Each loan bears interest at a reasonable rate established by the Committee from time to time on the basis of rates currently charged by commercial lenders. The Plan charges interest on loans in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner. Effective January 1, 2004, for any period when a Participant is on a Qualified Military Service leave, he/she may submit a written request to the Committee to charge an interest rate not greater than 6% (or such other rate prescribed by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act or other applicable law) on any loan that he/she has outstanding during that period (see Subsection (k) below).