Services Provided by Party A 1.1 Party B hereby appoints Party A as Party B’s exclusive services provider to provide Party B with comprehensive technical support, consulting services and other services during the term of this Agreement, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including but not limited to the follows:
(1) Licensing Party B to use any software legally owned by Party A;
(2) Development, maintenance and update of software involved in Party B’s business;
(3) Design, installation, daily management, maintenance and updating of network system, hardware and database design;
(4) Technical support and training for employees of Party B;
(5) Assisting Party B in consultancy, collection and research of technology and market information (excluding market research business that wholly foreign-owned enterprises are prohibited from conducting under PRC law);
(6) Providing business management consultation for Party B;
(7) Providing marketing and promotion services for Party B;
(8) Providing customer order management and customer services for Party B;
(9) Leasing of equipments or properties; and
(10) Other services requested by Party B from time to time to the extent permitted under PRC law.
1.2 Party B agrees to accept all the services provided by Party A. Party B further agrees that unless with Party A’s prior written consent, during the term of this Agreement, Party B shall not directly or indirectly accept the same or any similar services provided by any third party and shall not establish similar corporation relationship with any third party regarding the matters contemplated by this Agreement. Party A may designate other parties, who may enter into certain agreements described in Section 1.3 with Party B, to provide Party B with the services under this Agreement. For the purpose of this Agreement, Party A and other parties designated by Party A may be respectively referred to as a “Service Provider,” or collectively as “Service Providers.”
Services Provided by Attorneys Any services to be provided by a law firm or attorney must be reviewed and approved in writing in advance by the City Attorney. No invoices for services provided by law firms or attorneys, including, without limitation, as subcontractors of Contractor, will be paid unless the provider received advance written approval from the City Attorney.
Information to Be Provided by the Company In connection with any Securitization Transaction, the Company shall use its best efforts to (i) within five (5) Business Days, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days, following written request by the Purchaser or any Depositor, provide to the Purchaser and such Depositor (or, as applicable, cause each Third-Party Originator to provide), in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor, the information and materials specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (f) of this Section, and (ii) as promptly as practicable following notice to or discovery by the Company, provide to the Purchaser and any Depositor (in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor) the information specified in paragraph (d) of this Section.
(a) If so requested in writing by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide such information regarding (i) the Company, as originator of the Mortgage Loans (including as an acquirer of Mortgage Loans from a Qualified Correspondent), or (ii) each Third-Party Originator, as is requested for the purpose of compliance with Items 1103(a)(l), 1105, 1110, 1117 and 1119 of Regulation AB. Such information shall include, at a minimum:
(A) the originator’s form of organization;
(B) a description of the originator’s origination program and how long the originator has been engaged in originating residential mortgage loans, which description shall include a discussion of the originator’s experience in originating mortgage loans of a similar type as the Mortgage Loans; information regarding the size and composition of the originator’s origination portfolio; and information that may be material, in the good faith judgment of the Purchaser or any Depositor, to an analysis of the performance of the Mortgage Loans, including the originators’ credit-granting or underwriting criteria for mortgage loans of similar type(s) as the Mortgage Loans and such other information as the Purchaser or any Depositor may reasonably request for the purpose of compliance with Item 1110(b)(2) of Regulation AB;
(C) a description of any legal or governmental proceedings pending (or known to be contemplated) against the Company and each Third-Party Originator that would be material to securityholders; and
(D) a description of any affiliation or relationship between the Company, each Third-Party Originator and any of the following parties to a Securitization Transaction, as such parties are identified to the Company by the Purchaser or any Depositor in writing in advance of such Securitization Transaction:
(1) the sponsor;
(2) the depositor;
(3) the issuing entity;
(4) any servicer;
(5) any trustee;
(6) any originator;
(7) any significant obligor;
(8) any enhancement or support provider; and
(9) any other material transaction party.
(b) If so requested in writing by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide (or, as applicable, cause each Third-Party Originator to provide) Static Pool Information solely with respect to securitized pools of mortgage loans (of a similar type as the Mortgage Loans, as reasonably identified by the Purchaser as provided below) that were included in securitizations that closed during the five (5) years preceding the closing date of the related Securitization Transaction. Such Static Pool Information shall be prepared by the Company (or Third-Party Originator) on the basis of its reasonable, good faith interpretation of the requirements of Item 1105(a)(3) of Regulation AB. To the extent that there is reasonably available to the Company (or Third-Party Originator) Static Pool Information with respect to more than one mortgage loan type, the Purchaser or any Depositor shall be entitled to specify whether some or all of such information shall be provided pursuant to this paragraph. The content of such Static Pool Information may be in the form customarily provided by the Company, and need not be customized for the Purchaser or any Depositor. Such Static Pool Information for each prior securitized pool shall be presented in increments no less frequently than quarterly over the life of the mortgage loans included in such prior securitized pool. The most recent periodic increment must be as of a date no later than 135 days prior to the date of the prospectus or other offering document in which the Static Pool Information is to be included or incorporated by reference. The Static Pool Information shall be provided in an electronic format that provides a permanent record of the information provided, such as a portable document format (pdf) file, or other such electronic format reasonably required by the Purchaser or the Depositor, as applicable. Promptly following notice or discovery of a material error in Static Pool Information provided pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph (including an omission to include therein information required to be provided pursuant to such paragraph) during the applicable offering period for the securities, the Company shall provide corrected Static Pool Information to the Purchaser or any Depositor, as applicable, in the same format in which Static Pool Information was previously provided to such party by the Company. If so requested in writing by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide (or, as applicable, cause each Third-Party Originator to provide), at the expense of the requesting party (to the extent of any additional incremental expense associated with delivery pursuant to this Regulation AB Addendum), such statements and agreed-upon procedures letters of certified public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser or Depositor, as applicable, pertaining to Static Pool Information relating to securitizations closed on or after January 1, 2006, as the Purchaser or such Depositor shall reasonably request. Such statements and letters shall be addressed to and be for the benefit of such parties as the Purchaser or such Depositor shall designate, which may include, by way of example, any Sponsor, any Depositor and any broker dealer acting as underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser with respect to a Securitization Transaction. Any such statement or letter may take the form of a standard, generally applicable document accompanied by a reliance letter authorizing reliance by the addressees designated by the Purchaser or such Depositor.
(c) For the purpose of satisfying its reporting obligation under the Exchange Act with respect to any class of asset-backed securities, for so long as the Depositor is required to file reports under the Exchange Act with respect to a Securitization Transaction, the Company shall (or shall cause each Third-Party Originator to) (i) provide prompt notice to the Purchaser, any Master Servicer and any Depositor in writing of (A) any litigation or governmental proceedings pending against the Company or any Third-Party Originator that would be material to securityholders and (B) any affiliations or relationships that develop following the closing date of a Securitization Transaction between the Company or any Third-Party Originator and any of the parties specified in clause (D) of paragraph (a) of this Section (and any other parties identified in writing by the requesting party) with respect to such Securitization Transaction, but only to the extent that such affiliations or relationships do not include the Purchaser, Depositor or any of their respective affiliates as a party, (C) any Event of Default of which it is aware or has received notice under the terms of the Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement and (D) any merger or consolidation where the Company is not the surviving entity or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company and (ii) provide to the Purchaser and any Depositor a description of such proceedings, affiliations or relationships.
Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Sub-Advisor The Sub-Advisor will:
(a) Provide investment advisory services, including but not limited to research, advice and supervision for the Allocated Assets of each Series.
(b) Furnish to the Board of Directors of the Fund for approval (or any appropriate committee of such Board), and revise from time to time as conditions require, a recommended investment program for each Series consistent with each Series’ respective investment objective(s) and policies and any specific criteria applicable to the Allocated Assets.
(c) Implement the approved investment program for the Allocated Assets by placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities without prior consultation with the Manager and without regard to the length of time the securities have been held, the resulting rate of portfolio turnover or any tax considerations, subject always to the provisions of the Fund’s registration statement, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the requirements of the 1940 Act, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect.
(d) Advise and assist the officers of the Fund, as requested by the officers, in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of its Board of Directors, and any appropriate committees of such Board, regarding the general conduct of the investment business of each Series.
(e) Maintain, in connection with the Sub-Advisor’s investment advisory services provided to the Allocated Assets, compliance with the 1940 Act and the regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder and the Series’ investment strategies and restrictions as stated in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information and any specific criteria applicable to the Allocated Assets.
(f) Report to the Board of Directors of the Fund at such times and in such detail as the Board of Directors may reasonably deem appropriate in order to enable it to determine that the investment policies, procedures and approved investment program of each Series (and any specific criteria applicable to the Allocated Assets) are being observed.
(g) Upon request, provide assistance and recommendations for the determination of the fair value of certain securities when reliable market quotations are not readily available for purposes of calculating net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Fund’s Board of Directors.
(h) Furnish, at its own expense, (i) all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of clerical and other personnel required for it to execute its duties faithfully, and (ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the investment advisory affairs of each Series.
(i) Open accounts with Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act compliant broker-dealers and futures commission merchants (“broker-dealers”), select broker-dealers to effect all transactions for each Series, place all necessary orders with broker‑dealers or issuers (including affiliated broker-dealers), and negotiate commissions, if applicable. To the extent consistent with applicable law, purchase or sell orders for each Series may be aggregated with contemporaneous purchase or sell orders of other clients of the Sub-Advisor. In such event allocation of securities so sold or purchased, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Sub‑Advisor in the manner the Sub-Advisor considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to other clients. The Sub-Advisor will report on such allocations at the request of the Manager, the Fund or the Fund’s Board of Directors providing such information as the number of aggregated trades to which each Series was a party, the broker-dealers to whom such trades were directed and the basis for the allocation for the aggregated trades. The Sub-Advisor shall use its best efforts to obtain execution of transactions for each Series at prices which are advantageous to the Series and at commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. However, the Sub-Advisor may select brokers or dealers on the basis that they provide brokerage, research or other services or products to the Sub-Advisor. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Sub-Advisor may pay a broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission or dealer spread another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Advisor determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research products and/or services provided by such broker or dealer. This determination, with respect to brokerage and research products and/or services, may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities which the Sub-Advisor and its affiliates have with respect to each Series as well as to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. Not all such services or products need be used by the Sub-Advisor in managing the Allocated Assets. In addition, joint repurchase or other accounts may not be utilized by the Series except to the extent permitted under any exemptive order obtained by the Sub-Advisor provided that all conditions of such order are complied with.
(j) Maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Allocated Assets as are required of an investment advisor of a registered investment company pursuant to the 1940 Act and Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and the rules thereunder, and furnish the Fund and the Manager with such periodic and special reports as the Fund or the Manager may reasonably request. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Advisor hereby agrees that all records that it maintains for each Series are the property of the Fund, agrees to preserve for the periods described by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any records that it maintains for the Series and that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any records that it maintains for a Series upon request by the Fund or the Manager. The Sub-Advisor has no responsibility for the maintenance of Fund records except insofar as is directly related to the services the Sub-Advisor provides to a Series.
(k) Observe and comply with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics adopted pursuant to that Rule as the same may be amended from time to time. The Manager acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Sub-Advisor’s current Code of Ethics. The Sub-Advisor shall promptly forward to the Manager a copy of any material amendment to the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics along with certification that the Sub-Advisor has implemented procedures for administering the Sub-Advisor’s Code of Ethics.
(l) From time to time as the Manager or the Fund may request, furnish the requesting party reports on portfolio transactions and reports on investments held by a Series, all in such detail as the Manager or the Fund may reasonably request. The Sub-Advisor will make available its officers and employees to meet with the Fund’s Board of Directors at the Fund’s principal place of business on due notice to review the investments of a Series.
(m) Provide such information as is customarily provided by a sub-advisor, or as may be required or reasonably requested by the Manager, for the Fund or the Manager to comply with their respective obligations under applicable laws, including, without limitation, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and any state securities laws, and any rule or regulation thereunder. Such information includes, but is not limited to: the Sub-Advisor’s compliance manual and policies and procedures adopted to comply with Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act; the Sub-Advisor’s most recent annual compliance report or a detailed summary of such report; timely and complete responses to all Quarterly Compliance Questionnaires (including the identification of any material compliance maters and a copy of any material changes to the Sub-Advisor’s Rule 206(4)-7 compliance policies and procedures, marked to show changes along with a written summary of the purpose of each such change); Annual Proxy Voting Questionnaires; Annual Best Execution and Soft Dollar Questionnaires, and responses to all other requests from the Manager. The Sub-Advisor agrees to make available for the Manager’s review all deficiency letters issued by the SEC together with all responses given by Sub-Advisor to such letters. The Sub-Advisor will advise the Manager of any material changes in the Sub-Advisor’s ownership within a reasonable time after any such change.
(n) Vote proxies received on behalf of each Series (with respect to the portion thereof allocated to the Sub-Advisor) in a manner consistent with the Sub-Advisor’s proxy voting policies and procedures and provide a record of votes cast containing all of the voting information required by Form N-PX in an electronic format to enable the Series to file Form N-PX as required by SEC rule.
(o) Respond to tender offers, rights offerings and other voluntary corporate action requests affecting securities held by each Series (with respect to the portion thereof allocated to the Sub-Advisor) and complete and file notices of claims in connection with class action lawsuits concerning securities owned by the Fund (with respect to the portion of each Series thereof allocated to the Sub-Advisor).
(p) Cooperate with the Manager in its performance of quarterly and annual tax compliance tests to monitor the Series’ compliance with Subchapter M of the Code and Section 817(h) of the Code. If it is determined by the Manager or its tax advisors that the Series is not in compliance with the requirements imposed by the Code, the Sub-Advisor, in consultation with the Manager and its tax advisors, will take prompt action to bring the Series back into compliance with the time permitted under the Code.
Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Adviser The Adviser undertakes to provide the services hereinafter set forth and to assume the following obligations:
Information to Be Provided by the Seller In connection with any Securitization Transaction the Seller shall (i) within ten Business Days following request by the Purchaser or any Depositor, provide to the Purchaser and such Depositor (or, as applicable, cause each Third-Party Originator to provide), in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor, the information and materials specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section, and (ii) as promptly as practicable following notice to or discovery by the Seller, provide to the Purchaser and any Depositor (in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor) the information specified in paragraph (d) of this Section.
(a) If so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Seller shall provide such information regarding (i) the Seller, as originator of the Mortgage Loans (including as an acquirer of Mortgage Loans from a Qualified Correspondent), or (ii) each Third-Party Originator, as is requested for the purpose of compliance with Items 1103(a)(1), 1105, 1110, 1117 and 1119 of Regulation AB. Such information shall include, at a minimum:
(A) the originator's form of organization;
(B) a description of the originator's origination program and how long the originator has been engaged in originating residential mortgage loans, which description shall include a discussion of the originator's experience in originating mortgage loans of a similar type as the Mortgage Loans; information regarding the size and composition of the originator's origination portfolio; and information that may be material, in the good faith judgment of the Purchaser or any Depositor, to an analysis of the performance of the Mortgage Loans, including the originators' credit-granting or underwriting criteria for mortgage loans of similar type(s) as the Mortgage Loans and such other information as the Purchaser or any Depositor may reasonably request for the purpose of compliance with Item 1110(b)(2) of Regulation AB;
(C) a description of any material legal or governmental proceedings pending (or known to be contemplated) against the Seller and each Third-Party Originator; and
(D) a description of any affiliation or relationship between the Seller, each Third-Party Originator and any of the following parties to a Securitization Transaction, as such parties are identified to the Seller by the Purchaser or any Depositor in writing in advance of such Securitization Transaction:
Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Manager The Manager undertakes to provide the services hereinafter set forth and to assume the following obligations:
Information Provided by the Underwriters The Underwriters severally confirm and the Company acknowledges that the statements with respect to the public offering of the Securities by the Underwriters set forth under the caption “Underwriting” in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and in the Prospectus are correct and constitute the only information concerning such Underwriters furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any issuer free writing prospectus.
Information to be Provided by the Servicer (a) At the request of the Administrator, acting on behalf of the Issuer, for the purpose of satisfying its reporting obligation under the Exchange Act with respect to any class of asset-backed securities, the Servicer shall (or shall cause each Subservicer to) (i) notify the Issuer and the Administrator in writing of any material litigation or governmental proceedings pending against the Servicer or any Subservicer and (ii) provide to the Issuer and the Administrator a description of such proceedings.
(b) As a condition to the succession to the Servicer or any Subservicer as servicer or subservicer under this Agreement by any Person (i) into which the Servicer or such Subservicer may be merged or consolidated, or (ii) which may be appointed as a successor to the Servicer or any Subservicer, the Servicer shall provide to the Issuer, the Administrator and the Depositor, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective date of such succession or appointment, (x) written notice to the Issuer and the Administrator of such succession or appointment and (y) in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Administrator, all information reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Administrator, acting on behalf of the Issuer, in order to comply with its reporting obligation under Item 6.02 of Form 8-K with respect to any class of asset-backed securities.
(c) In addition to such information as the Servicer, as servicer, is obligated to provide pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement, if so requested by the Issuer or the Administrator, acting on behalf of the Issuer, the Servicer shall provide such information regarding the performance or servicing of the Receivables as is reasonably required to facilitate preparation of distribution reports in accordance with Item 1121 of Regulation AB. Such information shall be provided concurrently with the monthly reports otherwise required to be delivered by the Servicer under this Agreement, commencing with the first such report due not less than ten (10) Business Days following such request.
SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY THE ADVISER TO THE TRUST A. As investment adviser to the Portfolio, the Adviser will coordinate the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Allocated Portion and determine the composition of the assets of the Allocated Portion, subject always to the supervision and control of the Manager and the Trustees of the Trust.
B. As part of the services it will provide hereunder, the Adviser will:
(i) obtain and evaluate pertinent economic, statistical, financial, and other information affecting the economy generally and individual companies or industries, the securities of which are included in the Allocated Portion or are under consideration for inclusion in the Allocated Portion;
(ii) formulate and implement a continuous investment program for the Allocated Portion;
(iii) take whatever steps are necessary to implement the investment program for the Allocated Portion by arranging for the purchase and sale of securities and other investments, including issuing directives to the administrator of the Trust as necessary for the appropriate implementation of the investment program of the Allocated Portion;
(iv) keep the Trustees of the Trust and the Manager fully informed in writing on an ongoing basis as agreed by the Manager and Adviser of all material facts concerning the investment and reinvestment of the assets in the Allocated Portion, the Adviser and its key investment personnel and operations, make regular and periodic special written reports of such additional information concerning the same as may reasonably be requested from time to time by the Manager or the Trustees of the Trust and the Adviser will attend meetings with the Manager and/or the Trustees, as reasonably requested, to discuss the foregoing;
(v) in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Trustees of the Trust, which may be amended from time to time, provide assistance in determining the fair value of all securities and other investments/assets in the Allocated Portion, as necessary, and use reasonable efforts to arrange for the provision of valuation information or a price(s) from a party(ies) independent of the Adviser for each security or other investment/asset in the Allocated Portion for which market prices are not readily available;
(vi) provide any and all material composite performance information, records and supporting documentation about accounts the Adviser manages, if appropriate, which are relevant to the Allocated Portion and that have investment objectives, policies, and strategies substantially similar to those employed by the Adviser in managing the Allocated Portion that may be reasonably necessary, under applicable laws, to allow the Portfolio or its agent to present information concerning Adviser’s prior performance in the Trust’s Prospectus and SAI (as hereinafter defined) and any permissible reports and materials prepared by the Portfolio or its agent; and
(vii) cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to the Manager, the Trust’s administrator, the Trust’s custodian and foreign custodians, the Trust’s transfer agent and pricing agents and all other agents and representatives of the Trust and the Manager, keep all such persons fully informed as to such matters as they may reasonably deem necessary to the performance of their obligations to the Trust and the Manager, provide prompt responses to reasonable requests made by such persons and maintain any appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient exchange of information.
C. In furnishing services hereunder, the Adviser shall be subject to, and shall perform in accordance with the following: (i) the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as the same may be hereafter modified and/or amended from time to time (“Trust Declaration”); (ii) the By-Laws of the Trust, as the same may be hereafter modified and/or amended from time to time (“By-Laws”); (iii) the currently effective Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Trust filed with the SEC and delivered to the Adviser, as the same may be hereafter modified, amended and/or supplemented (“Prospectus and SAI”); (iv) the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Portfolio; (v) the Trust’s Compliance Manual and other policies and procedures adopted from time to time by the Board of Trustees of the Trust; and (vi) the written instructions of the Manager. Prior to the commencement of the Adviser’s services hereunder, the Manager shall provide the Adviser with current copies of the Trust Declaration, By-Laws, Prospectus, SAI, Compliance Manual and other relevant policies and procedures that are adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Manager undertakes to provide the Adviser with copies or other written notice of any amendments, modifications or supplements to any such above-mentioned document.
D. In furnishing services hereunder, the Adviser will not consult with any other adviser to (i) the Portfolio, (ii) any other Portfolio of the Trust or (iii) any other investment company under common control with the Trust concerning transactions of the Portfolio in securities or other assets. (This shall not be deemed to prohibit the Adviser from consulting with any of its affiliated persons concerning transactions in securities or other assets. This shall also not be deemed to prohibit the Adviser from consulting with any of the other covered advisers concerning compliance with paragraphs a and b of rule 12d3-1.)
E. The Adviser, at its expense, will furnish: (i) all necessary facilities and personnel, including salaries, expenses and fees of any personnel required for them to faithfully perform their duties under this Agreement; and (ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, and all equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the Adviser’s duties under this Agreement.
F. The Adviser will select brokers and dealers to effect all portfolio transactions subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, if applicable. The Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Allocated Portion (i) in accordance with any written policies, practices or procedures that may be established by the Board of Trustees or the Manager from time to time and which have been provided to the Adviser or (ii) as described in the Trust’s Prospectus and SAI. In placing any orders for the purchase or sale of investments for the Portfolio, in the name of the Allocated Portion or its nominees, the Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain for the Allocated Portion best execution, considering all of the circumstances, and shall maintain records adequate to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, or any affiliated person thereof, except in accordance with the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act and the rules under each, and all other federal and state laws or regulations applicable to the Trust and the Portfolio.
G. Subject to the appropriate policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, Adviser may, to the extent authorized by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) cause the Allocated Portion to pay a broker or dealer that provides brokerage or research services to the Manager, the Adviser and the Allocated Portion an amount of commission for effecting a Portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the Adviser determines, in good faith, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relationship to the value of such brokerage or research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Portfolio or its other advisory clients. To the extent authorized by Section 28(e) and the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of such action. Subject to seeking best execution, the Board of Trustees or the Manager may direct the Adviser to effect transactions in portfolio securities through broker-dealers in a manner that will help generate resources to pay the cost of certain expenses that the Trust is required to pay or for which the Trust is required to arrange payment.
H. On occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Allocated Portion as well as other clients of the Adviser, the Adviser to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. Allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Adviser in the manner which the Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Allocated Portion and to its other clients over time. The Manager agrees that Adviser and its affiliates may give advice and take action in the performance of their duties with respect to any of their other clients that may differ from advice given, or the timing or nature of actions taken, with respect to the Allocated Portion. The Manager also acknowledges that Adviser and its affiliates are fiduciaries to other entities, some of which have the same or similar investment objectives (and will hold the same or similar investments) as the Allocated Portion, and that Adviser will carry out its duties hereunder together with its duties under such relationships. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to confer upon Adviser any obligation to purchase or to sell or to recommend for purchase or sale for the Allocated Portion any investment that Adviser, its affiliates, officers or employees may purchase or sell for its or their own account or for the account of any client, if in the sole and absolute discretion of Adviser it is for any reason impractical or undesirable to take such action or make such recommendation for the Allocated Portion.
I. The Adviser will maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Allocated Portion as are required of an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act and Advisers Act and the rules thereunder and shall file with the SEC all forms pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, with respect to its duties as are set forth herein.
J. The Adviser will, unless and until otherwise directed by the Manager or the Board of Trustees, vote proxies with respect to the Allocated Portion’s securities and exercise rights in corporate actions or otherwise in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting guidelines, as amended from time to time, which shall be provided to the Trust and the Manager.
