TRANSFER AGENT SERVICING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of ___________, 2018 by and between TIDAL ETF TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) and U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC d/b/a U.S. BANK GLOBAL FUND SERVICES, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“Fund Services”). Toroso Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the investment adviser to the Trust (the “Adviser”), is a party hereto with respect to Article 5 only.
WHEREAS, the Trust intends to issue in respect of its series listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (each a “Fund” or an “ETF Series”) an exchange-traded class of shares (“Shares”) for each ETF Series. The Shares shall be created and redeemed in bundles called “Creation Units.” The Trust, on behalf of the ETF Series, shall create and redeem Shares of each ETF Series only in Creation Units principally in kind or in cash for portfolio securities of the particular ETF Series (“Deposit Securities”), as more fully described in the current prospectus and statement of additional information of a Fund, included in the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-1A; and as authorized under the Order of Exemption granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Only brokers or dealers that are “Authorized Participants” and that have entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC, the Trust’s Distributor (the “Distributor”), acting on behalf of each ETF Series, shall be authorized to create and redeem Shares in Creation Units from an ETF Series. The Trust wishes to engage Fund Services to perform certain services on behalf of the Trust with respect to the creation and redemption of Shares, as the Trust’s agent, namely to provide transfer agent services for Shares of each ETF Series; and to act as Index Receipt Agent (as such term is defined in the rules of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”)) with respect to the settlement of trade orders with Authorized Participants. The Trust has engaged U.S. Bank, National Association (the “Custodian”) to provide custody services under the terms of a Custody Agreement, as supplemented hereby, for the settlement of Creation Units against Deposit Securities and/or cash that shall be delivered by Authorized Participants in exchange for Shares and the redemption of Shares in Creation Unit size against the delivery of Redemption Securities and/or cash of each ETF Series.
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Trust will ordinarily issue for purchase and redeem Shares only in aggregations of Shares known as Creation Units principally in kind or in cash;
WHEREAS, The Depository Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York (“DTC”), or its nominee Cede & Company, will be the registered owner (the “Shareholder”) of all Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain Fund Services as its transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and agent in connection with certain other activities to each Fund listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (as amended from time to time).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
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1. Appointment of Fund Services as Transfer Agent
The Trust hereby appoints Fund Services as transfer agent of the Trust on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and Fund Services hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The services and duties of Fund Services described in this Agreement shall include those duties as are normally and customarily performed by transfer agents in conjunction with such descriptions.
2. Services and Duties of Fund Services
Fund Services shall provide the following transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent services to each Fund:
A. |
Perform and facilitate the performance of purchases and redemption of Creation Units;
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B. |
Prepare and transmit by means of DTC’s book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions on or with respect to the Shares declared by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund;
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C. |
Maintain the record of the name and address of the Shareholder and the number of Shares issued by the Trust and held by the Shareholder;
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D. |
Record the issuance of Shares of the Trust and maintain a record of the total number of Shares of the Trust which are outstanding, and, based upon data provided to it by the Trust, the total number of authorized Shares. Fund Services shall have no obligation, when recording the issuance of Shares, to monitor the issuance of such Shares
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E. |
Prepare and transmit to the Trust and the Trust’s administrator and/or sub-administrator and to any applicable securities exchange (as specified to Fund Services by the Trust) information with respect to purchases and redemptions of Shares;
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F. |
On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions, calculate and transmit to Fund Services and the Trust the number of outstanding Shares;
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G. |
On days that the Trust may accept orders for purchases or redemptions (pursuant to the Authorized Participant Agreement), transmit to Fund Services, the Trust and DTC the amount of Shares purchased on such day;
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H. |
Confirm to DTC the number of Shares issued to the Shareholder, as DTC may reasonably request;
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I. |
Prepare and deliver other reports, information and documents to DTC as DTC may reasonably request;
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J. |
Extend the voting rights to the Shareholder for extension by DTC to DTC participants and the beneficial owners of Shares in accordance with policies and procedures of DTC for book-entry only securities;
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K. |
Maintain those books and records of the Trust specified by the Trust and agreed upon by Fund Services;
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L. |
Prepare a monthly report of all purchases and redemptions of Shares during such month on a gross transaction basis, and identify on a daily basis the net number of Shares either redeemed or purchased on such business day and with respect to each Authorized Participant purchasing or redeeming Shares, the amount of Shares purchased or redeemed;
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M. |
Receive from the Distributor or from its agent purchase orders from Authorized Participants (as defined in the Authorized Participant Agreement) for Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares received in good form and accepted by or on behalf of the Trust by the Distributor, transmit appropriate trade instructions to the NSCC, if applicable, and pursuant to such orders issue the appropriate number of Shares of the Trust and hold such Shares in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Funds;
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N. |
Receive from the Authorized Participants redemption requests, deliver the appropriate documentation thereof to the Trust’s custodian, generate and transmit or cause to be generated and transmitted confirmation of receipt of such redemption requests to the Authorized Participants submitting the same; transmit appropriate trade instructions to the NSCC, if applicable, and redeem the appropriate number of Creation Unit Aggregations of Shares held in the account of the Shareholder for each of the respective Funds; and
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O. |
Confirm the name, U.S. taxpayer identification number and principle place of business of each Authorized Participant.
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In addition to the services set forth above, Fund Services shall: perform the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent including, but not limited to, maintaining the account of the Shareholder; and obtaining at the request of the Trust from the Shareholder a list of DTC participants holding interests in the Global Certificate.
Fund Services shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations under the 1940 Act and to the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder (the “Rules”), all such books and records shall be the property of the Trust, will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section and Rules, and will be surrendered promptly to the Trust on and in accordance with its request.
3. Lost Shareholder Due Diligence Searches and Servicing
The Trust hereby acknowledges that Fund Services has an arrangement with an outside vendor to conduct lost shareholder searches required by Rule 17Ad-17 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Costs associated with such searches will be passed through to the Trust, on behalf of each applicable Fund, as a miscellaneous expense in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto. If a shareholder remains lost and the shareholder’s account unresolved after completion of the mandatory Rule 17Ad-17 search, the Trust hereby authorizes vendor to enter, at its discretion, into fee sharing arrangements with the lost shareholder (or such lost shareholder’s representative or executor) to conduct a more in-depth search in order to locate the lost shareholder before the shareholder’s assets escheat to the applicable state. The Trust hereby acknowledges that Fund Services is not a party to these arrangements and does not receive any revenue sharing or other fees relating to these arrangements. Furthermore, the Trust hereby acknowledges that vendor may receive up to 35% of the lost shareholder’s assets as compensation for its efforts in locating the lost shareholder.
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4. Anti-Money Laundering and Red Flag Identity Theft Prevention Programs
Fund Services acknowledges and represents that (1) it is a financial institution subject to the law entitled Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (“USA Patriot”) Act of 2001 and the Bank Secrecy Act (collectively the “AML Acts”) and shall comply with the AML Acts and applicable regulations adopted thereunder (collectively, the “Applicable AML Laws”) in all relevant respects; and (2) it is subject to a rule implementing 31 U.S.C. 5318(h) (the anti-money laundering program provision of the USA Patriot Act) and is regulated by a federal functional regulator such as a federal banking regulator or the SEC.
The Trust acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to review, consider and comment upon the written procedures provided by Fund Services describing various tools used by Fund Services which are designed to promote the detection and reporting of potential money laundering activity and identity theft by monitoring certain aspects of shareholder activity as well as written procedures for verifying a customer’s identity (collectively, the “Procedures”). Further, the Trust and Fund Services have each determined that the Procedures, as part of the Trust’s overall Anti-Money Laundering Program and Red Flag Identity Theft Prevention Program, are reasonably designed to: (i) prevent each Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities; (ii) prevent identity theft; and (iii) achieve compliance with the applicable provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act, Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 and the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the implementing regulations thereunder.
Based on this determination, the Trust hereby instructs and directs Fund Services to implement the Procedures on the Trust’s behalf, as such may be amended or revised from time to time. It is contemplated that these Procedures will be amended from time to time by the parties as additional regulations are adopted and/or regulatory guidance is provided relating to the Trust’s anti-money laundering and identity theft responsibilities.
Fund Services agrees to provide to the Trust:
(a) |
Prompt written notification of any transaction or combination of transactions that Fund Services believes, based on the Procedures, evidence money laundering or identity theft activities in connection with the Trust or any Fund shareholder;
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(b) |
Prompt written notification of any customer(s) that Fund Services reasonably believes, based upon the Procedures, to be engaged in money laundering or identity theft activities, provided that the Trust agrees not to communicate this information to the customer;
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(c) |
Any reports received by Fund Services from any government agency or applicable industry self-regulatory organization pertaining to Fund Services’ Anti-Money Laundering Program or the Red Flag Identity Theft Prevention Program on behalf of the Trust;
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(d) |
Prompt written notification of any action taken in response to anti-money laundering violations or identity theft activity as described in (a), (b) or (c) immediately above; and
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(e) |
Certified annual and quarterly reports of its monitoring and customer identification activities pursuant to the Procedures on behalf of the Trust.
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The Trust hereby directs, and Fund Services acknowledges, that Fund Services shall (i) permit federal regulators access to such information and records maintained by Fund Services and relating to Fund Services’ implementation of the Procedures, on behalf of the Trust, as they may request, and (ii) permit such federal regulators to inspect Fund Services’ implementation of the Procedures on behalf of the Trust.
5. Compensation
Fund Services shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto (as amended from time to time in writing by the parties to this Agreement). The Adviser shall pay the fees set out in Exhibit B together with the fees for all other services provided to the Trust by Fund Services (including its parent and affiliated entities) pursuant to a certain Fund Sub-Administration Servicing Agreement, Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement and Custody Agreement as a combined unitary fee to Fund Services. Fund Services shall be reimbursed for such reasonable and documented miscellaneous expenses (e.g., telecommunication charges, postage and delivery charges, and reproduction charges) as are reasonably incurred by Fund Services in performing its duties hereunder. The Adviser shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of the monthly billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Adviser shall notify Fund Services in writing within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Adviser is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Adviser shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid, if any.
6. Representations and Warranties
A. |
The Trust hereby represents and warrants to Fund Services, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
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(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
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(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trust in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
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(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all laws and regulations, both state and federal, applicable to it and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and
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(4) |
A registration statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, will be made effective prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will remain effective during the term of this Agreement, and appropriate state securities law filings will be made prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will continue to be made during the term of this Agreement as necessary to enable the Trust to make a continuous public offering of its shares.
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B. |
Fund Services hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
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(1) |
It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
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(2) |
This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Fund Services in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Fund Services, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
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(3) |
It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement; and
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(4) |
It is a registered transfer agent under the Exchange Act.
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7. Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
A. |
Fund Services shall use its best efforts and exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Fund Services shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with its duties under this Agreement, except a loss arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or breach of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Fund Services has used its best efforts and exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the applicable Fund, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless Fund Services from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Fund Services may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against Fund Services by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reasonable reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to Fund Services by any duly authorized officer of the Trust, as approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, breach of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Fund Services shall endeavor to provide the Trust, on behalf of the relevant Fund(s), such reasonable estimates, including reasonable estimates related to amounts incurred for services provided hereunder, in connection with claims for which Fund Services seeks indemnity from the Fund. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Trust, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, provided that the Fund’s continuing obligation to indemnify Fund Services after the termination of this Agreement shall relate solely to those claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) sustained in connection with Fund Services provision of services pursuant to this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund Services” shall include Fund Services’ directors, officers and employees.
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Fund Services shall indemnify and hold the Trust harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Trust by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by Fund Services as a result of Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, breach of this Agreement, or from its bad faith, fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of Fund Services, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Trust” shall include the Trust’s directors, trustees, officers and employees.
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In no case shall either party be liable to the other for (i) any special, indirect or consequential damages, loss of profits or goodwill (even if advised of the possibility of such); or (ii) any delay by reason of circumstances beyond its control, which may include acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure beyond its control of transportation or power supply.
In the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies beyond its control, Fund Services shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. Fund Services will make every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any errors resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of Fund Services. Fund Services agrees that it shall, at all times, have reasonable business continuity and disaster recovery contingency plans with appropriate parties, making reasonable provision for emergency use of electrical data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. Representatives of the Trust shall be entitled to inspect Fund Services’ premises and operating capabilities at any time during regular business hours of Fund Services, upon reasonable notice to Fund Services. Moreover, Fund Services shall provide the Trust, at such times as the Trust may reasonably require, copies of reports rendered by independent accountants on the internal controls and procedures of Fund Services relating to the services provided by Fund Services under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the above, Fund Services reserves the right to reprocess and correct non-material administrative errors at its own expense, provided that Fund Services shall provide advance written notice to the Trust detailing the action it intends to take prior to taking such action. For material administrative errors, Fund Services reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its own expense upon consultation with the Trust and in such manner as agreed to by the Trust.
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In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
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C. |
The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 7 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
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D. |
If Fund Services is acting in another capacity for the Trust pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve Fund Services of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
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8. Data Necessary to Perform Services
The Trust or its agent shall furnish to Fund Services the data necessary to perform the services described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed upon.
9. Proprietary and Confidential Information
Fund Services agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust, all records and other information relative to the Trust and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Trust (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Fund Services may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, provided that Fund Services shall promptly notify the Trust of such request if permitted by applicable law, or (iii) when so requested by the Trust. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Fund Services or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of Fund Services prior to receipt thereof from the Trust or its agent, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
Further, Fund Services will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Trust pursuant to Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to time. In this regard, Fund Services shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Trust and its shareholders.
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10. Records
Fund Services shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Trust, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Fund Services agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by Fund Services relating to the services to be performed by Fund Services hereunder are the property of the Trust and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Trust or its designee on and in accordance with its request.
11. Compliance with Laws
The Trust has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Trust, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Trust relating to a Fund’s portfolio investments as set forth in such Fund’s current prospectus and statement of additional information. Fund Services’ services hereunder shall not relieve the Trust of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of Trustee’s oversight responsibility with respect thereto.
12. Term of Agreement; Amendment
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above and will continue in effect for a period of two (2) years. This Agreement may be terminated effective at the end of such initial term by either party upon giving 90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Subsequent to the end of the two (2) year period, this Agreement continues until one party gives 90 days prior written notice to the other party or such shorter notice period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by any party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of such breach to the breaching party. In addition, the Trust may, at any time, immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for Fund Services by regulatory authorities or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction (“Termination Upon Direction”). This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by Fund Services and the Trust, and authorized or approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
13. Early Termination
In the absence of any material breach of this Agreement or Termination Upon Direction, should the Trust elect to terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the two (2) year term, the Trust agrees to pay the following fees:
a. |
all monthly fees through the life of the Agreement, including the repayment of any negotiated discounts;
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b. |
all fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
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c. |
all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to a successor service provider;
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d. |
all reasonable and documented miscellaneous costs associated with a-c above.
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14. Duties in the Event of Termination
In the event that, in connection with the termination of this Agreement, a successor to any of Fund Services’ duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Trust by written notice to Fund Services, Fund Services will promptly, upon such termination and at the expense of the Trust, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence, and other data established or maintained by Fund Services under this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Trust (if such form differs from the form in which Fund Services has maintained the same, the Trust shall pay any documented expenses (not personnel costs) associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from Fund Services’ personnel in the establishment of books, records, and other data by such successor. The Trust shall also be responsible for any fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to a successor provider. If no such successor is designated, then such books, records and other data shall be returned to the Trust.
15. Assignment
This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust without the written consent of Fund Services, or by Fund Services without the written consent of the Trust accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Board of Trustees.
16. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
17. No Agency Relationship
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.
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18. Services Not Exclusive
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict Fund Services from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.
19. Invalidity
Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
20. Notices
Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below, or such other address(es) as may be specified in writing by one party to the other party.
Notice to Fund Services shall be sent to:
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: President
and notice to the Trust shall be sent to:
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx 0
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: President
21. Multiple Originals
This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
22. Fidelity Bond
Fund Services shall maintain a fidelity bond covering larceny and embezzlement, an insurance policy with respect to directors and officers errors and omissions coverage and electronic data processing insurance coverage, in amounts that are appropriate in light of its duties and responsibilities hereunder. Upon the request of the Trust, Fund Services shall provide evidence that coverage is in place. Fund Services shall notify the Trust should its insurance coverage with respect to professional liability or errors and omissions coverage be reduced or canceled. Such notification shall include the date of cancellation or reduction and the reasons therefore. Fund Services shall notify the Trust promptly of any material claims against it with respect to services performed under this Agreement, whether or not they may be covered by insurance, and shall notify the Trust promptly should the total outstanding claims made by Fund Services under its insurance coverage materially impair, or threaten to materially impair, the adequacy of its coverage.
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23. Entire Agreement
This Agreement, together with any exhibits, attachments, appendices or schedules expressly referenced herein, sets forth the sole and complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements relating thereto, whether written or oral, between the parties.
24. Limited Recourse
This Agreement is executed by the Trust with respect to each of the Funds and the obligations hereunder are not binding on any of the trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but are binding only on the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Fund. All obligations of the Trust under this Agreement shall apply only on a Fund-by-Fund basis, and the assets of one Fund shall not be liable for the obligations of another Fund.
25. Construction
Any reference in this Agreement to a form, statute or regulation shall include any successor thereto.
[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date last written below.
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U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
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TOROSO INVESTMENTS, LLC
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Exhibit A to the Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement
Separate Series of Tidal ETF Trust
Name of Series
Aware Ultra-Short Duration Enhanced Income ETF
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Exhibit B (fees) to Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement
Base Fee for Accounting, Transfer Agent & Account Services
The following reflects the greater of the basis point fee or annual minimum1 where Toroso Investments, LLC acts as Adviser to an Aware ETF or a SoFi ETF in the Tidal ETF Trust
Annual Minimum per Fund per Fund Family
Funds 1-10 $[ ]
Funds 11+ $[ ]
Basis Points on AUM per Fund Family
First $[ ] [ ] bps
Next $[ ] [ ] bps
Balance [ ] bps
1Each Fund, regardless of asset size, will have fees allocated to it equal to the per Fund minimum. Should the complex level basis point fee calculation exceed the complex level minimum fee level calculation, the fees in excess of the minimum will be allocated to each Fund based on the percent on AUM.
Once a Fund is operational, should "The Adviser" terminate this service agreement with USBFS prior to the end of the initial two year period, "The Adviser" will be responsible for the balance of the minimum fees for the remainder of the service agreement's 12-month period beginning with the Fund's launch or any anniversary of launch. To avoid doubt, if "The Adviser" launched a Fund on March 1, 2019 and terminated the relationship on June 30, 2020, "The Adviser" would owe would owe USBFS up to 50% of $[ ].
In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).
2Subject to annual CPI increase – All Urban Consumers – U.S. City Average.
Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly.
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Accounting, Sub-Administration, Transfer Agent & Account Services
(in addition to the Base Fee)
Pricing Services
For daily pricing of each securities (estimated 252 pricing days annually)
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$[ ]– Domestic Equities, Options, ADRs, Foreign Equities, Futures, Forwards, Currency Rates, Mutual Funds, ETFs
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$[ ]– Domestic Corporates, Domestic Convertibles, Domestic Governments, Domestic Agencies, Mortgage Backed, Municipal Bonds
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$[ ]– CMOs, Money Market Instruments, Foreign Corporates, Foreign Convertibles, Foreign Governments, Foreign Agencies, Asset Backed, High Yield
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$[ ]– Interest Rate Swaps, Foreign Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps, Total Return Bullet Swaps
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$[ ]– Bank Loans
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$[ ]– Swaptions
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$[ ]– Intraday money market funds pricing, up to 3 times per day
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$[ ]– Credit Default Swaps
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$[ ]per Month Manual Security Pricing (>25per day)
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NOTE: Prices are based on using U.S. Bancorp primary pricing service which may vary by security type and are subject to change. Use of alternative and/or additional sources may result in additional fees. Pricing vendors may designate certain securities as hard to value or as a non-standard security type, such as CLOs and CDOs, which may result in additional fees. All schedules subject to change depending upon the use of unique security type requiring special pricing or accounting arrangements.
Corporate Action Services
Fee for IDC data used to monitor corporate actions
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$[ ]per Foreign Equity Security per Month
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$[ ]per Domestic Equity Security per Month
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$[ ]per CMOs, Asset Backed, Mortgage Backed Security per Month
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Third Party Administrative Data Charges (descriptive data for analytics, reporting and compliance)
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$[ ] per security per month for fund administrative
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Chief Compliance Officer Support Fee
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CCO Support annual fee per trust; $[ ]per USBFS service selected (administration, accounting, transfer agent, custodian)
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Chief Compliance Officer Support Fee includes the following services:
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Access to all USBFS business line materials via the CCO Portal including business line Critical Procedures, Compliance Controls, Testing of Controls, Annual USBFS CCO Review, SSAE 16 audits of business lines
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Assist the Fund CCO with quarterly 38a-1 certifications including a review of any changes to critical policies, procedures and controls and compliance events as required under Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act
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Testing of procedures and controls across all business lines with access to business line managers and subject matter experts
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Quarterly CCO teleconferences and “Focus Calls” specific to current topics such as cybersecurity
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CCO forums held periodically throughout the year in major cities
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Annual client conference which includes CCO roundtable discussions
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SEC exam support
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Other items, including sharing of industry best practices across many areas
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NOTE: The CCO Support team does NOT serve as the Trust CCO.
In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).
Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly.
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Supplemental Services for Fund Accounting, Fund Sub-Administration & Portfolio Compliance (provided by USBFS upon client need and/ or request)
SEC Modernization Requirements
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Form N-PORT – $[ ]per year, per Fund
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Form N-CEN – $[ ]per year, per Fund
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Daily Compliance Services
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Base fee – $[ ]per fund per year
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Setup – $[ ]per fund group
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Section 18 Daily Compliance Testing (for derivatives and leverage)
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$[ ]set up fee per fund complex
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$[ ]per fund per month
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Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC)
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USBFS Fee Schedule plus $[ ]
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C-Corp Administrative Services
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1940 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule plus $[ ]
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1933 Act C-Corp – USBFS Fee Schedule plus $[ ]
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Ongoing Annual Legal Administration Services
Add the following for legal administration services in support of external legal counsel, including annual registration statement update and drafting of supplements
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$[ ]first fund
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$[ ]each additional fund up to 5 funds
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Fees will be negotiated for fund 6+
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Section 15(c) Reporting
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$[ ] per fund per standard reporting package*
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Additional 15c reporting is subject to additional charges
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*Standard reporting packages for annual 15(c) meeting
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Expense reporting package: 2 peer comparison reports (adviser fee) and (net expense ratio w classes on one report) OR Full 15(c) report
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Performance reporting package: Peer Comparison Report
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Standard data source – Morningstar; additional charges will apply for other data services
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Miscellaneous Expenses
All other miscellaneous fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following, will be separately billed as incurred: Portfolio Composition File (PCF) management services, SWIFT processing, customized reporting, third-party data provider costs (including GICS, MSCI, Lipper, etc.), postage, stationary, programming, special reports, proxies, insurance, XXXXX/XBRL filing, retention of records, federal and state regulatory filing fees, expenses related to and including travel to and from Board of Trustee meetings, third party auditing and legal expenses, wash sales reporting (GainsKeeper), tax e-filing, PFIC monitoring, conversion expenses (if necessary), and travel related costs.
Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly.
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