Common use of Investment Advisory Authority Clause in Contracts

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policies. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the Trust’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Trust. Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such the Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SECStatement. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policies. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the Trust’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Registration Statement of Additional Information for the Trust. Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the TrustCompany’s BoardBoard of Directors, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale sale, or any offering, of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such the Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the TrustCompany’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC, as amended. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policiesCode. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust Company or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the TrustCompany’s BoardBoard of Directors, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amendedStatement. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the TrustCompany’s BoardBoard of Directors, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust Company and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust Company on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the TrustCompany’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust Company in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust Company and any applicable procedures adopted by the TrustCompany’s BoardBoard of Directors, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the TrustCompany, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply Company in complying with the requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the TrustCompany’s Board of Directors on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the TrustCompany’s Board of Directors with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees Directors may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the TrustCompany, which include price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dollar spread), the size of the order, the nature of the market for the security, the timing of the transaction, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer involved, the quality of the service, the difficulty of execution, execution capabilities and operational facilities of the firms involved, and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities. Accordingly, the price to the Series in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified, in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Company, by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Subject to such policies as the Board of Directors may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of Directors of the Trust Company indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale sale, or any offering, of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such the Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC, as amended. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policiesCode. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amendedStatement. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the Trust’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply in complying with the requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board of Trustees on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board of Trustees with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Trust, which include price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dollar spread), the size of the order, the nature of the market for the security, the timing of the transaction, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer involved, the quality of the service, the difficulty of execution, execution capabilities and operational facilities of the firms involved, and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities. Accordingly, the price to the Series in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified, in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust, by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the TrustCompany’s Board, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the TrustCompany’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policies. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust Company or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the TrustCompany’s Board, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust Company under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the TrustCompany’s Board, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust Company and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust Company on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the TrustCompany’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust Company in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust Company and any applicable procedures adopted by the TrustCompany’s Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the TrustCompany, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust Company to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the TrustCompany’s Board on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the TrustCompany’s Board with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees Directors may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the TrustCompany. Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of the Trust Company indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policiesCode. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust Series or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust on behalf of the Series and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust Series on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the Trust’s Series’ custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust Series in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s BoardBoard of Trustees, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust Series to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust Series are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board of Trustees on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board of Trustees with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Registration Statement of Additional Information for the Trust, which include price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dollar spread), the size of the order, the nature of the market for the security, the timing of the transaction, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer involved, the quality of the service, the difficulty of execution, execution capabilities and operational facilities of the firms involved, and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities. Accordingly, the price to the Series in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified, in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust on behalf of the Series, by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the [Trust/Company]’s BoardBoard of [Trustee/Director]s, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale sale, or any offering, of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such the Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the [Trust/Company]’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC, as amended. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policiesCode. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust [Trust/Company] or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the [Trust/Company]’s BoardBoard of [Trustee/Director]s, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amendedStatement. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the [Trust/Company]’s BoardBoard of [Trustee/Director]s, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust [Trust/Company] and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust [Trust/Company] on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the [Trust/Company]’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Trust. Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such the Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SECStatement. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policies. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the Trust’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees Trustee may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Registration Statement of Additional Information for the Trust. Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policies. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the Trust’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Trust. Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.

Investment Advisory Authority. When rendering Advisory Services directly to a Series, the Manager, subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board, will provide a continuous investment program for the Series’ portfolio and determine the composition of the assets of the Series’ portfolio, including determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other investments contained in the portfolio. The Manager will provide investment research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and reinvestment of the Series’ assets by determining the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, offered to the public, or exchanged for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other investments in which it may invest, and the Manager is hereby authorized to execute and perform such services on behalf of the Series. To the extent permitted by the investment policies of the Series, the Manager shall make decisions for the Series as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to, and execute and perform, foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of such Series. The Manager will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Series’ investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Furthermore: (i) The Manager will manage the Series so that each will qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and so as to ensure compliance by the Series with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code and with any other rules and regulations pertaining to investment vehicles underlying variable annuity or variable life insurance policies. In managing the Series in accordance with these requirements, the Manager shall be entitled to receive and act upon advice of counsel to the Trust or counsel to the Manager. (ii) The Manager will conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, and the provisions of the Registration Statement of the Trust under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended. (iii) On occasions when the Manager deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Series as well as any other investment advisory clients, the Manager may, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, but shall not be obligated to, aggregate the securities to be so sold or purchased with those of its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with the policies set forth in the Registration Statement. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in a manner that is fair and equitable in the judgment of the Manager in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients. (iv) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities of the Series, the Manager will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust on a daily basis, of such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to portfolio securities to be purchased or sold through the Depository Trust Company, the Manager will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such trades to the Trust’s custodian. (v) The Manager will assist the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust in determining, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Trust and any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust’s Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Series for which the custodian or portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance or review from the Manager. (vi) The Manager will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Series’ or the Manager’s investment records and ledgers as are necessary to assist the Trust to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act, as well as other applicable laws. The Manager will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with its services which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. (vii) The Manager will regularly report to the Trust’s Board on the investment program for the Series and the issuers and securities represented in the Series’ portfolio, and will furnish the Trust’s Board with respect to the Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request. (viii) In connection with its responsibilities under this Section 2(b), the Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Series’ portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission rates. The Manager’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the Prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Trust. Subject to such policies as the Board may determine and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused the Series to pay a broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-broker- dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Manager’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Series and to its other clients as to which it exercises investment discretion. To the extent consistent with these standards and in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, the Manager is further authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Series to the Manager if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide research or statistical material or other services to the Series, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager. Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Manager shall determine consistent with the above standards, and the Manager will report on said allocation regularly to the Board of the Trust indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefor.