PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.,
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY,
ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS,
AND
ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION PAGE
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Section 1. Available Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.1 Availability.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1.3 No Sales to the General Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Section 2. Processing Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.1 Timely Pricing and Orders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.2 Timely Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.3 Applicable Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.4 Dividends and Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.5 Book Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Section 3. Costs and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
3.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
3.2 Parties To Cooperate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Section 4. Legal Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
4.1 Tax Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
4.3 Securities Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances. . . . . . . . . .9
4.5 LIFE COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF. . . . . . . .9
4.6 AVIF To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY. . . . . . . 10
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.2 Disinterested Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.3 Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.4 Conflict Remedies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5.5 Notice to LIFE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.6 Information Requested by Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.7 Compliance with SEC Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.8 Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Section 6. Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.1 Events of Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
6.3 Funds To Remain Available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
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DESCRIPTION PAGE
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6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6.5 Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Section 8. Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Section 9. Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Section 10. Voting Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Section 12. Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
12.1 Of AVIF and AIM by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER. . . . . . . . . . . . 19
12.2 Of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF and AIM. . . . . . . . . . . . 21
12.3 Effect of Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.4 Successors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Section 13. Applicable Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 15. Severability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 16. Rights Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 17. Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 18. Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 19. Trademarks and Fund Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Section 20. Parties to Cooperate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
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PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 1st day of August, 1998
("Agreement"), by and among AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc., a Maryland
corporation ("AVIF"), A I M Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("AIM") Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company, a Delaware
life insurance company ("LIFE COMPANY"), on behalf of itself and each of its
segregated asset accounts listed in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto
may amend from time to time (each, an "Account," and collectively, the
"Accounts"); and Allmerica Investments, Inc., an affiliate of LIFE COMPANY
and the principal underwriter of the Contracts ("UNDERWRITER") (collectively,
the "Parties").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, AVIF is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, AVIF currently consists of thirteen separate series ("Series"),
shares ("Shares") of each of which are registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and are currently sold to one or more
separate accounts of life insurance companies to fund benefits under variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance contracts; and
WHEREAS, AVIF will make Shares of each Series listed on Schedule A
hereto as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time (each a "Fund";
reference herein to "AVIF" includes reference to each Fund, to the extent the
context requires) available for purchase by the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be the issuer of certain variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance contracts ("Contracts") as set forth
on Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time,
which Contracts (hereinafter collectively, the "Contracts"), if required by
applicable law, will be registered under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will fund the Contracts through the Accounts, each
of which may be divided into two or more subaccounts ("Subaccounts";
reference herein to an "Account" includes reference to each Subaccount
thereof to the extent the context requires); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each
of which is registered as a unit investment trust investment company under
the 1940 Act (or exempt therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be
issued by the Accounts under the Contracts will be registered as securities
under the 1933 Act (or exempt therefrom); and
1
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the
Funds on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, UNDERWRITER is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
WHEREAS, AIM is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good standing of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises
contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AVAILABLE FUNDS
1.1 AVAILABILITY.
AVIF will make Shares of each Fund available to LIFE COMPANY for
purchase and redemption at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of
AVIF may refuse to sell Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or
terminate the offering of Shares of any Fund if such action is required by
law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole
discretion of the Directors acting in good faith and in light of their
fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, such action is
deemed in the best interests of the shareholders of such Fund.
1.2 ADDITION, DELETION OR MODIFICATION OF FUNDS.
The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to
provide additional funding media for the Contracts, or to delete, combine, or
modify existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to
Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF, or its Shares herein
shall include a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as
amended from time to time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part
hereof.
1.3 NO SALES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AVIF represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or
will be sold to the general public.
2
SECTION 2. PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS
2.1 TIMELY PRICING AND ORDERS.
(a) AVIF or its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide
LIFE COMPANY with the net asset value per Share for each Fund by 6:00 p.m.
Central Time on each Business Day. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean
any day on which (i) the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading,
(ii) AVIF calculates the Fund's net asset value, and (iii) LIFE COMPANY is
open for business.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will use the data provided by AVIF each Business Day
pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values
and to process transactions that receive that same Business Day's Account
unit values. LIFE COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same
Business Day, and will place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem
Shares with AVIF by 9:00 a.m. Central Time the following Business Day;
PROVIDED, however, that AVIF shall provide additional time to LIFE COMPANY
in the event that AVIF is unable to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated in
paragraph (a) immediately above. Such additional time shall be equal to the
additional time that AVIF takes to make the net asset values available to
LIFE COMPANY.
(c) With respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY and
of redemption proceeds by AVIF, LIFE COMPANY and AVIF shall net purchase and
redemption orders with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net
payment per Fund in accordance with Section 2.2, below.
(d) If AVIF provides materially incorrect Share net asset value
information (as determined under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be
entitled to an adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed to
reflect the correct net asset value per Share. Any material error in the
calculation or reporting of net asset value per Share, dividend or capital
gain information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
2.2 TIMELY PAYMENTS.
LIFE COMPANY will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account
designated by AVIF by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for
Shares is placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF will wire payment for net
redemptions to an account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 1:00 p.m. Central
Time on the same day as the Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but
in any event within five (5) calendar days after the date the order is placed
in order to enable LIFE COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time
specified in Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act or such shorter period of time as
may be required by law.
2.3 APPLICABLE PRICE.
(a) Share purchase payments and redemption orders that result from
purchase payments, premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under
Contracts (collectively,
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"Contract transactions") and that LIFE COMPANY receives prior to the close of
regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a Business Day will be
executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after
receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the orders. For purposes of this
Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of AVIF for
receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions on each Business Day and
receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by AVIF; PROVIDED
that AVIF receives notice of such orders by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on the
next following Business Day or such later time as computed in accordance with
Section 2.1(b) hereof.
(b) All other Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY
will be effected at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next
computed after receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the order therefor,
and such orders will be irrevocable.
2.4 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
AVIF will furnish notice by wire or telephone (followed by written
confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE COMPANY of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Fund.
LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains
distributions in additional Shares of the corresponding Fund at the
ex-dividend date net asset values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies AVIF
in writing, it being agreed by the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the
payment date with respect to any dividend or distribution will be the same
Business Day. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to revoke this election and to
receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.
2.5 BOOK ENTRY.
Issuance and transfer of AVIF Shares will be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from AVIF
will be recorded in an appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its
Account.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES
3.1 GENERAL.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in Schedule C, attached hereto
and made a part hereof, each Party will bear, or arrange for others to bear,
all expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
3.2 PARTIES TO COOPERATE.
Each Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in
arranging to print, mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or
coordinated prospectuses or other materials of AVIF and the Accounts.
4
SECTION 4. LEGAL COMPLIANCE
4.1 TAX LAWS.
(a) AVIF represents and warrants that each Fund is currently
qualified as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and represents that
it will use its best efforts to qualify and to maintain qualification of each
Fund as a RIC. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so qualify or that
it might not so qualify in the future.
(b) AVIF represents that it will use its best efforts to comply and
to maintain each Fund's compliance with the diversification requirements set
forth in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations
under the Code. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so comply or that a
Fund might not so comply in the future. In the event of a breach of this
Section 4.1(b) by AVIF, it will take all reasonable steps to adequately
diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period
afforded by Section 1.817-5 of the regulations under the Code.
(c) LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of
LIFE COMPANY or, to LIFE COMPANY's knowledge, of any Participant, that any
Fund has failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section
817(h) of the Code or LIFE COMPANY otherwise becomes aware of any facts that
could give rise to any claim against AVIF or its affiliates as a result of
such a failure or alleged failure:
(i) LIFE COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF of such assertion or
potential claim (subject to the Confidentiality provisions
of Section 18 as to any Participant);
(ii) LIFE COMPANY shall consult with AVIF as to how to minimize
any liability that may arise as a result of such failure or
alleged failure;
(iii) LIFE COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any
liability of AVIF or its affiliates resulting from such
failure, including, without limitation, demonstrating,
pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to
the Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was
inadvertent;
(iv) LIFE COMPANY shall permit AVIF, its affiliates and their
legal and accounting advisors to participate in any
conferences, settlement discussions or other administrative
or judicial proceeding or contests (including judicial
appeals thereof) with the IRS, any Participant or any other
claimant regarding any claims that could give rise to
liability to AVIF or its affiliates as a result of such a
failure or alleged failure; PROVIDED, however, that LIFE
COMPANY will retain control of the conduct of such
conferences discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals;
5
(v) any written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the
IRS, any Participant or any other claimant in connection
with any of the foregoing proceedings or contests
(including, without limitation, any such materials to be
submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section 1.817-5(a)(2)), (a) shall be provided by LIFE
COMPANY to AVIF (together with any supporting information or
analysis); subject to the confidentiality provisions of
Section 18, at least ten (10) business days or such shorter
period to which the Parties hereto agree prior to the day on
which such proposed materials are to be submitted, and (b)
shall not be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to any such person
without the express written consent of AVIF which shall not
be unreasonably withheld;
(vi) LIFE COMPANY shall provide AVIF or its affiliates and their
accounting and legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF
shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by
permitting AVIF and its accounting and legal advisors to
review the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in
order to facilitate review by AVIF or its advisors of any
written submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding
clause or its assessment of the validity or amount of any
claim against its arising from such a failure or alleged
failure;
(vii) LIFE COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS
or any Participant that would give rise to a claim against
AVIF or its affiliates (a) compromise or settle any claim,
(b) accept any adjustment on audit, or (c) forego any
allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the
express written consent of AVIF or its affiliates, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, PROVIDED that LIFE
COMPANY shall not be required, after exhausting all
administrative penalties, to appeal any adverse judicial
decision unless AVIF or its affiliates shall have provided
an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a
reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and PROVIDED
FURTHER that the costs of any such appeal shall be borne
equally by the Parties hereto; and
(viii) AVIF and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result
of such failure or alleged failure if LIFE COMPANY fails to
comply with any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii),
and such failure could be shown to have materially
contributed to the liability.
Should AVIF or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent
to any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE
COMPANY may, in its discretion, authorize AVIF or its affiliates to act in
the name of LIFE COMPANY in, and to control the conduct of, such conferences,
discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals and all administrative
6
or judicial appeals thereof, and in that event AVIF or its affiliates shall
bear the fees and expenses associated with the conduct of the proceedings
that it is so authorized to control; PROVIDED, that in no event shall LIFE
COMPANY have any liability resulting from AVIF's refusal to accept the
proposed settlement or compromise with respect to any failure caused by AVIF.
As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliates" shall have the same meaning
as "affiliated person" as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.
(d) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts
currently are and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance
contracts under applicable provisions of the Code and that it will use its
best efforts to maintain such treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify AVIF
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that any of the
Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated
in the future.
(e) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a
"segregated asset account" and that interests in each Account are offered
exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract,"
within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the
regulations thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will use its best efforts to continue
to meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify AVIF immediately
upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have
ceased to be met or that they might not be met in the future. 4.2
INSURANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER LAWS.
(a) AVIF will use its best efforts to comply with any applicable
state insurance laws or regulations, to the extent specifically requested in
writing by LIFE COMPANY, including, the furnishing of information not
otherwise available to LIFE COMPANY which is required by state insurance law
to enable LIFE COMPANY to obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts
in any applicable state.
(b) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has full corporate power, authority and legal
right to execute, deliver and perform its duties and comply with its
obligations under this Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established
and maintains each Account as a segregated asset account under Section 2932
of the Delaware Insurance Law and the regulations thereunder, and (iii) the
Contracts comply in all material respects with all other applicable federal
and state laws and regulations.
(c) AVIF represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Maryland and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute,
deliver, and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this
Agreement.
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4.3 SECURITIES LAWS.
(a) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in each
Account pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to
the extent required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal
and state laws, including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act,
the 1940 Act and Delaware law, (iii) each Account is and will remain
registered under the 1940 Act, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv)
each Account does and will comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, to the extent
required, (v) each Account's 1933 Act registration statement relating to the
Contracts, together with any amendments thereto, will at all times comply in
all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules
thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will amend the registration statement for its
Contracts under the 1933 Act and for its Accounts under the 1940 Act from
time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its
Contracts or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, and (vii) each
Account Prospectus will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(b) AVIF represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required
by the 1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with
Maryland law, (ii) AVIF is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to
the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iii) AVIF will amend the registration
statement for its Shares under the 1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act
from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of
its Shares, (iv) AVIF does and will comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, (v) AVIF's 1933 Act
registration statement, together with any amendments thereto, will at all
times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act
and rules thereunder, and (vi) AVIF's Prospectus will at all times comply in
all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules
thereunder.
(c) AVIF will at its expense register and qualify its Shares for sale
in accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the
extent reasonably deemed advisable by AVIF.
(d) AVIF currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise,
although it reserves the right to make such payments in the future. To the
extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule
12b-1, AVIF undertakes to have its Board of Directors, a majority of whom are
not "interested" persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under
Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.
(e) AVIF represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities having access
to the funds and/or securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all
times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit
of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage as required
currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be
promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for
larceny and embezzlement and is issued by a reputable bonding company.
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4.4 NOTICE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
(a) AVIF will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance by
any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or
other similar order with respect to AVIF's registration statement under the
1933 Act or AVIF Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to
such registration statement or AVIF Prospectus that may affect the offering
of Shares of AVIF, (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose
or for any other purpose relating to the registration or offering of AVIF's
Shares, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful
offer or sale of Shares of any Fund in any state or jurisdiction, including,
without limitation, any circumstances in which (a) such Shares are not
registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with
applicable state and federal law, or (b) such law precludes the use of such
Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by LIFE COMPANY. AVIF will make every reasonable effort to prevent
the issuance, with respect to any Fund, of any such stop order, cease and
desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the
lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will immediately notify AVIF of (i) the issuance by
any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or
other similar order with respect to each Account's registration statement
under the 1933 Act relating to the Contracts or each Account Prospectus, (ii)
any request by the SEC for any amendment to such registration statement or
Account Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF, (iii) the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose
relating to the registration or offering of each Account's interests pursuant
to the Contracts, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent
the lawful offer or sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction,
including, without limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are
not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance
with applicable state and federal law. LIFE COMPANY will make every
reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease and
desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the
lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
4.5 LIFE COMPANY TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT AVIF.
(a) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at
least one (1) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account
Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction
solicitation material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to each Account
or the Contracts, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the
SEC or other regulatory authorities.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at
least one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which AVIF or any of its affiliates is named, at
least five (5) Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the
Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be
used if AVIF or its designated agent objects to such use within five (5)
Business Days after receipt of such
9
material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time,
agree upon. AVIF hereby designates AIM as the entity to receive such sales
literature, until such time as AVIF appoints another designated agent by
giving notice to LIFE COMPANY in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any
information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or
concerning AVIF or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the
Contracts other than (i) the information or representations contained in the
registration statement, including the AVIF Prospectus contained therein,
relating to Shares, as such registration statement and AVIF Prospectus may be
amended from time to time; or (ii) in reports or proxy materials for AVIF; or
(iii) in published reports for AVIF that are in the public domain and
approved by AVIF for distribution; or (iv) in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by AVIF, except with the express written
permission of AVIF.
(d) LIFE COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably
designed to ensure that information concerning AVIF and its affiliates that
is intended for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (I.E.,
information that is not intended for distribution to Participants) ("broker
only materials") is so used, and neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates shall
be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of
such broker only materials.
(e) For the purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase "sales
literature or other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to,
advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a
newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or
tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or
other public media, (E.G., on-line networks such as the Internet or other
electronic messages), sales literature (I.E., any written communication
distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, including
brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar
texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or
published article), educational or training materials or other communications
distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees,
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material constituting
sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the
0000 Xxx.
4.6 AVIF TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE COMPANY.
(a) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete copy
of all SEC registration statements, AVIF Prospectuses, reports, any
preliminary and final proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests
for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to
AVIF or the Shares of a Fund, contemporaneously with the filing of such
document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
(b) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY a camera ready copy of all
AVIF prospectuses and printed copies, in an amount specified by LIFE COMPANY,
of AVIF statements of additional information, proxy materials, periodic
reports to shareholders and other materials
10
required by law to be sent to Participants who have allocated any Contract
value to a Fund. AVIF will provide such copies to LIFE COMPANY in a timely
manner so as to enable LIFE COMPANY, as the case may be, to print and
distribute such materials within the time required by law to be furnished to
Participants.
(c) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at
least one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which LIFE COMPANY, or any of its respective
affiliates is named, or that refers to the Contracts, at least five (5)
Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto
may, from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be used if LIFE
COMPANY or its designated agent objects to such use within five (5) Business
Days after receipt of such material or such shorter period as the Parties
hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. LIFE COMPANY shall receive all
such sales literature until such time as it appoints a designated agent by
giving notice to AVIF in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(d) Neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates will give any information
or make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning LIFE
COMPANY, each Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or
representations contained in the registration statement, including each
Account Prospectus contained therein, relating to the Contracts, as such
registration statement and Account Prospectus may be amended from time to
time; or (ii) in published reports for the Account or the Contracts that are
in the public domain and approved by LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii)
in sales literature or other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or
its affiliates, except with the express written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
(e) AVIF shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning LIFE
COMPANY, and its respective affiliates that is intended for use only by
brokers or agents selling the Contracts (I.E., information that is not
intended for distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is so
used, and neither LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective affiliates shall be
liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of
such broker only materials.
(f) For purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine,
or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording,
videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public
media, (E.G., on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic
messages), sales literature (I.E., any written communication distributed or
made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures,
circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts,
reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or
published article), educational or training materials or other communications
distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees,
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material constituting
sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the
1940 Act.
11
SECTION 5. MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING
5.1 GENERAL.
The SEC has granted an order to AVIF exempting it from certain
provisions of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF may be available
for investment by certain other entities, including, without limitation,
separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts or variable life
insurance contracts, separate accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated
with LIFE COMPANY, and trustees of qualified pension and retirement plans
(collectively, "Mixed and Shared Funding"). The Parties recognize that the
SEC has imposed terms and conditions for such orders that are substantially
identical to many of the provisions of this Section 5. Sections 5.2 through
5.8 below shall apply pursuant to such an exemptive order granted to AVIF.
AVIF hereby notifies LIFE COMPANY that, in the event that AVIF implements
Mixed and Shared Funding, it may be appropriate to include in the prospectus
pursuant to which a Contract is offered disclosure regarding the potential
risks of Mixed and Shared Funding.
5.2 DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS.
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors shall at all times consist of
directors a majority of whom (the "Disinterested Directors") are not
interested persons of AVIF within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940
Act and the rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the
SEC, except that if this condition is not met by reason of the death,
disqualification, or bona fide resignation of any director, then the
operation of this condition shall be suspended (a) for a period of forty-five
(45) days if the vacancy or vacancies may be filled by the Board;(b) for a
period of sixty (60) days if a vote of shareholders is required to fill the
vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for such longer period as the SEC may prescribe
by order upon application.
5.3 MONITORING FOR MATERIAL IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICTS.
AVIF agrees that its Board of Directors will monitor for the existence
of any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the
Participants in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing
AVIF ("Participating Insurance Companies"), including each Account, and
participants in all qualified retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF
("Participating Plans"). LIFE COMPANY agrees to inform the Board of
Directors of AVIF of the existence of or any potential for any such material
irreconcilable conflict of which it is aware. The concept of a "material
irreconcilable conflict" is not defined by the 1940 Act or the rules
thereunder, but the Parties recognize that such a conflict may arise for a
variety of reasons, including, without limitation:
(a) an action by any state insurance or other regulatory authority;
(b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling,
no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax
or securities regulatory authorities;
12
(c) an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding;
(d) the manner in which the investments of any Fund are being managed;
(e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity
contract and variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants
of different Participating Insurance Companies;
(f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the
voting instructions of Participants; or
(g) a decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting
instructions of Plan participants.
Consistent with the SEC's requirements in connection with exemptive
orders of the type referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will
assist the Board of Directors in carrying out its responsibilities by
providing the Board of Directors with all information reasonably necessary
for the Board of Directors to consider any issue raised, including
information as to a decision by LIFE COMPANY to disregard voting instructions
of Participants. LIFE COMPANY's responsibilities in connection with the
foregoing shall be carried out with a view only to the interests of
Participants.
5.4 CONFLICT REMEDIES.
(a) It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the Disinterested
Directors that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY will,
if it is a Participating Insurance Company for which a material
irreconcilable conflict is relevant, at its own expense and to the extent
reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the Disinterested
Directors), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the
material irreconcilable conflict, which steps may include, but are not
limited to:
(i) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the
Accounts from AVIF or any Fund and reinvesting such assets
in a different investment medium, including another Fund of
AVIF, or submitting the question whether such segregation
should be implemented to a vote of all affected Participants
and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any
particular group (E.G., annuity Participants, life insurance
Participants or all Participants) that votes in favor of
such segregation, or offering to the affected Participants
the option of making such a change; and
(ii) establishing a new registered investment company of the type
defined as a "management company" in Section 4(3) of the
1940 Act or a new separate account that is operated as a
management company.
13
(b) If the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE
COMPANY's decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote,
LIFE COMPANY may be required, at AVIF's election, to withdraw each Account's
investment in AVIF or any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a
result of such withdrawal. Any such withdrawal must take place within six
(6) months after AVIF gives notice to LIFE COMPANY that this provision is
being implemented, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept
and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of
Shares of AVIF.
(c) If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to LIFE COMPANY conflicts
with the majority of other state regulators, then LIFE COMPANY will withdraw
each Account's investment in AVIF within six (6) months after AVIF's Board of
Directors informs LIFE COMPANY that it has determined that such decision has
created a material irreconcilable conflict, and until such withdrawal AVIF
shall continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the
purchase and redemption of Shares of AVIF. No charge or penalty will be
imposed as a result of such withdrawal.
(d) LIFE COMPANY agrees that any remedial action taken by it in
resolving any material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its
expense and with a view only to the interests of Participants.
(e) For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Directors
will determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any
material irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF or any of
its affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any
Contracts. LIFE COMPANY will not be required by the terms hereof to establish
a new funding medium for any Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined
by vote of a majority of Participants materially adversely affected by the
material irreconcilable conflict.
5.5 NOTICE TO LIFE COMPANY.
AVIF will promptly make known in writing to LIFE COMPANY the Board of
Directors' determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable
conflict, a description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the
implications of such conflict.
5.6 INFORMATION REQUESTED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
LIFE COMPANY and AVIF (or its investment adviser) will at least annually
submit to the Board of Directors of AVIF such reports, materials or data as
the Board of Directors may reasonably request so that the Board of Directors
may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof
or any exemptive order granted by the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared
Funding, and said reports, materials and data will be submitted at any
reasonable time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. All reports
received by the Board of Directors of potential or existing conflicts, and
all Board of Directors actions with regard to determining the existence of a
conflict, notifying Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Plans
of a conflict, and determining whether any proposed action adequately
remedies a conflict, will be
14
properly recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors or other
appropriate records, and such minutes or other records will be made available
to the SEC upon request.
5.7 COMPLIANCE WITH SEC RULES.
If, at any time during which AVIF is serving as an investment medium for
variable life insurance Contracts, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable,
6e-2 are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with
respect to Mixed and Shared Funding, AVIF agrees that it will comply with the
terms and conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be
deemed modified if and only to the extent required in order also to comply
with the terms and conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by
any of said rules that are applicable.
5.8 OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
AVIF will require that each Participating Insurance Company and
Participating Plan enter into an agreement with AVIF that contains in
substance the same provisions as are set forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d),
4.3(a), 4.4(b), 4.5(a), 5, and 10 of this Agreement.
SECTION 6. TERMINATION
6.1 EVENTS OF TERMINATION.
Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Fund:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause with respect to
the Fund, upon six (6) months advance written notice to the other parties,
or, if later, upon receipt of any required exemptive relief from the SEC,
unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties; or
(b) at the option of AVIF upon institution of formal proceedings
against LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state
insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY's
obligations under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the
operation of each Account, or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF
reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such
proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material
adverse consequences on the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be
terminated; or
(c) at the option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal
proceedings against AVIF, its principal underwriter, or its investment
adviser by the NASD, the SEC, or any state insurance regulator or any other
regulatory body regarding AVIF's obligations under this Agreement or related
to the operation or management of AVIF or the purchase of AVIF Shares, if, in
each case, LIFE COMPANY reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the
facts on
15
which such proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing
material adverse consequences on LIFE COMPANY, or the Subaccount
corresponding to the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be
terminated; or
(d) at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund's
Shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in
accordance with any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law
precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY; or
(e) upon termination of the corresponding Subaccount's investment in
the Fund pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or
(f) at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund ceases to qualify as a
RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions,
or if LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify;
or
(g) at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund fails to comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code or with successor or similar provisions, or if
LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so comply; or
(h) at the option of AVIF if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY
cease to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the
Code (other than by reason of the Fund's noncompliance with Section 817(h) or
Subchapter M of the Code) or if interests in an Account under the Contracts
are not registered, where required, and, in all material respects, are not
issued or sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or
(i) upon another Party's material breach of any provision of this
Agreement.
6.2 NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR TERMINATION.
No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the
Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other
Party to this Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set
forth the basis for such termination. Furthermore:
(a) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(a) or 6.1(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given
at least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of termination
unless a shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto;
(b) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given
at least ninety (90) days in advance of the effective date of termination
unless a shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto; and
(c) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, such prior
written notice shall be given as soon as possible
16
within twenty-four (24) hours after the terminating Party learns of the event
causing termination to be required.
6.3 FUNDS TO REMAIN AVAILABLE.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, AVIF will, at the
option of LIFE COMPANY, continue to make available additional shares of the
Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all
Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without
limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to
reallocate investments in the Fund (as in effect on such date), redeem
investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of
additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree
that this Section 6.3 will not apply to any terminations under Section 5 and
the effect of such terminations will be governed by Section 5 of this
Agreement.
6.4 SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATIONS.
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
6.5 CONTINUANCE OF AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
If any Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund pursuant
to Sections 6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof,
this Agreement shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of that
Fund that are outstanding as of the date of such termination (the "Initial
Termination Date"). This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the
date as of which an Account owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date
(the "Final Termination Date") six (6) months following the Initial
Termination Date, except that LIFE COMPANY may, by written notice shorten
said six (6) month period in the case of a termination pursuant to Sections
6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i).
SECTION 7. PARTIES TO COOPERATE RESPECTING TERMINATION
The Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to
one another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of
ensuring that an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination
Date with respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to
Section 6.1(a), the termination date specified in the notice of termination.
Such steps may include combining the affected Account with another Account,
substituting other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or
otherwise terminating participation by the Contracts in such Fund.
17
SECTION 8. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the written
consent of each other Party.
SECTION 9. NOTICES
Notices and communications required or permitted by Section 9 hereof
will be given by means mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each
other notice or communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be
given to the following persons at the following addresses and facsimile
numbers, or such other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party
receiving such notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President
ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
SECTION 10. VOTING PROCEDURES
Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3 hereof,
LIFE COMPANY will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF to
Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be
extended and will solicit voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY
will vote Shares in accordance with timely instructions received from
Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to
Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b)
attributable to Participants, but for which no timely
18
instructions have been received, in the same proportion as Shares for which
said instructions have been received from Participants, so long as and to the
extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass
through voting privileges for Participants. Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of
its affiliates will in any way recommend action in connection with or oppose
or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the Shares held for such
Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote shares held in any
Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. LIFE COMPANY shall
be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding Shares
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of other
Participating Insurance Companies or in the manner required by the Mixed and
Shared Funding exemptive order obtained by AVIF. AVIF will notify LIFE
COMPANY of any changes of interpretations or amendments to Mixed and Shared
Funding exemptive order it has obtained. AVIF will comply with all
provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting by shareholders, and in
particular, AVIF either will provide for annual meetings (except insofar as
the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not to require such
meetings) or will comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although AVIF is
not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, AVIF will act in
accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a)
with respect to periodic elections of directors and with whatever rules the
SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
SECTION 11. FOREIGN TAX CREDITS
AVIF agrees to consult in advance with LIFE COMPANY concerning any
decision to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass
through the benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
SECTION 12. INDEMNIFICATION
12.1 OF AVIF AND AIM BY LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER.
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c),
below, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER agree to indemnify and hold harmless
AVIF, AIM, their affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls AVIF, AIM,
or their affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each
of their respective directors and officers, (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.1) against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER) or actions in respect
thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation, at common law or otherwise; PROVIDED, the Account owns shares of
the Fund and insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
19
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
any Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any Account
Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or
advertising for the Contracts (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
PROVIDED, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply
as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or
such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY
or UNDERWRITER by or on behalf of AVIF or AIM for use in any
Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any Account
Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or
advertising or otherwise for use in connection with the sale
of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or supplement to
any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not
supplied for use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates and on which
such persons have reasonably relied) or the negligent,
illegal or fraudulent conduct of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER
or their respective affiliates or persons under their
control (including, without limitation, their employees and
"persons associated with a member," as that term is defined
in paragraph (q) of Article I of the NASD's By-Laws), in
connection with the sale or distribution of the Contracts or
Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus,
sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to AVIF, AIM or their affiliates by or on behalf
of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates
for use in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER to perform the obligations, provide the services
and furnish the materials
20
required of them under the terms of this Agreement,
or any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by LIFE COMPANY
or UNDERWRITER; or
(v) arise as a result of failure by the Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance
contracts under the Code, otherwise than by reason of any
Fund's failure to comply with Subchapter M or Section 817(h)
of the Code.
(b) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this
Section 12.1 with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by
that Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii)
to AVIF or AIM.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this
Section 12.1 with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless
AVIF or AIM shall have notified LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the action shall have been served upon
such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received
notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE
COMPANY and UNDERWRITER of any such action shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER from any liability which they may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section
12.1. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is
brought against an Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER shall be
entitled to participate, at their own expense, in the defense of such action
and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER
to such Indemnified Party of LIFE COMPANY's or UNDERWRITER's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with
LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER and shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER
will be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party
independently in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable
costs of investigation.
12.2 OF LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER BY AVIF AND AIM.
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and
12.2(e), below, AVIF and AIM agree to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE
COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, their respective affiliates, and each person, if any,
who controls LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective
directors and officers, (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes
of this
21
Section 12.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of AVIF and/or
AIM) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable,
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become
subject under any statute, regulation, at common law, or otherwise; PROVIDED,
the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus or
sales literature or advertising of AVIF (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
PROVIDED, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply
as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or
such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to AVIF or its
affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or
their respective affiliates for use in AVIF's 1933 Act
registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, or in sales
literature or advertising or otherwise for use in connection
with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement,
any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising for
the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of
AVIF, AIM or their affiliates and on which such persons have
reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent
conduct of AVIF, AIM or their affiliates or persons under
their control (including, without limitation, their
employees and "persons associated with a member" as that
term is defined in Section (q) of Article I of the NASD
By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of
AVIF Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
any Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any Account
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates by or on behalf
of AVIF or AIM for use in any Account's 1933 Act
registration statement,
22
any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising
covering the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to
any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by AVIF to perform the
obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials
required of it under the terms of this Agreement, or any
material breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by AVIF in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any
other material breach of this Agreement by AVIF.
(b) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and
12.2(e) hereof, AVIF and AIM agree to indemnify and hold harmless the
Indemnified Parties from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement thereof with, the written
consent of AVIF and/or AIM) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the
extent reasonable, legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties
may become subject directly or indirectly under any statute, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions
directly or indirectly result from or arise out of the failure of any Fund
to operate as a regulated investment company in compliance with (i)
Subchapter M of the Code and regulations thereunder, or (ii) Section 817(h)
of the Code and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, any
income taxes and related penalties, rescission charges, liability under state
law to Participants asserting liability against LIFE COMPANY pursuant to the
Contracts, the costs of any ruling and closing agreement or other settlement
with the IRS, and the cost of any substitution by LIFE COMPANY of Shares of
another investment company or portfolio for those of any adversely affected
Fund as a funding medium for each Account that LIFE COMPANY reasonably deems
necessary or appropriate as a result of the noncompliance.
(c) Neither AVIF nor AIM shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties (i) under this Agreement, or
(ii) to LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, each Account or Participants.
(d) Neither AVIF nor AIM shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with
respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified
Party shall have notified AVIF and/or AIM in writing within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or
after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on
any designated agent), but failure to notify AVIF or AIM of any such action
shall not relieve AVIF or AIM from any liability which it may have to the
Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this Section 12.2. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case
any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, AVIF and/or AIM will
be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action
and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof (which shall
include, without limitation, the conduct of any ruling request and closing
agreement or other settlement proceeding with the IRS), with counsel approved
by the
23
Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. After notice from AVIF and/or AIM to such Indemnified
Party of AVIF's or AIM's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with AVIF and AIM and shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and AVIF and AIM
will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party
independently in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable
costs of investigation.
(e) In no event shall AVIF or AIM be liable under the indemnification
provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity,
including, without limitation, LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any other
Participating Insurance Company or any Participant, with respect to any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of or result
from (i) a breach of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made by
LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER hereunder or by any Participating Insurance
Company under an agreement containing substantially similar representations,
warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any
Participating Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset account
(which invests in any Fund) as a legally and validly established segregated
asset account under applicable state law and as a duly registered unit
investment trust under the provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt
therefrom); or (iii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any Participating
Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity or life insurance
contracts (with respect to which any Fund serves as an underlying funding
vehicle) as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable
provisions of the Code.
12.3 EFFECT OF NOTICE.
Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party
referred to in Sections 12.1(c) or 12.2(d) above of participation in or
control of any action by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to
be an admission by the indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or
responsibility, and the indemnifying Party will remain free to contest
liability with respect to the claim among the Parties or otherwise.
12.4 SUCCESSORS.
A successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of the
indemnification contained in this Section 12.
SECTION 13. APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with Maryland law, without regard for that state's
principles of conflict of laws.
24
SECTION 14. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will
not be affected thereby.
SECTION 16. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under
federal and state laws.
SECTION 17. HEADINGS
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for
purposes of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the
provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 18. CONFIDENTIALITY
AVIF acknowledges that the identities of the customers of LIFE COMPANY
or any of its affiliates (collectively, the "LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties"
for purposes of this Section 18), information maintained regarding those
customers, and all computer programs and procedures or other information
developed by the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties or any of their employees or
agents in connection with LIFE COMPANY's performance of its duties under this
Agreement are the valuable property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties.
AVIF agrees that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of
the identities of or other information about the LIFE COMPANY Protected
Parties' customers, or any other information or property of the LIFE COMPANY
Protected Parties, other than such information as may be independently
developed or compiled by AVIF from information supplied to it by the LIFE
COMPANY Protected Parties' customers who also maintain accounts directly with
AVIF, AVIF will hold such information or property in confidence and refrain
from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other
property except: (a) with LIFE COMPANY's prior written consent; or (b) as
required by law or judicial process. LIFE COMPANY acknowledges that the
identities of the customers of AVIF or any of its affiliates (collectively,
the "AVIF Protected Parties" for purposes of this Section 18), information
maintained regarding those customers, and all computer programs and
procedures or other information developed by the AVIF Protected Parties or
any of their employees or agents in connection with AVIF's performance of
its duties under this Agreement
25
are the valuable property of the AVIF Protected Parties. LIFE COMPANY agrees
that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of the identities
of or other information about the AVIF Protected Parties' customers or any
other information or property of the AVIF Protected Parties, other than such
information as may be independently developed or compiled by LIFE COMPANY
from information supplied to it by the AVIF Protected Parties' customers who
also maintain accounts directly with LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY will hold
such information or property in confidence and refrain from using, disclosing
or distributing any of such information or other property except: (a) with
AVIF's prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process.
Each party acknowledges that any breach of the agreements in this Section 18
would result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other parties for which
there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree that in the event of such
a breach, the other parties will be entitled to equitable relief by way of
temporary and permanent injunctions, as well as such other relief as any
court of competent jurisdiction deems appropriate.
SECTION 19. TRADEMARKS AND FUND NAMES
(a) A I M Management Group Inc. ("AIM" or "licensor"), an affiliate
of AVIF, owns all right, title and interest in and to the name, trademark
and service xxxx "AIM" and such other tradenames, trademarks and service
marks as may be set forth on Schedule B, as amended from time to time by
written notice from AIM to LIFE COMPANY (the "AIM licensed marks" or the
"licensor's licensed marks") and is authorized to use and to license other
persons to use such marks. LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates are hereby granted
a non-exclusive license to use the AIM licensed marks in connection with LIFE
COMPANY's performance of the services contemplated under this Agreement,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 19.
(b) The grant of license to LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates ( the
"licensee") shall terminate automatically upon termination of this Agreement.
Upon automatic termination, the licensee shall cease to use the licensor's
licensed marks, except that LIFE COMPANY shall have the right to continue to
service any outstanding Contracts bearing any of the AIM licensed marks.
Upon AIM's elective termination of this license, LIFE COMPANY and its
affiliates shall immediately cease to issue any new annuity or life insurance
contracts bearing any of the AIM licensed marks and shall likewise cease any
activity which suggests that it has any right under any of the AIM licensed
marks or that it has any association with AIM, except that LIFE COMPANY shall
have the right to continue to service outstanding Contracts bearing any of
the AIM licensed marks.
(c) The licensee shall obtain the prior written approval of the
licensor for the public release by such licensee of any materials bearing the
licensor's licensed marks. The licensor's approvals shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
(d) During the term of this grant of license, a licensor may request
that a licensee submit samples of any materials bearing any of the licensor's
licensed marks which were previously approved by the licensor but, due to
changed circumstances, the licensor may wish to
26
reconsider. If, on reconsideration, or on initial review, respectively, any
such samples fail to meet with the written approval of the licensor, then the
licensee shall immediately cease distributing such disapproved materials. The
licensor's approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and the licensor,
when requesting reconsideration of a prior approval, shall assume the
reasonable expenses of withdrawing and replacing such disapproved materials.
The licensee shall obtain the prior written approval of the licensor for the
use of any new materials developed to replace the disapproved materials, in
the manner set forth above.
(e) The licensee hereunder: (i) acknowledges and stipulates that, to
the best of the knowledge of the licensee, the licensor's licensed marks are
valid and enforceable trademarks and/or service marks and that such licensee
does not own the licensor's licensed marks and claims no rights therein other
than as a licensee under this Agreement; (ii) agrees never to contend
otherwise in legal proceedings or in other circumstances; and (iii)
acknowledges and agrees that the use of the licensor's licensed marks
pursuant to this grant of license shall inure to the benefit of the licensor.
SECTION 20. PARTIES TO COOPERATE
Each party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and
all appropriate governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the
SEC, the NASD and state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and
such authorities reasonable access to its books and records (including copies
thereof) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
------------------------
27
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly
authorized officers signing below.
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
Attest: ________________________ By: _________________________
Name: ________________________ Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title ________________________ Title: President
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
Attest: ________________________ By: _________________________
Name: ________________________ Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: ________________________ Title: President
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE
AND ANNUITY COMPANY, on behalf of itself
and its separate accounts
Attest: By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------ ---------------------------
Name: Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------ ------------------------
Title: Title: Vice President
------------------------ ------------------------
ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC.
Attest: By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------------ ---------------------------
Name: Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------------ ------------------------
Title: Title: President
------------------------ ------------------------
28
SCHEDULE A
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS
- AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
AIM V.I. Value Fund
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS
Fulcrum Account of Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance and Annuity Company
Fulcrum Variable Life Account of Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance and Annuity Company
CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
29
SCHEDULE B
- AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
AIM V.I. Value Fund
- AIM and Design
[AIM Logo]
30
SCHEDULE C
EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS
LIFE COMPANY AVIF / AIM
preparing and filing the Account's preparing and filing the Fund's
registration statement registration statement
text composition for Account text composition for Fund prospectuses
prospectuses and supplements and supplements
text alterations of prospectuses text alterations of prospectuses
(Account) and supplements (Account) (Fund) and supplements (Fund)
printing Account and Fund a cameraready Fund prospectus
prospectuses and supplements
text composition and printing Account text composition and printing Fund
SAIs SAIs
mailing and distributing Account SAIs mailing and distributing Fund SAIs to
to policy owners upon request by policy owners upon request by policy
policy owners owners
mailing and distributing prospectuses
(Account and Fund) and supplements
(Account and Fund) to policy owners
of record as required by Federal
Securities Laws and to prospective
purchasers
text composition (Account), printing, text composition of annual and semi-
mailing, and distributing annual and annual reports (Fund)
semi-annual reports for Account (Fund
and Account as, applicable)
text composition, printing, mailing, text composition, printing, mailing,
distributing, and tabulation of proxy distributing and tabulation of proxy
statements and voting instruction statements and voting instruction
solicitation materials to policy solicitation materials to policy
owners with respect to proxies related owners with respect to proxies related
to the Account to the Fund
preparation, printing and distributing
sales material and advertising
relating to the Funds, insofar as such
materials relate to the Contracts and
filing such materials with and
obtaining approval from, the SEC, the
NASD, any state insurance regulatory
authority, and any other appropriate
regulatory authority, to the extent
required
31
