Exhibit 10.23
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CROSS-INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
CROSS-INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of June 26,
2000 by and between Deluxe Corporation, a Minnesota corporation ("Deluxe"), and
eFunds Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Deluxe
("eFunds").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Deluxe currently owns all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of eFunds;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated
March 31, 2000 between Deluxe and eFunds, Deluxe contributed and transferred to
eFunds, and eFunds received and assumed, directly or indirectly, substantially
all of the assets and liabilities currently associated with the business and
operations of eFunds;
WHEREAS, Deluxe currently contemplates that, several months following
an initial public offering of eFunds (the "IPO"), Deluxe will distribute to the
holders of its common stock by means of an exchange offer and/or a pro rata
distribution all of the shares of eFunds capital stock owned by Deluxe;
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, eFunds and Deluxe have proposed to
enter into an Underwriting Agreement as of the date hereof with Xxxxxx Brothers
Inc., Bear, Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc., First Albany Corporation, Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx &
Company and Fidelity Capital Markets, a division of National Financial Services
Corporation, for themselves and as representatives of the several underwriters
named therein (the "Underwriting Agreement");
WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Underwriting Agreement provides that eFunds
and Deluxe, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold harmless the persons
specified therein, or provide contribution as an alternative thereto; and
WHEREAS, as an integral step in the IPO, without which the IPO would
not occur in the form contemplated, the parties desire to enter into this
Agreement to set forth their agreement regarding the obligations of Deluxe and
eFunds to indemnify each other with respect to any costs or liabilities incurred
by them under the Underwriting Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Deluxe and eFunds, for themselves,
their successors, and assigns, hereby agree as follows:
1. Indemnification. (a) eFunds agrees to indemnify in full Deluxe, and
hold it harmless from and against any and all losses, liabilities, deficiencies,
damages, expenses or costs (including reasonable legal and other external
advisors fees and expenses) (each, an "Indemnifiable Loss") which Deluxe may
suffer, sustain or become subject to resulting from or arising out of the
Underwriting Agreement except insofar as such Indemnifiable Loss arises
exclusively from a breach of the Underwriting Agreement by Deluxe. eFunds
irrevocably waives (i) any requirement that Deluxe proceed first against any
other party or against any collateral security, (ii) any defense relating to the
absence of any attempt by the third party to collect under the Underwriting
Agreement from eFunds, or the absence of any other action to enforce the same,
(iii) any defense relating to the failure by the third party to take any steps
to perfect and maintain its security interest in, or to preserve rights to, any
security or collateral relating the Underwriting Agreement, or the release by
operation of law or otherwise, of any security interest, security, collateral or
right of recourse or liability relating to the Underwriting Agreement, or (iv)
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any defense relating to any assignment or transfer of rights by Deluxe relating
to the Underwriting Agreement.
(b) Deluxe agrees to indemnify in full eFunds and hold it harmless from
and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses which eFunds may suffer, sustain or
become subject to or arising out of the Underwriting Agreement insofar as such
Indemnifiable Loss arises exclusively from a breach of the Underwriting
Agreement by Deluxe. Deluxe irrevocably waives (i) any requirement that eFunds
proceed first against any other party or against any collateral security, (ii)
any defense relating to the absence of any attempt by the third party to collect
under the Underwriting Agreement from Deluxe, or the absence of any other action
to enforce the same, (iii) any defense relating to the failure by the third
party to take any steps to perfect and maintain its security interest in, or to
preserve rights to, any security or collateral relating the Underwriting
Agreement, or the release by operation of law or otherwise, of any security
interest, security, collateral or right of recourse or liability relating to the
Underwriting Agreement or (iv) any defense relating to any assignment or
transfer of rights by eFunds relating to the Underwriting Agreement.
2. Indemnification Procedures. (a) If a claim or demand for an
Indemnifiable Loss is made against eFunds or Deluxe (the "Indemnitee") by any
Person who is not a party to this Agreement (a "Third Party Claim") as to which
such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 1 hereof,
such Indemnitee shall give the other party hereto (the "Indemnitor") notice of
such Third Party Claim, as promptly as practicable, but in any event no later
than 15 days of the receipt by the Indemnitee of such notice; provided, however,
that the failure to provide such notice shall not release the Indemnitor from
any of its obligations under this Agreement except to the extent the Indemnitor
is materially prejudiced by such failure and shall not relieve the Indemnitor
from any other obligation or liability that it may have to the Indemnitee
otherwise than under this Agreement. If the Indemnitor acknowledges in writing
its obligations to indemnify the Indemnitee hereunder against any Indemnifiable
Losses that may result from such Third Party Claim, then the Indemnitor shall be
entitled to assume and control the defense of such Third Party Claim at its
expense and through counsel of its choice, subject to the approval of the
Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), if it
gives notice of its intention to do so to the Indemnitee within 15 business days
of the receipt of such notice from the Indemnitee; provided, however, that if
there exists or is reasonably likely to exist a conflict of interest that would
make it inappropriate in the reasonable judgment of the Indemnitee for the same
counsel to represent both the Indemnitee and the Indemnitor, then the Indemnitee
shall be entitled to retain its own counsel, in each jurisdiction for which the
Indemnitee determines counsel is required to participate in such defense, at the
expense of the Indemnitor. In the event the Indemnitor exercises the right to
undertake any such defense against any such Third Party Claim as provided above,
the Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Indemnitor in such defense and make
available to the Indemnitor, at the Indemnitor*s expense, all witnesses,
pertinent records, materials and information in the Indemnitee's possession or
under the Indemnitee's control relating thereto as is reasonably required by the
Indemnitor, subject to reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Similarly, in the event the Indemnitee is, directly or indirectly, conducting
the defense against any such Third Party Claim, the Indemnitor shall cooperate
with the Indemnitee in such defense and make available to the Indemnitee all
such witnesses, records, materials and information in the Indemnitor's
possession
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or under the Indemnitor's control relating thereto as is reasonably required by
the Indemnitee, subject to reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
No such Third Party Claim may be settled by the Indemnitor without the prior
written consent of the Indemnitee (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed) unless such settlement is solely for money and includes an
unconditional release of the Indemnitee from any and all Indemnifiable Losses
arising out of such action, claim, suit or proceeding and would not otherwise
adversely affect the Indemnitee. No such Third Party Claim may be settled by the
Indemnitee without the prior written consent of the Indemnitor, which shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnitor shall not be entitled
to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim and shall be liable for the fees
and expenses of counsel incurred by the Indemnitee in defending such Third Party
Claim if the Third Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable
relief or relief for other than money damages against the Indemnitee which the
Indemnitee reasonably determines, after conferring with its counsel, cannot be
separated from any related claim for money damages. If such equitable relief or
other relief portion of the Third Party Claim can be so separated from that for
money damages, the Indemnitor shall be entitled to assume the defense of the
portion relating to money damages.
(c) In the event the Indemnitee should have a claim against the
Indemnitor that does not involve a Third Party Claim, the Indemnitee shall
deliver a notice of such claim with reasonable promptness to the Indemnitor. If
the Indemnitor notifies the Indemnitee that it does not dispute the claim
described in such notice or fails to notify the Indemnitee within 20 business
days after delivery of such notice by the Indemnitee whether the Indemnitor
disputes the claim described in such notice, the Indemnifiable Loss in the
amount specified in the Indemnitee*s notice will be conclusively deemed a
liability of the Indemnitor and the Indemnitor shall pay the amount of such
Indemnifiable Loss to the Indemnitee on demand. If the Indemnitor has timely
disputed the liability with respect to such claim, the Chief Financial Officer
of eFunds and the Chief Financial Officer of Deluxe will proceed in good faith
to negotiate a resolution of such dispute, and if not resolved through the
negotiations of such individuals within 20 days after the delivery of the
Indemnitee*s notice of such claim, such dispute shall be resolved fully and
finally in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by an arbitrator selected pursuant to and an
arbitration governed by Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association, as modified herein. The parties will jointly appoint a mutually
acceptable independent arbitrator, seeking assistance in such regard from the
American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall resolve the dispute
within 30 days after selection and judgment upon the award rendered by such
arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each of
eFunds, on the one hand, and Deluxe, on the other, shall bear its own fees and
expenses in connection with such arbitration and shall bear 50% of the fees and
expenses of the arbitrator.
3. Continuing Indemnity. This is a continuing indemnity and shall not
be revoked or terminated by Deluxe or eFunds until all obligations under the
Underwriting Agreement have been paid or performed in full, with no further
recourse whether at law or in equity, against eFunds or Deluxe being available
to any third party with respect to such obligations. The indemnity set forth
herein shall be reinstated if and to the extent that, for any reason, any
payment under the Underwriting Agreement is rescinded or must be otherwise
restored, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization
or otherwise.
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4. Representations and Warranties of eFunds. eFunds hereby represents
and warrants to Deluxe as follows:
(a) eFunds has all requisite power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations contemplated hereby. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by eFunds and the performance of the
obligations contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all
requisite corporate action and no other corporate proceedings on eFunds*s part
are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by eFunds and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Deluxe, constitutes the
valid and binding obligation of eFunds enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by eFunds
does not and the performance of the obligations contemplated hereby will not:
(a) contravene any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
eFunds; (b) violate or conflict in any material respect with any foreign,
federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation or any decree,
writ, injunction, judgment or order of any court or administrative or other
governmental body or of any arbitration award which is either applicable to,
binding upon or enforceable against eFunds or the business or any assets of
eFunds; (c) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the provisions of; or
constitute a default (or any event which would, with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both, constitute a default) under, result in a violation of;
result in the creation of a right of termination, amendment, modification,
abandonment or acceleration under any indenture, mortgage, lease, license, loan
agreement or other material agreement or instrument which is either binding upon
or enforceable against eFunds; (d) result in the creation of any material lien,
security interest, charge or encumbrance upon eFunds or any of the assets of
eFunds; or (e) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other
action by or notice to any court, commission, governmental body regulatory
authority, agency or tribunal wherever located or any other third party.
5. Representations and Warranties of Deluxe. Deluxe hereby represents
and warrants to eFunds as follows:
(a) Deluxe has all requisite power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its obligations contemplated hereby. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by Deluxe and the performance of the
obligations contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all
requisite corporate action and no other corporate proceedings on Deluxe*s part
are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Deluxe and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by eFunds, constitutes the
valid and binding obligation of Deluxe enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Deluxe
does not and the performance of the obligations contemplated hereby will not:
(a) contravene any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Deluxe; (b) violate or conflict in any material respect with any foreign,
federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation or any decree,
writ, injunction, judgment or order of any court or administrative or other
governmental body or of any arbitration award which is either applicable to,
binding upon or enforceable against
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Deluxe or the business or any assets of Deluxe; (c) conflict with, result in any
breach of any of the provisions of, or constitute a default (or any event which
would, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, constitute a
default) under, result in a violation of, result in the creation of a right of
termination, amendment, modification, abandonment or acceleration under any
indenture, mortgage, lease, license, loan agreement or other material agreement
or instrument which is either binding upon or enforceable against Deluxe; (d)
result in the creation of any material lien, security interest, charge or
encumbrance upon Deluxe or any of the assets of Deluxe; or (e) require any
authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice to any
court, commission, governmental body regulatory authority, agency or tribunal
wherever located or any other third party.
6. Assignment. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under
this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the consent of the other party,
which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of
the parties concerning the indemnification and contribution obligations of
Deluxe and eFunds with respect to the Underwriting Agreement and may not be
amended or modified except by a writing signed by eFunds and Deluxe.
8. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws
(as opposed to conflicts of law provisions) and decisions of the State of
Minnesota. If any provision of this indemnity shall be prohibited by or invalid
under that law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such
prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision
or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. DELUXE AND EFUNDS WAIVE ANY RIGHT
TO TRIAL BY JURY. Each of eFunds and Deluxe consents to the jurisdiction of any
local, state or Federal court located within the State of Minnesota, and waives
any objection relating to improper venue of forum non conveniens to the conduct
of any proceeding in any such court.
9. Notices. All notices, consents, requests, approvals, and other
communications provided for or required herein, and all legal process in regard
thereto, must be in writing and shall be deemed validly given, made or served,
(a) when delivered personally or sent telecopy to the facsimile number indicated
below with a required confirmation copy sent in accordance with subsection (c)
below; or (b) on the next business day after delivery to a nationally recognized
express delivery service with instructions and payment for overnight delivery;
or (c) on the fifth (5th) day after deposited in any depository regularly
maintained by the United States postal service, postage prepaid, certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the following addresses
or to such other address as the party to be notified shall have specified to the
other party in accordance with this section:
If to Deluxe:
Deluxe Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
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Copy to: General Counsel
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to eFunds:
eFunds Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
P.O. Box 12536
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Copy to: General Counsel
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the date and year first written above.
DELUXE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xx.
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Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xx.
Title: SVP
eFUNDS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, III
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Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, III
Title:
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