EXHIBIT (d)(14)
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
ING MUTUAL FUNDS
AGREEMENT made this 1st day of March, 2005 between ING Investments, LLC,
an Arizona limited liability company (the "Manager"), and Acadian Asset
Management Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Sub-Adviser").
WHEREAS, ING Mutual Funds (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end, management
investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue separate series, each series
having its own investment objective or objectives, policies, and limitations;
and
WHEREAS, the Fund may offer shares of additional series in the future; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, dated September
23, 2002, as amended (the "Management Agreement"), a copy of which has beens
provided to the Sub-Adviser, the Fund has retained the Manager to render
advisory and management services with respect to certain of the Fund's series;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority granted to the Manager in the Management
Agreement, the Manager wishes to retain the Sub-Adviser to furnish investment
advisory services to one or more of the series of the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser
is willing to furnish such services to the Fund and the Manager.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the promises and
mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the Manager and the
Sub-Adviser as follows:
1. Appointment. The Manager hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to act as the
investment adviser and manager to the series of the Fund set forth on SCHEDULE A
hereto (the "Series") for the periods and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the
services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.
In the event the Fund designates one or more series (other than the
Series) with respect to which the Manager wishes to retain the Sub-Adviser to
render investment advisory services hereunder, it shall notify the Sub-Adviser
in writing. If the Sub-Adviser is willing to render such services, it shall
notify the Manager in writing, whereupon such series shall become a Series
hereunder, and be subject to this Agreement.
2. Sub-Adviser Duties. Subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of
Trustees and the Manager, the Sub-Adviser will provide a continuous investment
program for each Series' portfolio and determine in its discretion the
composition of the assets of each Series' portfolio, including determination of
the purchase, retention, or sale of the securities, cash, and other
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investments contained in the portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide investment
research and conduct a continuous program of evaluation, investment, sales, and
reinvestment of each Series' assets by determining the securities and other
investments that shall be purchased, entered into, sold, closed, or exchanged
for the Series, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of
the assets of the Series should be held in the various securities and other
investments in which it may invest. To the extent permitted by the investment
policies of each Series, the Sub-Adviser shall make decisions for the Series as
to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to and execute and
perform foreign currency exchange contracts on behalf of the Series. The
Sub-Adviser will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with
each Series' investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as
stated in the Fund's Registration Statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"), as amended, copies of which shall be sent to the
Sub-Adviser by the Manager prior to the commencement of this Agreement and
promptly following any such amendment. The Sub-Adviser further agrees as
follows:
(a) The Sub-Adviser will conform in all material respects with the 1940
Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, all other applicable federal and
state laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Fund's
Board of Trustees of which the Sub-Adviser has been sent a copy, and the
provisions of the Registration Statement of the Fund filed under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") and the 1940 Act, as supplemented or amended, of
which the Sub-Adviser has received a copy, and with the Manager's portfolio
manager operating policies and procedures as in effect on the date hereof, as
such policies and procedures may be revised or amended by the Manager and agreed
to by the Sub-Adviser. In carrying out its duties under the Sub-Adviser
Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will comply with the following policies and
procedures:
(i) The Sub-Adviser will manage each Series so that it meets the income
and asset diversification requirements of Section 851 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
(ii) The Sub-Adviser will have no duty to vote any proxy solicited by or
with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Series are
invested unless the Manager gives the Sub-Adviser written instructions to the
contrary. The Sub-Adviser will immediately forward any proxy solicited by or
with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of the Series are
invested to the Manager or to any agent of the Manager designated by the Manager
in writing.
The Sub-Adviser will make appropriate personnel available for consultation
for the purpose of reviewing with representatives of the Manager and/or the
Board any proxy solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in
which assets of the Series are invested. Upon request, the Sub-Adviser will
submit a written voting recommendation to the Manager for such proxies. In
making such recommendations, the Sub-Adviser shall use its good faith judgment
to act in the best interests of the Series. The Sub-Adviser shall disclose to
the best of its knowledge any conflict of interest with the issuers of
securities that are the subject of such recommendation including whether such
issuers are clients or are being solicited as clients of the Sub-Adviser or of
its affiliates.
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(iii) In connection with the purchase and sale of securities for each
Series, the Sub-Adviser will arrange for the transmission to the custodian and
portfolio accounting agent for the Series on a daily basis, such confirmation,
trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited
to, Cusip, Sedol, or other numbers that identify securities to be purchased or
sold on behalf of the Series, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the
custodian and portfolio accounting agent to perform its administrative and
record keeping responsibilities with respect to the Series. With respect to
portfolio securities to be settled through the Depository Trust Company, the
Sub-Adviser will arrange for the prompt transmission of the confirmation of such
trades to the Fund's custodian and portfolio accounting agent.
(iv) The Sub-Adviser will assist the custodian and portfolio accounting
agent for the Fund in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures
and policies stated in the Registration Statement for the Fund or adopted by the
Board of Trustees, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the
Series for which the custodian and portfolio accounting agent seeks assistance
from or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser. The parties acknowledge that
the Sub-Adviser is not a custodian of the Series' assets and will not take
possession or custody of such assets.
(v) The Sub-Adviser will provide the Manager, no later than the 10th
business day following the end of each Series' semi-annual period and fiscal
year, a letter to shareholders (to be subject to review and editing by the
Manager) containing a discussion of those factors referred to in Item 5(a) of
1940 Act Form N-lA in respect of both the prior quarter and the fiscal year to
date.
(vi) The Sub-Adviser will complete and deliver to the Manager a written
compliance checklist in a form provided by the Manager for each month by the
10th business day of the following month.
(b) The Sub-Adviser will complete and deliver to the Manager by the 10th
business day of each month a written report on each Series of the Fund that
contains the following information as of the immediately previous month's end.
(i) A performance comparison to the Series benchmark listed in the
prospectus as well as a comparison to other mutual funds as listed in the
rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., or
similar independent services that monitor the performance of mutual funds or
with other appropriate indexes of investment securities;
(ii) Composition of the assets of each Series' portfolio and the impact of
key portfolio holdings and sector concentrations on the Series; and
(iii) Confirmation of each Series' current investment objective and
Sub-Adviser's projected plan to realize the Series' investment objectives.
(c) The Sub-Adviser will contact Morningstar to clarify any style box
conflicts with each Series' style and the anticipated timeframe in which
Morningstar will remedy such conflicts, if any.
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(d) The Sub-Adviser will make available to the Fund and the Manager,
promptly upon request, any of the Series' investment records and ledgers
maintained by the Sub-Adviser (which shall not include the records and ledgers
maintained by the custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Fund) as are
necessary to assist the Fund and the Manager to comply with requirements of the
1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), as well
as other applicable laws. The Sub-Adviser will furnish to regulatory authorities
having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with
such services in respect to the Series which may be requested in order to
ascertain whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in a manner
consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
(e) The Sub-Adviser will provide reports to the Fund's Board of Trustees
for consideration at meetings of the Board of Trustees on the investment program
for each Series and the issuers and securities represented in each Series'
portfolio, and will furnish the Fund's Board of Trustees with respect to each
Series such periodic and special reports as the Trustees and the Manager may
reasonably request.
3. Broker-Dealer Selection. The Sub-Adviser is authorized to make
decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for each Series'
portfolio, broker-dealer selection, and negotiation of brokerage commission
rates in effecting a security transaction. The Sub-Adviser's primary
consideration in effecting a security transaction will be to obtain the best
execution for the Series, taking into account the factors specified in the
prospectus and/or statement of additional information for the Fund, and
determined in consultation with the Manager, which include price (including the
applicable brokerage commission or dollar spread), the size of the order, the
nature of the market for the security, the timing of the transaction, the
reputation, the experience and financial stability of the broker-dealer
involved, the quality of the service, the difficulty of execution, and the
execution capabilities and operational facilities of the firm involved, and the
firm's risk in positioning a block of securities. Accordingly, the price to a
Series in any transaction may be less favorable than that available from another
broker-dealer if the difference is reasonably justified, in the judgment of the
Sub-Adviser in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations to the Fund, by other
aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Subject to such policies as
the Fund's Board of Trustees or Manager may determine and consistent with
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sub-Adviser shall not
be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this
Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused a Series to pay a
broker-dealer for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the
amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction, if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such amount of
commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that
particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser's or the Manager's overall
responsibilities with respect to the Series and to their respective other
clients as to which they exercise investment discretion. The Sub-Adviser will
consult with the Manager to the end that portfolio transactions on behalf of a
Series are directed to broker-dealers on the basis of criteria reasonably
considered appropriate by the Manager. The Manager acknowledges that directed
brokerage may result in a Series paying higher commissions than would be the
case if the Sub-Adviser were able to select brokers freely. Directed brokerage
in many cases limits the Sub-Adviser's ability to negotiate commissions for a
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Series and its ability to aggregate orders and may result in an inability to
obtain volume discounts or best execution for the Series in some transactions.
To the extent consistent with these standards, the Sub-Adviser is further
authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of a Series to the
Sub-Adviser if it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC, to an
affiliated broker-dealer, or to such brokers and dealers who also provide
research or statistical material, or other services to the Series, the
Sub-Adviser, or an affiliate of the Sub-Adviser. Such allocation shall be in
such amounts and proportions as the Sub-Adviser shall determine consistent with
the above standards, and the Sub-Adviser will report on said allocation
regularly to the Fund's Board of Trustees indicating the broker-dealers to which
such allocations have been made and the basis therefor. The Sub-Adviser may
manage other portfolios and expects that a Series and other portfolios it
manages will, from time to time, purchase or sell the same securities. The
Sub-Adviser may aggregate orders for the purchase or sale of securities on
behalf of a Series with orders on behalf of other portfolios the Sub-Adviser
manages. Securities purchased or proceeds of securities sold through aggregated
orders will be allocated to the account of each portfolio managed by the
Sub-Adviser that bought or sold such securities at the average execution price.
If less than the total of the aggregated orders is executed, purchased
securities or proceeds will generally be allocated pro rata among the
participating portfolios in proportion to their planned participation in the
aggregated orders.
4. Disclosure about Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser has reviewed the most
recent Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement for the Fund filed
with the SEC that contains disclosure about the Sub-Adviser, and represents and
warrants that, with respect to me disclosure about the Sub-Adviser or
information relating to the Sub-Adviser, such Registration Statement contains,
as of the date hereof, no untrue statement of any material fact and does not
omit any statement of a material fact which was required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Sub-Adviser
further represents and warrants that it is a duly registered investment adviser
under the Advisers Act and will maintain such registration so long as this
Agreement remains in effect. The Sub-Adviser will provide the Manager with a
copy of the Sub-Adviser's Form ADV, Part II at the time the Form ADV is filed
with the SEC.
5. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will pay
all expenses incurred by it and its staff and for their activities in connection
with its portfolio management duties under this Agreement. The Manager or the
Fund shall be responsible for all the expenses of the Fund's operations. In
addition, if the Fund is required, under applicable law, to supplement the
Registration Statement because of a change requested by the Sub-Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser will reimburse the Fund and/or the Manager for the cost of
preparing, printing and distributing such supplement, unless the Sub-Adviser is
requesting the change in order to comply with an applicable law, rule or
regulation.
6. Compensation. For the services provided to each Series, the Manager
will pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee equal to the amount specified for such
Series in SCHEDULE A hereto, payable monthly in arrears. The fee will be
appropriately prorated to reflect any portion of a calendar month that this
Agreement is not in effect among the parties. In accordance with the provisions
of the Management Agreement, the Manager is solely responsible for the payment
of fees to the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to seek payment of its
fees solely from the
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Manager; provided, however, that if the Fund fails to pay the Manager all or a
portion of the management fee under said Management Agreement when due, and the
amount that was paid is insufficient to cover the Sub-Adviser's fee under this
Agreement for the period in question, then the Sub-Adviser may enforce against
the Fund any rights it may have as a third-party beneficiary under the
Management Agreement and the Manager will take all steps appropriate under the
circumstances to collect the amount due from the Fund.
7. Marketing Materials
(a) During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser agrees to furnish
the Manager at its principal office for prior review and approval by the Manager
all written and/or printed materials, including but not limited to,
PowerPoint(R) or slide presentations, news releases, advertisements, brochures,
fact sheets and other promotional, informational or marketing materials (the
"Marketing Materials") for internal use or public dissemination, that are
produced or are for use or reference by the Sub-Adviser, its affiliates or other
designees, broker-dealers or the public in connection with the Series, and
Sub-Adviser shall not use any such materials if the Manager reasonably objects
in writing within five business days (or such other period as may be mutually
agreed) after receipt thereof. Marketing Materials may be furnished to the
Manager by first class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment,
electronic delivery or hand delivery.
(b) During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the
Sub-Adviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports
to shareholders, or Marketing Materials prepared for distribution to
shareholders of each Series, or the public that refer to the Sub-Adviser in any
way, prior to the use thereof, and the Manager shall not use any such materials
if the Sub-Adviser reasonably objects in writing within five business days (or
such other period as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. The
Sub-Adviser's right to object to such materials is limited to the portions of
such materials that expressly relate to the Sub-Adviser, its services and its
clients. The Manager agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that
materials prepared by its employees or agents or its affiliates that refer to
the Sub-Adviser or its clients in any way are consistent with those materials
previously approved by the Sub-Adviser as referenced in the first sentence of
this paragraph, and in the event such materials are not consistent, the
Sub-Adviser shall have no responsibility or liability with respect to such
materials, unless such inconsistency is based upon information provided to the
Manager or the Fund by the Sub-Adviser. Marketing Materials may be furnished to
the Sub-Adviser by first class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission
equipment, electronic delivery or hand delivery.
8. Compliance.
(a) The Sub-Adviser agrees to use reasonable compliance techniques as the
Manager or the Board of Trustees may adopt, including any written compliance
procedures.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall promptly notify the Manager and
the Fund (1) in the event that the SEC has censured the Sub-Adviser; placed
limitations upon its activities, functions or operations; suspended or revoked
its registration as an investment adviser; or has commenced proceedings or an
investigation that may result in any of these actions, or (2) upon
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having a reasonable basis for believing that the Series has ceased to qualify or
might not qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify the Manager and
the Fund promptly of any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or
relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement
or prospectus for the Fund (which describes the Series), or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or if any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in
any material respect.
(c) The Manager agrees that it shall promptly notify the Sub-Adviser (1)
in the event that the SEC has censured the Manager or the Fund; placed
limitations upon either of their activities, functions, or operations; suspended
or revoked the Manager's registration as an investment adviser; or has commenced
proceedings or an investigation that may result in any of these actions, or (2)
upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Series has ceased to
qualify or might not qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter
M of the Internal Revenue Code.
9. Books and Records. The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which
it maintains for the Series are the property of the Fund and further agrees to
surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund's or the
Manager's request in compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the
1940 Act, although the Sub-Adviser may, at its own expense, make and retain a
copy of such records. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods
prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
10. Cooperation; Confidentiality. Each party to this Agreement agrees to
cooperate with the other party and with all appropriate governmental authorities
having the requisite jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the SEC) in
connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the
Fund. Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall treat as confidential all
information pertaining to the Fund and actions of the Fund, the Manager and the
Sub-Adviser, and the Manager shall treat as confidential and use only in
connection with the Series all information furnished to the Fund or the Manager
by the Sub-Adviser, in connection with its duties under the agreement except
that the aforesaid information need not be treated as confidential if required
to be disclosed under applicable law, if generally available to the public
through means other than by disclosure by the Sub-Adviser or the Manager, or if
available from a source other than the Manager, Sub-Adviser or this Fund.
11. Services are Exclusive. The services of the Sub-Adviser to the Series
and the Fund are deemed to be exclusive for two years commencing on the
effective date of this Agreement. During the term of this provision the
Sub-Adviser shall not provide advisory, sub-advisory or similar services to any
registered investment company with a similar small-capitalization investment
strategy, excluding funds currently managed by the Sub-Adviser.
12. Prohibited Conduct. Subject to the exclusivity provisions in Section
11, the Sub-Adviser may not consult with any other sub-adviser of the Fund
concerning transactions in securities or other assets for any investment
portfolio of the Fund, including the Series, except that such consultations are
permitted between the current and successor sub-advisers of the Series
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in order to effect an orderly transition of sub-advisory duties so long as such
consultations are not concerning transactions prohibited by Section 17(a) of the
1940 Act.
13. Representations Respecting Sub-Adviser. The Manager agrees that
neither the Manager, nor affiliated persons of the Manager, shall give any
information or make any representations or statements in connection with the
sale of shares of the Series concerning the Sub-Adviser or the Series other than
the information or representations contained in the Registration Statement,
prospectus, or statement of additional information for the Fund's shares, as
they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy
statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional material
approved in advance by the Sub-Adviser, except with the prior permission of the
Sub-Adviser.
14. Control. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, it is
understood and agreed that the Fund shall at all times retain the ultimate
responsibility for and control of all functions performed pursuant to this
Agreement and has reserved the right to reasonably direct any action hereunder
taken on its behalf by the Sub-Adviser.
15. Liability. Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or the
rules thereunder or other applicable law, the Manager agrees that the
Sub-Adviser, any affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser, and each person, if any,
who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act controls the Sub-Adviser
(1) shall bear no responsibility and shall not be subject to any liability for
any act or omission respecting any series of the Fund that is not a Series
hereunder, and (2) shall not be liable for, or subject to any damages, expenses,
or losses in connection with, any act or omission connected with or arising out
of any services rendered under this Agreement, except by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the
Sub-Adviser's duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of the Sub-Adviser's
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
16. Indemnification.
(a) The Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser, any
affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser, and each person, if any, who, within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act controls ("controlling person") the
Sub-Adviser (all of such persons being referred to as "Sub-Adviser Indemnified
Persons") against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which a Sub-Adviser
Indemnified Person may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the
Advisers Act, under any other statute, at common law or otherwise, arising out
of the Manager's responsibilities to the Fund which (1) may be based upon the
Manager's negligence, willful misfeasance, or bad faith in the performance of
its duties (which could include a negligent action or a negligent omission to
act), or by reason of the Manager's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under his Agreement, or (2) may be based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus covering shares of the Fund or any Series, or any
amendment thereof or any supplement thereto, 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, unless such statement or omission
was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Fund or to
any affiliated person of the Manager by a
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Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person; provided however, that in no case shall the
indemnity in favor of the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person be deemed to protect
such person against any liability to which any such person would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the
performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of obligations
and duties under this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 15 of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless the Manager, any affiliated person of the
Manager, and any controlling person of the Manager (all of such persons being
referred to as "Manager Indemnified Persons") against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, or litigation (including legal and other expenses)
to which a Manager Indemnified Person may become subject under the 1933 Act,
1940 Act, the Advisers Act, under any other statute, at common law or otherwise,
arising out of the Sub-Adviser's responsibilities as Sub-Adviser of the Series
which (1) may be based upon the Sub-Adviser's negligence, willful misfeasance,
or bad faith in the performance of its duties (which could include a negligent
action or a negligent omission to act), or by reason of the Sub-Adviser's
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (2)
may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Registration Statement or prospectus covering the shares
of the Fund or any Series, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact known or which
should have been known to the Sub-Adviser and was 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 information furnished to the Manager, the
Fund, or any affiliated person of the Manager or Fund by the Sub-Adviser or any
affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser; provided, however, that in no case shall
the indemnity in favor of a Manager Indemnified Person be deemed to protect such
person against any liability to which any such person would otherwise be subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence in the performance of
its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
under this Agreement.
(c) The Manager shall not be liable under Paragraph (a) of this Section 16
with respect to any claim made against a Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person unless
such Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person shall have notified the Manager in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person (or after such Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure
to notify the Manager of any such claim shall not relieve the Manager from any
liability which it may have to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person against whom
such action is brought except to the extent the Manager is prejudiced by the
failure or delay in giving such notice. In case any such action is brought
against the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, the Manager will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof or, after notice to the
Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person. If the Manager assumes the
defense of any such action and the selection of counsel by the Manager to
represent the Manager and the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person would result in a
conflict of interests and therefore, would not, in the reasonable judgment of
the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, adequately represent the interests of the
Sub-Adviser Indemnifed Person, the Manager will, at its own expense, assume the
defense with counsel to the Manager and, also
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at its own expense, with separate counsel to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person,
which counsel shall be satisfactory to the Manager and to the Sub-Adviser
Indemnified Person. The Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Manager shall not be
liable to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person under this Agreement for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation. The Manager shall not have the right to compromise on or
settle the litigation without the prior written consent of the Sub-Adviser
Indemnified Person if the compromise or settlement results, or may result in a
finding of wrongdoing on the part of the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person.
(d) The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable under Paragraph (b) of this
Section 16 with respect to any claim made against a Manager Indemnified Person
unless such Manager Indemnified Person shall have notified the Sub-Adviser in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Manager Indemnified Person (or after such Manager Indemnified Person shall have
received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify
the Sub-Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Sub-Adviser from any
liability which it may have to the Manager Indemnified Person against whom such
action is brought except to the extent the Sub-Adviser is prejudiced by the
failure or delay in giving such notice. In case any such action is brought
against the Manager Indemnified Person, the Sub-Adviser will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof or, after notice to the
Manager Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to the Manager Indemnified Person. If the Sub-Adviser assumes the
defense of any such action and the selection of counsel by the Sub-Adviser to
represent both the Sub-Adviser and the Manager Indemnified Person would result
in a conflict of interests and therefore, would not, in the reasonable judgment
of the Manager Indemnified Person, adequately represent the interests of the
Manager Indemnified Person, the Sub-Adviser will, at its own expense, assume the
defense with counsel to the Sub-Adviser and, also at its own expense, with
separate counsel to the Manager Indemnified Person, which counsel shall be
satisfactory to the Sub-Adviser and to the Manager Indemnified Person. The
Manager Indemnified Person shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the Manager
Indemnified Person under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by the Manager Indemnified Person independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation. The Sub-Adviser shall not have the right to compromise on or
settle the litigation without the prior written consent of the Manager
Indemnified Person if the compromise or settlement results, or may result in a
finding of wrongdoing on the part of the Manager Indemnified Person.
17. Duration and Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date first indicated
above, subject to the condition that the Fund's Board of Trustees, including a
majority of those Trustees who are not interested persons (as such term is
defined in the 0000 Xxx) of the Manager or the Sub-Adviser, and the shareholders
of each Series, shall have approved this Agreement. Unless terminated as
provided herein, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for two
(2) years from the date indicated above and continue on an annual basis
thereafter with respect to
10
each Series covered by this Agreement; provided that such annual continuance is
specifically approved each year by (a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund, or by
the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the
0000 Xxx) of each Series, and (b) the vote of a majority of those Trustees who
are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as such term is defined
in the 0000 Xxx) of any such party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. However, any approval of this
Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares (as defined in
the 0000 Xxx) of a Series shall be effective to continue this Agreement with
respect to such Series notwithstanding (i) that this Agreement has not been
approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of any other
Series or (ii) that this agreement has not been approved by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, unless such approval shall be
required by any other applicable law or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with
respect to any Series covered by this Agreement: (a) by the Manager at any time,
upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser and the Fund, (b) at any
time without payment of any penalty by the Fund, by the Fund's Board of Trustees
or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Series, upon sixty
(60) days' written notice to the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, or (c) by the
Sub-Adviser upon three (3) months' written notice unless the Fund or the Manager
requests additional time to find a replacement for the Sub-Adviser, in which
case the Sub-Adviser shall allow the additional time requested by the Fund or
Manager not to exceed three (3) additional months beyond the initial three-month
notice period; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may terminate this
Agreement at any time without penalty, effective upon written notice to the
Manager and the Fund, in the event either the Sub-Adviser (acting in good faith)
or the Manager ceases to be registered as an investment adviser under the
Advisers Act or otherwise becomes legally incapable of providing investment
management services pursuant to its respective contract with the Fund, or in the
event the Manager becomes bankrupt or otherwise incapable of carrying out its
obligations under this Agreement, or in the event that the Sub-Adviser does not
receive compensation for its services from the Manager or the Fund as required
by the terms of this Agreement.
In the event of termination for any reason, all records of each Series for
which the Agreement is terminated shall promptly be returned to the Manager or
the Fund, free from any claim or retention of rights in such record by the
Sub-Adviser, although the Sub-Adviser may, at its own expense, make and retain a
copy of such records. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event
of its assignment (as such term is described in the 1940 Act). In the event this
Agreement is terminated or is not approved in the manner described above, the
Sections or Paragraphs numbered 9,10,13,14,15 and 16 of this Agreement shall
remain in effect, as well as any applicable provision of this Section numbered
17 and, to the extent that only amounts are owed to the Sub-Adviser as
compensation for services rendered while the agreement was in effect, Section 6.
(b) Notices. Any notice must be in writing and shall be sufficiently given
(1) when delivered in person, (2) when dispatched by telegram or electronic
facsimile transfer (confirmed in writing by postage prepaid first class air mail
simultaneously dispatched), (3) when sent by internationally recognized
overnight courier service (with receipt confirmed by such overnight
11
courier service), or (4) when sent by registered or certified mail, to the other
party at the address of such party set forth below or at such other address as
such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party.
If to the Fund:
ING Mutual Funds
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx.
If to the Sub-Adviser:
Acadian Asset Management, Inc.
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
18. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by
the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or
termination is sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective
until approved as required by applicable law.
19. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona,
provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with
the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act or rules or orders of the SEC thereunder, and
without regard for the conflicts of laws principle thereof. The term "affiliate"
or "affiliated person" as used in this Agreement shall mean "affiliated person"
as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 0000 Xxx.
(b) The Manager and the Sub-Adviser acknowledge that the Fund enjoys the
rights of a third-party beneficiary under this Agreement, and the Manager
acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser enjoys the rights of a third party
beneficiary under the Management Agreement.
(c) The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience only and
in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their
construction or effect.
(d) To the extent permitted under Section 17 of this Agreement, this
Agreement may only be assigned by any party with the prior written consent of
the other parties.
(e) 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, and to this extent, the provisions of this
Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
12
(f) Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-Adviser as
an agent or co-partner of the Manager, or constituting the Manager as an agent
or co-partner of the Sub-Adviser.
(g) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to
be executed as of the day and year first above written.
ING INVESTMENTS, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Executive Vice President
ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Executive V.P.
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SCHEDULE A
WITH RESPECT TO THE
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
ING INVESTMENTS, LLC
AND
ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
ANNUAL SUB-ADVISER FEE
SERIES ---------------------------------------------
------------------------------ (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS)
ING International SmallCap Fund 0.550% on the first $140 million
0.460% on next $860 million
0.425% in excess of $1 billion
14
