TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 30th day of April, 1993, between INVESCO
Tax-Free Income Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation, having its principal office
and place of business at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 00000
(hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") and INVESCO Funds Group, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, having its principal place of business at 0000 X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX 00000 (hereinafter referred to as the "Transfer Agent").
WITNESSETH:
That for and in consideration of mutual promises hereinafter set forth,
the Fund and the Transfer Agent agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Whenever used in this Agreement, the
following words and phrases, unless the context
otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include the
President, any Vice President, the Secretary,
Treasurer, or any other person, whether or not any
such person is an officer or employee of the Fund,
duly authorized to give Oral Instructions and
Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund as
indicated in a certification as may be received by
the Transfer Agent from time to time;
(b) "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction or other
instrument in writing, authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given to the Transfer Agent, which is actually
received by the Transfer Agent and signed on behalf of the
Fund by any two officers thereof;
(c) "Commission" shall have the meaning given it in the
1940 Act;
(d) "Custodian" refers to the custodian of all of the
securities and other moneys owned by the Fund;
(e) "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually
received by the Transfer Agent from a person reasonably
believed by the Transfer Agent to be an Authorized Person;
(f) "Prospectus" shall mean the currently effective
prospectus relating to the Fund's Shares
registered under the Securities Act of 1933;
(g) "Shares" refers to the shares of common stock, $.01
par value, of the Fund;
(h) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares;
(i) "Written Instructions" shall mean a written communication
actually received by the Transfer Agent where the receiver is
able to verify with a reasonable degree of certainty the
authenticity of the sender of such communication; and
(j) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940
and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from
time to time.
2. Representation of Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent does hereby
represent and warrant to the Fund that it has an effective
registration statement on SEC Form TA-1 and, accordingly, has duly
registered as a transfer agent as provided in Section 17A(c) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
3. Appointment of the Transfer Agent. The Fund hereby appoints and
constitutes the Transfer Agent as transfer agent for all of the
Shares of the Fund authorized as of the date hereof, and the
Transfer Agent accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the
duties herein set forth. If the board of directors of the Fund
hereafter reclassifies the Shares, by the creation of one or more
additional series or otherwise, the Transfer Agent agrees that it
will act as transfer agent for the Shares so reclassified on the
terms set forth herein.
4. Compensation.
(a) The Fund will initially compensate the Transfer Agent for its
services rendered under this Agreement in accordance with the
fees set forth in the Fee Schedule annexed hereto and
incorporated herein.
(b) The parties hereto will agree upon the compensation for acting
as transfer agent for any series of Shares hereafter
designated and established at the time that the Transfer Agent
commences serving as such for said series, and such agreement
shall be reflected in a Fee Schedule for that series, dated
and signed by an authorized officer of each party hereto, to
be attached to this Agreement.
(c) Any compensation agreed to hereunder may be adjusted from time
to time by attaching to this Agreement a revised Fee Schedule,
dated and signed by an authorized officer of each party
hereto, and a certified copy of the resolution of the board of
directors of the Fund authorizing such revised Fee Schedule.
(d) The Transfer Agent will xxxx the Fund as soon as practicable
after the end of each calendar month, and said xxxxxxxx will
be detailed in accordance with the Fee Schedule for the Fund.
The Fund will promptly pay to the Transfer Agent the amount of
such billing.
5. Documents. In connection with the appointment of the Transfer Agent,
the Fund shall, on or before the date this Agreement goes into
effect, file with the Transfer Agent the following documents:
(a) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund,
including all amendments thereto, as then in effect;
(b) A certified copy of the Bylaws of the Fund, as then in effect;
(c) Certified copies of the resolutions of the board of directors
authorizing this Agreement and designating Authorized Persons
to give instructions to the Transfer Agent;
(d) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the
form approved by the board of directors, with a certificate of
the Secretary of the Fund as to such approval;
(e) All account application forms and other documents relating to
Shareholder accounts;
(f) A certified list of Shareholders of the Fund with the name,
address and tax identification number of each Shareholder, and
the number of Shares held by each, certificate numbers and
denominations (if any certificates have been issued), lists of
any accounts against which stops have been placed, together
with the reasons for said stops, and the number of Shares
redeemed by the Fund;
(g) Copies of all agreements then in effect between the Fund and
any agent with respect to the issuance, sale, or cancellation
of Shares; and
(h) An opinion of counsel for the Fund with respect to the
validity of the Shares.
6. Further Documentation. The Fund will also furnish from time to time
the following documents:
(a) Each resolution of the board of directors authorizing the
original issue of Shares;
(b) Each Registration Statement filed with the Commission, and
amendments and orders with respect thereto, in effect with
respect to the sale of Shares of the Fund;
(c) A certified copy of each amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Fund;
(d) Certified copies of each resolution of the board of directors
designating Authorized Persons to give instructions to the
Transfer Agent;
(e) Certificates as to any change in any officer, director, or
Authorized Person of the Fund;
(f) Specimens of all new certificates for Shares accompanied by
the Fund's resolutions of the board of directors approving
such forms; and
(g) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as may mutually
be deemed necessary or appropriate for the Transfer Agent in
the proper performance of its duties.
7. Certificates for Shares and Records Pertaining Thereto.
(a) At the expense of the Fund, the Transfer Agent shall maintain
an adequate supply of blank share certificates to meet the
Transfer Agent's requirements therefor. Such share
certificates shall be properly signed by facsimile. The Fund
agrees that, notwithstanding the death, resignation, or
removal of any officer of the Fund whose signature appears on
such certificates, the Transfer Agent may continue to
countersign certificates which bear such signatures until
otherwise directed by the Fund.
(b) The Transfer Agent agrees to prepare, issue and mail
certificates as requested by the Shareholders for Shares of
the Fund in accordance with the instructions of the Fund and
to confirm such issuance to the Shareholder and the Fund or
its designee.
(c) The Fund hereby authorizes the Transfer Agent to issue
replacement share certificates in lieu of certificates which
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, without any further
action by the board of directors or any officer of the Fund,
upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of properly executed
affidavits or lost certificate bonds, in form satisfactory to
the Transfer Agent, with the Fund and the Transfer Agent as
obligees under any such bond.
(d) The Transfer Agent shall also maintain a record of each
certificate issued, the number of Shares represented thereby
and the holder of record. The Transfer Agent shall further
maintain a stop transfer record on lost and/or replaced
certificates.
(e) The Transfer Agent may establish such additional rules and
regulations governing the transfer or registration of
certificates for Shares as it may deem advisable and
consistent with such rules and regulations generally adopted
by transfer agents.
8. Sale of Fund Shares.
(a) Whenever the Fund or its authorized agent shall sell or cause
to be sold any Shares, the Fund or its authorized agent shall
provide or cause to be provided to the Transfer Agent
information including: (i) the number of Shares sold, trade
date, and price; (ii) the amount of money to be delivered to
the Custodian for the sale of such Shares; (iii) in the case
of a new account, a new account application or sufficient
information to establish an account.
(b) The Transfer Agent will, upon receipt by it of a check or
other payment identified by it as an investment in Shares of
the Fund and drawn or endorsed to the Transfer Agent as agent
for, or identified as being for the account of, the Fund,
promptly deposit such check or other payment to the
appropriate account postings necessary to reflect the
investment. The Transfer Agent will notify the Fund, or its
designee, and the Custodian of all purchases and related
account adjustments.
(c) Upon receipt of the notification required under paragraph (a)
hereof and the notification from the Custodian that such money
has been received by it, the Transfer Agent shall issue to the
purchaser or his authorized agent such Shares as he is
entitled to receive, based on the appropriate net asset value
of the Fund's Shares, determined in accordance with applicable
federal law or regulation, as described in the Prospectus for
the Fund. In issuing Shares to a purchaser or his authorized
agent, the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to rely upon the
latest written directions, if any, previously received by the
Transfer Agent from the purchaser or his authorized agent
concerning the delivery of such Shares.
(d) The Transfer Agent shall not be required to issue any Shares
of the Fund where it has received Written Instructions from
the Fund or written notification from any appropriate federal
or state authority that the sale of the Shares of the Fund has
been suspended or discontinued, and the Transfer Agent shall
be entitled to rely upon such Written Instructions or written
notification.
(e) Upon the issuance of any Shares of the Fund in accordance with
the foregoing provision of this Article, the Transfer Agent
shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue
or other taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection
with such issuance.
9. Returned Checks. In the event that any check or other order for the
payment of money is returned unpaid for any reason, the Transfer
Agent will: (i) give prompt notice of such return to the Fund or its
designee; (ii) place a stop transfer order against all Shares issued
or held on deposit as a result of such check or order; (iii) in the
case of any Shareholder who has obtained redemption checks, place a
stop payment order on the checking account on which such checks are
issued; and (iv) take such other steps as the Transfer Agent may, in
its discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund or its designee may
instruct.
10. Redemptions.
(a) Redemptions By Mail or In Person. Shares of the Fund will be
redeemed upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of: (i) a written
request for redemption, signed by each registered owner
exactly as the Shares are registered; (ii) certificates
properly endorsed for any Shares for which certificates have
been issued; (iii) signature guarantees to the extent required
by the Transfer Agent as described in the Prospectus for the
Fund; and (iv) any additional documents required by the
Transfer Agent for redemption by corporations, executors,
administrators, trustees and guardians.
(b) Wire Orders or Telephone Redemptions. The Transfer Agent will,
consistent with procedures which may be established by the
Fund from time to time for redemption by wire or telephone,
upon receipt of such a wire order or telephone redemption
request, redeem Shares and transmit the proceeds of such
redemption to the redeeming Shareholder as directed. All wire
or telephone redemptions will be subject to such additional
requirements as may be described in the Prospectus for the
Fund. Both the Fund and the Transfer Agent reserve the right
to modify or terminate the procedures for wire order or
telephone redemptions at any time.
(c) Processing Redemptions. Upon receipt of all necessary
information and documentation relating to a redemption, the
Transfer Agent will issue to the Custodian an advice setting
forth the number of Shares of the Fund received by the
Transfer Agent for redemption and that such shares are
valid and in good form for redemption. The Transfer Agent
shall, upon receipt of the moneys paid to it by the Custodian
for the redemption of Shares, pay such moneys to the
Shareholder, his authorized agent or legal representative.
11. Transfers and Exchanges. The Transfer Agent is authorized to review
and process transfers of Shares of the Fund and to the extent, if
any, permitted in the Prospectus for the Fund, exchanges between the
Fund and other mutual funds advised by INVESCO Funds Group, Inc., on
the records of the Fund maintained by the Transfer Agent. If Shares
to be transferred are represented by outstanding certificates, the
Transfer Agent will, upon surrender to it of the certificates in
proper form for transfer, and upon cancellation thereof, countersign
and issue new certificates for a like number of Shares and deliver
the same. If the Shares to be transferred are not represented by
outstanding certificates, the Transfer Agent will, upon an order
therefor by or on behalf of the registered holder thereof in proper
form, credit the same to the transferee on its books. If Shares
are to be exchanged for Shares of another mutual fund, the Transfer
Agent will process such exchange in the same manner as a redemption
and sale of Shares, except that it may in its discretion waive
requirements for information and documentation.
12. Right to Seek Assurances. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to
refuse to transfer or redeem Shares until it is satisfied that the
requested transfer or redemption is legally authorized, and it shall
incur no liability for the refusal, in good faith, to make transfers
or redemptions which the Transfer Agent, in its judgment, deems
improper or unauthorized, or until it is satisfied that there is no
basis for any claims adverse to such transfer or redemption. The
Transfer Agent may, in effecting transfers, rely upon the provisions
of the Uniform Act for the Simplification of Fiduciary Security
Transfers or the Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may be amended
from time to time, which in the opinion of legal counsel for the
Fund or of its own legal counsel protect it in not requiring certain
documents in connection with the transfer or redemption of Shares of
the Fund, and the Fund shall indemnify the Transfer Agent for any
act done or omitted by it in reliance upon such laws or opinions of
counsel to the Fund or of its own counsel.
13. Distributions.
(a) The Fund will promptly notify the Transfer Agent of the
declaration of any dividend or distribution. The Fund shall
furnish to the Transfer Agent a resolution of the board of
directors of the Fund certified by the Secretary authorizing
the declaration of dividends and authorizing the Transfer
Agent to rely on Oral Instructions or a Certificate specifying
the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution,
the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which
Shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the
amount payable per share to Shareholders of record as of
that date, and the total amount payable to the Transfer Agent
on the payment date.
(b) The Transfer Agent will, on or before the payable date of any
dividend or distribution, notify the Custodian of the
estimated amount of cash required to pay said dividend or
distribution, and the Fund agrees that, on or before the
mailing date of such dividend or distribution, it shall
instruct the Custodian to place in a dividend disbursing
account funds equal to the cash amount to be paid out. The
Transfer Agent, in accordance with Shareholder instructions,
will calculate, prepare and mail checks to, or (where
appropriate) credit such dividend or distribution to the
account of, Fund Shareholders, and maintain and safeguard all
underlying records.
(c) The Transfer Agent will replace lost checks upon receipt of
properly executed affidavits and maintain stop payment orders
against replaced checks.
(d) The Transfer Agent will maintain all records necessary to
reflect the crediting of dividends which are reinvested in
Shares of the Fund.
(e) The Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any improper
payments made in accordance with the resolution of the board
of directors of the Fund.
(f) If the Transfer Agent shall not receive from the Custodian
sufficient cash to make payment to all Shareholders of the
Fund as of the record date, the Transfer Agent shall, upon
notifying the Fund, withhold payment to all Shareholders of
record as of the record date until such sufficient cash is
provided to the Transfer Agent.
14. Other Duties. In addition to the duties expressly provided for
herein, the Transfer Agent shall perform such other duties and
functions as are set forth in the Fee Schedules(s) hereto from time
to time.
15. Taxes. It is understood that the Transfer Agent shall file such
appropriate information returns concerning the payment of dividends
and capital gain distributions with the proper federal, state and
local authorities as are required by law to be filed by the Fund and
shall withhold such sums as are required to be withheld by
applicable law.
16. Books and Records.
(a) The Transfer Agent shall maintain records showing for each
investor's account the following: (i) names, addresses, tax
identifying numbers and assigned account numbers; (ii) numbers
of Shares held; (iii) historical information regarding the
account of each Shareholder, including dividends paid and date
and price of all transactions on a Shareholder's account; (iv)
any stop or restraining order placed against a Shareholder's
account; (v) information with respect to withholdings in the
case of a foreign account; (vi) any capital gain or dividend
reinvestment order, plan application, dividend address and
correspondence relating to the current maintenance of a
Shareholder's account; (vii) certificate numbers and
denominations for any Shareholders holding certificates; and
(viii) any information required in order for the Transfer
Agent to perform the calculations contemplated or required by
this Agreement.
(b) Any records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the
1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed in Rule
31a-2 under the 1940 Act. Such records may be inspected by
the Fund at reasonable times. The Transfer Agent may, at its
option at any time, and shall forthwith upon the Fund's
demand, turn over to the Fund and cease to retain in the
Transfer Agent's files, records and documents created and
maintained by the Transfer Agent in performance of its
services or for its protection. At the end of the six-year
retention period, such records and documents will either
be turned over to the Fund, or destroyed in accordance with
the Fund's authorization.
17. Shareholder Relations.
(a) The Transfer Agent will investigate all Shareholder inquiries
related to Shareholder accounts and respond promptly to
correspondence from Shareholders.
(b) The Transfer Agent will address and mail all communications to
Shareholders or their nominees, including proxy material and
periodic reports to Shareholders.
(c) In connection with special and annual meetings of
Shareholders, the Transfer Agent will prepare Shareholder
lists, mail and certify as to the mailing of proxy materials,
process and tabulate returned proxy cards, report on proxies
voted prior to meetings, and certify to the Secretary of the
Fund Shares to be voted at meetings.
18. Reliance by Transfer Agent; Instructions.
(a) The Transfer Agent shall be protected in acting upon any paper
or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed by an Authorized Person and shall not be held to have
any notice of any change of authority of any person until
receipt of written certification thereof from the Fund. It
shall also be protected in processing Share certificates which
it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile
signatures of the officers of the Fund and the proper
countersignature of the Transfer Agent.
(b) At any time the Transfer Agent may apply to any Authorized
Person of the Fund for Written Instructions, and, at the
expense of the Fund, may seek advice from legal counsel for
the Fund, with respect to any matter arising in connection
with this Agreement, and it shall not be liable for any action
taken or not taken or suffered by it in good faith in
accordance with such Written Instructions or with the opinion
of such counsel. In addition, the Transfer Agent, its
officers, agents or employees, shall accept instructions
or requests given to them by any person representing or acting
on behalf of the Fund only if said representative is known by
the Transfer Agent, its officers, agents or employees, to be
an Authorized Person. The Transfer Agent shall have no duty
or obligation to inquire into, nor shall the Transfer Agent be
responsible for, the legality of any act done by it upon
the request or direction of Authorized Persons of the Fund.
(c) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this
Agreement, the Transfer Agent shall be under no duty or
obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for: (i)
the legality of the issue or sale of any Shares of the Fund,
or the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;
(ii) the legality of the redemption of any Shares of the Fund,
or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor; (iii)
the legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Fund,
or the legality of the issue of any Shares of the Fund in
payment of any stock dividend; or (iv) the legality of any
recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares of the Fund.
19. Standard of Care and Indemnification.
(a) The Transfer Agent may, in connection with this Agreement,
employ agents or attorneys in fact, and shall not be liable
for any loss arising out of or in connection with its actions
under this Agreement so long as it acts in good faith and with
due diligence, and is not negligent or guilty of any willful
misconduct.
(b) The Fund hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Transfer Agent from and against any and all claims, demands,
expenses and liabilities (whether with or without basis in
fact or law) of any and every nature which the Transfer Agent
may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the
Transfer Agent by any person by reason of, or as a result of:
(i) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Transfer
Agent in good faith in reliance upon any Certificate,
instrument, order or stock certificate believed by it to be
genuine and to be signed, countersigned or executed by any
duly Authorized Person, upon the Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions of an Authorized Person of the Fund or upon the
opinion of legal counsel for the Fund or its own counsel; or
(ii) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Transfer
Agent in connection with its appointment in good faith in
reliance upon any law, act, regulation or interpretation of
the same even though the same may thereafter have been
altered, changed, amended or repealed. However,
indemnification hereunder shall not apply to actions or
omissions of the Transfer Agent or its directors, officers,
employees or agents in cases of its own gross negligence,
willful misconduct, bad faith, or reckless disregard of its
or their own duties hereunder.
20. Affiliation Between Fund and Transfer Agent. It is understood that
the directors, officers, employees, agents and Shareholders of the
Fund, and the officers, directors, employees, agents and
shareholders of the Fund's investment adviser, INVESCO Funds Group,
Inc. (the "Adviser"), are or may be interested in the Transfer Agent
as directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders, or
otherwise, and that the directors, officers, employees, agents or
shareholders of the Transfer Agent may be interested in the Fund as
directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders, or otherwise,
or in the Adviser as officers, directors, employees, agents,
shareholders or otherwise.
21. Term.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which it
is approved by vote of a majority (as defined in the 0000 Xxx)
of the Fund's board of directors, including a majority of the
directors who are not interested persons of the Fund (as
defined in the 1940 Act), or the date on which the Transfer
Agent's registration statement on SEC Form TA-1 becomes
effective (whichever occurs later), and shall continue in
effect for an initial term of one year, and from year to year
thereafter, so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually both: (i) by either the board of
directors or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund; and (ii) by a vote of the majority of
the directors who are not interested persons of the Fund (as
defined in the 0000 Xxx) cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting upon such approval.
(b) Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by
giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the
date of such termination, which shall not be less than 60 days
after the date of receipt of such notice. In the event such
notice is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a
resolution of the board of directors, certified by the
Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and
designating a successor transfer agent.
22. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties with
the formality of this Agreement, and (i) authorized or approved by
the resolution of the board of directors, including a majority of
the directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund
as defined in the 1940 Act, or (ii) authorized and approved by such
other procedures as may be permitted or required by the 1940 Act.
23. Subcontracting. The Fund agrees that the Transfer Agent may, in its
discretion, subcontract for certain of the services to be provided
hereunder; provided, however, that the transfer agent will be liable
to the Fund for any loss arising out of or in connection with the
actions of any subcontractor, if the subcontractor fails to act in
good faith and with due diligence or is negligent or guilty of any
willful misconduct.
24. Miscellaneous.
(a) Any notice and other instrument in writing, authorized or
required by this Agreement to be given to the Fund or the
Transfer Agent, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to
that party and mailed or delivered to it at its office set
forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time
designate in writing.
To the Fund:
INVESCO Tax-Free Income Funds, Inc.
Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxx 000000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, President
To the Transfer Agent:
INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.
Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxx 000000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxx X. Xxxxxx, President
(b) This Agreement shall not be assignable and in the event of its
assignment (in the sense contemplated by the 1940 Act), it
shall automatically terminate.
(c) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Colorado.
(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such
counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective corporate officers thereunder duly authorized and
their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year
first above written.
INVESCO TAX-FREE INCOME FUNDS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, President
ATTEST:
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Secretary
INVESCO FUNDS GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------
Xxx X. Xxxxxx, President
ATTEST:
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Secretary
