SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
(e.3)
SHAREHOLDER
SERVICING
AGREEMENT
THIS
SHAREHOLDER SERVING AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) made and entered into between ALPS
Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”), a Colorado corporation having its principal place of
business at 0000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, and
_________________________________________,
a
_______________________________ company having its principal place of business
at______________________________, _________________, _______________(hereinafter
“Servicer”).
WHEREAS,
Servicer desires to enter in this Agreement with ADI to sell shares of Heartland
Group, Inc. (“Company”), a registered open-end investment management company,
Servicer will provide distribution related, continuing personal services to
shareholder and/or administration of shareholder accounts in, to the fund(s)
currently offered by the Company. ADI is the principal underwriter and, agent
for the Company.
WHEREAS,
Servicer understands that pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the “1940 Act”), the mutual fund(s) offered by the Company and
distributed by ADI as set forth on the Schedule attached hereto (each
individually a “Fund” and collectively “Funds”) have adopted, pursuant to Rule
12b-1 of the 1940 Act, Distribution and Service Plans (each individually a
“Plan” and collectively “Plans”) with ADI to enable payments to certain entities
for distribution assistance and shareholder servicing.
WHEREAS,
the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus and, unless the context otherwise
requires, the related statement of additional information (“SAI”) incorporated
therein by reference, as the same are amended and supplemented (“Supplements”)
from time to time by the Funds.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises set forth
herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. |
Purchases
of Company Shares for Sale to
Customers.
|
(a) |
Servicer
is hereby appointed as a non-exclusive selling agent of the Company
during
the term herein specified for the purpose of finding suitable investors
for shares of the Funds as described herein. Subject to the performance
by
ADI of its obligations to be performed hereunder and to the completeness
and accuracy in all material respects of all the representations
and
warranties of ADI contained herein, Servicer hereby accepts such
agency
and agrees on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in each
Fund’s
then-current Prospectus to use reasonable efforts during the term
hereof
to find suitable investors and to provide ongoing services to such
investors for the duration of their investments. It is understood
that the
Servicer has no commitment with regard to the sale of the Funds’ shares
other than to use reasonable efforts and this Agreement shall not
prevent
Servicer from acting as a selling agent or underwriter for the securities
of other issuers that may be offered or sold during the term hereof.
Servicer’s agency relationship with ADI hereunder shall continue until the
termination of this Agreement. Any sales of a Fund’s shares made prior to
the date hereof by Servicer shall be deemed made pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
(b) |
In
offering and selling the Funds’ shares to Servicer’s customers, Servicer
agrees to act as dealer for Servicer’s own account and in no transaction
shall the Servicer have any authority to act or hold itself out as
agent
for ADI or the Company. ADI acknowledges that customers of Servicer
who
purchase a Fund’s shares are the Servicer’s customers. Servicer shall be
responsible for opening, approving, and monitoring customer accounts
and
for the review and supervision of these accounts, all in accordance
with
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) and National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(“NASD”).
|
1
(c) |
Servicer
agrees to offer and sell each Fund’s shares to Servicer’s customers only
at the applicable public offering price, giving effect to any cumulative
or quantity discounts or other purchase programs, plans, or services
described in the then-current Prospectus. Servicer agrees to deliver,
or
cause to be delivered, to each customer, at or prior to the time
of any
purchase of shares, a copy of the then current Prospectus (including
any
supplements thereto), and to each customer who so requests, a copy
of the
then-current SAI (including any supplements
thereto).
|
(d) |
Servicer
agrees to purchase each Fund’s shares only from ADI or from Servicer’s
customers. If Servicer purchases shares of a Fund from ADI, Servicer
agrees that all such purchases shall be made only: (a) to cover orders
of
shares of such Fund already received by Servicer from its customers;
(b)
for shares of such Fund being acquired by Servicer’s customers pursuant to
either the exchange privilege or the reinvestment privilege, as described
in the then-current Prospectus of such Fund; (c) for Servicer’s own bona
fide investment; or (d) for investments by any Internal Revenue Service
(“IRS”) qualified plan or other trust established for the benefit of
Servicer’s employees or for investments in Individual Retirement Accounts
established by Servicer’s employees, and if Servicer so advises ADI in
writing prior to any sale of a Fund’s shares pursuant to this subparagraph
(d), Servicer agrees to waive all Servicer concessions, if any, to
all
sales of shares. If Servicer purchases a Fund’s shares from Servicer
customers, Servicer agrees not to purchase such shares from Servicer
customers at a price lower than the applicable redemption price for
such
Fund, determined in the manner described in the then-current Prospectus.
Servicer shall not withhold placing customers’ orders for shares so as to
profit the Servicer as a result of such withholding (e.g., to include,
but
not limited to, a change in a Fund’s net asset value from that used in
determining the offering price to Servicer’s
customers).
|
(e) |
ADI
will accept Servicer’s purchase orders for Fund shares only at the public
offering price applicable to each order, as determined in accordance
with
the then-current Prospectus. ADI will not accept from Servicer a
conditional order. All orders redeeming any Fund shares shall be
executed
in accordance with Rule 22c-1 of the 1940 Act. All orders are subject
to
acceptance or rejection by ADI in its sole discretion. ADI reserves
the
right, at its discretion and without notice to the Servicer, to suspend
sales or to withdraw the offering of a Fund’s shares, in whole or in part,
or to make a limited offering of any Fund’s shares. The minimum and
maximum dollar amounts for purchase of a Fund’s shares (and any classes
thereto) for any shareholder shall be the applicable minimum or maximum
amount described in such Fund’s then-current Prospectus and no order for
less or more than, as the case may be, such amount will be accepted
hereunder.
|
(f) |
The
transmission of orders for Fund shares will be governed by instructions
that ADI will periodically issue to Servicer. Servicer must pay for
a
Fund’s shares in ‘Federal Funds,’ and ADI must receive Servicer’s payment
on or before the settlement date established in accordance with Rule
15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. If
ADI does
not receive Servicer’s payment on or before such settlement date, ADI may,
without notice, cancel the sale, or, at ADI’s option, sell a Fund’s shares
that Servicer ordered back to the issuing Fund. Servicer agrees to
reimburse, indemnify and hold harmless each of ADI and the issuing
Fund
for any loss suffered by ADI or the issuing Fund as a result of Servicer’s
failure to make payment as
required.
|
(g) |
Servicer
agrees to use the application provided with the Prospectus as the
means of
placing a customer’s order except for accounts opened or maintained
pursuant to the networking system of the National Securities Clearing
Corporation (“NSCC”). The application will be reviewed by ADI or the
Company to determine that all information necessary to issue a Fund’s
shares has been entered. Servicer hereby certifies that all of Servicer
customers’ taxpayer identification numbers (“TIN”) or social security
numbers (“SSN”) furnished to ADI or the Company by Servicer are correct
and that ADI or the Company will not open an account without Servicer
providing the Company’s transfer agent (“Transfer Agent”) with the
customer’s TIN or SSN.
|
2
(h) |
Servicer
will comply with all applicable Federal and state laws and with the
rules
and regulations of applicable regulatory agencies thereunder. Servicer
will not offer shares of any Fund for sale in any jurisdiction unless
such
shares are duly registered therein under all the applicable securities
laws, rules and regulations.
|
(i) |
Any
transaction in shares of a Fund shall be effected and evidenced by
book-entry on the records maintained by the Transfer Agent. A confirmation
statement evidencing transactions in a Fund’s shares will be transmitted
to Servicer by the transfer agent.
|
2. |
Account
Options.
|
(a) |
Servicer
may appoint the Transfer Agent as Servicer’s agent to execute customers'
transactions in a Fund’s shares sold to Servicer by ADI in accordance with
the terms and provisions of any account, program, plan, or service
established or used by Servicer’s customers and to confirm each such
transaction to Servicer’s customers on Servicer’s behalf, and at the time
of the transaction, Servicer guarantees the legal capacity of its
customers so transacting in such Fund shares and any co-owners of
such
Fund shares.
|
(b) |
Unless
otherwise instructed by ADI or the Transfer Agent, Servicer may instruct
the Transfer Agent to register shares purchased in Servicer’s name and
account as nominee for Servicer’s customers, in which event all
Prospectuses, proxy statements, periodic reports, and other printed
material will be sent to Servicer, and all confirmations and other
communications to shareholders will be transmitted to Servicer. Servicer
shall be responsible for forwarding such printed material, confirmations,
and communications, or the information contained therein, to all
customers
for whom Servicer holds such shares as nominee. However, the Transfer
Agent or the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable costs
associated with Servicer forwarding such printed material, confirmations,
and communications and shall reimburse Servicer in full for such
costs.
Servicer shall also be responsible for complying with all reporting
and
tax withholding requirements with respect to the customers for whose
account Servicer is holding such shares. With respect to customers
other
than such customers identified in this Section 2(b), Servicer shall
provide ADI with all information (including, without limitation,
certification of TINs and back-up withholding instructions) necessary
or
appropriate for ADI to comply with any legal and regulatory reporting
requirements.
|
(c) |
Accounts
opened or maintained pursuant to the networking system of NSCC will
be
governed by applicable NSCC rules and procedures, and any agreement
or
other arrangement with ADI relating to
networking.
|
3. |
Servicer
Compensation.
|
(a) |
Servicer
concession, if any, on Servicer’s sales of shares of a Fund will be
offered as described in the then-current Prospectus or in the applicable
schedule of concessions issued by ADI and in effect at the time of
ADI
sale to Servicer. Upon written notice to Servicer, ADI, or a Fund,
may
change or discontinue any schedule of concessions, or issue a new
schedule. Servicer may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection
with
sales by Servicer of shares of a Fund where Servicer receives all
or
substantially all of the sales charge as set forth in the then-current
Prospectus and, therefore, Servicer may be subject to applicable
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Compensation
paid,
if any, pursuant to a Plan for the sale of certain class of a Fund’s
shares is described in Agreement Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”) attached
hereto and in such respective Fund’s then-current
Prospectus.
|
3
(b) |
ADI
is entitled to, if any, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on
redemptions of applicable class of shares of a Fund, as described
in the
then-current Prospectus.
|
(c) |
In
the case of a Fund or class thereof which has adopted a Plan, ADI
may
elect from time to time to make payments to Servicer as provided
under
such Plan for such services, and without limitation, some or all
of the
following: (i) answering inquires regarding a Fund, processing purchases
and redemption transactions, assistance in changing account designation
and addresses; providing periodic statements, personal services to
investors, and/or other services related to the maintenance of shareholder
records and; (ii) services that ADI reasonably may request, to the extent
permitted by applicable statute, rule, or regulation to provide
administrative, distribution, or marketing services in the promotion
of a
Fund’s shares. Any such payments shall be made in the amount and manner
set forth in the applicable Fee Schedule or in the then-current
Prospectus. The Fee Schedule may be discontinued or changed by ADI
from
time to time and shall be in effect with respect to a Fund which
has a
Plan and so long as such Fund(s)’ Plan remains in effect. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Servicer acknowledges that any compensation to be
paid to
the Servicer by ADI is paid from proceeds paid to ADI by a Fund pursuant
to its Plan, and to the extent ADI does not receive such proceeds,
for any
reason, the amounts payable to Servicer will be reduced accordingly.
In
the case of a Fund or class thereof that has no currently effective
Plan,
ADI or Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, elect
to
make payments to Servicer from either’s own
resources.
|
(d) |
Servicer
shall furnish to ADI or the Company, on behalf of a Fund, such information
in writing as shall reasonably be requested by the Company’s Board of
Directors/Trustees (“Company’s Board”) with respect to the fees paid to
Servicer pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
(e) |
In
the event that Rule 2830 of the NASD Conduct Rules precludes a Fund
or
class thereof from imposing, or ADI from receiving, a sales charge
(as
defined in Rule 2830) or any portion thereof, Servicer shall not
be
entitled to any payments from ADI hereunder from the date that a
Fund or
class thereof discontinues or is required to discontinue imposition
of
some or all of its sales charges. If a Fund or class thereof resumes
imposition of some or all of its sales charge, Servicer will be entitled
to payments hereunder or as modified by ADI, if
applicable.
|
(f) |
ADI
may discontinue paying compensation to Servicer if, at any time,
(i)
Servicer is not appropriately registered in all capacities necessary
to
receive such compensation or (ii) Servicer breaches any representation,
warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement, as determined by
ADI in
its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Servicer shall
not be
entitled to any compensation in respect of a sale to any investor
if ADI
determines that another authorized selling agent of ADI is primarily
responsible for or should otherwise be credited with such sale. In
making
this determination, ADI will endeavor to act fairly. Any dispute
regarding
compensation shall be conclusively resolved by
ADI.
|
(g) |
If,
within seven business days after confirmation by ADI of Servicer’s
original purchase order for shares of a Fund, such shares are repurchased
by the issuing Fund or by ADI for the account of such Fund or are
tendered
for redemption by the customer, Servicer shall promptly refund to
ADI the
full discount retained by Servicer on the original sale and any
distribution and service payments made to Servicer. Servicer shall
refund
to the Transfer Agent immediately upon receipt the amount of any
dividends
or distributions paid to Servicer as nominee for Servicer’s customers with
respect to redeemed or repurchased Fund’s shares to the extent that the
proceeds of such redemption or repurchase may include the dividends
or
distributions payable on such shares. Servicer shall be notified
by ADI of
such repurchase or redemption within ten days of such repurchase
or
redemption.
|
4
(h) |
The
provisions of the Distribution Agreement between the Company and
ADI,
insofar as they relate to a Plan, are incorporated herein by reference.
The provisions under this Agreement, relating to a Plan, shall continue
in
full force and effect only so long as the continuance of a Plan and
the
provisions of this Agreement are approved at least annually by a
vote of
the Company’s Board, including a majority of the Company’s Board who are
not interested persons of the Company and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements
related to a Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of
voting thereon.
|
(i) |
The
provisions regarding Servicer compensation may be terminated by the
vote
of a majority of the Company’s Board who are not interested persons of the
Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the
operation of a Plan or in any agreements related to a Plan, or by
a vote
of a majority of a Fund’s outstanding shares, on sixty (60) days’ written
notice, without payment of any penalty. Such provisions will be terminated
also by any act that terminates this Agreement and shall terminate
automatically in the event of the assignment (as that term is defined
in
the 0000 Xxx) of this Agreement unless agreed to in writing by the
parties.
|
After
the
effective date of any change in or discontinuance of any schedule of
concessions, distribution payments, or service payments, or the termination
of a
Plan, such concessions, distribution payments, or service payments will be
allowable or payable to Servicer only in accordance with such change,
discontinuance, or termination. Servicer agrees that Servicer will have no
claim
against ADI, the Company, or a Fund by virtue of any such change,
discontinuance, or termination. In the event of any overpayment by ADI of any
concession, distribution payment, or service payment, Servicer will promptly
remit such overpayment.
(j) |
This
Agreement’s applicable provisions, regarding compensation, if any, have
been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act by a Fund’s class
that may have adopted a Plan, under its respective
Plan.
|
4. |
Status
as Financial Intermediaries.
|
(a) |
Servicer
represents and warrants that Servicer is
either:
|
(i)
an
investment adviser duly registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as
amended and has submitted a notice filing in each state that requires Servicer
to do so, or if Servicer is not registered with the SEC, Servicer represents
that Servicer is duly registered as an investment adviser with all appropriate
state regulatory agencies. Servicer further represents that Servicer is
permitted under any and all applicable laws, rules and regulations to execute,
deliver, and perform this Agreement. Servicer further agrees to comply with
all
applicable Federal and state laws, rules, and regulations of applicable
regulatory agencies having jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules of
the
NASD, SEC, state securities administrators, and any other regulatory body).
Servicer agrees to notify ADI if Servicer registration as an investment adviser
is terminated; or
5
(ii)
an
entity exempt from broker-dealer status under applicable laws (including, but
not limited to, a bank or trust company) in good standing. Servicer further
agrees to comply with all applicable Federal and state laws, rules, and
regulations of applicable regulatory agencies having jurisdiction (including,
but not limited to, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules of the NASD, SEC, state securities administrators, and
any other regulatory body); and
Servicer
represents that Servicer is qualified to sell shares in the various
jurisdictions where it transacts business. Servicer represents that it and
all
of its personnel involved in the activities contemplated hereunder have all
governmental, regulatory, and self-regulatory registrations, approvals,
memberships, and licenses required to perform Servicer’s obligations under this
Agreement and to receive compensation, if any, therefore, and Servicer will
maintain all relevant registrations, approvals, memberships, and licenses during
the term of this Agreement.
(b)
|
Nothing
in this Agreement shall cause Servicer to be ADI’s partner, employee, or
agent, or give Servicer any authority to act for ADI, the Company,
or a
Fund. Neither ADI nor the Company shall be liable for any of Servicer’s
acts or obligations under this
Agreement.
|
5. |
Information
Relating to the Funds.
|
(a) |
No
person is authorized to make any representations concerning a Fund’s
shares except those contained in such Fund’s then-current Prospectus, and
in buying shares from ADI or selling shares to ADI hereunder, Servicer
shall rely solely on the representations contained in the then-current
Prospectus. Upon Servicer’s request, ADI will furnish Servicer with a
reasonable number of copies of a Fund’s then-current Prospectus(es) and/or
SAIs (including any supplements
thereto).
|
(b) |
Servicer
may not use any sales literature or advertising material (including
material disseminated through radio, television, or other electronic
media) concerning a Fund’s shares, other than a Fund’s then-current
Prospectus or such printed information that is given to Servicer
by ADI,
without first obtaining ADI’s written approval. Servicer shall not
distribute or make available to the general public any printed information
furnished by ADI which is marked “FOR INVESTMENT ADVISER USE ONLY” or “FOR
INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY” or which otherwise indicates that it is
confidential or not intended to be distributed to the general
public.
|
6. |
Indemnification.
ADI and Servicer (each an “Indemnifying Party”) will indemnify and hold
the other party and its directors/trustees, officers, employees,
and
agents harmless from any claim, demand, loss, expense (including
reasonable attorney’s fees), or cause of action resulting from the willful
misconduct or negligence, as measured by industry standards, of the
Indemnifying Party, its agents, and employees, in carrying out its
obligations under this Agreement. This provision will survive the
termination of this Agreement.
|
Servicer
shall indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the Company and each of its
affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents for, from and against
any
and all losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including, but not limited
to,
reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred by any of them and arising out of, relating
to or based upon: (i) Servicer’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or
violation of applicable law, regulation or rule of a self-regulatory
organization to which it is subject in the performance of, or failure to
perform, its duties and obligations under this Agreement; (ii) any breach by
Servicer of this Agreement or any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement made by it in this Agreement; (iii) Servicer’s failure to transmit an
order or from any errors contained in any order submitted or instructions given
by Servicer; or (iv) any claim relating to the use of advertising or marketing
material prepared by Servicer that was (a) not published or provided to Servicer
by ADI or the Funds or (b) if published or provided to Servicer by ADI or the
Funds, not accurately derived by Servicer from such advertising or marketing
material.
6
7. |
Duration.
This Agreement, with respect to each Plan, will continue in effect
for one
year from its effective date, and thereafter will continue automatically
for successive annual periods; provided, however, that such continuance
is
subject to termination at any time without penalty if a majority
of the
Company’s Directors/Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in
the 1940 Act), or a majority of the outstanding shares of a Fund,
vote to
terminate or not to continue a Plan. This Agreement, other than with
respect to a terminated Plan, will continue in effect from year to
year
after its effective date, unless terminated as provided
herein.
|
8. |
Amendment
and Termination of Agreement. Either
party to this Agreement may terminate the Agreement without cause
by
giving the other party at least thirty (30) days’ written notice of its
intention to terminate. This Agreement will automatically terminate
in the
event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). ADI may change
or
amend any provision of this Agreement by giving Servicer written
notice of
the change or amendment.
|
9. |
Arbitration.
In
the event of a material dispute under this Agreement, such dispute
shall
be settled by arbitration before arbitrators sitting in Denver, Colorado,
in accordance with the NASD’s Code of Arbitration Procedures in effect at
the time of the dispute. The arbitrators shall act by majority decision,
and their award may allocate attorneys’ fees and arbitration costs between
ADI and Servicer. The arbitrators’ award shall be final and binding
between the parties, and such award may be entered as a judgment
in any
court of competent jurisdiction.
|
10. |
Notices.
All
notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall
be
given in writing and delivered by personal delivery, by postage prepaid
mail, or by facsimile or a similar means of same day delivery (with
a
confirming copy by mail). All notices to ADI shall be given or sent
to ADI
at ADI offices located at 0000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
00000, Attn: General Counsel. All notices to Servicer shall be given
or
sent to Servicer at the address specified by Servicer herein. Each
party
may change the address to which notices shall be sent by giving notice
to
the other party in accordance with this
paragraph.
|
11. |
Client
Information
|
a. Agreement
to Provide Information.
Servicer agrees to provide the Fund, upon written request, the taxpayer
identification number (“TIN”), the Individual/International Taxpayer
Identification Number (“ITIN”), or other government-issued identifier (“GII”),
if known, of any or all Shareholder(s) of the account and the amount, date,
name
or other identifier of any investment professional(s) associated with the
Shareholder(s) or account (if known), and transaction type (purchase,
redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer,
or
exchange of Shares held through an account maintained by the Servicer during
the
period covered by the request.
(i) Period
Covered by Request.
Requests must set forth a specific period, not to exceed 180 calendar days
from
the date of the request, for which transaction information is sought. The Fund
may request transaction information older than 180 calendar days from the date
of the request as it deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies
established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution
of the value of the outstanding Shares issued by the Fund.
7
(ii) Form
and Timing of Response.
(a)
Servicer agrees to provide, promptly upon request of the Fund or its designee,
the requested information specified in Section 11(a). If requested by the Fund
or its designee, Servicer agrees to use best efforts to determine promptly
whether any specific person about whom it has received the identification and
transaction information specified in Section 11(a) is itself a financial
intermediary (“Indirect Intermediary”) and, upon further request of the Fund or
its designee, promptly either (i) provide (or arrange to have provided) the
information set forth in Section 11(a) for those Shareholders who hold an
account with an Indirect Intermediary or (ii) restrict or prohibit the Indirect
Intermediary from purchasing, in nominee name on behalf of other persons,
securities issued by the Fund. Servicer additionally agrees to inform the Fund
whether it plans to perform (i) or (ii).
(b)
Responses required by this paragraph must be communicated in writing and in
a
format mutually agreed upon by the parties.
(c)
To
the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information provided
to
the Fund should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting
Format.
(iii) Limitations
on Use of Information.
The
Fund agrees not to use the information received for marketing or any other
similar purpose without the prior written consent of the Servicer.
b. Agreement
to Restrict Trading.
Servicer agrees to execute written instructions from the Fund to restrict or
prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Shares by a Shareholder that has
been
identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions of the Fund’s Shares
(directly or indirectly through the Servicer’s account) that violate policies
established or utilized by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing
any dilution of the value of the outstanding Shares issued by the
Fund.
(i) Form
of Instructions.
Instructions between the parties to restrict or prohibit further purchases
or
exchanges of Fund Shares must include the TIN, ITIN, or GII, if known, and
the
specific restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN, ITIN, or GII is not known,
the instructions must include an equivalent identifying number of the
Shareholder(s) or account(s) or other agreed upon information to which the
instruction relates.
(ii) Timing
of Response.
Servicer agrees to execute instructions as soon as reasonably practicable,
but
not later than five business days after receipt of the instructions by the
Servicer.
(iii) Confirmation
by Servicer.
Servicer must provide written confirmation to the Fund that instructions have
been executed. Servicer agrees to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably
practicable, but not later than ten business days after the instructions have
been executed.
8
c. Definitions.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
(i) Pursuant
to Section 11, and only Section 11 herein, the term “Fund” also includes the
Fund’s principal underwriter and transfer agent. The term does not include any
“excepted funds” as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b) under the 0000
Xxx.
(ii) The
term
“Shares” means the interest of Shareholders corresponding to the redeemable
securities of record issued by the Fund under the 1940 Act that are held by
the
Servicer.
(iii) The
term
“Shareholder” means the beneficial owner of Shares, whether the Shares are held
directly or by the Servicer in nominee name.
(iv) The
term
“written” includes electronic writings and facsimile transmissions.
(v) The
term
“Servicer” shall mean a “financial intermediary” as defined in SEC Rule
22c-2.
(vi) The
term
“purchase” does not include automatic reinvestment of dividends.
(vii) The
term
“promptly” as used in Section 11(a)(ii) shall mean as soon as practicable but in
no event later than 5 business days from the Servicer’s receipt of the request
for information from the Fund or its designee.
12. |
Anti-Money
Laundering Program.
Servicer hereby certifies that: (i) it understands that pursuant
to
various U.S. regulations, it is required to establish an anti-money
laundering program, which satisfies the requirements of Title III
of the
Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools
Required
to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”);
(ii) Servicer has developed, implemented, and will maintain such
an
anti-money laundering program, including a customer identification
program
consistent with the rules under sec. 326 of the USA Patriot Act,
and will
comply with all applicable laws and regulations designed to guard
against
money laundering activities set out in such program; (iii) Servicer
will
cooperate with ADI and deliver information reasonably requested by
ADI
concerning shareholders that purchased a Fund’s shares sold by Servicer
necessary for ADI or the Company to comply with the USA Patriot Act;
and
(iv) Servicer will notify ADI, in writing, if it is found, by its
Compliance Officer, independent anti-money laundering auditor, or
any
Federal, state, or self-regulatory agencies, to be in violation of
the USA
Patriot Act, any regulation implementing the USA Patriot Act, or
its
anti-money laundering program.
|
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, if Servicer is exempt from the requirement to develop,
implement, and maintain anti-money laundering policies that comply with the
USA
Patriot Act in which case Servicer agrees to cooperate with ADI or the Company
and deliver information reasonably requested by ADI or the Company concerning
shareholders that purchased shares sold by Servicer necessary for ADI and the
Company to comply with either’s internal policies, the USA Patriot Act and
relevant rules and regulations.
9
Servicer
acknowledges that ADI or the Company may reject or refuse orders for the sale
of
shares with respect to customers for which Servicer serves as nominee if
Servicer has not adopted and does not implement anti-money laundering policies
and procedures as required by the USA Patriot Act.
13. |
Regulation
S-P. In
accordance with Regulation S-P, if non-public personal information
regarding customers/shareholders is disclosed to either party in
connection with this Agreement, the party receiving such information
will
not disclose or use that information other than as necessary to carry
out
the purposes of this Agreement. Any privacy notice that Servicer
delivers
to customers/shareholders will comply with Title V of the
Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act and Regulations S-P, as each may be amended,
and
will notify customers that non-public personal information may be
provided
to financial service providers such as security broker-dealers or
investment companies and as permitted by law. This provision will
survive
the termination of this Agreement.
|
14. |
Entire
Agreement. This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between
the
parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties,
whether oral or written, relating to the sale of shares or any other
subject covered by this Agreement.
|
15. |
Partial
Invalidity. If
any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by
a court
decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby. Furthermore, in the event of any
inconsistency between the Agreement and the then-current Prospectus,
the
terms of the then-current Prospectus shall
control.
|
16. |
Waiver.
Failure
of ADI or the Company to terminate this Agreement upon the occurrence
of
any event set forth in this Agreement as a cause for termination
shall not
constitute a waiver of the right to terminate this Agreement at a
later
time on account of such occurrence or any succeeding breach of the
same.
|
17. |
Heading.
The
captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only
and in no way define or limit any of the provisions of this
Agreement.
|
18. |
Applicable
Law. This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the state
of
Colorado, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of
law.
|
19. |
Effective
Date.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date when it is accepted
and dated below by ADI.
|
[Remainder
of page left intentionally blank.]
10
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties’ authorized representatives have executed this
Agreement and represent that they have read and understood the obligations
herein and agree to be bound by the Agreement’s terms and
conditions.
ACCEPTED
AND AGREED:
SERVICER: _______________________________
Signature:
_________________________________
Name:
____________________________________
Title:
_____________________________________
Address:
__________________________________
__________________________________________
NSCC
Dealer # ______________________________________
|
Fax
Number: _______________________________________
|
|
NSCC
Dealer Alpha Code ______________________________
|
Date:
_____________________________________________
|
|
Mutual
Fund Coordinator/
|
||
NSCC
Clearing ______________________________________
|
Primary
Contact: _____________________________________
|
|
Phone
Number: ______________________________________
|
ALPS
DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:
______________________________________
Name:
____________________________________
Title:
_____________________________________
Effective
Date: _____________________________
11
AGREEMENT
FEE SCHEDULE
In
consideration of sales of the Heartland Funds under the terms and conditions
of
this Agreement and the then-current prospectus, the following fee/payment
schedule shall apply:
Name
of Portfolio
|
12b-1
Trails
|
|||
Heartland
Select Value Fund
|
0.25
|
%
|
||
Heartland
Value Plus Fund
|
0.25
|
%
|
||
Heartland
Value Fund
|
0.25
|
%
|
In
accordance with each Fund’s then-current prospectus, all fees, if any, shall be
paid based on the average daily net asset value of outstanding shares held
by
shareholders receiving services described in the Agreement. Such payments shall
be computed and paid monthly. The determination of average daily net assets
shall be made at the close of each Business Day.
12