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.
Services and Duties of the Distributor A. The Distributor agrees to sell Shares on a best efforts basis as agent for the Trust upon the terms and at the current offering price (plus sales charge, if any) described in the Prospectus. As used in this Agreement, the term “Prospectus” shall mean the current prospectus, including the statement of additional information, as both may be amended or supplemented, relating to the Fund and included in the currently effective registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) of the Trust filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act. The Trust shall in all cases receive the net asset value per Share on all sales. If a sales charge is in effect, the Distributor shall remit the sales charge (or portion thereof) to broker-dealers who have sold Shares, as described in Section 2(G), below. In no event shall the Distributor be entitled to all or any portion of such sales charge.
B. During the continuous public offering of Shares, the Distributor will hold itself available to receive orders, satisfactory to the Distributor, for the purchase of Shares and will accept such orders on behalf of the Trust. Such purchase orders shall be deemed effective at the time and in the manner set forth in the Prospectus.
C. The Distributor, with the operational assistance of the Trust’s transfer agent, shall make Shares available for sale and redemption through the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s Fund/SERV System.
D. The Distributor acknowledges and agrees that it is not authorized to provide any information or make any representations other than as contained in the Prospectus and any sales literature specifically approved by the Trust.
E. The Distributor agrees to cooperate with the Trust or its agent in the development of all proposed advertisements and sales literature relating to the Fund. The Distributor agrees to review all proposed advertisements and sales literature for compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and shall file with appropriate regulators those advertisements and sales literature it believes are in compliance with such laws and regulations. The Distributor agrees to furnish to the Trust any comments provided by regulators with respect to such materials and to use its best efforts to obtain the approval of the regulators to such materials.
F. The Distributor, at its sole discretion, may repurchase Shares offered for sale by shareholders of the Fund. Repurchase of Shares by the Distributor shall be at the price determined in accordance with, and in the manner set forth in, the Prospectus. At the end of each business day, the Distributor shall notify the Trust and its transfer agent, by any appropriate means, of the orders for repurchase of Shares received by the Distributor since the last report, the amount to be paid for such Shares and the identity of the shareholders offering Shares for repurchase. The Trust reserves the right to suspend such repurchase right upon written notice to the Distributor. The Distributor further agrees to act as agent for the Trust to receive and transmit promptly to the Trust’s transfer agent, shareholder requests for redemption of Shares.
G. The Distributor may, in its discretion, enter into agreements with such qualified broker-dealers as it may select, in order that such broker-dealers also may sell Shares of the Fund. The form of any dealer agreement shall be approved by the Trust. To the extent there is a sales charge in effect, the Distributor shall pay the applicable sales charge (or portion thereof), or allow a discount, to the selling broker-dealer, as described in the Prospectus.
H. The Distributor shall devote its best efforts to effect sales of Shares of the Fund but shall not be obligated to sell any certain number of Shares.
I. The Distributor shall prepare reports for the Board regarding its activities under this Agreement as from time to time shall be reasonably requested by the Board, including reports regarding the use of any 12b-1 payments received by the Distributor.
J. The Distributor agrees to advise the Trust promptly in writing of the initiation of any proceedings against it by the SEC or its staff, the NASD or any state regulatory authority.
K. The Distributor shall monitor amounts paid under Rule 12b-1 plans and pursuant to sales loads to ensure compliance with applicable NASD rules.
Services and Duties As Administrator, and subject to the supervision and control of the Trustees of each Trust, EIS will hereafter provide facilities, equipment and personnel to carry out the following administrative services for operation of the business and affairs of each Trust and each of its series:
(a) Prepare, file and maintain each Trust’s governing documents, including the Declaration of Trust (which has previously been prepared and filed), the By laws, minutes of meetings of Trustees and shareholders, and proxy statements for meetings of shareholders;
(b) Prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the appropriate state securities authorities the registration statements for each Trust and each Trust’s shares and all amendments thereto, reports to regulatory authorities and shareholders, prospectuses, proxy statements, and such other documents as may be necessary or convenient to enable the Trust to make a continuous offering of its shares;
(c) Prepare, negotiate and administer contracts on behalf of each Trust with, among others, each Trust’s distributor, and custodian and transfer agent;
(d) Supervise each Trust’s fund accounting agent in the maintenance of each Trust's general ledger and in the preparation of each Trust's financial statements, including oversight of expense accruals and payments and the determination of the net asset value of each Trust's assets and of each Trust’s shares, and of the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions to shareholders;
(e) Calculate performance data of each Trust for dissemination to information services covering the investment company industry;
(f) Prepare and file each Trust's tax returns;
(g) Examine and review the operations of each Trust's custodian and transfer agent;
(h) Coordinate the layout and printing of publicly disseminated prospectuses and reports;
(i) Prepare various shareholder reports;
(j) Assist with the design, development and operation of new series of each Trust;
(k) Coordinate shareholder meetings;
(l) Provide general compliance services; and
(m) Advise each Trust and its Trustees on matters concerning the Trust and its affairs. The foregoing, along with any additional services that EIS shall agree in writing to perform for each Trust hereunder, shall hereafter be referred to as "Administrative Services." Administrative Services shall not include any duties, functions, or services to be performed for each Trust by such Trust’s investment adviser, distributor, custodian or transfer agent pursuant to their agreements with such Trust.
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.
DUTIES OF THE COMPANY The Company shall provide Consultant, on a regular and timely basis, with all approved data and information about it, its subsidiaries, its management, its products and services and its operations as shall be reasonably requested by Consultant, and shall advise Consultant of any facts which would affect the accuracy of any data and information previously supplied pursuant to this paragraph. The Company shall promptly supply Consultant with full and complete copies of all financial reports, all fillings with all federal and state securities agencies; with full and complete copies of all stockholder reports; with all data and information supplied by any financial analyst, and with all brochures or other sales materials relating to its products or services.
DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR The Advisor will use its reasonable best efforts to present to the Company and the Operating Partnership potential investment opportunities and to provide a continuing and suitable investment program consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Company as determined and adopted from time to time by the Board. In performance of this undertaking, subject to the supervision of the Board and consistent with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and the Operating Partnership Agreement, the Advisor, directly or indirectly, will:
(a) serve as the Company’s and the Operating Partnership’s investment and financial advisor;
(b) provide the daily management for the Company and the Operating Partnership and perform and supervise the various administrative functions necessary for the day-to-day management of the operations of the Company and the Operating Partnership;
(c) investigate, select and, on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership, engage and conduct business with and supervise the performance of such Persons as the Advisor deems necessary to the proper performance of its obligations hereunder (including consultants, accountants, correspondents, lenders, technical advisors, attorneys, brokers, underwriters, corporate fiduciaries, escrow agents, depositaries, custodians, agents for collection, insurers, insurance agents, banks, builders, developers, property owners, property managers, real estate management companies, real estate operating companies, securities investment advisors, mortgagors, the registrar and the transfer agent and any and all agents for any of the foregoing), including Affiliates of the Advisor and Persons acting in any other capacity deemed by the Advisor necessary or desirable for the performance of any of the foregoing services (including entering into contracts in the name of the Company and the Operating Partnership with any of the foregoing);
(d) consult with the officers and Directors of the Company and assist the Directors in the formulation and implementation of the Company’s financial policies, and, as necessary, furnish the Board with advice and recommendations with respect to the making of investments consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Company and in connection with any borrowings proposed to be undertaken by the Company or the Operating Partnership;
(e) subject to the provisions of Section 4 , (i) participate in formulating an investment strategy and asset allocation framework; (ii) locate, analyze and select potential Investments; (iii) structure and negotiate the terms and conditions of transactions pursuant to which acquisitions and dispositions of Investments will be made; (iv) research, identify, review and recommend acquisitions and dispositions of Investments to the Board and make Investments on behalf of the Company and the Operating Partnership in compliance with the investment objectives and policies of the Company; (v) arrange for financing and refinancing and make other changes in the asset or capital structure of, and dispose of, reinvest the proceeds from the sale of, or otherwise deal with, Investments; (vi) enter into leases and service contracts for Real Estate Assets and, to the extent necessary, perform all other operational functions for the maintenance and administration of such Real Estate Assets; (vii) actively oversee and manage Investments for purposes of meeting the Company’s investment objectives and reviewing and analyzing financial information for each of the Investments and the overall portfolio;
Position and Duties (i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the Company.
Duties of the Adviser The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall obligate the Adviser to provide any funding or other support for the purpose of directly or indirectly promoting investments in the Fund.
Rights and Duties of Members Subject to the provisions of Article 3, members will have all of the rights and powers of members as provided under the Act and as otherwise provided by law.
Duties of the Parties JHU is not a commercial organization. It is an institute of research and education. Therefore, JHU has no ability to evaluate the commercial potential of any PATENT RIGHTS or LICENSED PRODUCT or other license or rights granted in this Agreement. It is therefore incumbent upon Company to evaluate the rights and products in question, to examine the materials and information provided by JHU, and to determine for itself the validity of any PATENT RIGHTS, its freedom to operate, and the value of any LICENSED PRODUCTS or SERVICES or other rights granted.
