EXHIBIT 9.1
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT is made as of September 25, 1996 by and between PFPC INC., a
Delaware corporation ("PFPC"), and Driehaus Mutual Funds, a Delaware business
trust (the "Fund").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to retain PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to its
investment portfolios listed on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time (each a "Portfolio"),
and PFPC wishes to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(c) "Authorized Person" means any officer of the Fund and any other
person duly authorized by the Fund's Board of Trustees to give Oral Instructions
and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed on the Authorized
Persons Appendix
attached hereto and made a part hereof or any amendment thereto as may be
received by PFPC. An Authorized Person's scope of authority may be limited by
the Fund by setting forth such limitation in the Authorized Persons Appendix.
(d) "CEA" means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.
(e) "Oral Instructions" mean oral instructions received by PFPC from
an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC to be an
Authorized Person.
(f) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(g) "Securities Laws" mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act
and the CEA.
(h) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or
class of the Fund.
(i) "Written Instructions" mean written instructions signed by an
Authorized Person and received by PFPC. The instructions may be delivered by
hand, mail, tested telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Fund hereby appoints PFPC to serve as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent to the Fund
in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement. PFPC accepts such
appointment and agrees to furnish such services.
3. Delivery of Documents. The Fund has provided or, where applicable,
will provide PFPC with the following:
(a) Certified or authenticated copies of the resolutions of the
Fund's Board of Trustees,
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approving the appointment of PFPC or its affiliates to provide
services to the Fund and approving this Agreement;
(b) A copy of the Fund's most recent effective registration
statement;
(c) A copy of the advisory agreement with respect to each investment
Portfolio of the Fund (each, a Portfolio);
(d) A copy of the distribution agreement with respect to each class
of Shares of the Fund;
(e) A copy of each Portfolio's administration agreements if PFPC is
not providing the Portfolio with such services;
(f) Copies of any shareholder servicing agreements made in respect of
the Fund or a Portfolio; and
(g) copies (certified or authenticated where applicable) of any and
all amendments or supplements to the foregoing.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS. PFPC undertakes to comply with
all applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and any laws, rules and
regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the
duties to be performed by PFPC hereunder. Except as specifically set forth
herein, PFPC assumes no responsibility for such compliance by the Fund or any of
its investment portfolios.
5. INSTRUCTIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC shall act only
upon Oral Instructions and Written Instructions.
(b) PFPC shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instructions and
Written Instructions it receives from an Authorized Person (or from a person
reasonably believed by PFPC to
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be an Authorized Person) pursuant to this Agreement. PFPC may assume that any
Oral Instruction or Written Instruction received hereunder is not in any way
inconsistent with the provisions of organizational documents or this Agreement
or of any vote, resolution or proceeding of the Fund's Board of Trustees or of
the Fund's shareholders, unless and until PFPC receives Written Instructions to
the contrary.
(c) The Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Written Instructions
confirming Oral Instructions so that PFPC receives the Written Instructions by
the close of business on the same day that such Oral Instructions are received.
The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not received by PFPC
shall in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the
transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions. Where Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions reasonably appear to have been received from an Authorized
Person, PFPC shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions provided that PFPC's actions comply with
the other provisions of this Agreement.
6. RIGHT TO RECEIVE ADVICE.
(a) Advice of the Fund. If PFPC is in doubt as to any action it
should or should not take, PFPC may request directions or advice, including Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions, from the Fund.
(b) Advice of Counsel. If PFPC shall be in doubt as to any question
of law pertaining to any action it should or should
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not take, PFPC may request advice at its own cost from such counsel of its own
choosing (who may be counsel for the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or
PFPC, at the option of PFPC).
(c) Conflicting Advice. In the event of a conflict between
directions, advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC receives
from the Fund, and the advice it receives from counsel, PFPC may rely upon and
follow the advice of counsel. In the event PFPC so relies on the advice of
counsel, PFPC remains liable for any action or omission on the part of PFPC
which constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard by PFPC of any duties, obligations or responsibilities set forth in
this Agreement.
(d) Protection of PFPC. PFPC shall be protected in any action it
takes or does not take in reliance upon directions, advice or Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions it receives from the Fund or from counsel and which PFPC
believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions, advice or Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions. Nothing in this section shall be construed
so as to impose an obligation upon PFPC (i) to seek such directions, advice or
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with
such directions, advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions unless,
under the terms of other provisions of this Agreement, the same is a condition
of PFPC's properly taking or not taking such action. Nothing in this subsection
shall excuse PFPC when an action or omission on the part of PFPC constitutes
willful misfeasance, bad
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faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard by PFPC of any duties, obligations
or responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.
7. RECORDS; VISITS. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, which
are in the possession or under the control of PFPC, shall be the property of the
Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the
1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Fund and
Authorized Persons shall have access to such books and records at all times
during PFPC's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund,
copies of any such books and records shall be provided by PFPC to the Fund or to
an Authorized Person, at the Fund's expense.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY. PFPC agrees to keep confidential all records of the
Fund and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders, unless the
release of such records or information is otherwise consented to, in writing, by
the Fund. The Fund agrees that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
and may not be withheld where PFPC may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt
proceedings or when required to divulge such information or records to duly
constituted authorities.
9. COOPERATION WITH ACCOUNTANTS. PFPC shall cooperate with the Fund's
independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable actions in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement to ensure that the necessary
information is made available to such accountants for the expression of their
opinion,
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as required by the Fund.
10. DISASTER RECOVERY. PFPC shall enter into and shall maintain in effect
with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for
emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate
equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures, PFPC shall, at no
additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service
interruptions. PFPC shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or
service interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided such loss or
interruption is not caused by PFPC's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this
Agreement.
11. COMPENSATION. As compensation for services rendered by PFPC during
the term of this Agreement, the Fund will pay to PFPC a fee or fees as may be
agreed to from time to time in writing by the Fund and PFPC.
12. INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless PFPC
and its affiliates from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and
liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the
Securities Laws and any state and foreign securities and blue sky laws, and
amendments thereto), and expenses, including (without limitation) attorneys'
fees and disbursements, arising directly or indirectly from any action or
omission to act which PFPC takes (i) at the request or on the direction of or in
reliance on the advice of the Fund or (ii) upon Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions. Neither PFPC, nor any
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of its affiliates, shall be indemnified against any liability (or any expenses
incident to such liability) arising out of PFPC's or its affiliates' own willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties and
obligations under this Agreement.
13. RESPONSIBILITY OF PFPC.
(a) PFPC shall be under no duty to take any action on behalf of the
Fund except as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to
by PFPC in writing. PFPC shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in
the performance of its duties hereunder, to act in good faith and to use its
best efforts, within reasonable limits, in performing services provided for
under this Agreement. PFPC shall be liable for any damages arising out of PFPC's
failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to the extent such damages
arise out of PFPC's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of such duties.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or of any other
provision of this Agreement, (i) PFPC, shall not be liable for losses beyond its
control, provided that PFPC has acted in accordance with the standard of care
set forth above; and (ii) PFPC shall not be under any duty or obligation to
inquire into and shall not be liable for (A) the validity or invalidity or
authority or lack thereof of any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction, notice
or other instrument which conforms to the applicable requirements of this
Agreement, and which PFPC reasonably believes to be genuine; or (B) subject to
Section 10, delays or errors or
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loss of data occurring by reason of circumstances beyond PFPC's control,
including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor
difficulties, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or
failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither PFPC nor its affiliates shall be liable to the Fund for any
consequential, special or indirect losses or damages which the fund may incur or
suffer by or as a consequence of PFPC's or its affiliates' performance of the
services provided hereunder, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or
damages was known by PFPC or its affiliates.
14. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
(a) Services Provided on an Ongoing Basis, If Applicable.
(i) Calculate 12b-1 payments;
(ii) Maintain proper shareholder registrations;
(iii) Review new applications and correspond with shareholders
to complete or correct information;
(iv) Direct payment processing of checks or wires;
(v) Prepare and certify stockholder lists in conjunction with
proxy solicitations;
(vi) Countersign share certificates;
(vii) Prepare and mail to shareholders confirmation of
activity;
(viii) Provide toll-free lines for direct shareholder use, plus
customer liaison staff for on-line inquiry response;
(ix) Mail duplicate confirmations to broker-dealers
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of their clients' activity, whether executed through the
broker-dealer or directly with PFPC;
(x) Provide periodic shareholder lists and statistics to the
clients;
(xi) Provide detailed data for underwriter/broker
confirmations:
(xii) Prepare periodic mailing of year-end tax and statement
information;
(xiii) Notify on a timely basis the investment adviser,
accounting agent, and custodian of fund activity;
(xiv) Perform other participating broker-dealer shareholder
services as may be agreed upon from time to time; and
(xv) Escheat funds to the appropriate governmental
authorities, as necessary.
(b) Services Provided by PFPC Under Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.
(i) Accept and post daily Fund purchases and redemptions;
(ii) Accept, post and perform shareholder transfers and
exchanges;
(iii) Pay dividends and other distributions;
(iv) Solicit and tabulate proxies; and
(v) Issue and cancel certificates (when requested in writing
by the shareholder).
(c) Purchase of Shares. PFPC shall issue and credit an account of an
investor, in the manner described in the Fund's prospectus, once it receives:
(i) A purchase order;
(ii) Proper information to establish a shareholder account;
and
(iii) Confirmation of receipt or crediting of funds
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for such order to the Fund's custodian.
(d) Redemption of Shares. PFPC shall redeem Shares only if that
function is properly authorized by the certificate of incorporation or
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees. Shares shall be redeemed and payment
therefor shall be made in accordance with the Fund's prospectus, when the
recordholder tenders Shares in proper form and directs the method of redemption.
If Shares are received in proper form, Shares shall be redeemed before the funds
are provided to PFPC from the Fund's custodian (the "Custodian"). If the
recordholder has not directed that redemption proceeds be wired, when the
Custodian provides PFPC with funds, the redemption check shall be sent to and
made payable to the recordholder, unless:
(i) the surrendered certificate is drawn to the order of an assignee
or holder and transfer authorization is signed by the
recordholder; or
(ii) Transfer authorizations are signed by the recordholder when
Shares are held in book-entry form.
When a broker-dealer notifies PFPC of a redemption desired by a customer, and
the Custodian provides PFPC with funds, PFPC shall prepare and send the
redemption check to the broker-dealer and made payable to the broker-dealer on
behalf of its customer.
(e) Dividends and Distributions. Upon receipt of a resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees authorizing the declaration and payment of dividends
and distributions, PFPC shall issue dividends and distributions declared by the
Fund in Shares, or, upon shareholder election, pay such dividends and
distributions
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in cash, if provided for in the Fund's prospectus. Such issuance or payment, as
well as payments upon redemption as described above, shall be made after
deduction and payment of the required amount of funds to be withheld in
accordance with any applicable tax laws or other laws, rules or regulations.
PFPC shall mail to the Fund's shareholders such tax forms and other information,
or permissible substitute notice, relating to dividends and distributions paid
by the Fund as are required to be filed and mailed by applicable law, rule or
regulation.
PFPC shall prepare, maintain and file with the IRS and other
appropriate taxing authorities reports relating to all dividends above a
stipulated amount paid by the Fund to its shareholders as required by tax or
other law, rule or regulation.
(f) Shareholder Account Services.
(i) PFPC may arrange, in accordance with the prospectus, for
issuance of Shares obtained through:
- Any pre-authorized check plan; and
- Direct purchases through broker wire orders, checks and
applications.
(ii) PFPC may arrange, in accordance with the prospectus, for a
shareholder's:
- Exchange of Shares for shares of another fund with
which the Fund has exchange privileges;
- Automatic redemption from an account where that shareholder
participates in an automatic redemption plan; and/or
- Redemption of Shares from an account with a checkwriting
privilege.
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(g) Communications to Shareholders. Upon timely written Instructions,
PFPC shall mail all communications by the Fund to its shareholders, including:
(i) Reports to shareholders;
(ii) Confirmations of purchases and sales of Fund shares;
(iii) Monthly or quarterly statements;
(iv) Dividend and distribution notices;
(v) Proxy material; and
(vi) Tax form information.
In addition, PFPC will receive and tabulate the proxy cards for the
meetings of the Fund's shareholders.
(h) Records. PFPC shall maintain records of the accounts for each
shareholder showing the following information:
(i) Name, address and United States Tax Identification or
Social Security number;
(ii) Number and class of Shares held and number and class of
Shares for which certificates, if any, have been issued,
including certificate numbers and denominations;
(iii) Historical information regarding the account of each
shareholder, including dividends and distributions paid and
the date and price for all transactions on a shareholder's
account;
(iv) Any stop or restraining order placed against a
shareholder's account;
(v) Any correspondence relating to the current maintenance of a
shareholder's account;
(vi) Information with respect to withholdings; and
(vii) Any information required in order for the transfer agent to
perform any calculations contemplated or required by this
Agreement.
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(i) Lost or Stolen Certificates. PFPC shall place a stop notice
against any certificate reported to be lost or stolen and comply with all
applicable federal regulatory requirements for reporting such loss or alleged
misappropriation. A new certificate shall be registered and issued only upon:
(i) The shareholder's pledge of a lost instrument bond or such
other appropriate indemnity bond issued by a surety company
approved by PFPC; and
(ii) Completion of a release and indemnification agreement signed
by the shareholder to protect PFPC and its affiliates.
(j) Shareholder Inspection of Stock Records. Upon a request from any
Fund shareholder to inspect stock records, PFPC will notify the Fund and the
Fund will issue instructions granting or denying each such request. Unless PFPC
has acted contrary to the Fund's instructions, the Fund agrees and does hereby,
release PFPC from any liability for refusal of permission for a particular
shareholder to inspect the Fund's stock records.
(k) Withdrawal of Shares and Cancellation of Certificates.
Upon receipt of Written Instructions, PFPC shall cancel outstanding
certificates surrendered by the Fund to reduce the total amount of outstanding
shares by the number of shares surrendered by the Fund.
15. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue until
terminated by the Fund or by PFPC on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to
the other party.
16. NOTICES. All notices and other communications, including
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Written Instructions, shall be in writing or by confirming telegram, cable,
telex or facsimile sending device. Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC, at
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000; (b) if to the Fund, at 00 Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000; or (c) if to neither of the foregoing, at
such other address as shall have been given by like notice to the sender of any
such notice or other communication by the other party. If notice is sent by
confirming telegram, cable, telex or facsimile sending device, it shall be
deemed to have been given immediately. If notice is sent by first-class mail, it
shall be deemed to have been given three days after it has been mailed. If
notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it
is delivered.
17. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or
waived only by a written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement
of such change or waiver is sought.
18. DELEGATION; ASSIGNMENT. PFPC may assign its rights and delegate its
duties hereunder to any wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PNC Bank,
National Association or PNC Bank Corp., provided that (i) PFPC gives the Fund
sixty (60) days' prior written notice; (ii) the delegate (or assignee) agrees
with PFPC and the fund to comply with all relevant provisions of the 1940 Act;
and (iii) PFPC and such delegate (or assignee) promptly provide such information
as the Fund may request, and respond to such questions as the Fund may ask,
relative to the delegation (or assignment), including (without limitation) the
capabilities of the
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delegate (or assignee).
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. FURTHER ACTIONS. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
21. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided that the parties
may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with
respect to delegated duties and Oral Instructions.
(b) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
made in Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to principles of
conflicts of law.
(d) Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
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binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.
(f) FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. The facsimile signature of any party to this
Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
PFPC INC.
By:
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Title:
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DRIEHAUS MUTUAL FUNDS
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Title: Trustee
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EXHIBIT A
THIS EXHIBIT A, dated as of August __, 1996, is Exhibit A to that certain
Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of August __, 1996 between PFPC Inc.
and Driehaus Mutual Funds.
PORTFOLIOS
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[List all Portfolios here]
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AUTHORIZED PERSONS APPENDIX
Name (Type) Signature
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