XXXXX & STEERS REIT AND UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC.
----------
FORM OF AUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT
dated as of March [_], 2004
Relating
to Auction Market Preferred Shares (AMPS), Series M7, Series T7, Series W7,
Series TH7, Series F7, Series T28 and Series F28,
of
XXXXX & STEERS REIT AND UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC.
----------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
as Auction Agent
This Auction Agency Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of March [_],
2004, is between XXXXX & STEERS REIT AND UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC. (the "Fund")
and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation.
The Fund proposes to issue auction market preferred shares, par value $.001
per share, designated Series M7 AMPS, liquidation preference $25,000 per share,
Series T7 AMPS, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, Series W7 AMPS,
liquidation preference $25,000 per share, Series TH7 AMPS, liquidation
preference $25,000 per share, Series F7 AMPS, liquidation preference $25,000 per
share, Series T28 AMPS, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, and Series F28
AMPS, liquidation preference $25,000 per share (collectively, the "AMPS"),
pursuant to the Fund's Articles Supplementary (as defined below).
The Fund desires that The Bank of New York perform certain duties as agent
in connection with each Auction (as defined below) of AMPS (in such capacity,
the "Auction Agent"), and as the transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying
agent and redemption agent with respect to the AMPS (in such capacity, the
"Paying Agent"), upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Fund
hereby appoints The Bank of New York as said Auction Agent and Paying Agent in
accordance with those terms and conditions (hereinafter generally referred to as
the "Auction Agent," except in Sections 3 and 4 below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Fund and the Auction Agent agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
1.1 Terms Defined by Reference to the Articles Supplementary.
Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings
specified in the Articles Supplementary.
1.2 Certain Defined Terms.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings,
unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Agent Member" of any Person shall mean such Person's agent member
of a participant in the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a
Bidder.
(b) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles Supplementary
dated March [_], 2004 specifying the powers, preferences and rights of the AMPS,
attached as Appendix B to the Statement of Additional Information relating to
the AMPS dated March [_], 2004.
(c) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1 hereof.
(d) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that are
set forth in Part II of the Articles Supplementary.
(e) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Vice President, Assistant
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent and every other
officer or employee of the Auction Agent
designated as an "Authorized Officer" for purposes hereof in a written
communication from the Auction Agent to the Fund.
(f) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean each agreement between the
Auction Agent and a broker-dealer substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
(g) "Closing" shall mean the date the Fund consummates the
transactions for the issuance and sale of the AMPS.
(h) "Fund Officer" shall mean the Chairman, the President, each Vice
President (whether or not designated by a number or word or words added before
or after the title "Vice President"), the Secretary, the Treasurer, each
Assistant Secretary and each Assistant Treasurer of the Fund and every other
officer or employee of the Fund designated as a "Fund Officer" for purposes
hereof in a written notice from the Fund to the Auction Agent.
(i) "Holder" shall be a holder of record of one or more AMPS, listed
as such in the share register maintained by the Paying Agent pursuant to Section
4.6 hereof.
(j) "Interest Equivalent" means a yield on a 360-day basis of a
discount basis security which is equal to the yield on an equivalent
interest-bearing security.
1.3 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent,
the following rules shall apply to the construction of this Agreement:
(a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural
number and vice versa.
(b) The captions and headings herein are solely for convenience of
reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor shall they
affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of similar
import refer to this Agreement as a whole.
(d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be to New
York City time.
II. THE AUCTION.
2.1 Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures.
(a) The Articles Supplementary provides that the Applicable Rate on
the AMPS for each Dividend Period therefor after the initial Dividend Period
shall be the rate per annum that a commercial bank, trust company or other
financial institution appointed by the Fund advises results from the
implementation of the Auction Procedures. The Board of Directors of the Fund has
adopted a resolution appointing The Bank of New York as Auction Agent for
purposes of the Auction Procedures. The Auction Agent hereby accepts such
appointment and agrees that, on each Auction Date, it shall follow the
procedures set forth in this Section 2 and the Auction Procedures for the
purpose of determining the
2
Applicable Rate for the AMPS for the next Dividend Period. Each periodic
operation of such procedures is hereinafter referred to as an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully
herein.
2.2 Preparation for Each Auction; Maintenance of Registry of Existing
Holders.
(a) As of the date hereof, the Fund shall provide the Auction Agent
with a list of the Broker-Dealers previously approved by the Auction Agent and
shall cause to be delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction
Agent a Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by each such Broker-Dealer. The Auction
Agent shall keep such list current and accurate based upon information provided
to it by Broker-Dealers and shall indicate thereon, or on a separate list, the
identity of each Existing Holder, if any, whose most recent Order was submitted
by a Broker-Dealer on such list and resulted in such Existing Holder continuing
to hold or purchase AMPS. Not later than five Business Days prior to any Auction
Date for which any change in such list of Broker-Dealers is to be effective, the
Fund shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of such change and, if any such
change is the addition of a Broker-Dealer to such list, the Fund shall cause to
be delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a
Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by such Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent shall
have entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with each Broker-Dealer prior to the
participation of any such Broker-Dealer in any Auction.
(b) The provisions contained in Section 4 of Part I of the Articles
Supplementary concerning Special Dividend Periods and the notification of a
Special Dividend Period will be followed by the Fund and, to the extent
applicable, the Auction Agent, and the provisions contained therein are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth
fully herein.
(c) (i) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall determine the
dividend rate and the Maximum Rate. If any Treasury Index Rate is not quoted on
an interest or bond equivalent, as the case may be, basis, the Auction Agent
shall convert the quoted rate to the interest or bond equivalent thereof as set
forth in the definition of such rate in the Articles Supplementary if the rate
obtained by the Auction Agent is quoted on a discount basis, or if such rate is
quoted on a basis other than an interest or bond equivalent or discount basis
the Auction Agent shall convert the quoted rate to an interest or bond
equivalent rate after consultation with the Fund as to the method of such
conversion.
(ii) If any LIBOR Rate is to be determined by reference to
Telerate Page 3750 or by rate quotations provided by LIBOR Dealer(s), as the
case may be, and Telerate Page 3750 is unavailable or the LIBOR Dealer(s) fail
to provide rate quotations, as the case may be (as described in the Articles
Supplementary), then the Auction Agent shall immediately notify the Fund so that
the Fund can determine whether to select a Substitute LIBOR Dealer(s) to provide
such rate quotation(s) not being supplied.
(iii) If any Treasury Index Rate is to be based on rates supplied
by U.S. Government Securities Dealers and one or more of the U.S. Government
Securities Dealers shall not provide a quotation for the determination of such
Treasury Index Rate, the Auction Agent shall immediately notify the Fund so that
the Fund can determine whether to select a substitute U.S. Government Securities
Dealer or substitute U.S. Government Securities Dealers to provide the quotation
3
or quotations not being supplied by any U.S. Government Securities Dealer or
U.S. Government Securities Dealers. The Fund shall promptly advise the Auction
Agent of any such selection.
(d) (i) The Auction Agent shall maintain a current registry of the
Existing Holders of the AMPS based upon information provided to it by
Broker-Dealers for purposes of each individual Auction. The Fund shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide or cause to be provided to the
Auction Agent within ten Business Days following the date of the Closing a list
of the initial Existing Holders of AMPS, and the Broker-Dealer of each such
Existing Holder through which such Existing Holder purchased such shares. The
Auction Agent may conclusively rely upon, as evidence of the identities of the
Existing Holders, such list, the results of each Auction and notices from any
Existing Holder, the Agent Member of any Existing Holder or the Broker-Dealer of
any Existing Holder with respect to such Existing Holder's transfer of any AMPS
to another Person.
(ii) In the event of any partial redemption of AMPS, upon notice
in writing by the Fund to the Auction Agent of such partial redemption, the
Auction Agent promptly shall request the Securities Depository to notify the
Auction Agent in writing of the identities of the Agent Members (and the
respective numbers of shares) from the accounts of which shares have been called
for redemption and the person or department at such Agent Member to contact
regarding such redemption. At least two Business Days prior to the Auction
preceding the date of redemption, the Auction Agent shall request each Agent
Member so identified to disclose to the Auction Agent (upon selection by such
Agent Member of the Existing Holders whose shares are to be redeemed) the number
of AMPS of each such Existing Holder, if any, to be redeemed by the Fund,
provided that the Auction Agent has been furnished with the name and telephone
number of a person or department at such Agent Member from which it is to
request such information. In the absence of receiving any such information with
respect to an Existing Holder, from such Existing Holder's Agent Member or
otherwise, the Auction Agent may continue to treat such Existing Holder as
having ownership of the number of AMPS shown in the Auction Agent's registry of
Existing Holders.
(iii) The Auction Agent shall register a transfer of the
ownership of AMPS from an Existing Holder to another Existing Holder, or to
another Person if permitted by the Fund, only if such transfer is made pursuant
to an Auction or, if such transfer is made other than pursuant to an Auction,
the Auction Agent has been notified of such transfer in writing, in a notice
substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, by such Existing Holder
or by the Agent Member of such Existing Holder. The Auction Agent is not
required to accept any notice of transfer delivered for an Auction unless it is
received by the Auction Agent by 3:00 p.m. on the Business Day next preceding
the Auction Date. The Auction Agent shall rescind a transfer made on the
registry of the Existing Holders of any AMPS if the Auction Agent has been
notified in writing, in a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached
hereto, by the Agent Member or the Broker-Dealer of any Person that (i)
purchased any AMPS and the seller failed to deliver such shares or (ii) sold any
AMPS and the purchaser failed to make payment to such Person upon delivery to
the purchaser of such shares.
(e) The Auction Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, request that
the Broker Dealers, as set forth in Section 3.2(b) of the Broker-Dealer
Agreements, provide the Auction Agent with a list of their respective customers
that such Broker-Dealers believe are Beneficial Owners of AMPS. The Auction
Agent shall keep confidential any such information and shall not disclose any
such information so provided to any Person other than the relevant Broker-Dealer
and the Fund; provided, however, that the Auction Agent reserves the right and
is authorized to disclose any such information if (a) it is ordered to do so by
a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or
quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel such
disclosure, (b) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to
4
do so would be unlawful or (c) failure to do so would expose the Auction Agent
to loss, liability, claim, damage or expense for which it has not received
indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
2.3 Auction Schedule.
The Auction Agent shall normally conduct Auctions every [_] days after the
first Auction, in the case of the AMPS, in accordance with the schedule set
forth below. Such schedule may be changed by the Auction Agent with the consent
of the Fund, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The Auction Agent
shall give notice of any such change to each Broker-Dealer. Such notice shall be
received prior to the first Auction Date on which any such change shall be
effective.
Time Event
---- -----
By 9:30 am. Auction Agent shall advise the Fund and the
Broker-Dealers of Maximum Rate as set forth in
Section 2.2(c)(i) hereof.
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Auction Agent shall assemble information
communicated to it by Broker-Dealers as provided in
Section 3(a) of Part II of the Articles
Supplementary. Submission deadline is 1:00 p.m.
Not earlier than 1:00p.m. Auction Agent shall make determinations pursuant to
Section 4(a) of Part II of the Articles Supplementary.
By approximately 3:30 p.m. Auction Agent shall advise the Fund of the results
of the Auction as provided in Section 4(b) of Part
II of the Articles Supplementary.
Submitted Bid Orders and Submitted Sell Orders will
be accepted and rejected in whole or in part and
AMPS will be allocated as provided in Section 5 of
Part II of the Articles Supplementary. Auction
Agent shall give notice of the Auction results as
set forth in Section 2.4 hereof.
The Auction Agent will follow the Bond Market Association's Market Practice
U.S. Holiday Recommendations for shortened trading days for the bond markets
(the "BMA Recommendation") unless the Auction Agent is instructed otherwise. In
the event of a BMA Recommendation on an Auction Date, the Submission Deadline
will be 11:30 a.m., instead of 1:00 p.m., and as a result the notice set forth
in Section 2.4 will occur earlier.
2.4 Notice of Auction Results.
On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify Broker-Dealers of the
results of the Auction held on such date by telephone or other electronic means
acceptable to the parties.
2.5 Broker-Dealers.
(a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Auction Date, the Fund shall pay
to the Auction Agent in Federal Funds or similar same-day funds an amount in
cash equal to (i) in the case of any Auction Date immediately preceding a [_]
day Dividend Period, the product of (A) a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of days in such Dividend Period (calculated by counting the first day of
such Dividend Period but excluding the last day thereof) and the denominator of
which is 360, times (B) 1/4 of 1%, times (C) $25,000 times (D) the sum of the
aggregate number of outstanding AMPS for
5
which the Auction is conducted and (ii) in the case of any Special Dividend
Period, the amount determined by mutual consent of the Fund and the
Broker-Dealers pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements. The
Auction Agent shall apply such moneys as set forth in Section 3.5 of the
Broker-Dealer Agreements and shall thereafter remit to the Fund any remaining
funds paid to the Auction Agent pursuant to this Section 2.5(a).
(b) The Fund shall not designate any Person to act as a Broker-Dealer,
or permit an Existing Holder or a Potential Beneficial Owner to participate in
Auctions through any Person other than a Broker-Dealer, without the prior
written approval of the Auction Agent, which approval shall not be withheld
unreasonably. The Fund may designate an Affiliate or Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated to act as a Broker-Dealer.
(c) The Auction Agent shall terminate any Broker-Dealer Agreement as
set forth therein if so directed in writing by the Fund.
(d) Subject to Section 2.5(b) hereof, the Auction Agent from time to
time shall enter into such Broker-Dealer Agreements as the Fund shall request in
writing.
(e) The Auction Agent shall maintain a list of Broker-Dealers.
2.6 Ownership of AMPS and Submission of Bids by the Fund and Its
Affiliates.
Neither the Fund nor any Affiliate of the Fund may submit any Sell Order or
Bid, directly or indirectly, in any Auction, except that an Affiliate of the
Fund that is a Broker-Dealer may submit a Sell Order or Bid on behalf of a
Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner. The Fund shall notify the
Auction Agent in writing if the Fund or, to the best of the Fund's knowledge,
any Affiliate of the Fund becomes a Beneficial Owner of any AMPS. Any AMPS
redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired (i) by the Fund shall not be reissued,
except in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended ("Securities Act") or (ii) by its Affiliates shall not be transferred
(other than to the Fund). The Auction Agent shall have no duty or liability with
respect to enforcement of this Section 2.6.
2.7 Access to and Maintenance of Auction Records.
The Auction Agent shall afford to the Fund, its agents, independent public
accountants and counsel, access at reasonable times during normal business hours
to review and make extracts or copies (at the Fund's sole cost and expense) of
all books, records, documents and other information concerning the conduct and
results of Auctions, provided that any such agent, accountant or counsel shall
furnish the Auction Agent with a letter from the Fund requesting that the
Auction Agent afford such person access at least one Business Day prior to the
date of such access. The Auction Agent shall maintain records relating to any
Auction for a period of at least two years after such Auction (unless requested
in writing by the Fund to maintain such records for such longer period not in
excess of four years, then for such longer period), and such records, in
reasonable detail, shall accurately and fairly reflect the actions taken by the
Auction Agent hereunder. The Fund agrees to keep confidential any information
regarding the customers of any Broker-Dealer received from the Auction Agent in
connection with this Agreement or any Auction, and shall not disclose such
information or permit the disclosure of such information without the prior
written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer to anyone except such agent,
accountant or counsel engaged to audit or review the results of Auctions as
permitted by this Section 2.7. The Fund reserves the right to disclose any such
information if it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would (i)
be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have
offered indemnification satisfactory to the Fund. Any such agent, accountant or
counsel, before having access to
6
such information, shall agree to keep such information confidential and not to
disclose such information or permit disclosure of such information without the
prior written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer, provided that such agent,
accountant or counsel may reserve the right to disclose any such information if
it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or
(ii) expose it to liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have offered
indemnification satisfactory to such agent, accountant or counsel. The Auction
Agent shall have no responsibility for, and shall have no liability in
connection with, the Fund's performance of its duties under this Section 2.7.
III. THE AUCTION AGENT AS PAYING AGENT.
3.1 The Paying Agent.
The Board of Directors of the Fund has adopted a resolution appointing The
Bank of New York as Auction Agent and Paying Agent. The Paying Agent hereby
accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with its standard
procedures and the provisions of the Articles Supplementary which are specified
herein with respect to the AMPS and as set forth in this Section 3.
3.2 The Fund's Notices to the Paying Agent.
Whenever any AMPS are to be redeemed, the Fund promptly shall deliver to
the Paying Agent a Notice of Redemption, which will be mailed by the Paying
Agent to each Holder at least five Business Days prior to the date such Notice
of Redemption is required to be mailed pursuant to the Articles Supplementary.
The Paying Agent shall have no responsibility to confirm or verify the accuracy
of any such Notice.
3.3 The Fund to Provide Funds for Dividends and Redemptions.
(a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Dividend Payment Date, the Fund
shall deposit with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of Federal Funds or
similar same-day funds equal to the declared dividends to be paid to Holders on
such Dividend Payment Date, and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable written
instructions to apply such funds to the payment of such dividends on such
Dividend Payment Date.
(b) If the Fund shall give a Notice of Redemption, then by noon of the
date fixed for redemption, the Fund shall deposit in trust with the Paying Agent
an aggregate amount of Federal Funds or similar same-day funds sufficient to
redeem such AMPS called for redemption and shall give the Paying Agent
irrevocable written instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to
the Holders of AMPS called for redemption upon surrender of the certificate or
certificates therefor.
3.4 Disbursing Dividends and Redemption Price.
After receipt of the Federal Funds or similar same-day funds and
instructions from the Fund described in Section 3.3 above, the Paying Agent
shall pay to the Holders (or former Holders) entitled thereto (i) on each
Dividend Payment Date, dividends on the AMPS, and (ii) on any date fixed for
redemption, the redemption price of any shares of AMPS called for redemption.
The amount of dividends for any Dividend Period to be paid by the Paying Agent
to Holders will be determined by the Fund as set forth in Section 2 of Part I of
the Articles Supplementary. The redemption price to be paid by the Paying Agent
to the Holders of any shares of AMPS called for redemption will be determined as
set forth in Section 3 of Part I of the Articles Supplementary. The Paying Agent
shall have no duty to determine the redemption price and may rely on the amount
thereof set forth in the Notice of Redemption.
7
IV. THE PAYING AGENT AS TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.
4.1 Original Issue of Share Certificates.
On the Date of Original Issue of the AMPS, one certificate for the series
of AMPS shall be issued by the Fund and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as
nominee of the Securities Depository, and countersigned by the Paying Agent.
4.2 Registration of Transfer or Exchange of Shares.
Except as provided in this Section 4.2, the AMPS shall be registered solely
in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee. If the Securities
Depository shall give notice of its intention to resign as such, and if the Fund
shall not have selected a substitute Securities Depository acceptable to the
Paying Agent prior to such resignation, then upon such resignation the AMPS at
the Fund's request, may be registered for transfer or exchange, and a new
certificate thereupon shall be issued in the name of the designated transferee
or transferees, upon surrender of the old certificate in form deemed by the
Paying Agent to be properly endorsed for transfer with (a) all necessary
endorsers' signatures guaranteed in such manner and form and by such guarantor
as the Paying Agent may reasonably require, (b) such assurances as the Paying
Agent shall deem necessary or appropriate to evidence the genuineness and
effectiveness of each necessary endorsement and (c) satisfactory evidence of
compliance with all applicable laws relating to the collection of taxes in
connection with any registration of transfer or exchange or funds necessary for
the payment of such taxes. If the certificate for the AMPS is not held by the
Securities Depository or its nominee, payments upon transfer of shares in an
Auction shall be made in Federal Funds or similar same-day funds to the Auction
Agent against delivery of certificates therefor.
4.3 Removal of Legend.
Any request for removal of a legend indicating a restriction on transfer
from a certificate evidencing AMPS shall be accompanied by an opinion of counsel
stating that such legend may be removed and such shares may be transferred free
of the restriction described in such legend, said opinion to be delivered under
cover of a letter from a Fund Officer authorizing the Paying Agent to remove the
legend on the basis of said opinion.
4.4 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Shares Certificates.
The Paying Agent shall issue and register a replacement certificate for a
certificate represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
fulfillment of such requirements as shall be deemed appropriate by the Fund and
by the Paying Agent, subject at all times to provisions of law, the Articles
Supplementary governing such matters and resolutions adopted by the Fund with
respect to lost, stolen or destroyed securities. The Paying Agent may issue a
new certificate in exchange for and upon the cancellation of a mutilated
certificate. Any request by the Fund to the Paying Agent to issue a replacement
or new certificate pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Fund to the Paying Agent that such issuance
will comply with provisions of applicable law and the Articles Supplementary and
resolutions of the Fund.
4.5 Disposition of Canceled Certificates: Record Retention.
The Paying Agent shall retain stock certificates which have been canceled
in transfer or in exchange and accompanying documentation in accordance with
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") for at least two calendar years from the date of such
cancellation. The Paying Agent, upon written request by the Fund, shall afford
to the Fund, its
8
agents and counsel access at reasonable times during normal business hours to
review and make extracts or copies (at the Fund's sole cost and expense) of such
certificates and accompanying documentation. Upon written request by the Fund at
any time within the six month period commencing immediately after the expiration
of this two-year period, the Paying Agent shall deliver to the Fund the canceled
certificates and accompanying documentation. The Fund, at its expense, shall
retain such records for a minimum additional period of at least four calendar
years from the date of delivery of the records to the Fund and shall make such
records available during this period at any time, or from time to time, for
reasonable periodic, special, or other examinations by representatives of the
Commission. The Fund also shall undertake to furnish to the Commission, upon
demand, either at its principal office or at any regional office, complete,
correct and current hard copies of any and all such records. Thereafter, such
records shall not be destroyed by the Fund without the approval of the Paying
Agent, which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably, but will be safely
stored for possible future reference.
4.6 Stock Register.
The Paying Agent shall maintain the stock register, which shall contain a
list of the Holders, the number of shares held by each Holder and the address of
each Holder. The Paying Agent shall record in the stock register any change of
address of a Holder upon written notice by such Holder. In case of any written
request or demand for the inspection of the share register or any other books of
the Fund in the possession of the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will notify the
Fund and secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection. The
Paying Agent reserves the right, however, to exhibit the stock register or other
records to any person in case it is advised by its counsel that its failure to
do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless the Fund
shall have offered indemnification satisfactory to the Paying Agent.
4.7 Return of Funds.
Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent by the Fund for any reason (other
than for the payment of amounts due to the Paying Agent) under this Agreement,
including for the payment of dividends or the redemption of AMPS, that remain
with the Paying Agent after 12 months shall be repaid to the Fund upon written
request by the Fund.
V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
5.1 Representations and Warranties of the Fund.
The Fund represents and warrants to the Auction Agent that:
(i) the Fund is duly organized and is validly existing as a
corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, and has full power to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to authorize, create and issue the AMPS;
(ii) the Fund is registered with the Commission under the 1940
Act as a closed-end, non-diversified, management investment company;
(iii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Fund and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Fund, enforceable against the Fund in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general
equitable principles;
9
(iv) the form of the certificate evidencing the AMPS complies
with all applicable laws of the State of Maryland;
(v) the AMPS have been duly and validly authorized by the Fund
and, upon completion of the initial sale of the AMPS and receipt of payment
therefor, will be validly issued by the Fund, fully paid and nonassessable;
(vi) at the time of the offering of the AMPS, the shares offered
will be registered under the Securities Act and no further action by or before
any governmental body or authority of the United States or of any state thereof
is required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
will be required in connection with the issuance of shares of the AMPS, except
such action as required by applicable state securities laws;
(vii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
issuance and delivery of the AMPS do not and will not conflict with, violate, or
result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a
default under, the Articles of Incorporation, any order or decree of any court
or public authority having jurisdiction over the Fund, or any mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement or undertaking to which the Fund is a party or by
which it is bound; and
(viii) no taxes are payable upon or in respect of the execution
of this Agreement or will be payable upon or in respect of the issuance of the
AMPS.
5.2 Representations and Warranties of the Auction Agent.
The Auction Agent represents and warrants to the Fund that:
(i) the Auction Agent is duly organized and is validly existing
as a banking corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of New
York and has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under
this Agreement; and
(ii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Auction Agent and constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Auction Agent, enforceable against the Auction Agent
in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equitable principles.
VI. THE AUCTION AGENT.
6.1 Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Fund hereunder
and owes no fiduciary duties to any Person.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such
duties as are set forth specifically in this Agreement, and no implied covenants
or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Auction Agent.
10
(c) In the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on its
part, the Auction Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its
duties under this Agreement.
(d) In no event shall the Auction Agent be liable for special,
punitive, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever
(including, but not limited to, lost profits), even if the Auction Agent has
been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form
of action.
6.2 Rights of the Auction Agent.
(a) The Auction Agent may conclusively rely upon, and shall be fully
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized
hereby and any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report,
certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document reasonably
believed by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for acting
or refraining from acting upon any telephone communication authorized hereby
which the Auction Agent reasonably believes in good faith to have been given by
the Fund or by a Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent may record telephone
communications with the Fund or with the Broker-Dealers or with both.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its choice, and the
advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good
faith and in reasonable reliance thereon.
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the
performance of its duties hereunder. The Auction Agent shall be under no
liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise
agreed in writing with the Fund.
(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights
hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and, in the
absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of any such agent
or attorney, shall not be responsible for the conduct on the part of any such
agent or attorney appointed by it with due care.
(e) The Auction Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith unless the Auction Agent shall have been grossly negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts necessary to make such judgment. In no event
shall the Auction Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or
damages of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profits),
even if the Auction Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or
damages and regardless of the form of action, except in the event of willful
misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Auction Agent.
(f) The Auction Agent shall not be required to and shall make no
representations and have no responsibilities as to the validity, accuracy, value
or genuineness of any signatures or endorsements, other than its own. The
Auction Agent makes no representations as to and shall have no liability with
respect to the correctness of the recitals in, or the validity, accuracy or
adequacy of this Agreement, any Broker-Dealer Agreement, any offering material
used in connection with the offer and sale of the AMPS or any other agreement or
instrument executed in connection with the transactions contemplated herein or
in any thereof. The Auction Agent shall have no obligation or liability in
respect of the registration or exemption therefrom of the AMPS under federal or
state securities laws in respect of the sufficiency or the conformity of any
transfer of the AMPS pursuant to the terms of the Auction
11
Agency Agreement, any Broker Dealer Agreement, or any other document
contemplated thereby or related thereto.
(g) Whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Agreement
the Auction Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved
or established prior to taking or suffering any action to be taken hereunder,
such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the
part of the Auction Agent, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established
by a certificate signed by the Fund or the Broker-Dealer, and delivered to the
Auction Agent and such certificate, in the absence of gross negligence or
willful misconduct on the part of the Auction Agent, shall be full warrant to
the Auction Agent for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of
this Agreement upon the faith thereof.
(h) The Auction Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, entitlement order,
approval or other paper or document furnished by Fund or the Broker-Dealer,
except to the extent that such failure to investigate would be deemed grossly
negligent.
(i) Any corporation into which the Auction Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Auction Agent shall be
a party, or any corporation succeeding to the Dealing and Trading business of
the Auction Agent shall be the successor of the Auction Agent hereunder, with
the consent of the Fund but without the execution of filing any paper with any
party hereto or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, except
where any instrument of transfer or assignment is required by law to effect such
succession, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
6.3 Compensation, Expenses and Indemnification.
(a) The Fund shall pay to the Auction Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it under this Agreement and
under the Broker-Dealer Agreements as shall be set forth in a separate writing
signed by the Fund and the Auction Agent, subject to adjustments if the AMPS no
longer are held of record by the Securities Depository or its nominee or if
there shall be such other change as shall increase or decrease materially the
Auction Agent's obligations hereunder or under the Broker-Dealer Agreements.
(b) The Fund shall reimburse the Auction Agent upon its request for
all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the
Auction Agent in accordance with any provision of this Agreement and of the
Broker-Dealer Agreements (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any expense, disbursement or
advance attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(c) The Fund shall indemnify the Auction Agent and its officers,
directors, employees and agents for, and hold it harmless against, any loss,
liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on
the part of the Auction Agent arising out of or in connection with its agency
under this Agreement and under the Broker-Dealer Agreements, including the costs
and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection
with its exercise or performance of any of its duties hereunder and thereunder,
except such as may result from its gross negligence or willful misconduct.
6.4 Force Majeure
12
The Auction Agent shall not be responsible for or liable for any
failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement
arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its
reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes;
fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots;
acts of terrorism; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities; computer
(hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes;
acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions; it being understood
that the Auction Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with
accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as
practicable under the circumstances.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS.
7.1 Term of Agreement.
(a) The term of this Agreement is unlimited unless it shall be
terminated as provided in this Section 7.1. The Fund may terminate this
Agreement at any time by so notifying the Auction Agent in writing, provided
that, if any AMPS remain outstanding, the Fund shall have entered into an
agreement with a successor auction agent. The Auction Agent may terminate this
Agreement upon prior notice to the Fund on the date specified in such notice,
which date shall be no earlier than 60 days after delivery of such notice. The
Auction Agent may resign after 30 days following the delivery of notice to the
Fund that the Auction Agent has not been paid amounts due to it. If the Auction
Agent terminates this Agreement while any AMPS remains outstanding, the Fund
shall use its best efforts to enter into an agreement with a successor auction
agent containing substantially the same terms and conditions as this Agreement.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.1(b), the
respective rights and duties of the Fund and the Auction Agent under this
Agreement shall cease upon termination of this Agreement. The Fund's
representations, warranties, covenants and obligations to the Auction Agent
under Sections 5.1 and 6.3 hereof shall survive the termination hereof. Upon
termination of this Agreement, the Auction Agent shall (i) resign as Auction
Agent under the Broker-Dealer Agreements, (ii) at the Fund's written request,
deliver promptly to the Fund copies of all books and records maintained by it in
connection with its duties hereunder, and (iii) at the written request of the
Fund, transfer promptly to the Fund or to any successor auction agent any funds
deposited by the Fund with the Auction Agent (whether in its capacity as Auction
Agent or as Paying Agent) pursuant to this Agreement which have not been
distributed previously by the Auction Agent in accordance with this Agreement.
7.2 Communications.
Except for (i) communications authorized to be made by telephone pursuant
to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii) communications in
connection with Auctions (other than those expressly required to be in writing),
all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be
in writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given to such
party at its address or telecopier number set forth below:
13
If to the Fund, Xxxxx & Steers REIT and Utility Income Fund, Inc.
addressed to: Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
If to the Auction Agent, The Bank of New York
addressed to: Corporate Trust Administration
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Dealing and Trading Group - Auction Desk
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
or such other address or telecopier number as such parry hereafter may specify
for such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or
communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein.
Communications shall be given on behalf of the Fund by a Fund Officer and on
behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer.
7.3 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations,
endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings, oral, written or implied,
between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, except for written
agreements relating to the compensation of the Auction Agent.
7.4 Benefits.
Nothing herein, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than
the Fund, the Auction Agent and their respective successors and assigns, any
benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.
7.5 Amendment; Waiver.
(a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified,
amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a written
instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be
charged. The Fund shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of any change in the
Articles Supplementary prior to the effective date of any such change. If any
such change in the Articles Supplementary materially increases the Auction
Agent's obligations hereunder, the Fund shall obtain the written consent of the
Auction Agent prior to the effective date of such change.
(b) Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or remedy
hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall not
constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any subsequent
breach.
14
7.6 Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the
Fund and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party
hereto absent the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall
not be withheld unreasonably.
7.7 Severability.
If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or
unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of
the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.
7.8 Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall
be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.
7.9 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed
in said state.
7.10 Jurisdiction.
The parties agree that all actions and proceedings arising out of this
Auction Agency Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
brought in the County of New York, and, in connection with any such action or
proceeding, submit to the jurisdiction of, and venue in, such County. Each of
the parties hereto also irrevocably waives all right to trial by jury in any
action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
[Signature pages follow]
15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the date first above written.
XXXXX & STEERS REIT AND UTILITY
INCOME FUND, INC.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, As Auction Agent
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
16
FORM OF MASTER BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
between
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
and
----------
dated as of March [_], 2004
relating to
Preferred Shares ("Preferred Shares")
of
EACH OF THE XXXXX & STEERS FUNDS LISTED HEREIN
----------
A-1
17
EXHIBIT B
(Note: To be used only for transfers made other than pursuant to an Auction)
TRANSFER FORM
Re: XXXXX & STEERS REIT AND UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC. Auction Market
Preferred Shares ("AMPS")
We are (check one):
[_] the Existing Holder named below;
[_] the Broker-Dealer for such Existing Holder; or
[_] the Agent Member for such Existing Holder.
We hereby notify you that such Beneficial Owner has transferred ___________
Series T28 AMPS to _____________________________.
---------------------------------------
(Name of Existing Holder)
---------------------------------------
(Name of Broker-Dealer)
---------------------------------------
(Name of Agent Member)
By:
------------------------
Printed Name:
Title:
B-1
EXHIBIT C
(Note: To be used only for failures to deliver or to pay for
AMPS sold pursuant to an Auction)
NOTICE OF A FAILURE TO DELIVER
We are a Broker-Dealer for ___________________ (the "Purchaser"), which
purchased ________ Series [_] AMPS of XXXXX & STEERS REIT AND UTILITY INCOME
FUND, INC. in the Auction held on _____________________ from the seller of such
shares.
We hereby notify you that (check one):
_____ the Seller failed to deliver such shares to the Purchaser.
_____ the Purchaser failed to make payment to the Seller upon delivery of
such shares.
Name:
---------------------------------
(Name of Broker-Dealer)
By:
---------------------------------
Printed Name:
Title:
C-1
