Subject to the requirements of applicable Card Association rules, ISO and Bank may allocate their respective duties and obligations between themselves as they deem appropriate at their sole discretion, and ISO or Bank may jointly or individually assert or exercise the rights or remedies provided to the Bank hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, Bank and ISO are collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Bank”. The Bank and Merchant agree as follows:

ARTICLE I – DEFINITIONS

• “Account” means a commercial checking or demand deposit account maintained by Merchant referred to in Section 16 for the crediting of collected funds and the debiting of fees and charges under this Agreement.
• “ACH” means the Automated Clearing House paperless entry system controlled by the Federal Reserve Board.
• “Agreement” means these terms and conditions, any supplementary documents referenced herein, and valid schedules and amendments to the
• “Authorization” means a computerized function or a direct phone call to a designated number to examine individual Transactions to obtain approval from the Card Issuer to charge the Card for the sale.
• “Card” means (i) a valid credit card in the form issued under license from Visa S.A., Inc. Visa International, Inc., MasterCard International, Inc., Discover®, (“Bank Card”); or (ii) any other valid credit card accepted by Merchant by agreement with Bank.
• “Card Association” means Visa S.A., Inc., Visa International, Inc., MasterCard International, Inc., Discover or any other Card Issuers that provide Cards accepted by Merchant by agreement with Bank.
• “Card Issuer” means the financial institution or company which has provided a Card to a
• “Card Not Present (CNP)” means that an Imprint of the Card is not obtained at the point-of-
• “Cardholder” means the person whose name is embossed upon the face of the
• “Cardholder Information” means any non-public, sensitive information about a Cardholder, including any combination of Cardholder name plus the Cardholder’s social security number, driver’s license or other identification number or credit or debit card number, or other bank account number.
• “Chargeback” means the procedure by which a Sales Draft (or disputed portion thereof) is returned to Bank by a Card Issuer because such item does not comply with the applicable Card plan’s operating regulations.
• “Credit Voucher” means a document executed by a Merchant evidencing any refund or price adjustment relating to Cards to be credited to a Cardholder
• “Imprint” means (i) an impression on a Sales Draft manually obtained from a Card through the use of an imprinter, or (ii) the electronic equivalent obtained by swiping a Card through a terminal and electronically capturing Card Data and printing a Sales Draft.
• “Mid or Non-Qualifying Transaction” means any sale Transaction that fails to qualify for lowest interchange rate assigned by the applicable Card Association for Merchant’s standard card industry code, and which may be charged fees as set forth on application.
• “Sales Draft” means the paper form, whether electronically or manually imprinted, evidencing a sale
• “Transaction” means any sale of products or services, or credit for such, from a Merchant for which the Cardholder makes payment using any Card and which is presented to Bank for collection.
• “Voice Authorization” means a direct phone call to a designated number to obtain credit approval on a Transaction from the Card Issuer, whether by voice or voice- activated

ARTICLE II – CARD ACCEPTANCE

• Honoring Cards. Merchant will accept all valid Cards when properly presented by Cardholders in payment for goods or services, subject to applicable Card Association rules requiring Merchant to elect whether it will accept credit only, debit only or both debit and credit Cards. Merchant’s election is set forth in the However, Merchant may not, by this term, be prevented from offering discounts to Cardholders for cash purchases. Merchant may not engage in a Transaction (other than a mail, internet, telephone order, or preauthorized sale to the extent permitted under this Agreement) if the person seeking to charge the purchase to his or her Card account does not present the Card to permit Merchant to compare the signature on the Card to the signature on the Sales Draft and obtain an Imprint or otherwise use the physical Card to complete the Transaction.
• Advertising. Merchant will prominently display the promotional materials provided by Bank in its place(s) of Merchant’s use of promotional materials and use of any trade name, trademark, service mark or logo type (“Marks”) associated with a Card is limited to informing the public that the Card will be accepted at Merchant’s place(s) of business. Merchant’s use of promotional materials and Marks is subject to the Bank’s direction. Merchant may use promotional materials and Marks only during the term of this Agreement and will immediately cease use and return any inventory to Bank upon termination thereof. Merchant may not use any promotional materials or Marks associated with Visa, Discover, or MasterCard in any way which suggests or implies that either endorses any goods or services other than Card payment services.
• Card Acceptance. When accepting a Card, Merchant will follow the steps provided by Bank for accepting Cards and will: (a) Determine in good faith and to the best of its ability that the Card is valid on its face; (b) obtain Authorization from the Card Issuer to charge the Cardholder’s account; (c) unless the Sales Draft is electronically generated or is the result of a mail, internet, phone or preauthorized order, (i) obtain an Imprint of the Card including embossed data from the merchant imprinter plate; and (ii) obtain the Cardholder’s signature on the Sales Draft and compare that signature to the signature on the Card; (d) enter a description of the goods or services sold and the price thereof (including any applicable taxes); (e) deliver a true and completed copy of the Sales Draft to the Cardholder at the time the goods are delivered or services performed, or, if the Sales Draft is prepared by a point-of-sale terminal, at the time of the sale; (f) offer the Sales Draft to Bank for purchase according to Bank’s procedures and the terms of this Agreement; and (g) make a Card Imprint, if the Transaction is not based upon a mail, internet, phone or pre- authorized
• Authorization. Merchant will obtain an Authorization for all Card sales. If Merchant cannot, for any reason, obtain an electronic Authorization through the use of a terminal, Merchant will request a Voice Authorization from Bank’s designated authorization center and will legibly print the authorization number on the Sales Draft. Merchant will not obtain or attempt to obtain authorization from Bank’s authorization center unless Merchant intends to submit to Bank a Transaction for the authorized amount if Authorization for the Transaction is Merchant may not divide a single Transaction between two or more Sales Drafts on a single Card to avoid Authorization limits that may be set by the Card Issuer. Merchant acknowledges that an Authorization provides only that the Cardholder account has sufficient credit available to cover the amount of the current sale and that an Authorization is not a guarantee that the Transaction will not be subject to dispute or Chargeback and does not warranty the Cardholder’s identity. Merchant may not attempt to obtain an authorization by successively decreasing the sale amount. Bank may refuse to purchase or process any Sales Draft presented by Merchant: (a) unless a proper authorization or approval code has been recorded on the Sales Draft; (b) if Bank determines that the Sales Draft is or is likely to become uncollectible from the Cardholder to which the transaction would otherwise be charged; or (c) if Bank has reason to believe that the Sales Draft was prepared in violation of any provision of this Agreement. Merchant will use, and may not circumvent, fraud identification tools requested by Bank, including Address Verification System processing, CVV2, and CID processing, and acknowledges that the use of these tools may prevent Merchant from accepting certain Cards as payment. Merchant acknowledges that its use of fraud identification tools may not prevent fraudulent Card usage and agrees that any fraudulent Transaction may ultimately result in a Chargeback, for which Merchant retains full liability under this Agreement.
• Retention and Retrieval of Cards. Merchant will use its best efforts, by reasonable and peaceful means, to retain or recover a Card when receiving such instructions when making a request for Authorization or if Merchant has reasonable grounds to believe the Card is counterfeit, fraudulent or stolen. Merchant’s obligations under this section does not authorize a breach of the peace or any injury to persons or property, and Merchant will hold Bank harmless from any claim arising from any injury to person or property or other breach of the peace in connection with the retention or recovery of a Card.
• Multiple Transaction Records; Partial Consideration. Merchant may not prepare more than one Sales Draft for a single sale or for a single item but will include all items of goods and services purchased in a single Transaction in the total amount on a single Sales Draft except under the following circumstances: (a) for purchases in

separate departments of a multiple department store; (b) For partial payment, installment payment, delayed delivery or an advance deposit; or (c) for delayed or amended charges governed by rules for travel and entertainment merchants and Transactions.

• Telephone Orders, Mail Orders, Internet, Preauthorized Orders, and Installment Orders. Unless Bank or ISO has approved Merchant to accept mail, internet or telephone orders, Merchant warrants that it is a walk-in trade business, located in a retail business place where the public moves in and out freely to purchase merchandise or obtain services. If Bank or ISO determines Merchant has accepted unapproved Card Transactions which are placed by telephone, generated through telephone solicitation, mail order or other means that does not create a Sales Draft that bears the Card imprint and Cardholder’s signature, this Agreement will be immediately terminated and the value of all Sales Drafts collected from the first day of processing may be charged back to Merchant and all funds therefrom held as provided in Article IV. Unless approved by Bank, this Agreement does not contemplate regular acceptance of Cards for sales accepted by mail, internet or telephone nor through preauthorized orders. If an occasional Card Transaction is made by mail, phone or preauthorized order, the Sales Draft may be completed without the Cardholder’s signature or an Imprint, but in such case Merchant will create a sales slip containing Cardholder data, an Authorization number, the sale amount and the letters “MO”, “TO” or “PO”, as appropriate. Receiving an Authorization will not relieve the Merchant of liability for Chargeback on any Transaction for which the Merchant did not obtain an Imprint or the Cardholder’s signature.
• Lodging and Vehicle Rental Transactions.

Merchant must estimate and obtain Authorization for the Transaction based upon the Cardholder’s intended length of stay or rental. Additional Authorization must be obtained and recorded for charges actually incurred more than the estimated amount. Regardless of the terms and conditions of any written preauthorization form, the Sales Draft amount for any lodging or vehicle rental Transaction must include only that portion of the sale, including any applicable taxes, evidencing a bona fide rental of real or individual property by Merchant to the Cardholder and may not include any consequential charges. Nothing contained herein is intended to restrict Merchant from enforcing the terms and conditions of its preauthorization form through means other than a Card Transaction.

• Returnsand Adjustments, Credit Vouchers.

Merchant’s policy for the exchange or return of goods sold and the adjustment for services rendered will be established and posted in accordance with operating regulations of the applicable Card Association’s regulations. Merchant will disclose, if applicable, to a Cardholder before a Card sale is made, that if merchandise is returned: (a) no refund, or less than a full refund, will be given; (b) returned merchandise will only be exchanged for similar merchandise of comparable value; (c) only a credit toward purchases will be given; or (d) special conditions or circumstances apply to the sale (e.g., late delivery, delivery charges, or other non-credit terms). If Merchant does not make these disclosures, a full refund in the form of a credit to the Cardholder’s Card account must be given. Disclosures must be made on all copies of Sales Drafts or invoices in letters approximately 1/4″ high in close proximity to the space provided for the Cardholder’s signature or on an invoice issued at the time of the sale or on an invoice being presented for the Cardholder’s signature. Any change in Merchant’s return or cancellation policy must be submitted in writing to Bank and ISO not less than 14 days prior to the change. Bank or ISO may refuse to process any Sales Draft made subject to a revised return or cancellation policy of which Bank has not been notified as required herein.

• Cash Payments. Merchant may not receive any payments from a Cardholder for charges included in any Transaction resulting from the use of any Card nor receive any payment from a Cardholder to prepare and present a Transaction for the purpose of affecting a deposit to the Cardholder’s Card account.
• Cash Advances; Scrip Purchases. Merchant may not deposit any Transaction for the purpose of obtaining or providing a cash advance either on Merchant’s Card or the Card of any other party and may not accept any Card at a scrip terminal, and either action will be grounds for Bank’s immediate termination of this Agreement.
• Duplicate Transactions. Merchant may not deposit duplicate Bank or ISO may debit Merchant for any adjustments for duplicate Transactions and Merchant is liable for any Chargebacks resulting therefrom.
• Deposit of Fraudulent Transactions. Merchant may not accept or deposit any fraudulent Transaction and may not under any circumstances present for processing or credit, directly or indirectly, a Transaction which originated with any other merchant or any other source other than Transactions arising from bona fide purchases from Merchant for the goods and services for which Merchant has been approved under this If Merchant deposits any prohibited Transaction, Bank or ISO may:

(a) immediately terminate this Agreement; (b) withhold funds and demand an escrow as provided in this Agreement; (c) report Merchant to Visa, Discover, and MasterCard under the terms of this Agreement. Merchant’s employees’ actions are chargeable to Merchant under this Agreement.

• Fraud Prevention. Merchant will ensure POS hardware and software are secure, while also securing local network connections from intrusions into the POS connected With additional security taken to protect login credentials related software, gateways, CRM, shopping cart services, and APIs. If a fraudster attempts to submit transactions through the Merchant for the purposes of testing compromised Cardholder information, or to conduct enumeration card testing, Merchant will act promptly to prevent and reduce further attempts conducted by the fraudster.
• Collection of Pre-existing Debt. Merchant may not prepare and present to Bank for purchase any Transaction representing the refinancing of an existing Cardholder obligation including, but not limited to, obligations: (a) previously owed to Merchant; (b) arising from the dishonor of a Cardholder’s personal check or relating to a Chargeback; or (c) representing the collection of any other pre-existing indebtedness, including collection of delinquent accounts on behalf of third parties.
• Data Security/Personal Cardholder Information. Merchant may not, as a condition of sale, impose a requirement on Cardholders to provide any personal information as a condition for honoring Cards unless such information is required to provide delivery of goods or services, or Merchant has reason to believe the identity of the person presenting the Card may be different than that of the Merchant will not, under any circumstances, release, sell or otherwise disclose any Cardholder Information to any person other than Bank, ISO, or the applicable Card Association, except as expressly authorized in writing by the Cardholder, or as required by law.

• Safeguards. Merchant will maintain appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards for all Cardholder These safeguards will (i) insure the confidentiality of Cardholder Information; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of Cardholder Information; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of Cardholder Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any Cardholder; and (iv) properly dispose of all Cardholder Information to ensure no unauthorized access to Cardholder Information. Merchant will maintain all such safeguards applicable to Merchant or Bank in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and guidance.
• Service Provider Access. Merchant will notify Bank and ISO regarding any Service Providers utilized that will have access to any cardholder Additionally, merchant accepts all liability relating to the Service Provider and their access to the cardholder data.
• Compliance with Card Association Rules. Merchant represents, warrants and covenants that it is and will remain throughout the term of this Agreement in compliance with Card Association bylaws, operating regulations and rules related to data security, data integrity and the safeguarding of Cardholder Information including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (“PCI”), Discover Information Security Compliance (“DISC”), MasterCard’s Site Data Protection Program (“SDP”), and Visa’s Customer Information Security Program (“CISP”), in effect and as may be amended, supplemented or Merchant will cause all of its service providers, subcontractors and agents to comply with PCI, SDP, DISC and CISP requirements at all times. Merchant will report any non-compliance immediately to Bank. To accomplish the foregoing, Merchant will encrypt all debit, credit or stored value card numbers whether in storage, transport or backup and will not store data security codes on its systems, network or software. If Merchant falls into the high-risk category, Merchant agrees to become PCI compliant within ninety (90) days. Failure to become PCI compliant within the ninety (90) days will result in a $50 per month PCI non-compliance fee until Merchant becomes compliant.
• Annual Certification. Merchant will provide an annual certification to Bank and ISO if requested by Bank or ISO (in a form acceptable to Bank) certifying compliance with the data security provisions of this Agreement, including compliance with applicable Card Association requirements such as PCI, SDP, CISP and Merchant will provide annual certifications for Merchant’s service providers, subcontractors and agents.
• Information Use Limitations. Merchant may not sell, disclose, or otherwise make Cardholder Information available, in whole or in part, in a manner not provided for in this Agreement, without Bank’s prior written consent. Merchant may, however, disclose Cardholder Information to its service providers, subcontractors and agents who have a need to know such information to provide the Services described in this Agreement, provided that those individuals or

entities have assumed confidentiality obligations in accordance with this Agreement, or as may be required by legal process or applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and guidance and have entered into a written agreement with Merchant containing Merchant’s and such individuals’ or entities’ agreement to the foregoing data security provisions including compliance with Card Association rules, regulations or bylaws.

• Response to Unauthorized Access. Merchant will notify Bank and ISO within 24 hours after it knows of any breach in security resulting in an unauthorized access to Cardholder Information. Merchant will provide any assistance that Bank, the issuing bank of any Cardholder, and their regulators and the Card Associations deem necessary to contain and control the incident to prevent further unauthorized access to or use of Cardholder Such assistance may include, but not be limited to, preserving records and other evidence and compiling information to enable Bank and the issuing bank(s) or the Card Associations to investigate the incident and provide assistance and cooperation to: (a) file suspicious activity reports (as applicable); (b) notify their regulators (as applicable); and (c) notify the affected Cardholder (as required). Unless the unauthorized access was due to Bank’s acts or omissions, Merchant will bear the cost of notifying affected Cardholder.
• Miscellaneous. Merchant may not make a claim against Bank or ISO, nor hold Bank or ISO liable for the acts or omissions of other merchants, service providers, Card Associations, financial institutions or others that do not have a written contractual relationship with Bank or over which Bank has no These provisions supplement, augment and are in addition to obligations of indemnification, audit, confidentiality and other similar provisions contained in this Agreement. This Section 2.15 and each of its subsections will survive this Agreement’s termination. Merchant may not store in any system or in any manner discretionary Card read data including without limitation CVV2/CID data, PIN data, address verification data or any other information prohibited by Card Association Rules.
• Level 2 Card Processing. PCI-DSS Compliance is mandatory for merchants processing one million sales within a 12-month period, otherwise known as Level 2 per the Card Failure to become PCI-DSS compliant following classification as a Level 2 merchant may result in additional PCI-DSS Non-Compliance fees between $25.00-$100.00, as determined by Bank or ISO based on the risk the Merchant presents to the card processing ecosystem and Bank.
• Level 1 Card Processing. PCI-DSS Compliance is mandatory for merchants processing six million sales within a 12-month period, otherwise known as Level 1 per the Card Failure to become PCI-DSS compliant following classification as a Level 1 merchant may result in additional PCI-DSS Non-Compliance fees between $100.00-$500.00, as determined by Bank or ISO based on the risk the Merchant presents to the card processing ecosystem and Bank.
  • Prohibitions. Merchant may not: (a) require a cardholder to complete a postcard or similar device that includes any of the following in plain view when mailed: the cardholder’s account number, card expiration date, signature, or any other card account data; (b) request a Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) from the cardholder for a card-present environment transaction; (c) store Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) information subsequent to authorization; (d) adding surcharges to transactions, unless explicitly done so in accordance with applicable law, regulations, and Visa Rules specific to the acquirer’s region; (e) conduct transaction laundering, or factoring, by accepting a transaction that does not result from an act between the cardholder and the merchant or the cardholder and the sponsored Payment facilitators may deposit a transaction between the cardholder and a sponsored merchant of the payment facilitator but must not deposit a transaction on behalf of another payment facilitator; (f) add any tax to transactions, unless applicable law expressly requires that a merchant be permitted to impose a tax. Any tax amount, if allowed, must be included in the transaction amount and not collected separately; and (g) request or use an account number for any purpose other than as payment for its goods or services.
  • Compliance with Card Association Rules. Merchant will comply with and conduct its Card activities in accordance with all applicable Card Association rules and Failure to comply with such rules and regulations may result in Merchant being terminated for cause and listed on various Card Association and industry databases, including the Terminated Merchant File and the Merchant Alert to Control High Risk Merchants file (“MATCH”). With respect to MasterCard, Discover, or Visa USA, Merchant may not: (a) accept Cardholder payments for previous Card charges incurred at the Merchant location; (b) establish a minimum or maximum transaction amount as a condition for honoring a Card; (c) require a Cardholder to complete a postcard or similar device that includes the Cardholder’s account number, card expiration date, signature, or any other card account data in plain view when mailed; (d) add any surcharge to transaction amounts above the advertised price, unless applicable laws or regulations expressly require Merchant be permitted to impose such a surcharge; (e) add any tax to transactions, unless applicable law expressly requires that Merchant be permitted to impose a tax (any tax amount, if allowed, must be included in the transaction amount and not collected separately); (f) enter into interchange any transaction receipt for a transaction that was previously charged back to Bank and subsequently returned to Merchant, irrespective of Cardholder approval (Merchant may pursue payment from the Cardholder outside the Card Association system); (g) request or use an account number of any purpose other than as payment for its goods or services; (h) disburse funds in the form of travelers cheques, if the sole purpose is to allow the Cardholder to make a cash purchase of goods or services from Merchant; (i) disburse funds in the form of cash, unless: (i) Merchant is a lodging or cruise line merchant disbursing cash to a Cardholder, (ii) Merchant is dispensing funds in the form of travelers cheques, Cards, or foreign currency, or (iii) Merchant is participating in the Card Association cash back service; (j) accept a Card for the purchase or scrip; (k) accept a Card for manual cash disbursement; (l) accept a Card to collect or refinance existing debt that has been deemed uncollectible by the Merchant providing the associated goods or services; or (m) enter into a Transaction that represents collection of a dishonored check.

(n) Merchant will pay all Card Association fines, fees, penalties and all other assessments or indebtedness levied by respective Card Associations to Bank which are attributable, at the Bank’s discretion, to Merchant’s Transaction processing or business; (o) accept a Card for an unlawful Internet gambling transaction; (p) Merchant will not establish a minimum or maximum transaction amount as a condition for honoring a card; (q) Merchant will not request for any cardholders to reveal their Cardholder’s PIN; (r) Merchant will not provide cash to a Cardholder unless the Merchant provides Cash-Back or Cash-Out or sells foreign currency; (s) Prepaid Cards will not be redeemed for cash by a Merchant that accepts Prepaid Card transactions; (t) Merchant will notify Bank and ISO of any third party processors that Merchant has a direct agreement with that allows access to transaction or cardholder information; and (u) Merchant will not disclose Cardholder information to external parties without a direct agreement and are not approved by the Bank or ISO.

• Compliance with American Express OptBlue Rules. The following terms and conditions apply to Merchant’s participation in the American Express OptBlue^SM Program (“American Express Card Acceptance”): Merchant’s participation in American Express Card Acceptance is subject to the approval of American Express. Merchant authorizes ISO and/or its affiliates to submit American Express Sales to, and receive settlement on such sales from, American Express on behalf of Merchant agrees that ISO may disclose to American Express information regarding Merchant and Merchant’s sales to American Express, and that American Express may use such information to perform its responsibilities in connection with American Express Card Acceptance, promote American Express, perform analytics and create reports, and for any other lawful business purposes, including commercial marketing communications purposes within the parameters of American Express Card Acceptance, and important transactional or relationship communications from American Express. American Express may use the information about Merchant obtained in the Agreement at the time of setup to screen and/or monitor Merchant in connection with American Express marketing and administrative purposes. Merchant agrees it may receive messages from American Express, including essential information about American Express products, services, and resources available to its business. These messages may be sent to the mailing address, phone numbers, email addresses or fax numbers of Merchant. Merchant may be contacted at its wireless telephone number and the communications sent may include autodialed short message service (SMS or “text”) messages or automated or prerecorded calls. Merchant agrees that it may be sent fax communications.

Merchant may opt-out of receiving future commercial marketing communications from American Express by contacting ISO. Note that Merchant may continue to receive marketing communications while American Express updates its records to reflect this choice. Opting out of commercial marketing communications will not preclude Merchant from receiving important transactional or relationship messages from American Express.

Merchant acknowledges that it may be converted from American Express Card Acceptance to a direct relationship with American Express if and when its sales volumes exceed the eligibility thresholds for American Express Card Acceptance. If this occurs, upon such conversion, (i) Merchant will be bound by American Express’ then- current Card Acceptance Agreement; and (ii) American Express will set pricing and other fees payable by Merchant. Merchant shall not assign to any third party any payments due to it under American Express Card Acceptance, and all indebtedness arising from sales will be for bona fide sales of goods and services (or both) at its business locations and free of liens, claims, and encumbrances other than ordinary sales taxes; provided, however, that the Merchant may sell and assign future sales

receivables to JBR Consulting Group, its affiliated entities and/or any other cash advance funding source that partners with JBR Consulting Group or its affiliated entities, without consent of American Express. Notwithstanding the foregoing, JBR Consulting Group prohibits Merchant from selling or

Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, American Express shall have third-party beneficiary rights, but not obligations, to the terms of the Agreement applicable to American Express Card Acceptance to enforce such terms against Merchant. Merchant may opt out of accepting American Express at any time without directly or indirectly affecting its rights to accept other Card Networks. ISO shall have the right to terminate Merchant’s participation in American Express Card Acceptance immediately upon written notice to Merchant (i) if Merchant breaches any of the provisions of this American Express OptBlue Program Agreement or any other terms of the Agreement applicable to American Express Card Acceptance, or (ii) for cause or fraudulent or other activity, or upon American Express’ request. In the event Merchant’s participation in American Express Card Acceptance is terminated for any reason, Merchant must immediately remove all American Express branding and marks from Merchant’s website and wherever else they are displayed. Merchant’s refund policies for American Express Sales must be at least as favorable as its refund policy for purchase on any other Card Network, and the refund policy must be disclosed to cardholders at the time of purchase and in compliance with laws. Merchant may not bill or attempt to collect from any cardholder for any American Express Sale unless a chargeback has been exercised, Merchant has fully paid for such chargeback, and it otherwise has the right to do so. Merchant must accept American Express as payment for goods and services (other than those goods and services prohibited by this American Express OptBlue Program Agreement, the Agreement, or the Rules) sold, or (if applicable) for charitable contributions made at all of its business locations and websites, except as expressly permitted by state statute. Merchant is jointly and severally liable for the obligations of Merchant’s business locations and websites under the Agreement. In the event that Merchant or ISO is not able to resolve a Claim against American Express, or a Claim against ISO or any other entity that American Express has a right to join in resolving a Claim, this section explains how Claims can be resolved through arbitration.

Merchant or American Express may elect to resolve any Claim by individual, binding arbitration. A neutral arbitrator decides claims.

If arbitration is chosen by any party, neither Merchant nor ISO nor American Express will have the right to litigate that Claim in court or have a jury trial on that Claim. Further, Merchant, ISO, and American Express will not have the right to participate in a representative capacity or as a member of any class pertaining or be a named party to a class-action with respect to any Claim for which any party elect’s arbitration. Arbitration procedures are generally simpler than the rules that apply in court, and discovery is more limited. The arbitrator’s decisions are as enforceable as any court order and are subject to very limited review by a court. Except as set forth below, the arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding. Other rights Merchant, ISO, or American Express would have in court may also not be available in arbitration.

Initiation of Arbitration. Claims will be referred to either JAMS or AAA, as selected by the party electing arbitration. Claims will be resolved pursuant to this Arbitration Agreement and the selected organization’s rules in effect when the Claim is filed, except where those rules conflict with the Agreement. Contact JAMS or AAA to begin an arbitration or for other information. Claims may be referred to another arbitration organization if all parties agree in writing, or to an arbitrator appointed pursuant to section 5 of the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16 (FAA). Any arbitration hearing that Merchant attends shall take place in New York, New York unless all parties agree to an alternate venue.

1. Limitations on Arbitration. If any party elects to resolve a Claim by arbitration, that Claim will be arbitrated on an individual basis. There will be no right or authority for any Claims to be arbitrated on a class action basis or on bases involving Claims brought in a representative capacity on behalf of the general public, other merchants or other persons or entities similarly situated. The arbitrator’s authority is limited to Claims between Merchant, ISO, and American Express. Claims may not be joined or consolidated unless all parties to this agreement agree in writing. An arbitration award and any judgment confirming it will apply only to the specific case brought by Merchant, ISO or American Express and cannot be used in any other case except to enforce the award as between Merchant, ISO and American Express. This prohibition is intended to, and does, preclude Merchant from participating in any action by any trade association or

other organization against American Express. Notwithstanding any other provision and without waiving the right to appeal such decision, if any portion of these

Limitations on Arbitration is deemed invalid or unenforceable, then the entire Arbitration provision (other than this sentence) will not apply.

• Previously Filed Claims/No Merchant, ISO, or American Express may elect to arbitrate any Claim that has been filed in court at any time before trial has begun or final judgment has been entered on the Claim. Merchant, ISO, or American Express may choose to delay enforcing or to not exercise rights under this arbitration provision, including the right to elect to arbitrate a Claim, without waiving the right to exercise or enforce those rights on any other occasion. For the avoidance of any confusion, and not to limit its scope, this section applies to any class-action lawsuit relating to the “Honor All Cards,” “non-discrimination,” or “no steering” provisions of the American Express Merchant Regulations, or any similar provisions of any prior American Express Card acceptance agreement, that was filed against American Express prior to the effective date of the Agreement.

1. Arbitrator’s Authority. The arbitrator shall have the power and authority to award any relief that would have been available in court, including equitable relief (e.g., injunction, specific performance) and cumulative with all other remedies, shall grant specific performance whenever The arbitrator shall have no power or authority to alter the Agreement or any of its separate provisions, including this section, nor to determine any matter or make any award except as provided in this section.
2. Split Proceedings for Equitable Relief. Merchant, ISO, or American Express may seek equitable relief in aid of arbitration prior to arbitration on the merits to preserve the status quo pending completion of such This section shall be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, and the party seeking enforcement shall be entitled to an award of all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, including legal fees, to be paid by the party against whom enforcement is ordered.
3. Small American Express shall not elect to use arbitration under this section for any Claim Merchant properly files in a small claims court so long as the Claim seeks individual relief only and is pending only in that court.

• Governing Law/Arbitration Procedures/Entry of Judgment. This arbitration section is made pursuant to a transaction involving interstate commerce and is governed by the FAA. The arbitrator shall apply New York law and applicable statutes of limitations and shall honor claims of privilege recognized by law. The arbitrator shall apply the rules of the arbitration organization selected, as applicable to matters relating to evidence and discovery, not the federal or any state rules of civil procedure or rules of evidence, provided that any party may request that the arbitrator to expand the scope of discovery by doing so in writing and copying any other parties, who shall have fifteen (15) days to make objections, and the arbitrator shall notify the parties of his/her decision within twenty (20) days of any objecting party’s submission. If a Claim is for $10,000 or less, Merchant or American Express may choose whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted to the arbitrator, through a telephonic hearing, or by an in-person hearing as established by the rules of the selected arbitration organization. At the timely request of a party, the arbitrator shall provide a written and reasoned opinion explaining his/her The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding, except for any rights of appeal provided by the FAA. If a Claim is for $100,000 or more, or includes a request for injunctive relief, (a) any party to this Agreement shall be entitled to reasonable document and deposition discovery, including (x) reasonable discovery of electronically stored information, as approved by the arbitrator, who shall consider, inter alia, whether the discovery sought from one party is proportional to the discovery received by another party, and (y) no less than five depositions per party; and (b) within sixty (60) days of the initial award, either party can file a notice of appeal to a three-arbitrator panel administered by the selected arbitration organization, which shall reconsider de novo any aspect requested of that award and whose decision shall be final and binding. If more than sixty

(60) days after the written arbitration decision is issued the losing party fails to satisfy or comply with an award or file a notice of appeal, if applicable, the prevailing party shall have the right to seek judicial confirmation of the award in any state or federal court where Merchant’s headquarters or Merchant’s assets are located.

• The arbitration proceeding and all testimony, filings, documents, and any information relating to or presented during the proceedings shall be deemed to be confidential information not to be disclosed to any other party. All offers, promises,

conduct, and statements, whether written or oral, made in the course of the Claim resolution process, including but not limited to any related negotiations, mediations,

arbitration, and proceedings to confirm arbitration awards by either party, its agents, employees, experts or attorneys, or by mediator or arbitrator, including any arbitration award or judgment related thereto, are confidential and inadmissible for any purpose, including impeachment or estoppel, in any other litigation or proceeding involving any of the parties or non-parties; provided that evidence that is otherwise admissible or discoverable shall not be rendered inadmissible or non- discoverable as a result of its use in the negotiation, mediation, or arbitration.

1. Costs of Arbitration Merchant will be responsible for paying Merchant’s share of any arbitration fees (including filing, administrative, hearing or other fees), but only up to the amount of the filing fees Merchant would have incurred if Merchant had brought a Claim in court. American Express will be responsible for any additional arbitration fees. At Merchant’s written request, American Express will consider in good faith making a temporary advance of Merchant’s share of any arbitration fees or paying for the reasonable fees of an expert appointed by the arbitrator for good cause.
2. Additional Arbitration If the arbitrator rules in Merchant’s favor against American Express for an amount greater than any final settlement offer American Express made before any arbitration award, the arbitrator’s award will include: (1) any money to which Merchant is entitled as determined by the arbitrator, but in no case less than $5,000; and (2) any reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expert and other witness fees incurred by Merchant.
3. For purposes of the above arbitration provisions only, (i) American Express includes any of its affiliates, licensees, predecessors, successors, or assigns, any purchasers of any receivables, and all agents, directors, and representatives of any of the foregoing, and (ii) Merchant includes any of Merchant’s affiliates, licensees, predecessors, successors, or assigns, any purchasers of any receivables and all agents, directors, and representatives of any of the foregoing, and

(iii) Claim means any allegation of an entitlement to relief, whether damages, injunctive or any other form of relief, against American Express or against Company or any other entity that American Express has the right to join in resolving a Claim, including, a transaction using an American Express product or network or regarding an American Express policy or procedure.

Except as expressly permitted by laws, Merchant must not:

• indicate or imply that it prefers, directly or indirectly, any other Card Networks over American Express,
• try to dissuade cardholders from using American Express,
• criticize or mischaracterize American Express or any of its services or programs,
• try to persuade or prompt cardholders to use any other Card Networks or any other method of payment (e.g., payment by check),
• impose any restrictions, conditions, disadvantages, or fees when American Express is accepted that are not imposed equally on all other Card Networks, except for electronic funds transfer, or cash and check,
• suggest or require cardholders to waive their right to dispute any sale,
• engage in activities that harm the American Express business or brand (or both),
• promote any other Card Network (except Merchant’s own private label card that Merchant issues for use solely at Merchant’s business locations and websites) more actively than Merchant promotes American Express, or
• convert the currency of the original sale to another currency when requesting authorization or submitting sales (or both).

Merchant may offer discounts or in-kind incentives from Merchant’s regular prices for payments in cash, ACH funds transfer, check, debit card or credit/charge card, provided that (to the extent required by laws): (i) Merchant clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms of the discount or in-kind incentive to Merchant’s customers,

(ii) the discount or in-kind incentive is offered to all of Merchant’s prospective customers, and (iii) the discount or in-kind incentive does not differentiate on the basis of the issuer or, except as expressly permitted by applicable state statute, payment card network (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, Discover, JCB, American Express). The offering of discounts or in-kind incentives in compliance with the terms of this paragraph will not constitute a violation of the provisions set forth above. Whenever payment methods are communicated to customers, or when customers ask what payments are accepted, Merchant must indicate Merchant’s acceptance of American Express and display American Express’ marks (including any American Express card application forms provided to Merchant) as prominently and in the same manner as any other Card Networks. Merchant must not use the American Express marks in any way that injures or diminishes the goodwill associated with the mark, nor (without prior written consent from ISO) indicate that American Express endorses Merchant’s goods or services. Merchant shall only use the American Express marks as permitted by the Agreement and shall cease using American Express’ marks upon termination of the Agreement. For additional guidelines on the use of the American Express marks, contact ISO.

Any and all cardholder information is confidential and the sole property of the applicable issuer, American Express or its affiliates. Except as otherwise specified, Merchant must not disclose cardholder information, nor use nor store it, other than to facilitate sales at Merchant’s business locations and websites in accordance with the Agreement. Merchant must ensure that it and any third parties it enlists to facilitate sales processing complies with the American Express Technical Specifications (available at www.AETS.com) (valid and accurate data must be provided for all data elements in accordance with the American Express Technical Specifications). Failure to comply with the American Express Technical Specifications may impact Merchant’s ability to successfully process sales. Merchants may be assessed non- compliance fees if Merchant fails to comply with the Technical Specifications. To ensure compliance with the Technical Specifications, Merchants should work with ISO.

• Merchant’s Business. Merchant will notify Bank and ISO immediately if it intends to (a) transfer or sell any substantial part of its total assets, or liquidate; (b) change the basic nature of its business, including selling any products or services not related to its current business; (c) change ownership or transfer control of its business; (d) enter into any joint venture, partnership or similar business arrangement whereby any person or entity not a party to this Agreement assumes any interest in Merchant’s business; (e) alter in any way Merchant’s approved monthly volume, average, or maximum ticket; or (f) changes its return policies or to another fulfillment house different from those identified in Merchant Application. Merchant will notify Bank promptly in writing if it becomes to any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency petition or Merchant’s failure to provide notice as required above may be deemed a material breach and will be sufficient grounds for termination of Merchant and for Bank’s exercise of all its rights and remedies provided by this Agreement. This agreement may not be assigned, directly or by operation of law by either Merchant or ISO, without Bank’s prior written consent. If any change listed above occurs, Bank may immediately terminate this Agreement.
• Merchant’s Warranties. Merchant represents and covenants that: (a) all information contained in the Merchant Application or any other documents delivered to Bank in connection therewith is true and complete and properly reflects Merchant’s business, financial condition and principal partners, owners or officers; (b) Merchant has power to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and this Agreement is duly authorized, and will not violate any provisions of law, or conflict with any other agreement to which Merchant is subject; (c) Merchant holds all licenses, if any, required to conduct its business and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction where it is required to do so; (d) there is no action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity now pending or to Merchant’s knowledge, threatened by or against or affecting Merchant which would substantially impair its right to carry on its business as now conducted or adversely affect its financial condition or operations; (e) each Sales Draft presented to Bank for collection is genuine and is not the result of any fraudulent or prohibited Transaction or is not being deposited on behalf of any business other than Merchant as authorized by this Agreement; (f) each Sales Draft is the result of a bona fide Card Transaction for the purchase of goods or services from Merchant by the Cardholder in the total amount stated on the Sales Draft; (g) Merchant has performed or will perform all of its obligations to the Cardholder in connection with the Card Transaction evidenced thereby; (h) Merchant has complied with Bank’s procedures for accepting Cards, and the Card Transaction itself does not involve any element of credit for any other purposes other than as set forth in this Agreement, and is not subject to any defense, dispute, offset or counterclaim which may be raised by any Cardholder under the Card Associations’ rules, the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 USC §1601) or other relevant state or federal statutes or regulations; (i) Merchant assumes responsibility for any failure by its third party processor to comply with the Visa Rule; (j) Merchant assumes responsibility for all employees’ actions while in its employ; and (k) any Credit Voucher which it issues represents a bona fide refund or adjustment on a Card sale by Merchant with respect to which a Sales Draft has been accepted by Bank.

• Compliance. Merchant will ensure business, employees, contractors, and service providers will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Card Association If undergoing a forensic investigation, Merchant will fully cooperate with the investigation until completed.

ARTICLE III – PRESENTMENT, PAYMENT, CHARGEBACK

• Acceptance. Bank will accept from Merchant all Sales Drafts deposited by Merchant under the terms of this Agreement and will present the same to the appropriate Card Issuers for collection against Cardholder Merchant must transmit Sales Drafts and Credit Vouchers to Bank or its processing vendor on the same or next business day immediately following the day that such Sales Drafts and Credit Vouchers have been originated. All presentment and assignment of Sales Drafts, collection therefor and reassignment or rejection of such Sales Drafts are subject to the terms of this Agreement and regulations of the Card Association. Bank will only provisionally credit the value of collected Sales Drafts to Merchant’s Account and reserves the right to adjust amounts collected to reflect the value of Chargebacks (actual and anticipated), fees, penalties, late submission charges, reserve deposits, negative Sales Draft batch deposits and items for which Bank did not receive final payment.
• Endorsement. By presenting Sales Drafts to Bank for collection and payment, Merchant agrees to sell and assign all its right, title and interest in each Sales Draft completed in conformity with Bank’s acceptance procedures and constitutes an endorsement by Merchant to Bank of such Sales Drafts. Bank may supply such endorsement on Merchant’s behalf.
• Prohibited Payments. Bank may receive payment of any Sales Draft presented by Merchant and paid by Bank unless and until there is a Chargeback. Unless specifically unauthorized in writing by Bank, Merchant may not collect or attempt to collect any Sales Draft, including Chargebacks, and will hold in trust for Bank and promptly deliver in kind to Bank any payment Merchant receives, in whole or in part, of the amount of any accepted Transaction, together with the Cardholder’s name and account number and any correspondence accompanying payment.
• Chargebacks. Merchant will accept for chargeback any sale for which the Cardholder disputes the validity of the sale according to prevailing Card Association regulations, or a Card issuer or Bank determines that Merchant has in any way failed to comply with Card Association regulations or Bank’s procedures in accepting a Card and presenting the resulting Sales Draft to Bank for purchase. Section 03 notwithstanding, Bank may charge back the amount of a Card sale for which the Cardholder disputes that authorizing the charge if Merchant failed to obtain the Card Imprint or the Cardholder’s signature. Merchant may not initiate a sale Transaction in an attempt to collect a Chargeback. Merchant will pay the current published fees for each Chargeback.
• Chargeback Reserve Account. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Bank may establish (without notice to Merchant), and Merchant agrees to fund a non-interest-bearing chargeback reserve account (the “Reserve Account”), or demand other security or raise any discount, transaction or other This account may be established at any time or for any reason. Specific examples might include: (a) Merchant engages in any charge processing that creates an overcharge to a Cardholder by duplicating charges; (b) any activity designed by Merchant to circumvent a “call center” message when attempting to process a transaction; (c) Merchant breaches this Agreement, violates any representation, covenant or warranty herein, violates any applicable Card Association rule or applicable law; (d) Merchant’s application is in any way inaccurate or becomes inaccurate subsequent to Bank’s approval of the application; (e) Merchant changes its type of business without Bank’s prior written approval; (f) fraud, Merchant processes an unauthorized charge, or other action that violates Bank’s applicable risk management standards or is likely to cause a loss; (g) Merchant has chargebacks exceeding 1% of the total number of transactions completed by Merchant in any 30 calendar day period; (h) excessive numbers of requests from consumers or issuing banks to retrieve documentation; (i) Merchant’s financial stability is in question or Merchant ceases doing business; or

• Merchant terminates this Agreement. Once the Reserve Account is established, collected funds will be placed in the Reserve Account. Before releasing funds after this Agreement is terminated, Merchant will pay any equipment cancellation fees and any outstanding charges, losses or amounts, and Chargebacks for which Merchant has provided indemnification under this Agreement. Further, Bank may require Merchant to deposit additional amounts based upon Merchant’s processing history and/or anticipated risk of loss to Bank into the Reserve Account. Once established, unless Bank determines otherwise at its sole discretion, the Reserve Account will remain in place for a minimum of 180 days following the last chargeback or for any longer period of time that Bank may reasonably In the event of unfulfilled goods and/or services, reserves may be held indefinitely for a reasonable period thereafter during which Cardholder disputes may remain valid under applicable Card Association rules.

The provisions of this Agreement relating to account debits and credits apply to the Reserve Account and survive this Agreement’s termination until Bank terminates the Reserve Account. Any balance remaining after chargeback rights have expired and all of Bank’s other expenses, losses and damages have been paid will be disbursed to Merchant.

ARTICLE IV – TERMINATION AND EFFECT OF TERMINATION

• IntentionallyOmitted.
• Termination.
  1. Without Cause. Bank or ISO may terminate this Agreement, without cause, upon 30 days advance written notice to It is also within the rights of Visa, Mastercard, and Discover to terminate this Agreement, at their sole discretion.
  2. For Cause. Bank or ISO may terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion, effective immediately, upon written or verbal notice, or by closing Merchant’s point-of- sale terminal, if Bank determines that any of the following conditions exists: (i) Merchant has violated any provision of this Agreement; (ii) there is a material adverse change in Merchant’s financial condition; (iii) if any case or proceeding is commenced by or against Merchant under any federal or state law dealing with insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership or other debt relief; (iv) any information which Merchant provided to Bank, including Application information, was false, incomplete or misleading when received; (v) at any time during the term of this Agreement, Merchant has had a monthly ratio of Chargebacks to total transactions exceeding Card Association requirements or 1%, or Chargebacks exceed 3% of any monthly dollar amount of total transactions; (vi) an overdraft in the settlement account exists for more than three days; (vii) Merchant or any of Merchant’s officers or employees has been involved in processing transactions arising from fraudulent or otherwise unauthorized transactions; (viii) Merchant is or will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under this Agreement or applicable law;

(ix) Merchant has failed to timely pay Bank any amount due; (x) Merchant has failed to promptly perform or discharge any obligation under its settlement account or the Reserve Account; (xi) any of Merchant’s representations or warranties made in connection with this Agreement was not true or accurate when given; (xii) Merchant has defaulted on any agreement it has with the Bank; (xiii) Bank is served with legal process seeking to attach or garnish any of Merchant’s funds or property in Bank’s possession, and Merchant does not satisfy or appeal the legal process within 15 days of such service; (xiv) any Card Association rules are amended in any way so that the continued existence of this Agreement would cause Bank to be in breach of those rules; (xv) any guaranty supporting Merchant’s obligations is revoked, withdrawn, terminated or altered in any way; (xvi) if any circumstances arise regarding Merchant or its business that create harm or loss of goodwill to any Card Association; (xvii) termination is necessary to prevent loss to Bank or Card Issuers; (xviii) Merchant’s type of business indicated on the Application or as conducted by Merchant could endanger the Bank’s safety or soundness; (xix) Merchant’s owner, officer, guarantor, or corporate entity has a separate relationship with the Bank and that relationship is terminated, (xx) Merchant appears on any Card Association’s security reporting; or (xxi) Bank’s security for repayment becomes impaired.

• Effect of Bankruptcy. Any account or security held by Bank will not be subject to any preference, claim or stay by reason of bankruptcy or similar The parties expressly agree that the acquisition of Card Transactions hereunder is a financial accommodation and if Merchant becomes a debtor in any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, this Agreement may not be assumed or enforced by any other person and Bank will be excused from performance hereunder.
• Effect of Termination. When termination becomes effective, the parties’ rights and obligations existing under this Agreement survive. If this Agreement is terminated, regardless of cause, Bank or ISO may withhold and discontinue the disbursement for all Cards and other Merchant Transactions in the process of being collected and If Merchant is terminated for cause, Merchant acknowledges that Bank or ISO may be required to report Merchant’s business name and the

names and other identification of its principals to the MATCH file maintained by Visa, Discover, and MasterCard. Merchant expressly agrees and consents to such reporting if Merchant is terminated for any reason requiring listing on the MATCH file. Merchant waives and will hold harmless Bank or ISO from any claims that Merchant may raise as a result of Bank’s MATCH file reporting. Merchant will also immediately cease requesting Authorizations. If Merchant obtains any Authorization after termination, the fact that any Authorization was requested or obtained will not reinstate this Agreement. Further, Merchant will return all Bank and ISO property, forms, or equipment. All obligations for Transactions prior to termination (including payment for Chargebacks and Bank’s expenses relating to Chargebacks) survive termination. Bank and ISO is not liable to Merchant for damages (including prospective sales or profits) due to termination. Following termination, Merchant will upon request provide Bank and ISO with all original and electronic copies of Sales Drafts and Credit Vouchers that have been retained by Merchant as of the date of termination. Upon termination, any amounts due to Bank and ISO will accelerate and be immediately due and payable, without any notice, declaration, or other act whatsoever by Bank.

• Early Termination Fee. This Agreement shall become effective when all parties sign the Merchant Application form to which this Agreement is attached (or in connection with which this Agreement is provided) and, unless sooner terminated, shall remain in effect for a term of three (3) years. This Agreement shall renew automatically for successive terms of one (1) year per each merchant account on file, unless any party provides written notice of termination to the other parties at least 90 days prior to the end of the then-current All existing obligations, warranties, indemnities and agreements with respect to Transactions entered into before such termination shall remain in full force and effect, and, regardless of any such termination, Merchant shall remain liable for all obligations to Cardholders and Bank that are incurred while this Agreement is in effect.

In the event this agreement is terminated early, Merchant hereby authorizes Bank or ISO to charge an “Early Termination Fee” and charge, deduct, and/or offset as authorized herein an amount equal to the average overall monthly fees multiplied by remaining months in agreement (provided in no event shall either such amount exceed the maximum amount permitted by applicable state law). The parties agree that the amount set forth in the previous sentence is not a penalty, but instead a fair calculation of the damages that ISO and/or Bank would suffer, and that such amount is otherwise extremely difficult if not impossible to calculate due to the specific nature and complexities of the electronic payment processing industry. The termination fee shall not be ISO or Bank’s exclusive remedy and shall apply in the event of early termination for any reason whatsoever related to Merchant’s breach of this Agreement regardless of the party that ultimately terminates the Agreement. Merchant agrees that these damages are not penalty but are reasonable computation of the financial harm caused by the early termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE V – MISCELLANEOUS

• Account Monitoring. Merchant acknowledges that Bank and ISO will monitor Merchant’s daily deposit Bank or ISO may upon reasonable grounds suspend disbursement of Merchant’s funds for any reasonable period required to investigate suspicious or unusual deposit activity. Bank or ISO will make good faith efforts to notify Merchant promptly following suspension. Bank and ISO are not liable to Merchant for any loss, either direct or indirect, which Merchant may attribute to any suspension of funds disbursement. Bank is responsible for providing settlement of funds directly to Merchant. Bank will hold and control all funds related to merchant acceptance, including settlement funds, reserves, suspended settlement, and other funds. ISO is not permitted to directly access or hold merchant funds, whether from settlement or reserves.
• Forms. Merchant will use only the forms or modes of transmission of Sales Drafts and Credit Vouchers that are provided or approved in advance by Bank, and Merchant may not use such forms other than in connection with card transactions.
• Indemnification. Merchant will defend, indemnify and hold Bank and ISO, their officers, directors, members, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, subcontractors and representatives harmless from and against any and all fines, penalties, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities or fees of any nature whatsoever, including attorneys’ fees and costs (“Damages”), asserted against or incurred by Bank or ISO arising out of, relating to or resulting from, either directly or indirectly:

(a) a breach of the security of the system safeguarding Cardholder Information resulting in unauthorized access to Cardholder Information; (b) a breach of any representation, warranty or term of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the data security provisions by Merchant, or any service provider, subcontractor or agent of Merchant; (c) the negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct of Merchant in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the data security provisions; (d) any violation of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and guidance and Card Association rules by Merchant; and (e) all third party claims arising from the foregoing. Notwithstanding the preceding, Merchant is not liable to Bank or ISO if Damages are caused by, related to or arise out of Bank’s negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct, or Bank’s breach of this Agreement. Merchant will promptly reimburse Bank and ISO for any assessments, fines, fees or penalties imposed by the Card Association in connection with this Agreement, including the data security provisions, and authorizes Bank to deduct any such sums from amounts to be cleared and settled with Merchant.

• Records. In addition to any records Merchant routinely furnishes to Bank or ISO under this Agreement, Merchant will preserve a copy of actual paper Sales Drafts and Credit Vouchers and any written authorization of the Cardholder for at least two years after the date Merchant presents the Transaction to Bank.
• Requests for Copies. Immediately after Merchant receives the request by Bank, Merchant will provide to Bank or ISO either the original or a legible copy (in a size comparable to the actual Sales Draft) of the paper Sales Draft and any other documentary evidence available to Merchant that Bank reasonably requests to meet Bank’s obligations under law (including its obligations under the Fair Credit Billing Act) or otherwise to respond to questions concerning Cardholder accounts.
• Compliance with Law. Merchant will comply with all laws applicable to Merchant, Merchant’s business and any Card Transaction, including without limitation all state and federal consumer credit and consumer protection statutes and regulations.
• Fees and Charges. Merchant will pay to Bank and ISO the fees and charges set forth on Merchant Agreement including any additional charges applied to transactions that fail to meet Card Association requirements for the lowest interchange Merchant’s Account will be debited through ACH or withheld from daily payments to Merchant for such amounts and for any other fees, charges or adjustments incurred by Merchant and associated with processing services. Bank and ISO may change fees, including adding fees for additional services utilized by Merchant, upon 30 days written notice to Merchant.
• Miscellaneous Fees and Charges. The following fees may be applied upon occurrence:
  • Card Not Present Compliance Monitoring Fee: $59.95 per month
    • If Merchant operates a business within an industry categorized as high risk, or if merchant conducts high risk transaction, merchant will be applied a monthly Compliance Monitoring Fee.
    • High risk industries and sales include: CBD, hemp, debt collection, multi-level marketing, nutraceuticals, card not present pharmacies, subscription sales, telemedicine, third-party entertainment ticket agencies, travel, third-party travel agencies, and card not present
  • Chargeback Arbitration Fees – $25.00
    • If Merchant has any chargebacks that reach Compliance or Arbitration, a $25.00 fee will be applied to each
  • Chargeback Reversal Case Fee: $14 per chargeback reversal case
    • Each time a chargeback case is rebutted by a Merchant a Chargeback Case Reversal is Each Chargeback Reversal Case created will have this fee applied.
  • Debit Network Gateway Fee: $0.02
    • Merchant will pay a $0.02 fee on all PIN Debit card This is a passthrough cost only applied to the authorizations on PIN Debit cardholder transactions.
  • EBT Network Gateway Fee: $0.02
    • Merchant will pay a $0.02 fee on all EBT card authorizations. This is a passthrough cost only applied to the authorizations on EBT cardholder

• High Risk Compliance Monitoring Fee: $59.95 per month
  • If Merchant operates a business within an industry categorized as high risk, or if merchant conducts high risk transaction, merchant will be applied a monthly Compliance Monitoring Fee.
  • High risk industries and sales include: CBD, hemp, debt collection, multi-level marketing, nutraceuticals, card not present pharmacies, subscription sales, telemedicine, third-party entertainment ticket agencies, travel, third-party travel agencies, and card not present
• Incoming Returns Fee: $0.10 per reject
  • Following initial success in processing a sale or refund, the respective Card Network may reject the transaction for final processing. ISO and Bank do not have control over whether or not a Card Network may allow a transaction to be fully When the respective Card Network rejects the transaction from final processing this fee shall be applied.
• One-Time Setup Fee: $18.00
  • Merchant will pay a One-Time Setup Fee following approval, billed during the first month of the Merchant Account going
• PIN Debit Chargeback Fee: $50.00 per PIN Debit Chargeback
  • PIN Debit Chargebacks are reported directly by the PIN Debit Networks to Upon notification, Merchant will be billed for each PIN Debit Chargeback received.
• Return Item Fee: $35 each
  • If any ACH credits/debits to the Merchant bank account on file, a $35.00 fee will be Fee may be debited from reserve.
• Tokenization Authorization Fee: $0.10 each
  • Should Merchant elect to utilize Tokenization services within their transaction processing, Merchant shall be responsible for the passthrough cost of transmitting the transaction through the appropriate Tokenization service.
• Voice Referral Fee: $3.50 each
  • When conducting voice authorization via referral method, a $3.50 fee will be applied to the
• Excessive Chargeback Fee. When the ratio of total chargebacks divided by the number of total sales reaches a ratio that is deemed excessive, Merchant will pay an additional fee. The Excessive Chargeback Fee is billed on a per Chargeback basis. Each Excessive Chargeback Fee is defined by a tier measured by the total number of chargebacks and total sales processed within a calendar If the Merchant Account is closed or terminated, regardless of any reason, Merchant will continue to be billed the Excessive Chargeback Fee until it is no longer applicable.

The following tiers will be applied, as based on the number of sales and chargebacks occurring within a calendar month:

• Tier 1: $5.00 per Chargeback
  • Total Number of Sales divided by the Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 00% and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 25
  • Or zero sales processed and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 25
• Tier 2: $10.00 per Chargeback
  • Total Number of Sales divided by the Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 00% and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 50
  • Or zero sales processed and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 50
• Tier 3: $15.00 per Chargeback
  • Total Number of Sales divided by the Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 00% and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 75
  • Or zero sales processed and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 75
• Tier 4: $20.00 per Chargeback
  • Total Number of Sales divided by the Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 00% and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 100
  • Or zero sales processed and a Total Number of Chargebacks greater than 100
• Security Interest. To secure payment of Merchant’s obligations under this Agreement, Merchant grants to Bank and ISO a security interest in all now existing or hereafter acquired: (a) Transactions, Sales Drafts, Credit Vouchers and other items submitted to Bank for processing by or for Merchant; (b) accounts receivable and payment rights relating to or arising from this Agreement, including all amounts due Merchant (including any rights to receive credits or payments hereunder); (c) accounts (including without limitation all deposit accounts) maintained with the Bank or any institution other than Bank, including the Reserve Account, in the name of or for the benefit of, Merchant or any guarantor of Merchant’s obligations under this Agreement; (d) deposits, regardless of source, to Merchant’s or any guarantor’s accounts with Bank or any institution other than Bank, including the Reserve Account; (e) all deposits and all other property and funds deposited by Merchant or withheld by Bank, including funds and property withheld as the result of security monitoring; and (f) proceeds of the foregoing. If Bank or ISO reasonably determines that Merchant has breached any obligation under this Agreement, or that proceeds of Merchant’s future card sales are unlikely to cover anticipated Chargebacks, credits, fees and adjustments, as reasonably determined by Bank (whether because this Agreement has been terminated or for any other reason), Bank or ISO may setoff or otherwise exercise its security interest without notice or demand by immediately withdrawing from or freezing any account or otherwise exercising its rights under this Agreement or those rights available under applicable laws, including the Wyoming Uniform Commercial Code, or in equity. In addition to the collateral pledged above, Bank or ISO may require Merchant to furnish such other and different security as Bank and ISO deems appropriate in its sole discretion to secure Merchant’s obligations under this Agreement. Bank may fully or partially prohibit withdrawal by Merchant of funds from Merchant’s deposit accounts maintained with Bank or financial institutions other than Bank, pending Bank’s determination from time to time to exercise its rights as a secured party against such accounts in partial or full payment of Merchant’s obligations to Bank.

Merchant will execute any documents and take any actions required to comply with and perfect any security interest under this paragraph, at Merchant’s cost. Merchant represents and warrants that no other party has a security interest or lien in any of the collateral pledged above, and Merchant will obtain Bank’s written consent before it grants a lien or security interest in that pledged collateral to any other person.

• Modifications to Agreement. This Agreement is subject to amendment to conform with Card Association regulations, as amended from time to From time to time Bank or ISO may amend any provision or provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, those relating to the discount rate or to other fees and charges payable by Merchant by mailing written notice to Merchant of the amendment at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the amendment, and the amendment will become effective unless Bank or ISO receives Merchant’s notice of termination of this Agreement before such effective date. Amendments required due to changes in either Card Association’s rules and regulations or any law or judicial decision may become effective on such shorter period of time as Bank and ISO may specify if necessary to comply with the applicable rule, regulation, law or decision.
• Warranty Disclaimer. BANK AND ISO MAKE NO WARRANTIES REGARDING THE USE, OPERATION OR PERFORMANCE OR NON- PERFORMANCE OF SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS UTILIZED FOR THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND BANK AND ISO EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
• Limitation of Liability. Bank’s and ISO’s liability with respect to any Card Transaction may not exceed the amount of the Sales Draft in connection with that Transaction less any applicable fees and charges. Bank and ISO are not liable for any incidental or consequential damages whatsoever. Merchant waives all claims against Bank and ISO for any loss, claim, demand, penalty, action, delay, cost or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any kind unless Merchant provides written notice to Bank and ISO of the occurrence that gave rise to the alleged liability within 30 days after Merchant knew or should have known of the Merchant will indemnify and hold Bank and ISO harmless from any claim relating to any Sales Draft paid for by Bank as may be made by anyone by way of defense, dispute, offset, counterclaim, or affirmative action, or for any damages of or losses that Bank may incur as a result of Merchant’s breach of this

Agreement. Further, Merchant will reimburse Bank and ISO for all expenses and costs, including attorneys’ fees, with regard thereto.

• Waiver. Bank’s failure by Bank to enforce one or more of the provisions of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of the right to enforce the same or other provision in the future.
• Written Notices. All written notices and other written communications required or permitted under this Agreement will be deemed delivered immediately when hand- delivered or sent via facsimile and the sender obtains a fax confirmation receipt, and upon mailing when sent first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
  • If to ISO: JBR Consulting Group, 440 N Barranca Ave STE 9078, Covina, CA 91723 Attn: Legal
  • If to Bank: FFB Bank, 7690 Palm Ave., Fresno, CA 93711, Attn: Legal Services
  • If to Merchant: At the facsimile number or address provided as the billing address and to the contact listed on the Merchant
• Choice of Law; Jurisdiction. Wyoming law governs this Any claim or cause of action arising out of this Agreement against Bank must be initiated and maintained exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Wyoming.
• Entire Agreement; Assignability. This Agreement expresses the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and except as provided herein, may be modified only in writing executed by Bank, ISO, and This Agreement may not be assigned, directly or by operation of law, without Bank’s prior written consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties’ respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.
• Deposit Account. Merchant will at all times maintain an Account at a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve ACH system and will provide Bank and ISO with proper authorization to debit the Account. All credits for collected funds and debits for fees, payments and Chargebacks and other amounts for which Merchant is liable under the terms of this Agreement will be made to the Account. Merchant may not close or change the Account without written notice to Merchant will be solely liable for all fees and costs associated with the Account and for all overdrafts. Merchant hereby grants to Bank a security interest in the Account to the extent of any and all fees, payments and Chargebacks and other amounts due which may arise under this Agreement, and Merchant will execute any document and obtain any consents or waivers from the bank at which the Account is maintained as requested by Bank to protect its security interests therein.
• Credit and Financial Inquiries; Additional Locations; Inspections. Bank or ISO may make, at any time, any credit inquires which it may consider necessary to accept or review acceptance of this Agreement or investigate Merchant’s deposit or Card acceptance activities after acceptance of this Such inquiries may include, but are not limited to, a credit and/or criminal check of the business including its proprietor, partners, principal owners or shareholders or officers. Upon Bank’s request,

Merchant will provide the written consent of any person for which an inquiry has been or is to be made if such person has not executed this Agreement and will provide any financial statements, income tax and business tax returns and other financial information as Bank or ISO may consider necessary to perform initial or periodic reviews of Merchant’s financial stability and business practices. Merchant may accept Cards only at locations approved by Bank. Additional locations may be added, subject to Bank’s approval. Any party to this Agreement may delete any location by providing notice as provided herein. Merchant will permit Bank, at any time and from time to time, to inspect locations to confirm that Merchant has or is adhering to the terms of this Agreement and is maintaining the proper facilities, equipment, inventory, records and license or permit (where necessary) to conduct its business. However, nothing in this paragraph may be deemed to waive Merchant’s obligation to comply in all respects with the terms of this Agreement. Bank, its internal and external auditors, and its regulators may audit compliance with this Agreement, compliance with federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and guidance applicable to the services, Card acceptance and Transaction processing, and data security provisions, including Card Association compliance. Merchant will make available its records maintained and produced under this Agreement, and Merchant’s facilities will be made accessible, upon notice during normal business hours for examination and audit. Nothing in this section may be construed to require Merchant to give access to its facilities, personnel or records in a manner that unreasonably interferes with its business operations. Each party will bear its expenses of any audit.

• Marketing of Non-Bankcard Services. From time to time, Bank or ISO may offer to Merchant certain additional products and services which may or may not be related to the processing of credit card Transactions. If such offers are made, Merchant may decline the offers or be deemed to have accepted the offers and be liable for payment
• Force Majeure. The parties will be released from liability hereunder if they fail to perform any obligation where the failure occurs by reason of any act of God, fire, flood, storm, earthquake, tidal wave, communications failure, sabotage, war, military operation, terrorism, national emergency, mechanical or electronic breakdown, civil commotion or the order, requisition, request or recommendation of any governmental authority, or either party’s compliance therewith, or governmental regulation, or priority, or any other similar cause beyond either party’s reasonable control.
• No Third-Party Beneficiary. No other person or entity may be deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of this