Document:

EX-10.17

 Exhibit 10.17 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BILLING AGENT AGREEMENT 

This Amended and Restated BILLING AGENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of 11/25/2020,
(“Effective Date”), by and between TRANS UNION LLC (“TransUnion”) with its principal place of business at 555 West Adams, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and Upstart Network, Inc. (“BILLING AGENT”)
with its principal place of business at 2950 South Delaware Avenue #300, San Mateo, CA 94403. 
 . 

RECITALS 

WHEREAS, TransUnion has entered into an agreement (a “Service Agreement”) for consumer credit reporting and/or
ancillary products and services (“Services”) with its customers reflected on Exhibit A (each, a “Customer”); and, 

WHEREAS, TransUnion and Billing Agent have previously entered into that certain Billing Agent Agreement dated February 13, 2017,
including all addenda and amendments entered into from time to time by the parties (the “Existing Billing Agent Agreement”); and 

WHEREAS, TransUnion and Billing Agent wish to amend and restate the Existing Billing Agent Agreement in its entirety; and 

WHEREAS, TransUnion and BILLING AGENT desire that BILLING AGENT act as a TransUnion billing agent for payment of certain Services
provided by TransUnion to Customer(s) under the Service Agreement. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
promises and mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged as adequate consideration by the parties, the parties hereto agree as follows: 

 

	1.	 Appointment 

 

	1.1	 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, TransUnion engages BILLING AGENT on a nonexclusive
basis, and BILLING AGENT accepts such engagement, to act as a TransUnion billing agent for the purpose of billing and payment of Services provided by TransUnion to certain Customers under the Services Agreement. 

 

	1.2	 This Agreement is entered into in reliance on the integrity as well as the managerial capacity of BILLING
AGENT, including its principals and employees. Therefore, this Agreement, including, without limitation, all rights and obligations set forth herein, with respect to BILLING AGENT, are personal to the BILLING AGENT and may not be subcontracted, to
subagents or any other third party, by BILLING AGENT without the prior written consent of TransUnion. Moreover, this Agreement, including the rights and obligations contained in this Agreement, may not be assigned, transferred (e.g., via stock
purchase, sale of assets, etc.) or otherwise disposed of, by operation of law or otherwise, in whole or in part, by BILLING AGENT. Any attempt to so subcontract, assign, or transfer such rights and obligations shall result in immediate termination
of this Agreement. 

  

	2.	 Responsibilities of BILLING AGENT 

 

	2.1	 BILLING AGENT shall conduct its business consistent with ethical business practice and in a manner so as to
maintain and increase the goodwill and reputation of TransUnion and the Services. 

  

	2.2	 BILLING AGENT will fulfill all its obligations under this Agreement in a professional and workmanlike manner.

  

	2.3	 BILLING AGENT shall at all times comply with all applicable laws, regulations and judicial actions.

  

	2.4	 BILLING AGENT shall obtain, and maintain for the term of this Agreement: (a) Worker’s Compensation
and/or all other Social Insurance in accordance with the statutory requirements of the jurisdiction in which the services will be performed and (b) Comprehensive General Liability and Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance, covering all
BILLING AGENT’S operations under this Agreement, in an appropriate amount, but in no event less than an amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence. BILLING AGENT shall deliver to TransUnion within thirty (30) days of the
execution date of this Agreement certificates evidencing the insurance obtained pursuant to the requirements set forth in this Agreement. All policies of insurance obtained pursuant to this Agreement shall provide that such insurance shall not be
changed or canceled until thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to TransUnion. 

  

					
	Trans Union LLC Confidential Information	  	1	  	

  

	***	 Certain information has been excluded from this agreement because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be
competitively harmful if publicly disclosed. 

	2.5	 Unless otherwise set forth in this Agreement or as otherwise agreed to by TransUnion in writing, BILLING AGENT
shall be responsible for all of its expenses incurred in the performance of this Agreement including, but not limited to: (a) dues and fees for membership in any local, state, or national trade association or attendance at seminars or
conventions; (b) local and long-distance transportation expenses; and (c) expenses in connection with the operation of BILLING AGENT’S business, including telephone, delivery, entertainment, and promotional expenses.

  

	3.	 Limited Agent Authority 

 

	3.1	 BILLING AGENT shall not enter into any contract with respect to the Services to be provided by TransUnion nor
shall BILLING AGENT negotiate, waive, alter, or change any provision of any such agreement, or proposed agreement. 

  

	3.2	 All Customers to whom TransUnion chooses to provide services shall be required to execute appropriate
documentation and agreements with TransUnion as determined solely by TransUnion. Any Customer(s) who enter into such agreements with TransUnion shall be deemed customers of TransUnion. 

 

	3.3	 TransUnion shall have no liability for services (outside of TransUnion Services) provided by BILLING AGENT to
Customer or third parties, and BILLING AGENT shall indemnify TransUnion in full (including attorneys’ fees and costs) for any claims that relate to services that BILLING AGENT provides to or on behalf Customer or other third parties.

  

	3.4	 Nothing in this Agreement grants to BILLING AGENT any right or authority to incur any expense in the name of
TransUnion nor to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, for or on behalf of TransUnion, nor to bind TransUnion in any way or manner whatsoever. 

 

	3.5	 All rights in any Trademarks associated with the business of TransUnion, including all goodwill pertaining
thereto, shall be and remain the sole property of TransUnion. “Trademarks” shall be defined as all trademarks, trade names, service marks, slogans, logos, designs, and other similar means of distinction, which are owned or controlled by
TransUnion. BILLING AGENT may use and display such Trademarks only in the manner and for the purposes authorized in writing in advance by TransUnion, and only during the term of this Agreement. 

 

	4.	 Auditing Rights. BILLING AGENT shall maintain complete and accurate records to
substantiate its performance under this Agreement including, without limitation, its compliance with legal, regulatory, judicial requirements and compliance with other obligations under this Agreement. BILLING AGENT shall preserve such records for a
period of at least thirty-six (36) months after termination of this Agreement. TransUnion shall have access to such records for purposes of audit, either through its own representatives or through an
independent auditor selected and paid by TransUnion. Any such review of records may be conducted at any time during regular business hours and upon TransUnion providing BILLING AGENT no less than ten (10) days’ prior written notification.

  

	5.	 Compensation  

 

	5.1	 TransUnion shall compensate BILLING AGENT for its services by establishing pricing with BILLING AGENT as set
forth in Statement of Work entered into by BILLING AGENT on behalf of the Customer identified in Exhibit A, and permitting BILLING AGENT to mark up the cost and/or consolidate the fees into other fees, and bill the Customers who have entered into
Service Agreements with TransUnion.  

  

	5.2	 BILLING AGENT shall not disclose the fees for Services being assessed by TransUnion for services for Customer
or any third parties, and BILLING AGENT shall be responsible for all invoicing, shall own the accounts receivable for such accounts and shall be responsible for all costs associated with any required collection efforts. However, BILLING AGENT shall
notify TransUnion of any past due payments from such Customers and BILLING AGENT shall communicate directly with such Customers regarding such past due payments. If collection efforts are not fully successful within twelve months of initiation,
BILLING AGRENT shall reimburse TransUnion in full for any balance due to TransUnion for Services rendered. 

  

	5.3	 TransUnion shall invoice BILLING AGENT at the pricing reflected in Exhibit A for all Customers reflected in
Exhibit A. Payment must be received by TransUnion within thirty (30) days after BILLING AGENT’S receipt of invoice, and past due amounts shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month or as provided for by law. In the event collection
efforts are required to obtain payment from BILLING AGENT, TransUnion shall be entitled to all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. 

 

	6.	 Term, Termination & Survival 

 

	6.1	 Term. This Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall remain in effect for a period of
one (1) year (the “Initial Term”); provided, however, after the Initial Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for subsequent one (1) year periods (each, a “Renewal Term”, and collectively with the Initial Term,
the “Term”). The foregoing notwithstanding, either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement as more fully stated herein. 

  

  

					
	Trans Union LLC Confidential Information	  	2	  	

	6.2	 Termination. 

  

	6.2.1	 TransUnion may terminate this Agreement for any or no reason upon written notice to BILLING AGENT.

  

	6.2.2	 The foregoing notwithstanding, ether party may terminate this Agreement for the other party’s breach of
any material provision of this Agreement; provided the non-breaching party has provided the party in breach with written notice specifying such breach and the party in breach has failed to cure such breach
within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice. 

  

	6.2.3	 The foregoing notwithstanding, without limiting any other remedies to which it may be entitled, TransUnion
reserves the right to immediately terminate this Agreement if TransUnion, in good faith, determines that: (1) BILLING AGENT violated any portion of this Agreement or that the requirements of any law have not been met; (2) as a result of
changes in laws, regulations or regulatory or judicial action, TransUnion, in good faith believes that the requirements of any law or regulation will not be met; (3) BILLING AGENT commits, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is convicted
of, an act or offense involving moral turpitude or commits any willful or dishonest act that could injure TransUnion in any material respect; and/or (4) BILLING AGENT attempts to assign (without prior written approval), or subcontract or
transfer this Agreement including, without limitation, any and/or all of its rights and obligations. TransUnion shall promptly provide written notification to BILLING AGENT in the event it exercises such termination rights. 

 

	6.2	 Survival. With the exception of BILLING AGENT acting as billing agent under this Agreement and BILLING
AGENT’S obligation to provide these services, all other provisions of this Agreement shall survive any such termination of this Agreement. Moreover, any such termination shall not affect any rights, duties or obligations of either
party that accrue prior to the effective date of any such termination. 

  

	7.	 Independent Status 

 

	7.1	 Independent Contractor. The parties to this Agreement are independent contractors. Except for the
explicit purposes set forth in this Agreement, no other relationship is intended to be created between the parties (including, but not limited to, any employer-employee arrangement, partnership, joint venture, or similar relationship of any kind
whatsoever) including, without limitation, between a party and any principal or employee of the other party. Each party shall retain the right to perform services for others during the term of this Agreement as well as the right to maintain other
businesses owned or controlled by it. Both parties shall retain the right to cause services of the same or a different kind to be performed by its own personnel or other agents during the term of this Agreement. 

 

	7.2	 Income Taxes. Both parties understand that the other party will not contribute to Medicare, Social
Security or any other required employment taxes on behalf of the other party, including without limitation such other party’s principals and employees, nor will the other party withhold income taxes from compensation paid to the other party.
Each party understands that it will be responsible for paying and reporting one hundred percent (100%) of all applicable taxes and social insurance including, but not limited to, federal and state employment and income taxes, social security taxes
and unemployment insurance, for itself, its principals and its employees. 

  

	7.3	 Employment Benefits. Each party understands that neither it nor its principals and employees will be
entitled to receive any employment benefits from the other party including, but not limited to, health, life or disability insurance; retirement or pension plans; paid vacation or sick leave; unemployment compensation or worker’s compensation
insurance. 

  

	8.	 Representations and Warranties 

 

	8.1	 BILLING AGENT represents and warrants: (1) that it has the experience and ability to perform the services
and its obligations as set forth in this Agreement; (2) that it will perform the services in a professional and competent manner; (3) that it has the power to enter into and perform this Agreement; and (4) that its performance of this
Agreement shall not violate any federal, state, and/or municipal laws or regulations. 

  

	8.2	 BILLING AGENT represents and warrants that it is under no obligation or restriction, nor will it assume any
such obligation or restriction that does or would present a conflict of interest, concerning the services to be provided by BILLING AGENT under this Agreement. BILLING AGENT agrees that if, after execution of this Agreement, it discovers a conflict
of interest with respect to this Agreement, it shall make an immediate disclosure in writing to TransUnion, which shall include a description of the action which BILLING AGENT has taken or proposes to take to avoid or mitigate such conflict.

  

	8.3	 BILLING AGENT represents and warrants that each principal and each employee it selects to perform services for
TransUnion pursuant to this Agreement is or will be bound (prior to rendering any such services) by an appropriate written agreement sufficient to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. 

 

  

					
	Trans Union LLC Confidential Information	  	3	  	

	8.4	 BILLING AGENT, to the extent it is engaged by a Customer for the purpose of requesting, receiving, processing
and/or storing Services represents, warrants and covenants to TransUnion that any such actions shall be conducted solely in its capacity as an agent for such Customer, for the benefit of such Customer, and shall at all times be consistent with the
terms, conditions, and restrictions contained in the Service Agreement in effect between the Customer and TransUnion. 

  

	9.	 Proprietary Information 

 

	9.1	 From time to time TransUnion may provide business and technical information, which TransUnion considers
confidential or proprietary (“Confidential Information”), to BILLING AGENT in connection with the services to be performed by BILLING AGENT under this Agreement. Moreover, without limiting the foregoing, all nonpublic information regarding
names and addresses of any Customers, pricing, account invoices, training and educational manuals, memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals, disks, or other documents and media pertaining to TransUnion’s business and/or BILLING AGENT’S
activities or duties under this Agreement, in whatever form and including all copies, extracts, summaries, and analyses thereof, shall also be deemed Confidential Information also belonging to TransUnion. BILLING AGENT shall hold in confidence and
shall not publish, disseminate, disclose or otherwise use any Confidential Information it receives from TransUnion, except solely for purposes of, and solely to the extent necessary to, perform such services. 

 

	9.2	 Subject to the Section below, the obligations of confidentiality set forth in this Section shall not apply to
information: (a) which BILLING AGENT can demonstrate, by its written records, was already in the possession of BILLING AGENT prior to the first date of disclosure by TransUnion or any such other source; (b) which BILLING AGENT possesses or
acquires independently of BILLING AGENT’S activities or duties under this Agreement; (c) which is now or becomes publicly known through no fault of BILLING AGENT; (d) which BILLING AGENT rightfully receives from third parties (except
for information received by BILLING AGENT from third parties in connection with its performance of this Agreement).; (e) which by TransUnion’s written authorization is approved for use or release by BILLING AGENT; or, (f) which is required
by law (e.g., an order of a court or data request from an administrative or governmental agency with competent jurisdiction) to be disclosed; provided however, that BILLING AGENT shall use best commercial efforts to provide TransUnion ten
(10) days’ prior written notice before the disclosure of such information pursuant to this subclause (f). 

  

	9.3	 Any portion of such Confidential Information that is specific (i.e., business practices, database management
techniques, etc.) shall not be within the foregoing exceptions to such obligations of confidentiality merely because such information is embraced by general disclosures that are within such exceptions. Moreover, the foregoing exceptions to such
obligations of confidentiality shall not apply to a combination of features found in such Confidential Information unless that combination and not just the individual features are within such exceptions. 

 

	9.4	 In the event that BILLING AGENT shall have knowledge of any breach of the confidentiality of, or the
misappropriation of, any Confidential Information, BILLING AGENT shall promptly give notice thereof to TRANSUNION. 

  

	9.5	 This Agreement including, without limitation, all Exhibits attached hereto, shall be deemed Confidential
Information and BILLING AGENT shall not disclose the contents of this Agreement without the prior written consent of TransUnion, provided, however, that BILLING AGENT may disclose the fact of general existence of this Agreement.

  

	9.6	 In the event of a breach of the aforestated obligations of confidentiality, TransUnion shall be entitled to
seek equitable relief to protect its interests, including but not limited to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, as well as monetary damages. Nothing stated herein will be construed to limit any other remedies available to TransUnion.

  

	9.7	 Upon TransUnion’s written request or upon termination of this Agreement, whichever occurs first, BILLING
AGENT shall either return all other Confidential Information provided to BILLING AGENT or to which BILLING AGENT may have otherwise obtained in performance of services for TransUnion under this Agreement, along with all copies thereof, to TransUnion
or, at TransUnion’s sole option, provide a written certification, signed by an officer of BILLING AGENT, that all such other Confidential Information has been destroyed. All obligations of confidentiality set forth herein shall survive any such
destruction of tangible Confidential Information as well as the return of tangible Confidential Information to TransUnion. 

  

  

					
	Trans Union LLC Confidential Information	  	4	  	

	10.	 Limitation of Liability 

 

	10.1	 IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE
DAMAGES INCURRED BY THE OTHER PARTY AND ARISING OUT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF GOOD WILL AND LOST PROFITS OR REVENUE, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE IS BASED IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT,
NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, INDEMNITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF A PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY.

  

	10.2	 THE FOREGOING NOTWITHSTANDING, WITH RESPECT TO BILLING AGENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AFORESTATED LIMITATIONS
OF LIABILITY APPLY TO ANY PENALTIES, FINES, OR SIMILAR MONETARY DAMAGES INCURRED BY TRANSUNION AND RESULTING FROM GOVERNMENTAL, REGULATORY OR JUDICIAL ACTION(S) PERTAINING TO VIOLATIONS OF THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT (15 U.S.C. § 1681, ET
SEQ.) AND/OR OTHER LAWS, REGULATIONS AND/OR JUDICIAL ACTIONS TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES RESULT FROM BILLING AGENT’S (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, BILLING AGENT’S EMPLOYEES’) BREACH OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR FROM
BILLING AGENT’S (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, BILLING AGENT’S EMPLOYEES’) NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL CONDUCT. 

  

	10.3	 TRANSUNION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT
BROUGHT MORE THAN TWELVE (12) MONTHS AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION HAS ACCRUED. TRANSUNION’S TOTAL LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT COLLECTED BY BILLING AGENT, UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, DURING THE TWELVE MONTH
(12) MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SUCH CLAIM. 

  

	11.	 Notice and Notice Addresses All required notices and other required communication, from one party
to the other under this Agreement, shall be in writing and sent to the addresses set forth below. Any such notice or other communication shall be sufficiently given if: (1) delivered personally to the address, referred to below, of the party to
whom notice is to be given; or, (2) sent by pre-paid first class mail, certified mail, registered mail or by nationally-recognized private express courier, to the address, referred to below, of the party
to whom notice is to be given. 

  

			
	Trans Union LLC	  	Upstart Network, Inc.
	555 W. Adams Street	  	950 South Delaware Avenue #300
	Chicago, Illinois 60661	  	San Mateo, CA 94403
	Attn.: GENERAL COUNSEL	  	ATTN.: General Counsel

  

	12.	 Governing Law This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Illinois regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable Illinois principles of conflicts of law. 

  

	13.	 Construction and Severability 

 

	13.1	 All references in this Agreement to the singular shall include the plural where applicable. Titles and headings
to sections or paragraphs in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement. 

 

	13.2	 If any term or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or
unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. 

  

	13.3	 Each of the parties has jointly participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event of
any ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by each of the parties and no presumptions or burdens of proof shall arise favoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any
of the provisions of this Agreement. 

  

	14.	 Force Majeure. Any delay, omission or failure of performance by either party hereto
under this Agreement shall not constitute default hereunder or give rise to any claim for breach of contract if, and to the extent, such delay, omission or failure is caused by or arises by reason of Force Majeure. Force Majeure shall mean
occurrences beyond the reasonable control of the party affected, including acts of God; strikes, boycotts or other concerted acts of workmen; failure of utilities; laws, regulations or other orders of public authorities; military action, state of
war or other national emergency; fire or flood which, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, the delayed party is unable to prevent or provide against. The party affected by any Force Majeure event or occurrence shall give the other party written
notice of said event or occurrence within ten (10) days of such event or occurrence. 

  

  

					
	Trans Union LLC Confidential Information	  	5	  	

	15.	 Entire Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AND
SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH ABOVE, THIS AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE ALTERED, AMENDED, OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY
WRITTEN INSTRUMENT, SIGNED BY THE DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH PARTIES. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties,
intending to be legally bound, have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the last date and year set forth below. 
  

			
	UPSTART NETWORK, INC.	  	TRANS UNION LLC
		
	By: /s/ Dave
Girouard                                        
	  	By: /s/ Peter
Turek                                        

		
	Name: Dave Girouard	  	Name: Peter L Turek
		
	Title: CEO	  	Title: SVP
		
	Date: 11/25/2020	  	Date: 11/25/2020

  

					
	Trans Union LLC Confidential Information	  	6	  	

 Exhibit A 

Customers 
 The
following shall be deemed “Customers” for purposes of this Billing Agent Agreement: 
 [***] 

Pricing 
 [***]

  

					
	Trans Union LLC Confidential Information	  	7	  	

  

	***	 Certain information, as identified by [***], has been excluded from this agreement because it is both (i) not
material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.ircc_ex41.htm

EXHIBIT 4.1
  
 INDIGENOUS ROOTS CORP. 
 (the “Corporation”)
  
 CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT 
 FOR DIRECTORS, SENIOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CORPORATION 
 (the “Code”)
  
 This Code applies to the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Controller and persons performing similar functions (collectively, the “Senior Officers”) along with all directors and employees within the Corporation (the Senior Officers, directors and employees are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Employees”). This Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all Employees of the Corporation. All Employees should conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid the appearance of improper behaviour in any way relating to the Corporation.
  
 Any Employee who has any questions about the Code should consult with the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board”) or the Corporation’s audit committee (the “Audit Committee”).
  
 The Corporation has adopted the Code for the purpose of promoting:
  
 	  
	 ·
	 honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 ·
	 full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in all reports and documents that the Corporation files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Corporation that are within the Senior Officer’s area of responsibility;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 ·
	 compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 ·
	 the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code; and

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 ·
	 accountability for adherence to the Code.

  
 HONEST AND ETHICAL CONDUCT
  
 Each Senior Officer and member of the Board owes a duty to the Corporation to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest and candid. Employees must adhere to a high standard of business ethics and are expected to make decisions and take actions based on the best interests of the Corporation, as a whole, and not based on personal relationships or benefits. Generally, a “conflict of interest” occurs when an Employee’s personal interests is, or appears to be, inconsistent with, interferes with or is opposed to the best interests of the Corporation or gives the appearance of impropriety.
  
 	 
	
	

	 

   
 - 2 -
  
 Business decisions and actions must be made in the best interests of the Corporation and should not be influenced by personal considerations or relationships. Relationships with the Corporation’s stakeholders - for example suppliers, competitors and customers - should not in any way affect an Employee’s responsibility and accountability to the Corporation. Conflicts of interest can arise when an Employee or a member of his or her family receive improper gifts, entertainment or benefits as a result of his or her position in the Corporation.
  
 Specifically, each Employee must:
  
 	  
	 1.
	 act with integrity, including being honest and candid while still maintaining the confidentiality of information when required or consistent with the Corporation’s policies;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 2.
	 avoid violations of the Code, including actual or apparent conflicts of interest with the Corporation in personal and professional relationships;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 3.
	 disclose to the Board or the Audit Committee any material transaction or relationship that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a breach of the Code, including actual or apparent conflicts of interest with the Corporation;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 4.
	 obtain approval from the Board or Audit Committee before making any decisions or taking any action that could reasonably be expected to involve a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 5.
	 observe both the form and spirit of laws and governmental rules and regulations, accounting standards and Corporation policies;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 6.
	 maintain a high standard of accuracy and completeness in the Corporation’s financial records;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 7.
	 ensure full, fair, timely, accurate and understandable disclosure in the Corporation’s periodic reports;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 8.
	 report any violations of the Code to the Board or Audit Committee;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 9.
	 proactively promote ethical behaviour among peers in his or her work environment; and

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 10.
	 maintain the skills appropriate and necessary for the performance of his or her duties.

  
 DISCLOSURE OF CORPORATION INFORMATION
  
 As a result of the Corporation’s status as a public company, it is required to file periodic and other reports with the SEC. The Corporation takes its public disclosure responsibility seriously to ensure that these reports furnish the marketplace with full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure regarding the financial and business condition of the Corporation. All disclosures contained in reports and documents filed with or submitted to the SEC, or other government agencies, on behalf of the Corporation or contained in other public communications made by the Corporation must be complete and correct in all material respects and understandable to the intended recipient.
  
 	 
	
	

	 

   
 - 3 -
   
 The Senior Officers, in relation to his or her area of responsibility, must be committed to providing timely, consistent and accurate information, in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. It is imperative that this disclosure be accomplished consistently during both good times and bad and that all parties in the marketplace have equal or similar access to this information.
  
 All of the Corporation’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Corporation’s transactions, and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Corporation’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the book” funds, assets or liabilities should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation. Senior Officers involved in the preparation of the Corporation’s financial statements must prepare those statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, and any other applicable accounting standards and rules so that the financial statements materially, fairly and completely reflect the business transactions and financial statements and related condition of the Corporation. Further, it is important that financial statements and related disclosures be free of material errors.
  
 Specifically, each Senior Officer must:
  
 	  
	 1.
	 familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Corporation;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 2.
	 not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Corporation to others, including the Corporation’s independent auditors, governmental regulators, self-regulating organizations and other governmental officials;

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 3.
	 to the extent that he or she participates in the creation of the Corporation’s books and records, promote the accuracy, fairness and timeliness of those records; and

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 4.
	 in relation to his or her area of responsibility, properly review and critically analyse proposed disclosure for accuracy and completeness.

  
 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
  
 Employees must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by the Corporation of its customers, suppliers, joint venture partners, or others with whom the Corporation is considering a business or other transaction except when disclosure is authorized by an executive officer or required or mandated by laws or regulations. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be useful or helpful to competitors or harmful to the Corporation or its customers or suppliers, if disclosed. It also includes information that suppliers, customers and other parties have entrusted to the Corporation. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends.
  
 	 
	
	

	 

   
 - 4 -
  
 Records containing personal data about employees or private information about customers and their employees are confidential. They are to be carefully safeguarded, kept current, relevant and accurate. They should be disclosed only to authorized personnel or as required by law.
  
 All inquiries regarding the Corporation from non-employees, such as financial analysts and journalists, should be directed to the Board or the Audit Committee. The Corporation’s policy is to cooperate with every reasonable request of information from government investigators. At the same time, the Corporation is entitled to all the safeguards provided by law for the benefit of persons under investigation or accused of wrongdoing, including legal representation. If a representative of any government or government agency seeks an interview or requests access to data or documents for the purposes of an investigation, the Employee should refer the representative to the Board or the Audit Committee. Employees also should preserve all materials, including documents and e-mails that might relate to any pending or reasonably possible investigation.
  
 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
  
 The Employees must respect and obey all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to the business and operations of the Corporation.
  
 Employees who have access to, or knowledge of, material non-public information from or about the Corporation are prohibited from buying, selling or otherwise trading in the Corporation’s stock or other securities. “Material non-public” information includes any information, positive or negative, that has not yet been made available or disclosed to the public and that might be of significance to an investor, as part of the total mix of information, in deciding whether to buy or sell stock or other securities.
  
 Employees also are prohibited from giving “tips” on material non-public information, that is directly or indirectly disclosing such information to any other person, including family members, other relatives and friends, so that they may trade in the Corporation’s stock or other securities.
  
 Furthermore, if, during the course of an Employee’s service with the Corporation, he or she acquires material non-public information about another company, such as one of our customers or suppliers, or you learn that the Corporation is planning a major transaction with another company (such as an acquisition), the Employee is restricted from trading in the securities of the other company.
  
 REPORTING ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE
  
 The Corporation, through the Board or the Audit Committee, is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions may arise and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. This Code is not intended to provide a comprehensive guideline for Senior Officers in relation to their business activities with the Corporation. Any Employee may seek clarification on the application of this Code from the Board or the Audit Committee.
  
 	 
	
	

	 

   
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 Each Employee must:
  
 	  
	 1.
	 notify the Corporation of any existing or potential violation of this Code, and failure to do so is itself a breach of the Code; and

	  
	  
	  

	  
	 2.
	 not retaliate, directly or indirectly, or encourage others to do so, against any Employee for reports, made in good faith, of any misconduct or violations of the Code solely because that Employee raised a legitimate ethical issue.

  
 The Board or the Audit Committee will take all action it considers appropriate to investigate any breach of the Code reported to it. All Employees are required to cooperate fully with any such investigations and to provide truthful and accurate information. If the Board or the Audit Committee determines that a breach has occurred, it will take or authorize disciplinary or preventative action as it deems appropriate, after consultation with the Corporation’s counsel if warranted, up to and including termination of employment. Where appropriate, the Corporation will not limit itself to disciplinary action but may pursue legal action against the offending Employee involved. In some cases, the Corporation may have a legal or ethical obligation to call violations to the attention of appropriate enforcement authorities.
  
 Compliance with the Code may be monitored by audits performed by the Board, Audit Committee, the Corporation’s counsel and/or by the Corporation’s outside auditors. All Employees are required to cooperate fully with any such audits and to provide truthful and accurate information.
  
 Any waiver of this Code for any Employee may be made only by the Board or the Audit Committee and will be promptly disclosed to stockholders and others, as required by applicable law. The Corporation must disclose changes to and waivers of the Code in accordance with applicable law.

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