Trust I, Series 1993-3
6.20% Class A Credit Card Pass-Through Certificates
6.45% Class B Credit Card Pass-Through Certificates
Greenwood Trust Company
Master Servicer, Servicer and Seller
The following updates the Prospectus dated November 16, 1993, as
supplemented (the "Prospectus"), used by Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. in
connection with offers and sales of the Class A Certificates and the Class B
Certificates in market-making transactions in which Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
acts as principal.
FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE INVESTOR CERTIFICATES, SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE
9. ALL REFERENCES TO "SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS" SHALL BE REPLACED WITH REFERENCES
TO "RISK FACTORS."
1. GENERAL
References in the Prospectus to Discover Card Services, Inc. ("DCSI") are
replaced by references to NOVUS Services, Inc. ("NSI").
On February 5, 1997, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), the indirect
parent of Greenwood Trust Company ("Greenwood"), and Morgan Stanley Group, Inc.
("Morgan Stanley") announced their plans to merge in mid-1997. Upon completion
of such merger, Greenwood and Greenwood's direct parent, NOVUS Credit Services
Inc. ("NOVUS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DWDC, will be indirect
wholly-owned subsidiaries of the merged entity, expected to be called Morgan
Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. Greenwood believes that the merger will
not have a material effect on the Investor Certificates.
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2. REPORTS TO INVESTOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Delete the first sentence under the heading "Reports to Investor
Certificateholders" on page 3 of the Prospectus and replace with the following:
Monthly and annual reports containing information concerning the
Trust and the Series of Investor Certificates offered hereby, prepared by
the Master Servicer, will be made available to Certificate Owners free of
charge upon request by calling 302-323-7130, extension 328.
3. RISK FACTORS
a. Delete the text on pages 9-11 relating to "Consumer Protection Laws
and Regulations" and substitute the following:
Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations. The Accounts and the
Receivables are subject to numerous federal and state consumer protection
laws and regulations that impose requirements on the making and
enforcement of consumer loans. Such laws, as well as any new laws or new
rulings regarding new or existing laws that may be adopted, may adversely
affect the Servicer's ability to collect on the Receivables or maintain
previous levels of monthly periodic finance charges, and failure by the
Servicer to comply with such requirements could adversely affect the
Servicer's ability to collect the Receivables. Greenwood has agreed in
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement that if a Receivable was not created
in compliance in all material respects with all requirements of laws
applicable to it with respect to such Receivable, and if such
noncompliance continues beyond a specified cure period and has a material
adverse effect on the interest of the Trust in all the Receivables,
Greenwood will repurchase all Receivables in the Accounts containing the
Receivables affected by such noncompliance. See "Description of the
Investor Certificates -- Repurchase of Specified Receivables." 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 in the Accounts, or for any other purpose.
See "Certain Legal Matters Relating to the Receivables -- Consumer
Protection Laws and Debtor Relief Laws Applicable to the Receivables."
Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations; Litigation. Greenwood is
involved from time to time in various legal proceedings that arise in the
ordinary course of its business. Greenwood does not believe that the
resolution of any of these proceedings will have a material adverse
effect on Greenwood's financial condition or on the Receivables. There
can be no assurance, however, regarding any of these effects.
Certain legal and administrative proceedings challenged, under the
laws of several states, the imposition of late payment fees (or other
incidental charges) by Greenwood on Discover cardmembers. In each of
these matters, the party proceeding against Greenwood claimed that
applicable state law prohibits or limits the imposition of late payment
fees, sought to enjoin Greenwood from imposing late payment fees on
Discover
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Card accounts of residents of the state in question and sought
refunds of (and, in some cases, civil penalties with respect to) late
payment fees previously imposed on such accounts. Greenwood asserted a
defense in these proceedings that federal law preempts any state law
prohibition against or limitation on charging a late payment fee or other
fee with respect to Discover Card accounts. On June 3, 1996, the United
States Supreme Court issued a decision holding that state laws limiting
late charges are preempted with respect to national banks by federal law,
and the Court remanded for reconsideration lower-court decisions that had
held that such state laws were not similarly preempted with respect to
other federally insured banks. In light of these rulings, all of the
outstanding legal and administrative proceedings challenging, on the
basis of state law, Greenwood's imposition of late fees and other
incidental charges on Discover cardmembers were resolved in 1996 in
Greenwood's favor. No such proceedings are currently pending.
Greenwood believes that none of the above referenced legal
proceedings concerning late payment fees has had a material effect on the
Receivables.
b. Delete the first two full paragraphs on page 11 and substitute the
following:
Legislation. The Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 ("CEBA")
contains provisions that limit the ability of nonbanking companies, such
as DWDC and DWDC's wholly-owned subsidiary, NOVUS, the owner of
Greenwood, to own banks. However, the legislation permits any nonbanking
company that owned a bank on March 5, 1987 to retain control of the bank.
DWDC and NOVUS are permitted to retain control of Greenwood under this
legislation. CEBA provides that if DWDC, NOVUS or Greenwood fails to
comply with certain statutory restrictions, DWDC and NOVUS will be
required to divest control of Greenwood or to limit its activities
significantly. Greenwood believes, however, that in light of the
programs it has in place, the limitations of CEBA will not have a
material impact on Greenwood's ability to service, or maintain the level
of, the Receivables. In addition, future federal or state legislation,
regulation or interpretation of federal or state legislation or
regulation could adversely affect the business of Greenwood or the
relationship of DWDC or NOVUS with Greenwood. See "The Seller --
Greenwood."
c. Delete the text on pages 11-12 under the heading "Competition in the
Credit Card Industry" and substitute the following:
Competition in the Credit Card Industry. The credit card industry
in which the Discover Card competes is highly competitive. This
competition focuses on features and other financial incentives of credit
cards such as annual fees, finance charges, late payment fees, overlimit
charges, rebates and other enhancement features. The market includes
bank-issued credit cards (including "co-branded" cards issued by banks in
cooperation with industrial, retail or other companies) and charge cards
issued by travel and entertainment companies. The vast majority of the
bank-issued credit cards bear the Visa or MasterCard service mark and are
issued by the many banks that participate in one or both of the national
bank card networks operated by Visa U.S.A. Inc. and MasterCard
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International Incorporated. The Visa and MasterCard associations have
been in existence for approximately twenty-five years. Cards bearing
their service marks have worldwide acceptance by merchants of goods and
services and recognition by consumers and the general public. Co-branded
credit cards, which offer the cardholder certain benefits relating to the
industrial, retail or other business of the bank's co-branding partner
(e.g., credits towards purchases of airline tickets or rebates for the
purchase of an automobile), currently represent a rapidly growing segment
of the bank-issued credit card market. The majority of travel and
entertainment cards are issued by American Express Company, which has
been issuing cards since 1958. Travel and entertainment cards differ
from bank cards in that they have no pre-established credit limits and
have limited provisions for repayment in installments. American Express
Company, through a subsidiary bank, also issues cards with both a
pre-established credit limit and provisions for repayment in installments.
The Discover Card was introduced nationwide in 1986 and competes with
general purpose credit cards issued by other banks and with travel and
entertainment cards. Greenwood currently is the primary issuer of the
Discover Card. Greenwood also issues, and intends from time to time to
introduce, additional general purpose credit, charge and financial
transaction cards; however, none of the accounts associated with these
cards is included in the Discover Card Portfolio.
Many bank credit card issuers have instituted balance transfer
programs. Generally, under these transfer programs, cardholders are
offered a favorable annual percentage rate or other financial incentives
for a specified length of time on any portion of their account balances
arising from the transfer to their accounts of outstanding account
balances maintained on another credit card. The annual percentage rates
for balance transfers often are more favorable to cardholders than the
annual percentage rates for account balances arising from purchases or
cash advances.
This competition affects Greenwood's ability to obtain applicants
for Discover Card accounts, to encourage usage of the accounts by
cardmembers and to obtain participation in the Discover Card program by
service establishments. A significant adverse change in any of these
factors could result in a decrease in the level of the Receivables, and
of the receivables in the Discover Card Portfolio. If there is a
decrease in the level of Receivables, and if sufficient receivables in
Additional Accounts are not available to be added to the Trust or are not
added, an Amortization Event could result, causing the commencement of
the Amortization Period. See "Risk Factors -- Payments and Maturity" and
"Description of the Investor Certificates -- Amortization Events."
DWDC, the indirect owner of Greenwood, pursues a general purpose
credit card strategy of multiple bank association and proprietary card
products. For example, in early 1994, MountainWest Financial
Corporation, a Utah industrial loan corporation that is indirectly owned
by DWDC, began participating in a program by NationsBank of Delaware,
N.A. to issue a new, nationally marketed co-branded MasterCard(R) credit
card under the name "Prime Option(SM)." Greenwood expects that from time
to time additional general purpose credit card products will be
introduced through Greenwood or other DWDC subsidiaries in order to
attract additional consumers. The introduction of a new
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general purpose credit card product by any market competitor poses
incremental competition for Discover Card and for other credit card
issuers. Although Greenwood currently does not expect that the issuance
of any new card by Greenwood or another DWDC subsidiary will have a
materially greater impact on the Discover Card program than the
introduction of a comparable product by any other market competitor, no
assurance can be given with respect to the future competitive impact of
such programs on the Discover Card Portfolio.
d. Delete the text on pages 12-13 under the heading "Ability to Change
Terms of the Accounts" and substitute the following:
Ability to Change Terms of the Accounts. Pursuant to the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement, Greenwood does not transfer Accounts to the
Trust, but only the Receivables arising in the Accounts. As owner of the
Accounts, Greenwood has the right to determine the periodic finance
charges applicable from time to time to the Accounts, to alter the
minimum monthly payment required under the Accounts, to change the credit
limit with respect to the Accounts and to change various other terms with
respect to the Accounts. A decrease in the periodic finance charges or
other fees with respect to an Account could decrease the Series Finance
Charge Collections, which would decrease the effective yield on the
Receivables and could also cause the commencement of the Amortization
Period, as well as decreased protection to Investor Certificateholders
against shortfalls in Certificate Interest and against charged-off
Receivables. In addition, an increase in credit limits could result in
increases in Charged-Off Amounts, which could result in a decrease in the
level of the Receivables, and of the receivables in the Discover Card
Portfolio. If there is a decrease in the level of Receivables, and if
sufficient Receivables in Additional Accounts or sufficient Participation
Interests are not available to be added to the Trust or are not added, an
Amortization Event could result, causing the commencement of the
Amortization Period. See "Description of the Investor Certificates --
Distributions of Collections and Application of Collections and Certain
Other Amounts" and "-- Amortization Events."
The Pooling and Servicing Agreement provides that the Servicer must
administer, process and enforce the Accounts in accordance with its
customary and usual servicing procedures for servicing credit accounts
comparable to the Accounts and in accordance with its Credit Guidelines.
Each Seller also must agree that the terms governing an Account will not
be changed unless the change is also made to the terms of other accounts
of such Seller of the same general type, obligors of which are resident
in a particular affected state or similar jurisdiction. There can be no
assurance that any such change may not affect the Accounts to a greater
or lesser degree than other such accounts. Except as set forth above,
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the Series Supplement do not
contain any restrictions on the ability of any Seller to change the terms
of the Accounts or the Receivables.
There can be no assurance that changes in applicable laws, changes
in the marketplace or prudent business practice might not result in a
determination by
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Greenwood to take actions that would result in other changes in the
terms of some or all of the Greenwood Discover Card Accounts.
e. Delete the third full paragraph on page 13 and substitute the
following:
Basis Risk. In general, accounts in the Discover Card Portfolio
accrue periodic finance charges at variable rates based upon factors
such as the prevailing prime rate, the amount of a cardmember's annual
purchases and his or her payment status (although certain account balances may
accrue periodic finance charges at fixed rates, in most instances for specified
periods of time). See "The Accounts -- Billing and Payments." As a result, a
significant portion of the Receivables currently bear interest at the
prevailing prime rate plus a margin, while the Class A Certificates bear
interest at the fixed rate of 6.20%, and the Class B Certificates bear interest
at the fixed rate of 6.45%. If there is a decline in the prime rate, the
amount of Series Finance Charge Collections may be reduced, which could cause
the commencement of the Amortization Period or result in either shortfalls of
Certificate Interest or losses to the Investor Certificateholders. See
"Description of the Investor Certificates -- Amortization Events."
4. THE DISCOVER CARD BUSINESS
Delete the text under the heading "The Discover Card Business" on pages
16-19 and substitute the following:
GENERAL
The Receivables that Greenwood has conveyed to the Trust pursuant to
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement were generated from transactions made
by holders of the Discover(R) Card, a general purpose credit and
financial services card. The Receivables conveyed to the Trust on the
Initial Closing Date and thereafter included only receivables arising
under accounts in the Discover Card Portfolio, although receivables
arising under accounts not included in the Discover Card Portfolio may be
added to the Trust at a later date. See "The Trust -- Addition of
Accounts." All references to the Discover Card in this section entitled
"The Discover Card Business" relate exclusively to the Discover Card
issued by Greenwood. With the exception of the small number of Discover
Card Corporate Cards issued by an affiliate of Greenwood, Greenwood is
the sole issuer of credit cards bearing the DISCOVER service mark.
Greenwood also issues, and intends from time to time to introduce,
additional general purpose credit, charge and financial transaction
cards.
The Discover Card was first issued in regional pilot markets in
September 1985, and national distribution began in March 1986. The
Discover Card issued by Greenwood affords cardmembers access to a
revolving line of credit. The card can be used to purchase merchandise
and services from participating service establishments. The number of
service establishments that accept the Discover Card has continued to
increase. In 1996, approximately 425,000 new service establishments were
enrolled. The Discover
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Card can also be used to obtain cash advances at automated teller machines
and at certain other locations throughout the United States. Cash
advances can also be obtained by means of checks written by cardmembers
and drawn against their accounts. As of December 31, 1996, there were
34.2 million Discover Card accounts with 44.0 million cardmembers. The
Discover Card issued by Greenwood may only be used for personal, family or
household purposes due to banking statutes applicable to Greenwood. See
"The Seller -- Greenwood."
Each Discover cardmember is subject to account terms and conditions
that are uniform from state to state. See "The Accounts -- Billing and
Payments." In all cases, the agreement governing the terms and
conditions of the account (the "Cardmember Agreement") permits Greenwood
to change the credit terms, including the rate of the periodic finance
charge and the fees imposed on accounts, upon prior notice to
cardmembers. Each Discover Card account is assigned a credit limit when
the account is opened. Thereafter, individual credit limits may be
increased or decreased, at Greenwood's discretion, from time to time.
The credit limits on Discover Card accounts generally range from $1,000
to $6,000, although on occasion higher or lower limits may be authorized.
There are additional features and services offered with the Discover
Card accounts. One is the Cashback Bonus(R), in which Greenwood annually
pays cardmembers a percentage of their purchase amounts, ranging up to
one percent, based on their annual purchases. This amount is remitted to
cardmembers in the form of a check or a credit to the cardmember's
account. No such amounts will be paid from the property of the Trust.
Another feature offered with the Discover Card accounts is a variable
rate of periodic finance charges applied to a cardmember's account
balance (except in certain limited circumstances) based on the prevailing
prime rate plus a margin, the amount of such cardmember's purchases and
the cardmember's payment history. See "The Accounts -- Billing and
Payments." Greenwood also offers cardmembers money-market deposit
accounts, called Discover Saver's Accounts, and time deposits, called
Discover Card CDs. These deposit products offer competitive rates of
interest and are insured by the FDIC. To differentiate the Discover Card
in the marketplace, Greenwood from time to time tests and implements new
offers, promotions and features of the Discover Card.
Greenwood, either directly, through its processing arrangements with
its affiliate, NSI, or through processing agreements with credit card
processing facilities of unaffiliated third parties, performs all the
functions required to service and operate the Discover Card accounts.
These functions include new account solicitation, application processing,
new account fulfillment, transaction authorization and processing,
cardmember billing, payment processing, cardmember service and collection
of delinquent accounts. There are currently multiple geographically
dispersed operations centers maintained by Greenwood or NSI for servicing
cardmembers. An additional operations center is maintained for
processing accounts that have been charged-off as uncollectible.
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NSI has established arrangements with service establishments to
accept the Discover Card and other credit, charge and financial
transaction cards that carry the NOVUS(SM) logo for cash advances and as
the means of payment for merchandise and services. Greenwood contracts
with NSI to have cards issued by Greenwood (including the Discover Card)
accepted at those establishments. The ability to generate new
receivables requires locations where the Discover Card can be used. NSI
employs a national sales and service force to maintain and increase the
size of its service establishment base. Additional operations centers
that currently are maintained by NSI are devoted primarily to providing
customer service to service establishments. The service establishments
that accept the Discover Card encompass a wide variety of businesses,
including local and national retail establishments and specialty stores
of all types, quick service food establishments, governments, restaurants,
medical providers and warehouse clubs, and many leading airlines, car
rental companies, hotels, petroleum companies and mail order companies.
CREDIT-GRANTING PROCEDURES
Accounts in the Discover Card Portfolio have been solicited by
various techniques and have undergone credit review to establish that the
cardmembers meet standards of ability and willingness to pay.
Principally, the accounts have been solicited (i) via "pre-approved"
direct mail or telemarketing, (ii) by "take-one" applications distributed
in many service establishments that accept the Discover Card and (iii)
with various other programs targeting specific segments of the
population. Solicitations have been supported by general broadcast and
print media advertising. Potential applicants who are sent pre-approved
solicitations have met certain credit criteria relating to their previous
payment patterns and longevity of account relationships with other credit
grantors. Since September 1987, all lists have been pre-screened though
credit bureaus before mailing. Pre-screening is a process by which an
independent credit reporting agency evaluates the lists of names supplied
by Greenwood against credit-worthiness criteria supplied by Greenwood
that are intended to provide a general indication, based on available
information, of the willingness and ability of such persons to repay
their obligations; the credit bureaus return to Greenwood only the names
of those persons meeting these criteria. Applications that are not
pre-approved are evaluated by using credit-scoring systems (statistical
evaluation models that assign point values to information regarding
applications). The credit-scoring systems used by Greenwood are based on
the credit-scoring systems developed by scoring model vendors. Certain
applications not approved under the credit-scoring systems are reviewed
by credit analysts. Any such application as to which a credit analyst
recommends approval is processed in Greenwood's main office in New
Castle, Delaware by senior bank review analysts and may be approved by
them.
As owner of the Greenwood Discover Card Accounts, Greenwood has the
right to change its credit-scoring criteria and credit-worthiness
criteria. Greenwood's application procedures and credit-scoring systems
are regularly reviewed and modified to reflect Greenwood's actual credit
experience with Discover Card account applicants and cardmembers as such
historical information becomes available. Greenwood believes that
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refinements of these procedures and systems since the inception of the
Discover Card program have helped it to manage and predict its credit
losses, although there can be no assurance that these refinements will
not cause increases in credit losses in the future. Relaxation of credit
standards typically results in increases in Charged-Off Amounts, which,
under certain circumstances, may result in a decrease in the level of the
Receivables, and of the receivables in the Discover Card Portfolio. If
there is a decrease in the level of Receivables, and if sufficient
Additional Accounts or Participation Interests are not available to be
added to the Trust or are not added, an Amortization Event could result,
causing the commencement of the Amortization Period. In addition, an
increase in Charged-Off Amounts without an offsetting increase in Finance
Charge Receivables could result in an Amortization Event, causing the
commencement of the Amortization Period.
COLLECTION EFFORTS
Efforts to collect past-due Discover Card account receivables
currently are made primarily by collections personnel of NSI or
Greenwood. Under current practice, Greenwood includes a request for
payment of past-due amounts on the monthly billing statement of all
accounts with such amounts. Accounts with past-due amounts also receive
a written notice of late fee charges, as well as an additional request
for payment, 15 days after any monthly statement which includes a
past-due amount. Collection personnel generally initiate telephone
contact with cardmembers within 30 days after any portion of their
balance becomes past due. In the event that initial telephone contacts
fail to elicit a payment, Greenwood continues to contact the cardmember
by telephone and by mail. Greenwood may also enter into arrangements
with cardmembers to waive finance charges, late fees and principal due,
and extend or otherwise change payment schedules. The current policy of
Greenwood is to recognize losses and to charge off an account at the end
of the sixth full calendar month after a payment amount is first due if
payment of any portion of that amount has not been received by such time,
except in cases of bankruptcy, where an uncollectible balance may be
charged off earlier. In general, after an account has been charged off,
collections personnel of NSI or Greenwood make attempts to collect all or
a portion of the charged-off account for a period of approximately four
months. If those attempts are unsuccessful, the charged-off account is
generally placed with one or more collection agencies for a period of
approximately a year or, alternatively, Greenwood may commence legal
action against the cardmember, including legal action for the attachment
of property or bank accounts of the cardmember or the garnishment of the
cardmember's wages. Under certain circumstances, Greenwood may also sell
charged-off accounts to third parties, either before or after collection
efforts have been attempted. To facilitate such sales, a limited number
of Charged-Off Accounts may, subject to Rating Agency consent, be
removed from the Trust prior to such sales.
Under the terms of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, any
recoveries received on Charged-Off Accounts (other than the proceeds of
sales of Charged-Off Accounts that have been removed from the Trust) are
included in the assets of the Trust and are treated
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as Finance Charge Collections. Recoveries on Charged-Off Accounts
initially are lower than the level of recoveries for the Discover Card
Portfolio because charged-off accounts were not included as Accounts as of
the Account Selection Date. Greenwood believes that, over time, the
level of recoveries as a percentage of the Receivables in the Trust will
increase to more closely approximate the level of recoveries in the
Discover Card Portfolio, although the extent of such increase cannot be
predicted and may be limited by removals of Charged-Off Accounts from the
Trust. There can be no assurance that the level of recoveries for the
Trust will ever equal the level of recoveries for the Discover Card
Portfolio. Similarly, any addition of Additional Accounts to the Trust
will cause a temporary reduction in the level of recoveries as a
percentage of the Receivables in the Trust because no Additional Accounts
will be charged-off accounts at the time of their addition to the Trust.
The credit granting, servicing and charge-off policies and collection
practices of Greenwood may change over time in accordance with
Greenwood's business judgment and applicable law. See "Description of
the Investor Certificates -- Adjustments to Receivables," "The Accounts
-- Composition of the Accounts," "-- Summary Current Delinquency
Information" and "Composition and Historical Performance of the Discover
Card Portfolio -- Composition of the Discover Card Portfolio."
5. THE ACCOUNTS.
a. Delete the text on pages 19-20 under the subheading "Billing and
Payments" and substitute the following:
All Discover Card accounts have the same billing and payment
structure. Monthly billing statements are sent by Greenwood to each
cardmember with an outstanding debit balance. Discover Card accounts are
grouped into multiple billing cycles for operational purposes. Each
billing cycle has a separate monthly billing date at which time the
activity in the related accounts during the period of approximately 28 to
34 days ending on such billing date is processed and billed to
cardmembers. The Accounts include accounts in all billing cycles.
Each Discover cardmember with an outstanding debit balance in his or
her Discover Card account generally must make a minimum payment equal to
1/48th of the new balance on the account at the end of the billing cycle
for the account (prior to February 1996, 1/36th), rounded to the next
higher whole dollar amount, but not less than $10 or the entire balance,
whichever is less, plus any amount that is past due. Under certain
circumstances, the minimum payment is reduced by amounts paid in excess
of the minimum payment due during the previous three months and not
already so applied. From time to time, Greenwood has offered and may
continue to offer cardmembers with accounts in good standing the
opportunity to skip the minimum monthly payment, while continuing to
accrue periodic finance charges, without being considered to be past due.
Although these practices are not expected to have a material adverse
effect on the Investor Certificateholders, Collections may be reduced
during any period in which Greenwood offers cardmembers the opportunity
to skip the minimum monthly payment.
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A cardmember may pay the total amount due at any time. Greenwood also
may enter into arrangements with delinquent cardmembers to extend or
otherwise change payment schedules, and to waive finance charges, late
fees and principal due.
Greenwood imposes periodic finance charges on Discover Card account
balances at fixed and variable annual percentage rates. Periodic finance
charges on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers are calculated
on a daily basis, subject to a grace period that essentially provides
that periodic finance charges are not imposed if the cardmember pays his
or her entire balance each month. In general, periodic finance charges
on purchases, cash advances and balance transfers are based on a prime
rate plus a margin (currently 8.9% to 13.9%), subject to certain minimum
rates currently ranging from 12.9% to 19.8%. The rates imposed on
individual Discover Card accounts are based on purchase activity and
payment status. In addition, in connection with programs for new
cardmembers, for balance transfers, and for other promotional purposes,
certain Discover Card account balances may accrue periodic finance
charges at lower fixed rates for a specified period of time. Balances
remaining from transactions posted to accounts in billing cycles
beginning prior to February 1993 also accrue periodic finance charges at
fixed rates.
In addition to periodic finance charges, Greenwood may impose
certain other charges and fees on Discover Card accounts. Greenwood
currently charges a cash advance transaction fee equal to 2.5% of each
cash advance, with a minimum fee of $2.00 per transaction. Greenwood
also currently charges a $20 late fee on Discover Card accounts, a $20
fee for balances exceeding a cardmember's credit limit as of the close of
such cardmember's monthly billing cycle and a $15 fee for any payment
check returned due to insufficient funds. See "Risk Factors -- Consumer
Protection Laws and Regulations," "-- Payments and Maturity" and
"-- Ability of the Seller to Change Terms of the Accounts."
The yield on the Accounts depends on changes in the prime rate over
time and in cardmember account usage and payment performance, none of
which can be predicted, as well as the extent to which balance transfer
offers and special promotion offers are made and accepted, and the extent
to which Greenwood changes the terms of the Cardmember Agreement.
Reductions in the yield could, if sufficiently large, cause the
commencement of the Amortization Period or result in either shortfalls of
Certificate Interest or losses to the Investor Certificateholders as the
result of charged-off Receivables and there can be no assurance regarding
any of these effects. See "Risk Factors -- Basis Risk."
b. Delete the text under the heading "Composition of the Accounts" on
pages 21-22 and substitute the following:
COMPOSITION OF THE ACCOUNTS
Information concerning the composition of the Accounts is set forth
below. Information concerning the composition and historical performance
of the accounts in the
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Discover Card Portfolio is set forth under "Composition and Historical
Performance of the Discover Card Portfolio."
Geographic Distribution. As of March 1, 1997, the five states with
the largest Receivables balances were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL RECEIVABLES
STATE BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNTS
----- -------------------------------
<S> <C>
California................ 11.8%
Texas..................... 9.2%
New York.................. 6.8%
Florida................... 5.8%
Illinois.................. 4.9%
</TABLE>
Credit Limit Information. Credit limit information as of March 1,
1997 with respect to the Accounts is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RECEIVABLES
OUTSTANDING PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
CREDIT LIMIT (000)'S RECEIVABLES OUTSTANDING
------------ ------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than or equal to $1,000.00... $ 406,589 2.3%
$1,000.01 to $2,000.00............ $ 3,470,320 19.5%
$2,000.01 to $3,000.00............ $ 2,712,610 15.2%
Over $3,000.00.................... $11,237,054 63.0%
----------- ------
Total.......................... $17,826,573 100.0%
=========== ======
</TABLE>
Seasoning. As of March 1, 1997, 72.6% of the Accounts were at least
24 months old. The distribution of the age of Accounts as of March 1,
1997 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE
AGE OF ACCOUNTS OF ACCOUNTS OF BALANCES
--------------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than 12 Months................... 9.7% 9.7%
12 to 23 Months....................... 17.7% 19.2%
24 to 35 Months....................... 6.0% 6.1%
36 Months and Greater................. 66.6% 65.0%
------ ------
Total............................... 100.0% 100.0%
======= ======
</TABLE>
Summary Current Delinquency Information. Current delinquency
information as of March 1, 1997 with respect to the Accounts is
summarized as follows:
12
<PAGE> 13
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
BALANCES PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT STATUS (000'S) OF BALANCES
-------------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Current................................ $15,384,494 86.2%
1 to 29 Days........................... $ 1,062,693 6.0%
30 to 59 Days.......................... $ 515,507 2.9%
60 to 89 Days.......................... $ 303,002 1.7%
90 to 119 Days......................... $ 222,988 1.3%
120 to 149 Days........................ $ 185,419 1.0%
150 to 179 Days........................ $ 152,470 0.9%
----------- ------
Total............................. $17,826,573 100.0%
=========== ======
</TABLE>
6. COMPOSITION AND HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE DISCOVER CARD
PORTFOLIO
a. Delete the text under the heading "General" on page 22 and replace
with the following:
Except to the extent specifically identified as relating to the
Accounts, all of the information describing the composition and
historical performance of Discover Card accounts reflects the composition
and historical performance of the Discover Card Portfolio, and not that
of the Accounts. A limited number of Discover Card accounts were opened
pursuant to credit scoring criteria materially different from the credit
scoring criteria generally used for Discover Card Accounts. These
accounts have been segregated from the rest of the Discover Card
Portfolio and are not reflected in the information contained herein.
None of these accounts is included in the Trust. Greenwood has no
statistical or other basis for determining the effects, if any, of the
selection process, although Greenwood has no reason to believe that the
Accounts will not be representative of the Discover Card Portfolio in any
material respect. There can be no assurance, however, that the Accounts
have performed or will perform similarly to the Discover Card Portfolio.
There also can be no assurance that the historical performance of the
Discover Card Portfolio will be representative of its performance in the
future. See "The Accounts -- Billing and Payments," "Risk Factors --
Basis Risk" and "-- Effects of the Selection Process, Seasoning and
Performance Characteristics." For additional discussion of economic
factors affecting the performance of the Discover Card Portfolio, see
"Risk Factors -- Social, Legal and Economic Factors."
b. Delete the text under the heading, "Composition of Discover Card
Portfolio" and ending before the heading "Payment of the Investor Certificates"
located on pages 22-25 and substitute the following:
COMPOSITION OF DISCOVER CARD PORTFOLIO
13
<PAGE> 14
Geographic Distribution. The Discover Card Portfolio is not concentrated
geographically. As of December 31, 1996, the five states with the largest
receivables balances were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL RECEIVABLES BALANCE
OF DISCOVER CARD PORTFOLIO
STATE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
----- -----------------------
<S> <C>
California.......... 11.2%
Texas............... 9.1%
New York............ 6.7%
Florida............. 5.7%
Illinois............ 5.2%
</TABLE>
No other state accounted for more than 5% of the total receivables balance
of the Discover Card Portfolio as of December 31, 1996.
Credit Limit Information. Credit limit information as of December 31,
1996 with respect to the Discover Card Portfolio is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RECEIVABLES PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING TOTAL RECEIVABLES
CREDIT LIMIT (000)'S OUTSTANDING
------------ ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than or equal to $1,000.00..... $ 598,939 2.1%
$1,000.01 to $2,000.00.............. $ 4,705,384 16.3%
$2,000.01 to $3,000.00.............. $ 3,741,712 13.0%
Over $3,000.00...................... $19,729,727 68.6%
---------- -----
Total.......................... $28,775,762 100.0%
========== ======
</TABLE>
Seasoning. As of December 31, 1996, 80.3% of the accounts in the Discover
Card Portfolio were at least 24 months old. The distribution of the age of
accounts in the Discover Card Portfolio as of December 31, 1996 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE
AGE OF ACCOUNTS OF ACCOUNTS OF BALANCES
--------------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than 12 Months......... 8.6% 8.2%
12 to 23 Months............. 11.1% 11.9%
24 to 35 Months............. 11.3% 11.7%
36 Months and Greater....... 69.0% 68.2%
----- -----
Total.................. 100.0% 100.0%
====== ======
</TABLE>
Summary Yield Information. The annualized aggregate monthly yield for the
Discover Card Portfolio is summarized as follows:
14
<PAGE> 15
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggregate Monthly Yield(1)
Excluding Recoveries(2)....... 17.72% 16.95% 16.65%
Including Recoveries(3)....... 18.20% 17.39% 17.07%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Monthly Yield is calculated by dividing Monthly Finance Charges billed by
beginning monthly balance. Monthly Finance Charges include periodic
finance charges, cash advance item charges, late fees, and, as of March 1,
1996, overlimit fees, but exclude certain other items such as annual
membership fees, if any, which are included in Finance Charge Receivables.
Aggregate Monthly Yield is the average of Monthly Yields annualized for
each period shown.
(2) Monthly Yield excluding any recoveries received with respect to charged-off
accounts.
(3) Monthly Yield including recoveries received with respect to charged-off
accounts. Recoveries received with respect to Charged-Off Accounts (other
than the proceeds of sales of Charged-Off Accounts that have been removed
from the Trust) are included in the Trust and are treated as Finance
Charge Collections. However, the level of recoveries for the Trust will
initially be lower than the level of recoveries for the Discover Card
Portfolio because charged-off accounts were not included in the Accounts
selected for inclusion in the Trust. The level of recoveries on
Additional Accounts will also initially be lower than the level of
recoveries for the Discover Card Portfolio because charged-off accounts
will not be included in Additional Accounts selected for inclusion in the
Trust. Greenwood believes that, over time, the level of recoveries on the
Accounts (including any Additional Accounts), as a percentage of the
Receivables in the Trust will increase to more closely approximate the
level of recoveries in the Discover Card Portfolio, although the extent of
such increase cannot be predicted and may be limited by removals of
Charged-Off Accounts from the Trust.
Summary Current Delinquency Information. Current delinquency information
as of December 31, 1996 with respect to the Discover Card Portfolio is
summarized as follows:
15
<PAGE> 16
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
BALANCES PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT STATUS (000'S) OF BALANCES
-------------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Current.............................. $24,435,287 84.9%
1 to 29 Days......................... $ 2,299,993 8.0%
30 to 59 Days........................ $ 809,902 2.8%
60 to 89 Days........................ $ 448,994 1.6%
90 to 119 Days....................... $ 327,352 1.1%
120 to 149 Days...................... $ 249,238 0.9%
150 to 179 Days...................... $ 204,996 0.7%
---------- --------
Total.............................. $28,775,762 100.0%
=========== ========
</TABLE>
Summary Historical Delinquency Information. Historical delinquency
information with respect to the Discover Card Portfolio is summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE OF TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
----------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------------------------
DELINQUENT DELINQUENT DELINQUENT
AMOUNT AMOUNT AMOUNT
(000'S) PERCENTAGE(1) (000'S) PERCENTAGE(1) (000'S) PERCENTAGE(1)
------- ---------- ------- ---------- ------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
30-59 Days........ $ 680,645 2.7% $ 568,382 2.6% $ 405,942 2.2%
60-89 Days........ $ 361,992 1.4% $ 276,821 1.3% $ 193,582 1.1%
90-179 Days....... $ 593,661 2.3% $ 403,134 1.8% $ 282,080 1.5%
---------- ---- ---------- ---- ---------- ----
Total............. $1,636,298 6.4% $1,248,337 5.7% $ 881,604 4.8%
========== ==== ========== ==== ========= ====
</TABLE>
For a discussion of economic factors affecting the performance of the
Discover Card Portfolio, including delinquencies, see "Risk Factors -- Social,
Legal and Economic Factors."
- -------------------
(1) The percentages are the result of dividing Delinquent Amount by Average
Receivables Outstanding for the applicable period. Delinquent Amount is
the average of the monthly ending balances of delinquent accounts during
the periods indicated. Average Receivables Outstanding is the average of
the monthly average amount of receivables outstanding during the periods
indicated.
Summary Charge-Off Information. Charge-off information with respect to
the Discover Card Portfolio is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Average Receivables Outstanding(1)................................ $ 25,542,718 $ 22,031,829 $ 18,464,611
Gross Charge Offs................................................. $ 1,458,450 $ 923,836 $ 680,487
Gross Charge-Offs as a Percentage of Average
Receivables Outstanding (2)....................................... 5.71% 4.19% 3.69%
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE> 17
For a discussion of economic factors affecting the performance of the
Discover Card Portfolio, including charge-offs, see "Risk Factors -- Social,
Legal and Economic Factors."
- ------------------
(1) Average Receivables Outstanding is the average of the monthly average
amount of receivables outstanding during the periods indicated.
(2) Recoveries with respect to charged-off Receivables (other than the
proceeds of sales of Charged-Off Accounts that have been removed from the
Trust) are property of the Trust and are treated as Finance Charge
Collections.
Summary Payment Rate Information(1). The monthly rate of payments in the
Discover Card Portfolio is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Average Monthly Payment Rate(2).......... 15.24% 16.20% 16.65%
High Monthly Payment Rate............... 18.08% 18.97% 17.89%
Low Monthly Payment Rate................ 13.33% 13.67% 15.16%
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Monthly Payment Rate is calculated by dividing monthly cardmember
remittances by the cardmember receivable balance outstanding as of the
beginning of the month.
(2) Average Monthly Payment Rate for a period is equal to the sum of
individual monthly payment rates for the period divided by the number of
months in the period.
7. THE SELLER
Delete the text under the heading "Greenwood" on page 66 and substitute
the following:
Greenwood is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NOVUS and an indirect
subsidiary of DWDC. Greenwood was acquired by NOVUS in January 1985.
Greenwood was chartered as a banking corporation under the laws of the
State of Delaware in 1911, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC.
Greenwood is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. The executive
office of Greenwood is located at 12 Read's Way, New Castle, Delaware
19720. In addition to the experience obtained by Greenwood in the bank
card business since 1985, a majority of the senior management of the
credit, operations and data processing functions for the Discover Card at
Greenwood and NSI has had extensive experience in the credit operations
of other credit card issuers. NSI performs sales and marketing activities,
provides operational support for the Discover Card program and maintains
merchant relationships. On February 5, 1997, DWDC and Morgan Stanley
announced their plans to merge in mid-1997. Upon completion of such
merger,
17
<PAGE> 18
Greenwood and NOVUS will be indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the
merged entity, expected to be called Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. Greenwood believes that the merger will not have a
material effect on the Investor Certificates.
By virtue of the enactment of CEBA, there are certain limitations
placed on Greenwood, including a requirement that Greenwood not engage in
activities in which it was not engaged as of March 5, 1987. Since its
acquisition by NOVUS, as a result of these and earlier limitations,
Greenwood has not engaged in the business of making commercial loans.
See "Risk Factors -- Legislation." However, the portions of CEBA which
limited the growth of the average asset base of Greenwood for each
12-month period ending September 30 to 7% of Greenwood's average asset
base for the preceding 12-month period have been repealed. Greenwood
believes that in light of the programs it has in place, the limitations
of CEBA will not have a material impact on the level of the Receivables
or on Greenwood's ability to service the Receivables.
8. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO THE RECEIVABLES
a. Delete the second sentence under the heading "Consumer Protection
Laws and Debtor Relief Laws Applicable to the Receivables" on page 68 and
substitute the following:
Such laws and regulations include the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act and
Fair Credit Billing Act (and the provisions of the Federal Reserve
Board's Regulation Z issued under each of them), Equal Credit Opportunity
Act (and the provisions of the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation B
issued thereunder), Fair Credit Reporting Act and Fair Debt Collection
Practices Act.
b. Delete the first full paragraph on page 69 relating to "Consumer
Protection Laws and Debtor Relief Laws Applicable to the Receivables."
9. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Delete the text under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences" on pages 69-75 and substitute the following:
GENERAL
The following summary of certain anticipated federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Investor
Certificates is based on the advice of Latham & Watkins ("Tax Counsel")
as counsel to Greenwood. The summary is based upon current provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), currently
applicable Treasury Regulations and judicial and administrative rulings
and decisions ("Current Law"). There can be no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will not take a contrary view, and
no ruling from the IRS has been or will be sought. Legislative, judicial
or administrative changes may be forthcoming that could alter or modify
the statements and conclusions set forth herein. Any legislative,
judicial
18
<PAGE> 19
or administrative changes or interpretations may or may not be
retroactive and could affect tax consequences to Investor
Certificateholders.
The summary does not purport to deal with all aspects of federal
income taxation that may affect particular Investor Certificateholders in
light of their individual circumstances, and, except for certain limited
discussions of particular topics, is not intended for Investor
Certificateholders subject to special treatment under the federal income
tax laws (e.g., life insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations,
financial institutions, broker-dealers and investors that have a
functional currency other than the United States dollar or hold their
Investor Certificates as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion
transaction). PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND ANY
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION
OF INVESTOR CERTIFICATES.
TAX TREATMENT OF THE INVESTOR CERTIFICATES AS INDEBTEDNESS
Tax Counsel has advised Greenwood that, in their opinion, although
the matter is not free from doubt, under Current Law the Investor
Certificates will be treated as indebtedness of Greenwood for federal
income tax purposes. Such opinion is based, in part, upon (i) the
expressed intent of Greenwood to treat the Investor Certificates for
federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes as
indebtedness secured by the Receivables and other assets held in the
Trust, (ii) the commitment of each Investor Certificateholder, by the
acceptance of an Investor Certificate, similarly to treat the Investor
Certificates for federal, state and local income and franchise tax
purposes as indebtedness, (iii) Tax Counsel's conclusion that the federal
income tax treatment of the Investor Certificates should be determined
based on the economic substance of the arrangement created by the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement, the Series Supplement and the Credit Enhancement
Agreement and (iv) Tax Counsel's analysis of such economic substance.
There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS or the courts will agree
with the conclusions of Tax Counsel. In that regard, the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement and the Series Supplement generally refer to the
transfer of the Receivables as a "sale," and Greenwood has informed Tax
Counsel (i) that different criteria are used in determining the non-tax
accounting treatment of the transaction and (ii) that, for regulatory and
financial accounting purposes, Greenwood will treat the transfer of the
Receivables under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the Series
Supplement as a transfer of an ownership interest in the Receivables and
not as the creation of a debt obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Greenwood will treat the Investor Certificates as indebtedness for
federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes and the
Investor Certificateholders, by acceptance of the Investor Certificates,
agree to treat such Investor Certificates as indebtedness of Greenwood
for federal, state and local income and franchise tax purposes.
19
<PAGE> 20
The above discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the tax opinion that was filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement containing the Prospectus to which this Annual Appendix
relates. Except for the discussion in "-- Possible Characterization of
the Investor Certificates," the following discussion of federal income
tax consequences assumes that the Investor Certificates will be treated
as indebtedness of Greenwood for federal income tax purposes.
UNITED STATES INVESTOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
The rules set forth below apply to Investor Certificateholders who
are "United States Persons." A "United States Person" is (i) a citizen
or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or partnership
created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United
States or of any state, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to
United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv)
generally, a trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust, and
one or more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust.
Stated Interest on Investor Certificates. Subject to the discussion
below, interest paid on the Investor Certificates will be taxable as
ordinary income when received or accrued by Investor Certificateholders
in accordance with their method of accounting. Generally, interest
received on the Investor Certificates will constitute "investment income"
for purposes of certain limitations of the Code concerning the
deductibility of investment interest expense.
Original Issue Discount. In general, the excess of the stated
redemption price at maturity of the Investor Certificates over their
issue price will constitute original issue discount ("OID"), unless such
excess is within a statutorily-defined de minimis exception.
If the Investor Certificates are issued with OID, Investor
Certificateholders generally will be required to include OID in income
for each accrual period in advance of receipt of the cash representing
such OID. A holder of a debt instrument issued with OID is required to
recognize as ordinary income the amount of OID on the debt instrument as
such discount accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method. Under
Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code, special provisions apply to debt
instruments on which payments may be accelerated due to prepayments of
other obligations securing those debt instruments. Under these
provisions, the computation of OID (and market discount, see "-- Market
Discount") on such debt instruments must be determined by taking into
account both the prepayment assumptions used in pricing the debt
instrument and the actual prepayment experience. As a result, the amount
of OID on such debt instruments that will accrue in any given accrual
period may either increase or decrease depending upon the actual
prepayment rate. Because no Treasury Regulations have been issued
interpreting Section 1272(a)(6), Investor Certificateholders should
consult their own tax
20
<PAGE> 21
advisors regarding the impact of the OID rules in the event the Investor
Certificates are issued with OID.
Market Discount. Investor Certificateholders should be aware that
the resale of an Investor Certificate may be affected by the market
discount provisions of the Code. These rules generally provide that,
subject to a statutorily-defined de minimis exception, if an Investor
Certificateholder acquires an Investor Certificate 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 Investor Certificate (or disposes of it in
certain non-recognition transactions such as a gift), the lesser of such
gain (or appreciation, in the case of an applicable non-recognition
transaction) or the portion of the market discount that accrued while the
Investor Certificate was held by such Investor Certificateholder will be
treated as ordinary interest income at the time of the disposition. The
market discount rules also provide that an Investor Certificateholder who
acquires an Investor Certificate at a market discount may be required to
defer a portion of any interest expense that otherwise may be deductible
on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the
Investor Certificate until the Investor Certificateholder disposes of the
Investor Certificate in a taxable transaction.
Principal on the Investor Certificates will be paid in a single
payment with respect to the Class A Certificates and a single payment
with respect to the Class B Certificates, or will be paid monthly during
the Amortization Period, if any. An Investor Certificateholder who
acquired an Investor Certificate at a market discount would be required
to treat as ordinary interest income the portion of any principal payment
attributable to accrued market discount on such Investor Certificate.
An Investor Certificateholder who acquired an Investor Certificate
at a market discount may elect to include market discount in income as
the discount accrues, either on a ratable basis or, if elected, on a
constant interest rate basis. The current inclusion election, once made,
applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first
day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and may not
be revoked without the consent of the IRS. If an Investor
Certificateholder elects to include market discount in income in
accordance with the preceding sentence, the foregoing rules with respect
to the recognition of ordinary income on sales, principal payments and
certain other dispositions of the Investor Certificates and the deferral
of interest deductions on indebtedness related to the Investor
Certificates will not apply.
Amortizable Bond Premium. Generally, if the price or tax basis of
an Investor Certificate held as a capital asset exceeds the
sum of all amounts payable on the Investor Certificate after the
acquisition date (other than payments of qualified stated interest), such
excess may constitute amortizable bond premium that the Investor
Certificateholder may elect to amortize under the constant interest rate
method over the period from the Investor Certificateholder's acquisition
date to the Investor Certificate's maturity date. Proposed Treasury
Regulations which are not yet effective exclude debt instruments subject
to Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code from the amortizable bond
21
<PAGE> 22
premium rules contained in such regulations. See discussion of Section
1272(a)(6) in "-- Original Issue Discount." Amortizable bond premium
generally will be treated as an offset to interest income on the Investor
Certificate, rather than as a separate interest deduction item subject to
the investment interest limitations of the Code. An Investor
Certificateholder that elects to amortize bond premium must reduce the
tax basis in the related Investor Certificate by the amount of bond
premium used to offset interest income. If an Investor Certificate
purchased at a premium is redeemed in full prior to its maturity, an
Investor Certificateholder who has elected to amortize bond premium
should be entitled to a deduction for any remaining unamortized bond
premium in the taxable year of redemption.
Sales of Investor Certificates. In general, an Investor
Certificateholder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange,
redemption or other taxable disposition of an Investor Certificate
measured by the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair
market value of any property received (other than the amount attributable
to, and taxable as, accrued but unpaid interest) and (ii) the Investor
Certificateholder's tax basis in the Investor Certificate (as increased
by any OID or market discount previously included in income by the
Investor Certificateholder and decreased by any deductions previously
allowed for amortizable bond premium and by any payments reflecting
principal or OID received with respect to such Investor Certificate).
Subject to the OID and market discount rules discussed above and to
the one-year holding period requirement for long-term capital gain
treatment, any such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain
or loss, provided the Investor Certificate was held as a capital asset.
The maximum federal income tax rate applicable to capital gains and
ordinary income for corporations is 35%. Moreover, capital losses
generally may be used only to offset capital gains. The ordinary federal
income tax rate for individuals, estates and trusts is 36% (for married
individuals filing joint returns with taxable income in excess of
$151,750 ($124,650 for unmarried individuals)) whereas the long-term
capital gains rate for such taxpayers is 28%. A further 10% surtax will
be imposed on ordinary income of individuals with taxable incomes in
excess of $271,050 (for married individuals filing joint returns and for
unmarried individuals) and estates and trusts with taxable incomes in
excess of $8,100 (thereby creating a maximum federal income tax rate to
such taxpayers of 39.6%).
FOREIGN INVESTOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
Set forth below is a general discussion of the United States federal
income and estate tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, sale or
other disposition of an Investor Certificate by an Investor
Certificateholder that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is
(i) a foreign corporation, (ii) a non-resident alien individual, (iii) a
foreign estate or trust or (iv) a foreign partnership, as such terms are
defined in the Code (a "non-U.S. Holder"). Some non-U.S. Holders
(including certain residents of certain
22
<PAGE> 23
United States possessions or territories) may be subject to special rules
not discussed herein.
Interest (including OID, if any) paid to a non-U.S. Holder of
Investor Certificates will not be subject to a required withholding of
United States federal income tax, provided that (i) such interest
payments are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business of the non-U.S. Holder within the United States and such
non-U.S. Holder provides an appropriate statement to such effect, or (ii)
(a) the holder is not (1) a "10 percent shareholder" of Greenwood or (2)
a "controlled foreign corporation" with respect to which Greenwood is a
"related person" within the meaning of the Code and (b) the beneficial
owner (and, if relevant, a financial institution on the beneficial
owner's behalf) provides an appropriate statement, signed under penalty
of perjury, certifying that the beneficial owner of such Investor
Certificate is not a United States Person and providing the beneficial
owner's name and address. The statement generally must be provided in
the year a payment occurs or in either of the two preceding years. For
years after 1997, nonbinding Proposed Treasury Regulations specify that
the statement must be provided prior to payment.
A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States
federal income tax on gain realized on the disposition of an Investor
Certificate (other than gain attributable to accrued interest or OID,
which is addressed in the preceding paragraph); provided that (i) the gain
is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
within the United States by the non-U.S. Holder and (ii) in the case of an
individual holder, (A) the non-U.S. Holder is not present in the United
States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale, exchange or
redemption or (B)(1) the non-U.S. Holder does not have a "tax home" in
the United States and (2) the gain is not attributable to an office or
other fixed place of business maintained in the United States by the
non-U.S. Holder.
If the interest or gain on an Investor Certificate held by a
non-U.S. Holder is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business within the United States by the non-U.S. Holder, then the
non-U.S. Holder (although exempt from the withholding of tax previously
discussed if the non-U.S. Holder provides an appropriate statement)
generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on the
interest (including OID, if any) or gain at regular federal income tax
rates in a similar fashion to a United States Person. See "-- United
States Investor Certificateholders." In addition, if the non-U.S. Holder
is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal
to 30% of its "effectively connected earnings and profits" within the
meaning of the Code for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items,
unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty.
An Investor Certificate held by an individual who at the time of
death is a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal
estate tax as a result of such individual's death if, immediately before
death, (i) the individual was not a "10 percent shareholder" of Greenwood
and (ii) interest on such Investor Certificate was not
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effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United States by the individual.
THE FOREGOING DESCRIPTION OF THE POTENTIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL
INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS IS NECESSARILY
INCOMPLETE. NON-U.S. HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS
WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE FOREGOING MATTERS TO THEM.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
Information reporting requirements apply to certain payments of
principal of and interest on (and the amount of OID, if any, accrued on)
an obligation, and to proceeds of certain sales of an obligation before
maturity, to certain nonexempt Investor Certificateholders who are United
States Persons. In addition, a backup withholding tax may also apply
with respect to such amounts if such Investor Certificateholders fail to
provide correct taxpayer identification numbers and other information.
The backup withholding tax rate is 31%. Greenwood, or a paying agent or
a broker, as the case may be, will be required to withhold from any
payment that is subject to backup withholding unless the Investor
Certificateholder furnishes its taxpayer identification number in the
manner prescribed in applicable Treasury Regulations and certain other
conditions are met.
In the case of payments of principal of, and interest on (and the
amount of OID, if any, accrued on), Investor Certificates by Greenwood or
its paying agents to non-U.S. Holders, Temporary Treasury Regulations
provide that backup withholding and information reporting will not apply
to payments with respect to which either requisite certification has been
received or an exemption has otherwise been established (provided that
neither Greenwood nor its paying agents has actual knowledge that the
holder is a United States Person or that the conditions of any other
exemption are not in fact satisfied). Payments of the proceeds of the
sale of an Investor Certificate to or through a foreign office of a
United States broker or foreign brokers with certain types of
relationships to the United States, however, are subject to certain
information reporting requirements, unless the payee is an exempt
recipient or such broker has evidence in its records that the payee is
not a United States Person and no actual knowledge that such evidence is
false and certain other conditions are met. Temporary Treasury
Regulations indicate that such payments are not currently subject to
backup withholding. Under current Treasury Regulations, payments of the
proceeds of a sale to or through the United States office of a broker
will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless
the payee certifies under penalty of perjury as to his status as a
non-U.S. Holder and certain other qualifications (and no agent of the
broker who is responsible for receiving or reviewing such statement has
actual knowledge that it is incorrect) and provides his name and address
or the payee otherwise establishes an exemption.
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Treasury Department is studying the possible application of backup
withholding to payments made by foreign offices of certain United States
and United States related intermediaries, including brokers, as well as
the standard of evidence required to prove foreign status for information
reporting purposes.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a
payment to an Investor Certificateholder will be allowed as a refund or a
credit against such Investor Certificateholder's United States federal
income tax.
POSSIBLE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INVESTOR CERTIFICATES
The foregoing discussion assumes that the Investor Certificates will
be treated as indebtedness of Greenwood for federal income tax purposes.
However, although Tax Counsel has opined to such effect, the matter is
not free from doubt, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or the
courts will agree with Tax Counsel's opinion. If the IRS were to contend
successfully that the Investor Certificates are not indebtedness of
Greenwood for federal income tax purposes, it could find that the
arrangement created by the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the Series
Supplement constitutes a partnership which could be treated as a
"publicly traded partnership" taxable as a corporation.
If the Investor Certificates were treated as interests in a
partnership, the partnership in all likelihood would be treated as a
"publicly traded partnership." If the partnership were nevertheless not
taxable as a corporation (for example, because of an exception for a
"publicly traded partnership" whose income is interest that is not derived
in the conduct of a financial business), such partnership would not be
subject to federal income tax. Rather, the Investor Certificateholders
would be required to include in income their share of the income and
deductions generated by the assets of the Trust, as determined under
partnership tax accounting rules. In such event, the amount, timing and
character of the income required to be recognized by an Investor
Certificateholder could differ materially from the amount, timing and
character thereof if the Investor Certificates were characterized as
indebtedness of Greenwood. It also is possible that such a partnership
could be subject to tax in certain states where the partnership is
considered to be engaged in business, and that the Investor
Certificateholders, as partners in such a partnership, could be taxed on
their share of the partnership's income in such states.
In addition, if such a partnership is considered to be engaged in a
trade or business within the United States, the partnership would be
subject to a withholding tax on distributions to (or, at its election,
income allocable to) non-U.S. Holders, and each such non-U.S. Holder
would be credited for such non-U.S. Holder's share of the withholding tax
paid by the partnership. Moreover, the non-U.S. Holder generally would
be subject to United States federal income tax at regular federal income
tax rates, and possibly a branch profits tax (in the case of a corporate
non-U.S. Holder), as previously described. See "-- Foreign Investor
Certificateholders." Further, even if the partnership is not considered
to be engaged in a trade or business within the United States, it appears
that
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partnership withholding will be required in the case of any such non-U.S.
Holder that is engaged in a trade or business within the United States to
which the Investor Certificate income is effectively connected.
Alternatively, although there may be arguments to the contrary, it
appears that if such a partnership is not considered to be engaged in a
trade or business within the United States and if income with respect to
an Investor Certificate is not otherwise effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States by a non-U.S.
Holder, the non-U.S. Holder would be subject to United States federal
income tax and withholding at a rate of 30% (unless reduced by an
applicable treaty) on such non-U.S. Holder's distributive share of the
partnership's interest income.
If the Investor Certificates were treated as interests in a
"publicly traded partnership" taxable as a corporation, the income from
the assets of the Trust would be subject to federal income tax and tax
imposed by certain states where the entity would be considered to have
operations at corporate rates, which would reduce the amounts available
for distribution to the Investor Certificateholders. See "Certain State
Tax Consequences." Under such circumstances, the Investor Certificates
may be treated as debt of an entity taxable as a corporation or,
alternatively, as equity of such an entity in which latter case interest
payments to Investor Certificateholders could be treated as dividends
and, if made to non-U.S. Holders, could be subject to United States
federal income tax and withholding at a rate of 30% (unless reduced by an
applicable tax treaty).
Finally, the IRS might contend that even though the Class A
Certificates are properly classified as debt obligations of Greenwood for
federal income tax purposes, the Class B Certificates are not properly
classified as such. Under this approach, the Class B Certificates might
be viewed as equity interests in an entity (such as Greenwood or a joint
venture consisting of Greenwood and the Class B Certificateholders), with
the Class A Certificates treated as debt obligations of such entity. If
such an entity were characterized as a partnership not taxable as a
corporation, the entity would not be subject to federal income tax,
although the Class B Certificateholders would be subject to the tax
consequences previously described with respect to interests in a
partnership that is not taxable as a corporation. Alternatively, if such
an entity were characterized as a "publicly traded partnership" taxable as
a corporation, the tax liability on the income of the entity might, in
certain circumstances, reduce distributions on both the Class A
Certificates and the Class B Certificates, and the Class B
Certificateholders would be subject to the tax consequences previously
described with respect to interests in a "publicly traded partnership"
taxable as a corporation. In addition, any non-U.S. Holder of a Class A
Certificate who is the actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the
outstanding principal amount of the Class B Certificates may be treated
as a "10 percent shareholder." See "-- Foreign Investor
Certificateholders."
Based on Tax Counsel's advice as to the likely treatment of the
Investor Certificates for federal income tax purposes, Greenwood and the
Trust will not attempt to cause the arrangement created by the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement and the Series
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Supplement to comply with the federal or state income tax reporting
requirements applicable to partnerships or corporations. If such
arrangement were later held to constitute a partnership or corporation,
the manner of bringing it into compliance with such requirements is
unclear.
Prospective Investor Certificateholders should consult their own tax
advisors as to the risk that the Investor Certificates will not be treated
as indebtedness of Greenwood, and the possible tax consequences of
potential alternative treatments.
10. CERTAIN STATE TAX CONSEQUENCES
Delete the text under the heading "Certain State Tax Consequences" on
pages 75-76 and substitute the following:
The following summary of certain anticipated state tax consequences
with respect to the Investor Certificates is based on the advice of Tax
Counsel as counsel to Greenwood. The summary is based upon currently
applicable statutes, regulations and judicial and administrative rulings
and decisions of certain states. There can be no assurance that the
taxing authorities of such states will not take a contrary view, and no
ruling therefrom has been or will be sought. Legislative, judicial or
administrative changes may be forthcoming that could alter or modify the
statements and conclusions set forth herein. Any such changes or
interpretations may or may not be retroactive and could affect the tax
consequences to Investor Certificateholders. Except as set forth below,
this discussion of state tax consequences assumes that the Investor
Certificates will be treated as indebtedness of Greenwood for federal tax
purposes.
State tax consequences to each Investor Certificateholder will
depend upon the provisions of the state tax laws to which the Investor
Certificateholder is subject. Most states modify or adjust the taxpayer's
federal taxable income to arrive at the amount of income potentially
subject to state tax. Resident individuals usually pay state tax on 100%
of such state-modified income, while corporations and other taxpayers
generally pay state tax only on that portion of state-modified income
assigned to the taxing state under the state's own apportionment and
allocation rules. Because each state's tax laws vary, it is impossible to
predict the tax consequences to the Investor Certificateholders in all of
the state taxing jurisdictions in which they are already subject to tax.
Delaware is the location of Greenwood's headquarters, where
Greenwood originates and owns the Accounts, and services the Receivables
pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. Tax Counsel has advised
Greenwood, that, in their opinion, although the matter is not free from
doubt, the Investor Certificates are treated as indebtedness of Greenwood
for purposes of the Delaware income tax. Accordingly, although the matter
is not free from doubt, if the Investor Certificates are treated as
indebtedness of Greenwood in Delaware, Investor Certificateholders not
otherwise
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subject to taxation in Delaware will not become subject to the Delaware
income tax solely because of their ownership of the Investor Certificates.
Generally, an Investor Certificateholder is required to pay, in
states in which such an Investor Certificateholder already is subject to
state tax, additional state tax as a result of interest earned on such
Investor Certificateholder's investment in the Investor Certificates.
Moreover, a state could claim that the Trust has undertaken activities
therein and is subject to taxation by that state. Were any state to make
and sustain that claim, the treatment of the Investor Certificates for
purposes of such state's tax laws would be determined thereunder, and
there can be no assurance that the Investor Certificates would be treated
as indebtedness of Greenwood for purposes of such state taxation.
If such Investor Certificates were treated as interests in a
partnership or a corporation, the state tax consequences to the Investor
Certificateholders could be materially different, especially in states
which may be considered to have a business connection with the
Receivables. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Possible
Characterization of the Investor Certificates."
THE FOREGOING DESCRIPTION OF THE POTENTIAL STATE TAX CONSEQUENCES IS
INCOMPLETE. INVESTOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN
TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE FOREGOING MATTERS TO
THEM.
11. ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Delete the third, fourth and fifth paragraphs on page 77 and substitute
the following:
If the Investor Certificates were deemed to be an extension of
credit for ERISA purposes, the purchase of the Investor Certificates by a
Plan with respect to which Greenwood or one of its affiliates is a "party
in interest" or "disqualified person" might be considered a prohibited
extension of credit under Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code unless an exemption is applicable. There are at least four
prohibited transaction class exemptions issued by the DOL that might
apply, depending in part on who decided to acquire the Investor
Certificates for the Plan: DOL Prohibited Transaction Exemption ("PTE")
84-14 (Class Exemption for Plan Asset Transactions determined by
Independent Qualified Professional Asset Managers); PTE 91-38 (Class
Exemption for Certain Transactions Involving Bank Collective Investment
Funds); PTE 90-1 (Class Exemption for Certain Transactions Involving
Insurance Company Pooled Separate Accounts); and PTE 96-23 (Class
Exemption for Plan Asset Transactions Determined by In-House Asset
Managers).
Moreover, whether the Investor Certificates are debt or equity for
ERISA purposes, a possible violation of the prohibited transaction rules
could occur if the Investor Certificates were purchased during the
offering with assets of a Plan if Greenwood, the Trustee, any Underwriter
or any of their affiliates were a fiduciary with
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respect to such Plan. Under ERISA and the Code, a person is a "fiduciary"
with respect to a Plan to the extent (i) he or she exercises any
discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting management of
such Plan or exercises any authority or control respecting management or
disposition of its assets, (ii) he or she renders investment advice for a
fee or other compensation, direct or indirect, with respect to any moneys
or other property of such Plan, or has any authority or responsibility to
do so or (iii) he or she has any discretionary authority or discretionary
responsibility in the administration of such Plan. Accordingly, the
fiduciaries of any Plan should not purchase the Investor Certificates
during the offering with assets of any Plan if Greenwood, the Trustee, the
Underwriters or any of their affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the
Plan.
In light of the foregoing, fiduciaries of Plans considering the
purchase of the Investor Certificates should consult their own tax or
other appropriate counsel regarding the application of ERISA and the Code
to their purchase of the Investor Certificates.
In particular, insurance companies considering the purchase of
Investor Certificates should consult their own benefits counsel or other
appropriate counsel with respect to the United States Supreme Court's
decision in John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Harris Trust &
Savings Bank, 114 S. Ct. 517 (1993) ("John Hancock"), DOL PTE 95-60
(Class Exemption for Certain Transactions Involving Insurance Company
General Accounts) and Section 401(c) of ERISA. In John Hancock, the
Supreme Court held that the assets held in an insurance company's general
account may be deemed to be "plan assets" under certain circumstances.
Subject to numerous conditions and limitations, PTE 95-60 effectively
reverses this portion of the holding in John Hancock. Section 401(c) of
ERISA was added by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 and
requires the Secretary of Labor to issue final regulations by December
31, 1997 which are to provide guidance for the purpose of determining, in
cases where an insurer issues one or more policies (supported by the
assets of the insurer's general account) to or for the benefit of an
employee benefit plan, which assets of such insurer (other than assets
held in a separate account) constitute "plan assets" for the purposes of
the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code. Such regulations shall only apply with respect to policies which
are issued by an insurer on or before December 31, 1998, to or for the
benefit of an employee benefit plan which is supported by the assets of
such insurer's general account. With respect to policies issued on or
before December 31, 1998, such regulations shall take effect at the end
of the 18-month period following the date on which such regulations
become final. Section 401(c) also provides that no person will be
subject to liability under Section 4975 of the Code and the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of ERISA on the basis of a claim that the
assets of an insurer (other than assets held in a separate account) are
"plan assets," for conduct occurring before the date which is 18 months
following the date the final regulations become final.
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Accordingly, investors should analyze whether John Hancock, PTE
95-60, Section 401(c) of ERISA and any regulations issued pursuant to
Section 401(c) of ERISA may have an impact with respect to their purchase
of Investor Certificates.
12. AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Delete the text under the heading "Available Information" on pages 78-79
of the Prospectus and substitute the following:
The Trust will be subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance therewith,
Greenwood, on behalf of the Trust, will file reports and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such
reports filed by Greenwood on behalf of the Trust are available for
inspection without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549; 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; and the
Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Such reports and other documents may also be
obtained from the web site that the Commission maintains at
http://www.sec.gov.
13. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
a. Delete the definition of "Charged-Off Amount" on page 85 of the
Prospectus and substitute the following:
"Charged-Off Amount" will mean, with respect to any Trust
Distribution Date, the aggregate amount of Receivables in Accounts that
become Charged-Off Accounts in the related Due Period, less (i) the
cumulative, uncollected amount previously billed by the Servicers to
Accounts that became Charged-Off Accounts during the related Due Period
with respect to finance charges, cash advance fees, annual membership
fees, fees for transactions that exceed the credit limit on the Account,
late payment charges and any other type of charges that the Servicer has
designated as "Finance Charge Receivables" with respect to Accounts that
are not Charged-Off Accounts and (ii) the full amount of any such
Receivables that have been repurchased by Greenwood on behalf of the
Holder of the Seller Certificate.
b. Delete the definition of "Finance Charge Receivables" on page 91 of
the Prospectus and substitute the following:
"Finance Charge Receivables" with respect to any Account for any Due
Period will mean the net amount billed by the Servicer during such Due
Period as finance charges on such Account and cash advance fees, annual
membership fees, fees for transactions that exceed the credit limit on
such Account, late payment charges billed during such Due Period to such
Account and any other charges that the Servicer may designate as "Finance
Charge Receivables" from time to time (provided that the Servicer shall
not designate amounts owing for the payment of goods and services or cash
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advances as "Finance Charge Receivables"), less, in the event that such
Account becomes a Charged-Off Account during such Due Period, the
cumulative, uncollected amount previously billed by the Servicer to such
Account as finance charges, cash advance fees, annual membership fees, if
any, fees for transactions that exceed the credit limit on such Account,
late payment charges and any other type of charges that the Servicer has
designated as "Finance Charge Receivables" with respect to Accounts that
are not Charged-Off Accounts; provided, however, that in the event any
Account that is included in the Accounts as of the Cut-Off Date is not
selected before the beginning of the Due Period preceding the Due Period
related to the first Trust Distribution Date, the Servicer may utilize a
reasonable method of estimation to determine the amount of the Finance
Charge Receivables with respect to such Account for the period beginning
on the first day of such preceding Due Period and ending on the date on
which such Account is selected.
14. GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
(ANNEX 1)
a. Delete the last line under the subheading "Exemption for non-U.S.
Holders (Form W-8)" on page 105 and substitute the following:
If the beneficial owner becomes a United States citizen or resident
during the period to which the statement relates, or certain other
changes in circumstances occur, such change must be communicated to the
appropriate party within 30 days thereof. Form W-8 is generally
effective for three calendar years, but a new certificate may be required
to be filed by the recipient each time a payment is made.
b. Add as the last line to the first paragraph under the subheading
"U.S. Federal Income Tax Reporting Procedure" on page 105:
Certain proposed (nonbinding) regulations which would be applicable
to payments made after 1997, provide for the unification and
simplification of certain current certificate procedures.
c. Delete the last paragraph on page 105 and substitute the following:
The term "U.S. Holder" 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 state, (iii) an estate the income of which is
includible in gross income for United States tax purposes, regardless of
its source, or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust, and
one or more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust.
31
