Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

                                BUSINESS ACCOUNT
                              OPERATING AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is made as of February 1, 1997, by and between NORDSTROM,
INC., a Washington corporation ("NORDSTROM"), AND NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC., a
Colorado corporation ("CREDIT").

                                   WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Nordstrom
desires to transfer and assign to Credit and Credit desires to acquire from
Nordstrom certain Receivables generated pursuant to certain credit accounts of
Nordstrom, including rights in the Finance Charges derived therefrom during the
full term of this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, it is contemplated that following such transfer and assignment of
the Receivables, Credit will collect the sums due thereon from the Obligors and
the Receivables and account to Nordstrom therefor as provided herein; and

     WHEREAS, Nordstrom has requested that Credit undertake the collection and
servicing responsibilities in respect of the Receivables;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

     Section 1.01. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Operating Agreement and unless
the context requires a different meaning, capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings herein specified and shall include in
the singular number the plural and in the plural number the singular.

     "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Operating Agreement as it may from time to time
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms
hereof.

     "ACCOUNT" shall mean each individual credit account in the portfolio of
Nordstrom's revolving, purchase order contract and/or 30-day invoice business
account receivables, which is now or hereafter established pursuant to a Credit
Agreement between Nordstrom and an Obligor.

<PAGE>
        "Accounting Period" shall mean a calendar month or any other regular
period of time mutually agreed upon.

        "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal
holiday.

        "Closing Date" shall mean February 1, 1997.

        "Collection" shall mean all payments received by Credit in respect of
the Receivables in the form of cash, checks, wire transfers, ATM transfers or
other forms of payment in accordance with the Credit Agreements in effect from
time to time or otherwise accepted by Credit, including all amounts received as
recoveries with respect to Receivables which were previously recognized as
charge-offs. A Collection received on an Account in excess of the aggregate
amount of Receivables in such Account shall be credited to such Account or
refunded to the Obligor in accordance with normal practices.

        "Credit Agreement" shall mean, with respect to an Account, the contract
governing such Account.

        "Daily Accounts Receivable Settlement" shall mean a report in the form
of Exhibit A, delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Operating Agreement.

        "Debtor Relief Law" shall mean any federal or state bankruptcy or
similar laws affecting the rights of debtors.

        "Defaulted Accounts" shall mean Accounts that are charged off under
Nordstrom's usual and customary practices with respect to charging-off accounts.

        "Event of Default" shall mean the Events of Default defined in Article V
thereof.

        "Finance Charges" shall mean, with respect to any Accounting Period, all
monthly finance charges and any other fees posted by Nordstrom to the Obligors
in respect to the Accounts during such Accounting Period.

        "Governmental Authority" shall mean the United States of America, any
state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government.

        "Guidelines" shall mean Nordstrom's policies and procedures relating to
the operation of its credit business, including, without limitation, the
policies and procedures for determining Defaulted Accounts, the creditworthiness
of credit customers, the extension of credit to credit customers and the terms
on which repayments

                                       2
<PAGE>
are required to be made, and relating to the maintenance of accounts and
collection of receivables, as such policies and procedures may be amended from
time to time by Nordstrom.

     "Lien" shall mean a mortgage, pledge, lien, claim, equity interest,
participation interest, security interest or other charge or encumbrance of any
kind, including the retained security title of a conditional vendor or lessor.

     "Master File" shall mean the computer file maintained for each Account,
containing account numbers and Receivable balances.

     "Monthly Settlement Statement" shall mean a report in the form of Exhibit
B to this Operating Agreement prepared by Credit pursuant to Section 4.02 of
this Operating Agreement.

     "New Accounts" shall mean new Accounts originated by Nordstrom under
Credit Agreements currently in use by Nordstrom.

     "Obligor" shall mean, with respect to any account, the person or persons
obligated to make payments with respect to such account, including any
guarantor thereof.

     "Officer's Certificate" shall mean a certificate executed by the President
or a Vice President of Nordstrom or Credit.

     "Person" shall mean and include a sole proprietor, a partnership, a
corporation (including a business trust), a joint stock company, a trust, an
unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or
an agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Receivables" shall mean any and all amounts owing by the Obligor under an
Account from time to time, including the right to payment of amounts owing for
the payment of goods and services and amounts payable for Finance Charges.
Receivables which are in Defaulted Accounts shall not be shown on records as
amounts owing and shall cease to be Receivables on the day on which such
Accounts become Defaulted Accounts. A Receivable shall be deemed to have been
created at the end of the day on the date of initial processing of such
Receivable.

     "Settlement Date" shall mean the fifteenth calendar day following the
preceding month, or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding
Business Day.

     "Successor Servicer" shall mean a successor to Credit appointed pursuant
to the provisions of Section 5.04 of this Operating Agreement.

                                       3

<PAGE>

     "Written" or "in writing" shall mean any form of written communication or
a communication by means of telex, telecopier device, telegraph or cable.

                                   ARTICLE II

                           CONVEYANCE OF RECEIVABLES

     Section 2.01 Conveyance

               (a)  Nordstrom hereby sells, assigns, transfers and conveys to
Credit, without recourse, all of its right, title and interest in, to and under
(i) all Receivables hereafter arising in respect of each Account in Nordstrom's
Master File as of the Closing Date and any New Accounts which become Accounts at
any time following the Closing Date, together with all rights (but not the
obligations) relating to the Receivables in and under the related Credit
Agreements, (ii) all monies due or to become due with respect to the foregoing
(including Finance Charges), and (iii) all proceeds of the foregoing. The
foregoing assignment, transfer and conveyance does not constitute and is not
intended to result in a creation or assumption by Credit of any obligation of
Nordstrom or any other Person in connection with the Accounts, the Receivables,
the Credit Agreements or any other agreement relating thereto, including,
without limitation, any obligation to Obligors.

               (b)  In connection with the foregoing conveyance, Nordstrom
agrees to record and file, at its own expense, a financing statement with
respect to the Receivables now existing and hereafter created and transferred by
Nordstrom meeting the requirements of applicable state law in such manner and in
such jurisdictions as are necessary to perfect the transfer of the Receivables
from Nordstrom to Credit, and to deliver a file-stamped copy of such finance
statements or other evidence of such filings to Credit.

               (c)  The amount payable as the purchase price for Receivables
(including Receivables in New Accounts) purchased by Credit under this Agreement
shall equal the net sum of all purchase orders or invoices accepted by Nordstrom
as of the date of their origination.

               (d)  The purchase price for Receivables shall be paid or provided
for on each Business Day following the delivery of a Daily Accounts Receivables
Settlement by payment by Credit to Nordstrom in immediately available funds.

               (e)  The purchase price shall be adjusted on a daily basis with
respect to any Receivable that was created in respect of merchandise refused or
returned by the Obligor thereunder or as to which the Obligor

                                       4
<PAGE>
thereunder has asserted a counterclaim or defense. The purchase price shall also
be adjusted on a daily basis with respect to any Receivable which is reduced by
Nordstrom by any cancellation or deletion which was created as a result of an
error made at the point of sale or breach of a warranty made at the time of sale
to Credit. The amount of such adjustment shall be equal to the amount of any
such error made at the point of sale or breach of warranty made at the time of
sale to Credit.

      (f)   Nordstrom retains its ownership of and does not transfer to Credit
all Receivables which may at any time be determined by Nordstrom to be
uncollectible or which are required by any regulatory agency or generally
accepted accounting principles to be accounted for as bad debts. The parties
concur that ownership in such receivables shall be deemed never to have been
transferred by Nordstrom to Credit but at all times retained by Nordstrom as
owner.

                                  ARTICLE III

                            SERVICING OR RECEIVABLES

      Section 3.01 Credit Service Obligations

            (a)   Credit, on behalf of Nordstrom, shall bill and collect the
Receivables due on Accounts, and, except as otherwise limited herein, exercise
all discretionary powers involved in such billing and collection and shall bear
all costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith that may be necessary
or advisable and permitted for carrying out the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. In the billing and collection of the Receivables due on
Accounts, Credit shall exercise the same care and apply the same policies that
it would exercise if it owned the Receivables.

            (b)   Credit shall have full power and authority, acting alone or
through any part to which Credit has subcontracted its obligations hereunder,
to do any and all things in connection with such servicing which it may deem
necessary or desirable. Credit shall be fully responsible to Nordstrom for any
and all acts or failures to act of any such subcontractor to the same extent as
if Credit were performing or directly responsible for such subcontractors'
duties and responsibilities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
and subject to Sections 5.03 and 5.04, Credit is hereby authorized and
empowered to execute and deliver, on behalf of Nordstrom, any and all
instruments of satisfaction or cancellation, or of partial or full release or
discharge, and all other comparable instruments, with respect to the
Receivables and, after the delinquency of any Receivable and the extent
permitted

                                       5
<PAGE>
under and in compliance with applicable law and regulations, to commence
enforcement proceedings with respect to such Receivables; Nordstrom shall
furnish Credit with any powers of attorney and other documents necessary or
appropriate to enable Credit to carry out its servicing and administrative
duties hereunder.

        Section 3.02. No Servicing Fee. Credit shall not be entitled to any
servicing fee or other additional compensation hereunder.

        Section 3.0-4. Covenants of Credit. Credit hereby covenants that:

                (a) Computer Files. Credit will, at its own cost and expense,
retain the Master File to be used as a record of the Accounts and copies of all
material documents relating to each Account as custodian for Nordstrom:

                (b) Indemnification

                (i) In any suit, proceeding or action brought by Credit for any
        sum owing with respect to a Receivable, Nordstrom will save, indemnify
        and keep Credit harmless from and against all expense, loss or damage
        suffered by reason of any defense, setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or
        reduction of liability whatsoever of the Obligor under the related
        Account, arising out of a breach by Nordstrom of any obligation under
        such Account or arising out of any other agreement, indebtedness or
        liability at any time owing to or in favor of such Obligor or its
        successor from Nordstrom, and all such obligations of. Nordstrom shall
        be and remain enforceable against and only against Nordstrom and shall
        not be enforceable against Credit.

                (ii) Nordstrom hereby agrees to defend and indemnify Credit
        against all costs, expenses, claims and liabilities in respect of any
        action taken by Nordstrom relative to any Receivable or arising out of
        any proven failure of compliance of any Receivable with the provisions
        of any law or regulation, whether federal, state or local, applicable
        thereto (including, without limitation, any usury law, the Federal Truth
        in Lending Act or Regulation Z of the Federal Reserve System).

                (c) Compliance With Law. Nordstrom will comply, in all material
respects, with all acts, rules, regulations, orders, decrees and directions of
any Governmental Authority applicable to the Accounts or any parts thereof,
provided, however, that Nordstrom may contest any act, regulation, order,
decree or direction in any

                                       6
<PAGE>
reasonable manner which shall not materially and adversely affect the rights of
Credit. Nordstrom will comply, in all material respects, with its obligations
under the contracts with Obligors relating to Accounts.

          (d)  Compliance With Law. Credit will comply, in all material
respects, with all acts, rules, regulations, orders, decrees and directions of
any Governmental Authority applicable to the servicing and collection of the
Accounts or any parts thereof; provided, however, that Credit may contest any
act, regulation, order, decree or direction in any reasonable manner which shall
not materially and adversely affect the rights of Nordstrom.

          (e)  Assignments and Security Interests. Except for the transfers
hereunder Nordstrom will not sell, pledge, assign or transfer to any other
Person, or grant, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any
Receivable, Account or books or records relating to any Receivable, whether now
existing or hereafter created, or any interest therein; Nordstrom will
immediately notify Credit of the existence of any Lien on any Receivable;
Nordstrom shall defend the right, title and interest of Credit in, to and under
the Receivables, whether now existing or hereafter transferred to Credit,
against all claims of third parties claiming through or under Nordstrom.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  SETTLEMENTS

     Section 4.01. Daily Accounts Receivable Settlements. Credit shall deliver
to Nordstrom the Daily Accounts Receivable Settlement in the form of Exhibit A
hereto, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes herein.
Credit shall be obligated to deliver such Daily Accounts Receivables Settlement
by 9:00 p.m. on each Business Day with respect to activity in the Receivables
for the prior day (or, in the case of a Daily Account Receivable Settlement
delivered on a day following a Saturday, Sunday or other non-Business Day, the
aggregate activity for the preceding Business Day and such non-Business Days).
The above discussion is a summary of the Daily Accounts Receivable Settlement,
and the parties intend that the applications and procedures described in the
Daily Accounts Receivables Settlement shall be construed with this Agreement;
provided, that to the extent of any inconsistency or omission, Credit and
Nordstrom agree to confer in good faith to resolve such inconsistency or
omission. Credit and Nordstrom agree that Credit shall prepare each Daily
Accounts Receivable Settlement as promptly as possible each Business Day on the
basis of the "pre-audit" sales and collections figures transmitted for each day
from Nordstrom's central computer processing center.

                                       7
<PAGE>
     Section 4.02. Monthly Settlement Statement

          (a)  On each Settlement Date prior to 1:00 p.m., Credit shall deliver
to Nordstrom a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (the
"Monthly Settlement Statement") for the related Accounting Period.

          (b)  One Business Day prior to each Settlement Date, Credit shall
deliver to Nordstrom a copy of the proposed Monthly Settlement for such
Settlement Date. Unless Credit shall have received written notification from
Nordstrom not to settle in accordance with such Monthly Settlement Statement as
a result of an error therein, which notification shall specify the reasons
therefor in detail, all settlements shall be made in accordance with such
Monthly Settlement Statement. Upon receipt of any notification of identified
error, Nordstrom and Credit shall immediately confer in order to resolve such
error.

                                   ARTICLE V

                    EVENTS OF DEFAULT; SERVICING TERMINATION

     Section 5.01. Events of Default. The occurrence and continuation of any one
of the following events shall be an "Event of Default" under this Agreement:

          (a)  A failure on the part of Credit to provide Monthly Settlement
Statements and Daily Accounts Receivable Settlements to Nordstrom when due and
continuance of such failure for two Business days; or

          (b)  The filing of an involuntary case is commenced or filed against
one party under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter in effect, or
any other present or future federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
law, or the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, or trustee,
custodian, sequestrator or other similar official or of any substantial part of
the party's property, or for the winding up of the affairs of liquidation,
dissolution, or reorganization and the continuance of such case or filing
unstayed for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days; or

          (c)  An order for relief shall be entered in a case under Title 11 of
the United States Code in which one party is a debtor, or one party shall become
insolvent or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they come due,
or the commencement by a party of a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy
laws, as now or hereafter in effect, or any other present or future federal or
state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or the consent by a party to the
appointment of or taking possession of by a receiver liquidator, assignee,
trustee,

                                       8
<PAGE>

custodian, sequestrator or other similar official of the party or of any
substantial part of its property or the making by a party of an assignment for
the benefit of creditors or the failure by a party generally to pay its debts as
such debts become due or the taking of corporate action by the party in
furtherance of any of the foregoing.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a delay in or failure of performance under
Section 5.01(a) shall not constitute an Event of Default if such delay or
failure could not be prevented by the exercise of reasonable diligence by Credit
and such delay or failure could not be prevented by the exercise of reasonable
diligence by Credit and such delay or failure was caused by an Act of God or the
public enemy, acts of declared or undeclared war, public disorder, rebellion or
sabotage, epidemics, landslides, lightning, fire, hurricanes, earthquakes,
floods or similar causes. The preceding sentence shall not relieve Credit from
discharging its obligations in a timely manner in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and Credit shall provide Nordstrom with an Officer's Certificate
giving prompt notice of such failure or delay by it, together with a description
of its efforts so to perform its obligations.

     Section 5.02   Remedies. If an Event of Default shall have occurred, either
party may by notice given in writing to the other party (a "Termination Notice")
terminate all of the rights and obligations of the other party under this
Agreement. Notwithstanding any termination of its rights and obligations each
party, each party shall remain responsible for any acts or omissions to act by
it prior to such termination.

     Section 5.03.  Successor Servicer

               (a)  After receipt by Credit of a Termination Notice, and on the
date that a Successor Services shall have been appointed by Nordstrom pursuant
to Section 5.04, all authority and power of Credit under this Agreement shall
pass to and be vested in a Successor Servicer; and, without limitation,
Nordstrom is hereby authorized and empowered (upon the failure of Credit to
cooperate) to execute and deliver, on behalf of Credit as attorney-in-fact or
otherwise, all documents, and other instruments upon the failure of Credit to
execute or deliver such documents or instruments, and to do and accomplish all
other acts or things necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of such
transfer or servicing rights.

               (b)  Credit agrees to cooperate with Nordstrom and such Successor
Servicer in effecting the termination of the responsibilities and rights of
Credit to conduct servicing hereunder, including, without limitation, the
transfer to such Successor Servicer of all authority of Credit to service the
Receivables provided for under this

                                       9

<PAGE>
Agreement, including, without limitation, all authority over all Collections
which shall on the date of transfer be held by Credit for deposit, or which
shall thereafter be received with respect to the Receivables.

                (c) Credit shall promptly transfer a Master File relating to
the Accounts and the Receivables therein to the Successor Servicer in such
electronic form as the Successor Servicer may reasonably request and shall
promptly transfer to the Successor Servicer all other records, correspondence
and documents necessary for the continued servicing of the Accounts and the
Receivables in the manner and at such times as the Successor Servicer shall
reasonably request. To the extent that compliance with this Section shall
require Credit to disclose to the Successor Servicer information of any kind
that Credit reasonably deems to be confidential, the Successor Servicer shall
be required to enter into such customary licensing and confidentiality
agreements as Credit shall deem necessary to protect its interest.

        Section 5.04. Appointment of Successor Servicer. On and after the
receipt by Credit of a Termination Notice pursuant to Section 5.02, Credit
shall continue to perform all servicing functions under this Agreement until
the date specified in the Termination Notice or otherwise specified by
Nordstrom in writing or, if no such date is specified in the Termination
Notice, or otherwise specified by Nordstrom, until a date mutually agreed upon
by Nordstrom and Credit. Nordstrom shall as promptly as possible after the
giving of a Termination Notice appoint a successor to Credit (the "Successor
Servicer") and such Successor Servicer shall accept its appointment by a
written assumption in a form acceptable to Nordstrom. Nordstrom may obtain bids
from any potential successor servicer. If Nordstrom is unable to obtain any
bids from any potential successor servicer and Credit delivers an Officer's
Certificate to the effect that it cannot in good faith cure the Event of
Default which gave rise to a transfer of servicing, then Credit shall offer
Nordstrom the right to reacquire the Receivables.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                        OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO CREDIT

        Section 6.01. Limitation on Liability of Credit. No recourse under or
upon any obligation or covenant of this Agreement, or for any claim based
thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any shareholder,
officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of Credit or of any
successor corporation, either directly or through Credit, whether by virtue of
any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this
Agreement and the obligations of

                                       10

<PAGE>
Servicer established hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no
such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by
the shareholder, officers or directors, as such of Credit or of any successor
corporation, or any of them, or under or by reason of the obligations,
covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or implied therefrom; and
that any and all such personal liability, either at common law or in equity or
by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against,
every such incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such under or by
reason of the obligations or covenants contained in this Agreement or implied
therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as
consideration for, the execution of this Agreement. Credit and any director or
officer or employee or agent of Credit may rely in good faith on any document
of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person
respecting any matters arising hereunder. Credit shall not be under any
obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which is not
incidental to its duties to service the Receivables in accordance with this
Agreement which in its reasonable opinion may involve it in any expense or
liability.

     Section 6.02 Credit Resignation. Credit shall not resign from the
obligations and duties hereby imposed on it except upon determination that (i)
the performance of its duties hereunder is no longer permissible under
applicable law, and (ii) there is no reasonable action that Credit could take
to make the performance of its duties hereunder permissible under applicable
law. Any such determination permitting the resignation of Credit shall be
evidenced as to clause (i) above by an opinion of counsel to such effect
delivered to Nordstrom. No such resignation shall become effective until a
Successor Servicer shall have assumed the responsibilities and obligations of
Credit in accordance with Section 5.03 hereof.

     Section 6.03. Access to Certain Documentation and Information Regarding the
Receivables. Credit shall provide Nordstrom and its representatives access to
the documentation regarding the Accounts and the Receivables in such cases where
(1) Nordstrom is required by applicable statutes or regulations, or (2) any
Person is permitted pursuant to a separate written agreement with Credit, to
review such documentation, such access being afforded without charge but only
(i) upon reasonable request, (ii) during normal business hours, (iii) subject to
Credit's normal security and confidentiality procedures, and (iv) at offices
designated by Credit. Nothing in this Section 6.03 shall derogate from the
obligation of Credit or Nordstrom to observe any applicable law prohibiting

                                       11

<PAGE>
disclosure of information regarding the Obligors and the failure of Credit to
provide access as provided in this Section 6.03 as a result of such obligation
shall not constitute a breach of this Section 6.03.

      Section 6.04. Delegation of Duties. In the ordinary course of business,
Credit may at any time delegate any of its duties hereunder to any Person who
agrees to conduct such duties in accordance with the Guidelines. Such
delegation shall not relieve Credit of its liabilities and responsibilities
with respect to such duties, and shall not constitute a resignation within the
meaning of Section 6.02 hereof. The delegation by Credit of its duties to any
other servicer shall not relieve Credit of its duties hereunder.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

      Section 7.01. Notices, Etc. Except where telephonic instructions or
notices are authorized herein to be given, all notice, demands, instructions
and other communications required or permitted to be given to or made upon any
party hereto shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by
United States mail, postage prepaid, or by telecopy facsimile, and shall be
deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the day that such writing
is delivered or sent to the intended recipient thereof in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 7.01. Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or
delivered in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section, notices,
demands, instructions and other communications in writing shall be given to or
made upon the respective parties hereto at their respective addresses (or to
their respective facsimile numbers) indicated below, and, in the case of
telephonic instructions or notices, by calling the telephone number of numbers
indicated for such party below:

            If to Nordstrom:

            NORDSTROM, INC.
            13531 E. Caley Avenue
            Englewood, Colorado 80111
            Attention: President
            Telephone: 303-397-4700
            Facsimile: 303-397-4775

            If to Credit:

            NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC.
            13531 E. Caley Avenue
            Englewood, Colorado 80111
            Attention: President
            Telephone: 303-397-4700

                                       12
<PAGE>
             Facsimile: 303-397-4775

        Section 7.02. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.

        Section 7.03. Severability Clause. Any provisions of this Agreement
which are prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

        Section 7.04. Amendments; Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights
and obligations of the parties hereunder (i) may not be changed orally but only
by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement is
sought, and (ii) shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws
of the State of Colorado.

        Section 7.05. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of copies, and by the different parties thereto on the same or separate
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original instrument.

        Section 7.06. Headings. Section headings used in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

        Section 7.07. Right to Use Marks. Nordstrom hereby grants Credit a
limited, non-exclusive license to use the trade marks, trade names, service
marks, logos and other marks of Nordstrom that have been used in connection with
the Accounts and Receivables for identification purposes, to the extent
permitted by law, in any servicing and collection efforts.

        Section 7.08. Power of Attorney. Nordstrom hereby appoints and empowers
Credit as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution,
solely to endorse any check or other instrument made payable to Nordstrom and
submitted by an Obligor as payment on any Account. This power of attorney shall
be deemed to be a power coupled with an interest and irrevocable for so long as
Credit services and collects the Accounts and Receivables.

                                       13
<PAGE>
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Nordstrom and Credit have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first
written above.

                                        NORDSTROM, INC.

                                        By: /s/ JOHN A. GOESLING
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           John A. Goesling

                                        NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC.

                                        By: /s/ JOHN WALGAMOTT
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           John Walgamott, President

                                       14

<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT A

                              N, INC. and NC, INC.
                      DAILY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SETTLEMENT
                           DATE ____________________

                            AMOUNT TO SETTLE BETWEEN
                       NORDSTROM, INC. ("NORDSTROM") AND
                       NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC. ("CREDIT")

For the Day of ___________________

<Table>
                                    DUE CREDIT                   DUE NORDSTROM
                                    ----------                   -------------
<S>                                 <C>                          <C>
Purchase of Receivables                                           __________

Collections

-  Store Payments                   __________

-  Lockbox Payments                 __________

Other                               __________                    __________

SUBTOTAL                            __________                    __________

NET TRANSFER                        __________                    __________

Prepared by:   _______________
Approved by:   _______________
</Table>

                                       15
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT B

                              N, INC. and NC, INC.
                          MONTHLY SETTLEMENT STATEMENT
                            DATE ___________________

                            AMOUNT TO SETTLE BETWEEN
                       NORDSTROM, INC. ("NORDSTROM") AND
                       NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC. ("CREDIT")

For the Month of __________________

<Table>
                                                 DUE CREDIT        DUE NORDSTROM
                                                 ----------        -------------
<S>                                              <C>                <C>

NSF Checks
- Store Payments                                                     ________

- Lockbox Payments                                                   ________

Credit Balance Refunds

- In Store                                                           ________

- System Generated                                                   ________

Back Office
  Adjustments                                     ________           ________

Miscellaneous Bad Debt Recoveries                 ________

Other                                             ________           ________

SUBTOTAL                                          ________           ________

NET TRANSFER                                      ________           ________

Prepared by:   ________
Approved by:   ________
</Table>

                                       16

<PAGE>
                                  311/312 RENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          311-1000-1220     Ending Balance      312-1000-1220     Ending Balance
      ==========================================================================
<S>               <C>               <C>             <C>                  <C>
Feb-98            6,900              6,900            *65,253             65,253
Mar-98            6,900             13,800             23,300             88,553
Apr-98            6,900             20,700           **12,830            101,383
May-98            6,900             27,600             19,810            121,193
Jun-98            6,900             34,500             19,810            141,003
Jul-98            6,900             41,400             19,810            160,813
Aug-98            6,900             48,300             19,810            180,623
Sep-98            6,900             55,200             19,810            200,433
Oct-98            6,900             62,100             19,810            220,243
Nov-98            6,900             69,000             19,810            240,053
Dec-98            6,900             75,900          ***23,300            263,353
Jan-99            6,900             82,800             19,810            283,163
</TABLE>

     * 312-1000-1220 - February 1998 included rent charge of $23,300 and "SC
       HDQ CAM97 ADM Accrual" of $41,953 = $85,253

    ** 312-1000-1220 - April 1998 included rent charge of $19,810 and credit of
       $6,980 rent alloc (Feb & March) = $12,830

   *** 312-1000-1220 - December 1998 included rent charge of $19,810 and
       "Reclass Prepaid Rent" of $3,490 = $23,300<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.17

             FIRST AMENDMENT TO BUSINESS ACCOUNT OPERATING AGREEMENT

        This First Amendment to Business Account Operating Agreement, dated as
of October 1, 2001 (the "Amendment"), between Nordstrom, Inc., a Washington
corporation ("Nordstrom") and Nordstrom Credit, Inc., a Colorado corporation
("Credit"), amends and supplements that certain Business Account Operating
Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1997 (the "Agreement"). Capitalized terms
used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such
terms in the Agreement.

        Nordstrom and Credit wish to amend the Agreement, as set forth in this
Amendment.

        Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions
contained herein, the parties hereby amend and supplement the Agreement as
follows:

           1. The third recital on the first page is deleted in its entirety.

           2. Article I "Definitions" of the Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting in its entirety the second sentence from the definition of
"Receivable".

           3. Section 2.01(f) of the Agreement is amended by deleting the
existing provision in its entirety and replacing it with the following new
provision:

                      "(f) Credit shall purchase all Receivables without any
           recourse to Nordstrom with respect to any Receivable which is
           uncollectible or is accounted for as a bad debt."

           4. The following new provisions are added immediately following
Section 2.01(f):

                      "(g) The parties hereto intend that the conveyance of
           Nordstrom's right, title and interest in and to the Receivables shall
           constitute an absolute sale, conveying good title free and clear of
           any Liens (other than the Lien relating to a consignment of product
           sold in certain Nordstrom retail locations (the "Consignment") which
           Lien Nordstrom undertakes to have released or Nordstrom will make
           other arrangements satisfactory to Credit), claims, encumbrances or
           rights of others from Nordstrom to Credit. It is the intention of the
           parties hereto that the arrangements with respect to the Receivables
           shall constitute a purchase and sale of such Receivables and not a
           loan. In the event, however, that it were to be determined that the
           transactions evidenced hereby constitute a loan and not a purchase
           and sale, it is the intention of the parties hereto that this
           Agreement shall constitute a security agreement under applicable law,
           and that Nordstrom shall be deemed to have granted and does hereby
           grant to Credit a first priority perfected security interest, in all
           of Nordstrom's right, title and interest, whether owned on the
           Closing Date or thereafter acquired, in, to and under the Receivables
           and all money, accounts, payment intangibles, chattel paper,
           instruments, documents, goods, investment property, deposit accounts,
           certificates of deposit, letters of credit and advices of credit
           consisting of, arising from or related to the Receivables and all
           proceeds (including "proceeds" as defined in the Uniform Commercial
           Code (the "UCC") thereof to secure the obligations of Nordstrom
           hereunder.

<PAGE>

                      (h) Nordstrom makes the following representations and
           warranties to Credit. The representations and warranties speak as of
           the date of this Amendment and as of each subsequent date Receivables
           are transferred. Such representations and warranties shall survive
           the sale, transfer and assignment of the Receivables to Nordstrom
           Private Label Credit Card Master Note Trust (the "Trust"), the pledge
           thereof to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Indenture Trustee
           (the "Indenture Trustee") and the termination of this Agreement and
           shall not be waived by any party hereto unless the Rating Agency
           Condition (as defined in the Indenture, dated a of October 1, 2001
           (the "Indenture") between the Trust and the Indenture Trustee) is
           satisfied.

                                 (i) This Agreement creates a valid and
                      continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable
                      UCC) in the Receivables in favor of Credit, which security
                      interest is prior to all other Liens other than the Lien
                      of the Indenture, and is enforceable as such as against
                      creditors of and purchasers from Nordstrom.

                                 (ii) The Receivables constitute "accounts"
                      within the meaning of the applicable UCC.

                                 (iii) Nordstrom owns and has good and
                      marketable title to the Receivables free and clear of any
                      Lien (other than the Lien relating to the Consignment),
                      claim or encumbrance of any Person.

                                 (iv) Nordstrom has caused or will have caused,
                      on or before November 10, 2001, the filing of all
                      appropriate financing statements in the proper filing
                      office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable
                      law in order to perfect the security interest in the
                      Receivables granted to Credit hereunder.

                                 (v) Other than the security interest granted to
                      Credit pursuant to this Agreement, Nordstrom has not
                      pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in,
                      or otherwise conveyed any of the Receivables. Nordstrom
                      has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any
                      financing statements against Nordstrom that include a
                      description of collateral covering the Receivables other
                      than the Lien relating to the Consignment and any
                      financing statement relating to the security interest
                      granted to Credit hereunder or that has been terminated.
                      Nordstrom is not aware of any judgment or tax lien filings
                      against Nordstrom."

           5. Article III is amended by deleting in its entirety and replacing
it with the following new provision:

           "Section 3.01 Servicing of Receivables. Nordstrom fsb will service
           the Receivables, and Nordstrom will compensate Nordstrom fsb for
           servicing such Receivables, on the same terms as those governing the
           servicing of receivables in that certain Operating Agreement for
           Proprietary Accounts and Receivables, dated as of August 30, 1991,
           between Nordstrom fsb and Nordstrom Credit, Inc., as amended by a
           First Amendment dated March 1, 2000 and a Second Amendment dated
           October 1, 2001 (collectively, the "Operating Agreement"); provided,
           however, that the provisions of Article II and the daily settlement
           provisions of Article IV of the Operating Agreement will not apply to
           the

                                       2
<PAGE>

           Receivables; and, further provided that Nordstrom fsb's rights and
           obligations to service the Receivables will only exist so long as the
           Receivables are owned by Nordstrom Credit, Inc."

           6. The following provision is added immediately following Section
7.08:

                      "Section 7.09 Nonpetition Covenant. Notwithstanding any
           prior termination of this Agreement, Nordstrom shall not, prior to
           the date which is one year and one day after the termination of this
           Agreement, acquiesce, petition or otherwise invoke or cause Credit or
           Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust to invoke the process of any
           bankruptcy reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation
           proceedings or other proceedings under the United States federal or
           state bankruptcy or similar law.

           7. Except as specifically amended hereby, the original terms and
conditions of the Agreement are unchanged and in full force and effect.

           8. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Colorado.

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
effective as of the date first written above.

                                     NORDSTROM, INC.

                                     By: /s/ Blake Nordstrom
                                         ------------------------------------
                                     Name: Blake Nordstrom
                                     Title: President

                                     NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC.

                                     By: /s/ Michael G. Koppel
                                         ------------------------------------
                                     Name: Michael G. Koppel
                                     Title: Vice President and Treasurer

Acknowledged and Agreed

NORDSTROM fsb

By: /s/ Kevin T. Knight
    ------------------------------------
Name:  Kevin T. Knight
Title: Chairman and CEO

                                       3

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00038-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00038-of-00352.parquet"}]]