Terms of Appointment; Duties of the Bank 1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Trust, on behalf of its respective Funds, hereby employs and appoints the Bank to act as, and the Bank agrees to act as, its transfer agent for the authorized and issued shares of beneficial interest, no par value per share of the Funds (“Shares”), and as the Trust’s dividend disbursing agent.
1.2 The Bank agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with the terms and conditions of the form of Participant Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Bank shall:
(i) Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemption of Creation Units;
(ii) Prepare and transmit by means of DTC’s book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions declared by each Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund;
(iii) Maintain the record of the name and address of the Shareholder and the number of Shares issued by each Trust and held by the Shareholder;
(iv) Record the issuance of Shares of each Trust and maintain a record of the total number of Shares of the Funds outstanding. The Bank shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares or to take cognizance of any laws relating to the issue or sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of each Trust;
(v) Prepare and transmit to each Trust and any designated administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to the Bank by the Trust) information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares;
(vi) On days that the Trusts may accept orders for purchases or redemptions, calculate and transmit to the Bank and the Trust’s administrator the number of outstanding Shares for each Fund;
(vii) On days that the Trusts may accept orders for purchases or redemptions (pursuant to the Participant Agreement), transmit to the Bank, the Trusts and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day;
(viii) Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, as DTC may reasonably request;
(ix) Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request;
(x) Extend the voting rights to the Shareholder and/or beneficial owners of Shares in accordance with the policies and procedures of DTC for book-entry only securities;
(xi) Maintain those books and records of each Trust specified by the Trusts in Schedule A attached hereto;
(xii) Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions during such month on a gross transaction basis. The monthly report shall show the counterpart and amount of each purchase on a daily basis net number of shares either redeemed or created for such Business Day;
(xiii) Receive from the Distributor (as defined in the Participant Agreement) purchase orders from Authorized Participants (as defined in the Participant Agreement) for Creation Unit aggregations of Shares received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of each Trust by the Distributor, transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and pursuant to such orders issue the appropriate number of Shares of the applicable Fund and hold such Shares in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Funds of each Trust;
(xiv) Receive from the Authorized Participants (as defined in the Participant Agreement) redemption requests, deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to The Bank of New York as custodian for each Trust, generate and transmit or cause to be generated and transmitted confirmation of receipt of such redemption requests to the Authorized Participants submitting the same; transmit appropriate trade instructions to the National Securities Clearance Corporation, if applicable, and redeem the appropriate number of Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares held in the account of the Shareholder;
(xv) Confirm the name, U.S. taxpayer identification number and principal place of business of each Authorized Participant; and
(b) In addition to, and neither in lieu nor in contravention of, the services set forth in the above paragraph (a), the Bank shall perform the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, including, but not limited to: maintaining the account of the Shareholder, obtaining a list of DTC participants holding interests in the Global Certificate at the request of a Trust, mailing proxy materials, shareholder reports and prospectuses to the Shareholder or DTC participants or beneficial owners of Shares at the request of a Trust and those services set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.
(c) The following shall be delivered to DTC for delivery to beneficial owners in accordance with the procedures for book-entry only securities of DTC:
(i) Annual and semi-annual reports of the Trusts;
(ii) Proxies, proxy statements and other proxy soliciting materials;
(iii) Prospectus and amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including stickers; and
(iv) Other communications as may be required by law or reasonably requested by a Trust.
(d) If the Shares are represented by individual Certificates, the Bank shall perform the services agreed to in writing by the Bank and the Trusts.
(e) The Bank shall provide additional services (if any) on behalf of a Trust (i.e., escheatment services) which may be agreed upon in writing between a Trust and the Bank.
(f) The Bank shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable. To the extent required by Section 31 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules thereunder, the Bank agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by the Bank relating to the services to be performed by the Bank hereunder are the property of each respective Trust and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to that Trust on and in accordance with its request.
Powers and Duties of Trustees Section 3.1 General 6 Section 3.2 Investments 6 Section 3.3 Legal Title 7 Section 3.4 Issuance and Repurchase of Shares 7 Section 3.5 Borrow Money or Utilize Leverage 7 Section 3.6 Delegation; Committees 7 Section 3.7 Collection and Payment 8 Section 3.8 Expenses 8 Section 3.9 By-Laws 8 Section 3.10 Miscellaneous Powers 8 Section 3.11 Further Powers 8
Services and Duties of Investment Sub-Adviser Subject to the general supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"), the Sub-Adviser will:
(a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Fund in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies as stated in the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-1A, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the "Registration Statement") and as provided by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser;
(b) invest and reinvest the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser by selecting the securities, instruments, repurchase agreements, financial futures contracts, options and other investments and techniques that the Fund may purchase, sell, enter into or use;
(c) oversee the placement of purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund;
(d) employ portfolio managers to make investment decisions and securities analysts to provide research services to the Fund;
(e) subject to the understanding set forth in Section 11(a)(1) of this Agreement, vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which the portion of the assets of the Fund allocated to the Sub-Adviser may be invested in accordance with the Sub-Adviser's proxy voting policies and procedures as approved by the Board and in a manner that complies with applicable law; maintain records of all proxies voted on behalf of the Fund; and provide information to the Trust, the Adviser or their designated agent in a manner that is sufficiently complete and timely to ensure the Trust's compliance with its filing obligations under Rule 30b1-4 of the 1940 Act;
(f) maintain books and records with respect to the Fund's securities transactions in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; and
(g) to the extent reasonably requested by the Adviser or officers of the Fund, cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser and the Trust's other service providers by (1) keeping them fully informed as to such matters that they may reasonably deem necessary with respect to the performance of their obligations to the Fund, (2) providing prompt responses to reasonable requests for information or assistance, including furnishing the Adviser and/or the Fund with statistical information as the Adviser and/or the Fund may reasonably request with respect to the securities that the Fund may hold, and (3) establishing appropriate processes to promote the efficient exchange of information. The Sub-Adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:
(h) comply in all material respects with (1) the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and all rules and regulations thereunder and any other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, (2) the rules and regulations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, (3) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), (4) the investment objectives, strategies, policies, limitations and restrictions of the Fund as described in the Registration Statement, (5) the Trust's Trust Instrument and By-Laws or other organizational documents of the Trust and (6) any written instructions of the Adviser or the Board, provided the Sub-Adviser has had sufficient opportunity to implement such instructions; The Adviser will provide the Sub-Adviser with advance notice of any change in the Fund's investment objectives, strategies, policies, limitations and restrictions as stated in the Registration Statement or in any procedures and policies adopted by the Board and/or the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser shall, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement and with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets allocated to the Sub-Adviser, manage the Fund's portfolio investments in compliance with such changes, provided the Sub-Adviser has received prompt notice of the effectiveness of such changes from the Trust or the Adviser and has had sufficient opportunity to implement such changes. In addition to such notice, the Adviser shall provide to the Sub-Adviser a copy of the modified Registration Statement reflecting such changes provided that such Registration Statement was so modified.
(i) manage the Fund so that it will qualify, and continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M and, if applicable, section 817(h) of the Code and regulations issued thereunder;
(j) keep the Adviser and/or the Board informed of developments materially affecting the Fund's portfolio;
(k) make available to the Board, the Adviser, the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") and the Trust's administrator, promptly upon their request, such copies of its records with respect to the Fund as may be required to assist in their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. As reasonably requested by the Board or the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will complete periodic or special questionnaires and furnish to the Board and/or the Adviser such periodic and special reports regarding the Fund and the Sub-Adviser including, but not limited to, reports concerning transactions and performance of the Fund, quarterly and annual compliance reports and certifications, reports regarding compliance with the Trust's procedures pursuant to Rules 17e-1, 17a-7, 10f-3 and 12d3-1 under the 1940 Act (as applicable), fundamental investment restrictions, procedures for opening brokerage accounts and commodity trading accounts, liquidity determinations for securities or other instruments held by the Fund such as, among others, securities purchased pursuant to Rule 144A and 4(2) commercial paper, compliance with the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics, and such other procedures or requirements that the Adviser may reasonably request from time to time;
(l) make available to the Board and the Adviser at reasonable times its portfolio managers and other appropriate personnel as mutually agreed by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, either in person or, at the mutual convenience of the Board, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, by telephone, in order to review the investment policies, performance and other matters relating to the management of the Fund;
(m) review draft reports to shareholders and other documents provided to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the information therein that pertains to the Sub-Adviser or the services provided by the Sub-Adviser, provide comments on such drafts on a timely basis, and provide certifications or sub-certifications on a timely basis as to the accuracy of the information contained in such reports or other documents;
(n) use no material, non-public information concerning portfolio companies that may be in its possession or the possession of any of its affiliates, nor will the Sub-Adviser seek to obtain any such information, in providing investment advice or investment management services to the Fund;
(o) promptly notify the Trust, the Adviser and the Board in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates becomes aware that the Sub-Adviser: (i) is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Sub-Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority; or (iv) is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, or governmental authority, involving the affairs of the Trust or the Adviser or their affiliates; or is involved in any pending litigation or administrative proceeding involving the affairs of the Trust or the Adviser or their affiliates brought against the Sub-Adviser or any of its management persons (as defined in Rule 206(4)-4 under the Advisers Act). The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust and the Adviser promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Trust's Registration Statement, as amended and supplemented from time to time, regarding the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust, the Adviser and the Board if its chief executive officer or any member of the portfolio management team named in the Registration Statement for the Fund changes, or if there is an actual change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Rules 2a-6 and 202(a)(1)-1 under the 1940 Act and Advisers Act, respectively;
(p) not disclose information regarding Fund characteristics, trading history, portfolio holdings, performance information or any other related information to any third-party, except in compliance with the Trust's policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings or as requested by the Adviser; however, Sub-Adviser may include the Fund's performance information in the calculation of composite performance information, provided that the Fund's performance information is included in the composite in such as way as to prevent anyone from identifying the information contributed by the Fund. In addition, the Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser manages other accounts following the same investment strategy as the Fund and that these accounts may have different portfolio holdings disclosure policies;
(q) provide the Adviser, the Trust or the Board with such information and assurances (including certifications and sub-certifications) as the Adviser, the Trust or the Board may reasonably request from time to time in order to assist the Adviser, the Trust or the Board in complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including requirements in connection with the preparation and/or filing of the Fund's Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs;
(r) provide reasonable assistance to the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent for the Trust in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Trust's valuation procedures and/or the Registration Statement, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Fund for which the Adviser, custodian or recordkeeping agent seeks assistance from the Sub-Adviser or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. This assistance may include (but is not limited to): (i) designating and providing access to one or more employees of the Sub-Adviser or its affiliates who are knowledgeable about the security/issuer, its financial condition, trading and/or other relevant factors for valuation, which employees shall be available for consultation when the Board's Valuation Committee convenes; (ii) providing reasonable assistance to the Adviser or the custodian in obtaining bids and offers or quotes from broker/dealers or market-makers with respect to securities held by the Fund, upon the reasonable request of the Adviser or custodian; (iii) upon the request of the Adviser or the custodian, provide assistance in fair valuation of the Trust; and (iv) maintaining records as required by applicable law with respect to any securities valuation assistance provided hereunder, and providing such information to the Adviser or the Trust upon request, with such records being deemed Fund records;
(s) not consult with any other investment sub-adviser of the Trust (if any), or with the sub-adviser to any other investment company (or separate series thereof) managed by the Adviser concerning the Fund's transactions in securities or other assets, except for purposes of complying with the conditions of Rule 12d3-1(a) and (b) under the 1940 Act, and, to the extent that multiple sub-advisers may be engaged to provide services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser shall be responsible for providing investment advisory services only with respect to such portion of the Fund's assets as may from time to time be allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser; and
(t) provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and, promptly after filing any material amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a copy of such amendments to the Trust and the Adviser; and provide the Trust and the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV Part II as updated from time to time. The Adviser hereby acknowledges having received a current copy of the Sub-Adviser's Form ADV Part II, current as of the date hereof. In performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser may rely upon information concerning the Fund's books and records provided to it by the Adviser, the custodian(s) or other agent(s) designated by the Adviser, and will not independently verify the accuracy or completeness of such information. The Sub-Adviser (and its officers, directors/trustees, agents, employees, controlling persons, shareholders and any other person or entity affiliated with the Sub-Adviser) shall not be liable for any loss, claim or damages related to such reliance.
Services and Duties of USBFS USBFS shall provide the following transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent services to the Fund:
A. Receive and process all orders for the purchase, exchange, transfer, and/or redemption of Fund shares in accordance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act, other applicable regulations, and as specified in the Fund's prospectus (the "Prospectus”).
B. Process purchase and redemption orders with prompt delivery, where appropriate, of payment and supporting documentation to the shareholder based on the shareholder’s or the Trust’s custodian instructions, and record the appropriate number of shares being held in the appropriate shareholder account.
C. Process redemption requests received in good order and, where relevant, deliver appropriate documentation to the Trust's custodian.
D. Pay proceeds upon receipt from the Trust's custodian, where relevant, in accordance with the instructions of redeeming shareholders.
E. Process transfers of shares in accordance with the shareholder's instructions, after receipt of appropriate documentation from the shareholder as specified in the Prospectus.
F. Prepare and transmit payments, or apply reinvestments for income dividends and capital gains distributions declared by the Trust with respect to a Fund, after deducting any amount required to be withheld by any applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with shareholder instructions.
G. Serve as the Fund’s agent in connection with systematic plans including, but not limited to, systematic investment plans, systematic withdrawal plans, and systematic exchange plans.
H. Make changes to shareholder records, including, but not limited to, address and plan changes (e.g., systematic investment and withdrawal, dividend reinvestment).
I. Handle load and multi-class processing, including rights of accumulation and purchases by letters of intent in accordance with the Prospectus.
J. Record the issuance of shares of each Fund and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), a record of the total number of shares of each Fund which are authorized, issued and outstanding.
K. Prepare ad-hoc reports as necessary at prevailing rates.
L. Mail shareholder reports and Prospectuses to current shareholders.
M. Prepare and file U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate information returns required with respect to dividends and distributions for all shareholders.
N. Provide shareholder account information upon shareholder or Trust requests and prepare and mail confirmations and statements of account to shareholders for all purchases, redemptions and other confirmable transactions as agreed upon with the Trust.
O. Mail and/or obtain shareholders’ certifications under penalties of perjury and pay on a timely basis to the appropriate federal or state authorities any taxes to be withheld on dividends and distributions paid by the Trust, all as required by applicable federal and state tax laws and regulations.
P. Answer correspondence from shareholders, securities brokers and others relating to USBFS’ duties hereunder within required time periods established by applicable regulation.
Q. Reimburse the Fund for all material losses resulting from “as of” processing errors for which USBFS is responsible in accordance with the “as of” processing guidelines set forth on Exhibit B hereto.
R. Calculate average assets held in shareholder accounts for purposes of paying Rule 12b-1 and/or shareholder servicing fees as directed by a Fund
S. Provide service and support to financial intermediaries including but not limited to trade placements, settlements, and corrections.
Appointment of Investment Manager On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby appoints the Investment Manager as investment manager of the Account with discretionary authority to manage the investment and reinvestment of the funds and assets of the Account in accordance with the terms hereof, and the Investment Manager accepts such appointment. In the course of providing the services contemplated by this Agreement, the Investment Manager shall act as a fiduciary and shall discharge its fiduciary duties and exercise each of its powers under this Agreement with the care, skill and diligence that a registered investment adviser, acting in a like capacity and familiar with insurance company matters, would use in the conduct of a like enterprise with like aims, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances then prevailing, and such fiduciary duties shall specifically include a duty (a) to act with good faith; (b) of loyalty to Company; (c) to provide full and fair disclosure of all material facts; (d) to employ reasonable care to avoid misleading Company; and (e) to act in a manner consistent with the Investment Guidelines for the Account as agreed to between Investment Manager and Company.
Appointment of Sub-Advisor In accordance with and subject to the Management Agreement, the Manager hereby appoints the Sub-Advisor to perform the services described in Section 2 below for investment and reinvestment of the securities and other assets of the Series, subject to the control and direction of the Manager and the Fund's Board of Directors, for the period and on the terms hereinafter set forth. The Sub-Advisor accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services hereinafter set forth for the compensation herein provided. The Sub-Advisor shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund or the Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or the Manager.
APPOINTMENT OF SUB-ADVISER The Adviser hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to act as sub-adviser to the Portfolio(s), subject to the supervision and oversight of the Adviser and the Trust Board, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Adviser or the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Adviser or the Trust, except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Adviser or the Trust and the Sub-Adviser.
Appointment of Advisor The Trust hereby employs the Advisor and the Advisor hereby accepts such employment, to render investment advice and related services with respect to the assets of the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board of Trustees”).
POWERS AND DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN As custodian, the Custodian shall have and perform the powers and duties set forth in this Article II. Pursuant to and in accordance with Article IV hereof, the Custodian may appoint one or more Subcustodians (as hereinafter defined) to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Custodian set forth in this Article II and references to the Custodian in this Article II shall include any Subcustodian so appointed.
Duties of Investment Manager In carrying out its obligation under paragraph 1 hereof, the Investment Manager shall:
(a) supervise and manage all aspects of the Fund's operations:
(b) provide the Fund or obtain for it, and thereafter supervise, such executive, administrative, clerical and shareholder servicing services as are deemed advisable by the Directors;
(c) arrange, but not pay for, the periodic updating of prospectuses and supplements thereto, proxy material, tax returns, reports to the Fund's shareholders, reports to and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, state Blue Sky authorities and other applicable regulatory authorities;
(d) provide to the Directors on a regular basis, written financial reports and analyses on the Fund's securities transactions and the operations of comparable investment companies;
(e) determine what issuers and securities shall be represented in the Fund's portfolio and regularly report them in writing to the Directors;
(f) formulate and implement continuing programs for the purchases and sales of the securities of such issuers and regularly report in writing thereon to the Directors; and
(g) take, on behalf of the Fund, all actions which appear to the Company necessary to carry into effect such purchase and sale programs and supervisory functions as aforesaid, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
