INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
and
INDEPENDENCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
Relating to
VALUE EQUITY FUND
SMALL CAPITALIZATION FUND
FLEXIBLY MANAGED FUND
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
HIGH YIELD BOND FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT, made as of May 1, 1998 by and between
PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC. ("Penn Series"), a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Maryland, and INDEPENDENCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
INC. ("Adviser"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Pennsylvania.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Penn Series is an open-end management investment company
registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Act") and is authorized to issue shares in separate series with each series
representing interests in a separate fund of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, Adviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering
investment advisory services and is registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, Penn Series desires Adviser to render investment advisory
services to Penn Series in the manner and on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, and Adviser desires to render such services under such
terms and conditions:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Investment Advisory Services. Adviser shall serve as investment
adviser and shall supervise and direct the investments of the Value Equity,
Small Capitalization, Flexibly Managed, International Equity and the High Yield
Bond Funds of Penn Series (individually a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"),
in accordance with the investment objectives, program and restrictions
applicable to the Fund as provided in Penn Series' Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information, as amended from time to time, and such other limitations
as may be imposed by law or as Penn Series may impose with notice in writing to
Adviser. No investment will be made by Adviser for a Fund if that investment
would be in violation of the objectives, program, restrictions or limitations of
the Fund. Adviser shall not take custody of any assets of Penn Series, but shall
issue settlement instructions to the custodian designated by Penn Series (the
"Custodian"). Adviser shall obtain and evaluate such information relating to the
economy, industries, businesses, securities markets and securities as it may
deem necessary or useful in the discharge of its obligations hereunder and shall
formulate and implement a continuing program for the management of the assets
and resources of each Fund in a manner consistent with the investment objectives
of the Fund. In furtherance of this duty, Adviser, as agent and attorney-in-fact
with respect to Penn Series, is authorized, in its discretion and without prior
consultation with Penn Series, to:
(i) buy, sell, exchange, convert, lend, and otherwise trade in any
stocks, bonds, and other securities or assets; and
(ii) place orders and negotiate the commissions (if any) for the
execution of transactions in securities with or through such
brokers, dealers, underwriters or issuers as Adviser may
select, in conformance with the provisions of Paragraph 4
herein;
provided, however, that Adviser shall make no investment for a Fund that is in
violation of the objectives, program, restrictions or limitations of the Fund.
2. Accounting and Related Services. Adviser agrees to cooperate with
the Accounting Services Agent appointed by Penn Series pursuant to the
Accounting Services Agreement entered into by Penn Series and the Accounting
Services Agreement. As requested from time to time, Adviser shall provide Penn
Series and its Accounting Services Agent with such information as may be
reasonably necessary to properly account for financial transactions with respect
to each Fund.
3. Fees.
A. Payment of Fees. For the services rendered to Penn Series under
this Agreement, Penn Series will pay Adviser fees based on average
daily net assets of each Fund.
B. Fee Rates. The fees shall be paid at the following rates:
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Value Equity Fund .50%
Small Capitalization Fund .50%
Flexibly Managed Fund .50%
International Equity Fund .75%
High Yield Bond Fund .50%
C. Method of computation. Each fee shall be accrued for each
calendar day and the sum of the daily fee accruals shall be
paid monthly to Adviser as of the first business day of the
next succeeding calendar month. The daily fee will be computed
by multiplying the fraction of one over the number of calendar
days in the year by the annual rate applicable to the Fund as
set forth above, and multiplying this product by the net
assets of the Fund. The Fund's net assets, for purposes of the
calculations described above, will be determined in accordance
with Penn Series' Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information as of the close of business on the most recent
previous business day on which Penn Series was open for
business.
D. Expense Limitation. The expense limitations of the Funds
are as follows:
Value Equity Fund 1.00%
Small Capitalization Fund 1.00%
Flexibly Managed Fund 1.00%
International Equity Fund 1.50%
High Yield Bond Fund 0.90%
With respect to each of the Value Equity, Small
Capitalization and International Equity Funds, the extent that
a Fund's total expenses for a fiscal year (excluding interest,
taxes, brokerage, other expenses which are capitalized in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and
extraordinary expenses, but including investment advisory and
accounting, administrative and corporate services fees before
any adjustment pursuant to this provision) exceed the expense
limitation for the Fund in an amount up to and including .10%
of the average daily net assets of the Fund, such excess
amount shall be a liability of Adviser to Penn Series. The
liability (if any) of Adviser to pay Penn Series such excess
amount shall be determined on a daily basis. If, at the end of
each month, there is any liability of Adviser to pay Penn
Series such excess amount, the advisory fee shall be reduced
by such liability. If, at the end of each month, there is no
liability of Adviser to pay Penn Series such excess amount and
if payments of the advisory fee at the end of prior months
during the fiscal year have been reduced in excess of that
required to maintain expenses within the expense limitation,
such excess reduction shall be recaptured by Adviser and shall
be payable by Penn Series to Adviser along with the advisory
fee payable to Adviser for that month.
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With respect to each of the Flexibly Managed Fund and
the High Yield Bond Funds, to the extent that a Fund's total
expenses for a fiscal year (excluding interest, taxes,
brokerage, other expenses which are capitalized in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and
extraordinary expenses, but including investment advisory and
accounting administrative and corporate service fees before
any adjustment pursuant to this provision) exceed the expense
limitation for the Fund, one-half of such excess amount shall
be a liability of Adviser to Penn Series. The liability (if
any) of Adviser to pay Penn Series one-half of such excess
amount shall be determined on a daily basis. If, at the end of
each month, there is any liability of Adviser to pay Penn
Series such excess amount, the advisory fee shall be reduced
by such liability. If, at the end of each month, there is no
liability of Adviser to pay Penn Series such excess amount and
if payments of the advisory fee at the end of prior months
during the fiscal year have been reduced in excess of that
required to maintain expenses within the expense limitation,
such excess reduction shall be recaptured by Adviser and shall
be payable by Penn Series to Adviser along with the advisory
fee payable to Adviser for that month. If, at the end of the
fiscal year, there is any remaining liability of Adviser to
pay Penn Series such excess amount (which has not been paid
through reduction of the advisory fee), Adviser shall remit to
Penn Series an amount sufficient to pay such remaining
liability.
4. Brokerage. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers
or dealers for a Fund, Adviser will use its best efforts to seek the best price
and the most favorable execution of its orders. In assessing the best price and
the most favorable execution for any transaction, Adviser shall consider the
breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the skill,
financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any. Where best price and most favorable
execution will not be compromised, Adviser may take into account the research
and related services that the broker has provided to Penn Series or the Adviser.
It is understood that the Adviser will not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or
to have breached a fiduciary duty to the Fund or be in breach of any obligation
owing to the Fund under this Agreement, or otherwise, by reason of its having
directed a securities transaction on behalf of the Fund to a broker-dealer in
compliance with the provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 or as described from time to time in the Penn Series' Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information. In addition, Adviser is authorized to take
into account the sale of variable contracts which are invested in Penn Series
shares in allocating to brokers or dealers purchase and sale orders for
portfolio securities, provided that Adviser believes that the quality of the
transaction and commission are comparable to what they would be with other
qualified firms. Adviser shall regularly advise Penn Series' Board of Directors
as to all payments of commissions and as to its brokerage policies and practices
and shall follow such instructions with respect thereto as may be, given by Penn
Series' board.
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5. Use of the Services of Others. Adviser may (at its cost except as
contemplated in Section 4 of this Agreement) employ, retain or otherwise avail
itself of a sub-adviser or sub-advisors to assist it in performing its duties
and meeting its responsibilities under this Agreement, and may delegate to such
sub-adviser sub-advisers duties assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement. In
addition, Adviser may (at its cost, except as contemplated in Section 4 of this
Agreement) employ, retain or otherwise avail itself of the services or
facilities of other persons or organizations for the purpose of providing itself
or Penn Series, as appropriate, with such statistical and other factual
information, such advice regarding economic factors and trends, such advice as
to occasional transactions in specific securities or such other information,
advice or assistance as Adviser may deem necessary, appropriate or convenient
for the discharge of its obligations hereunder or otherwise helpful to Penn
Series, or in the discharge of Adviser's overall responsibilities with respect
to the other accounts which it serves as investment adviser.
6. Personnel, Office Space, and Facilities. Adviser at its own expense
shall furnish or provide and pay the cost of such office space, office
equipment, office personnel, and office services as it, or any affiliated
corporation of Adviser, requires in the performance of services under this
Agreement.
7. Ownership of Software and Related Material. All computer programs,
magnetic tapes, written procedures and similar items developed and used by
Adviser or any affiliate in performance of this Agreement are the property of
Adviser and will not become the property of Penn Series.
8. Certain Personnel. Adviser agrees to permit individuals who are
officers or employees of Adviser to serve (if duly elected or appointed) as
officers, directors, members of any committee of directors, members of any
advisory board, or members of any other committee of Penn Series, without
remuneration or other cost to Penn Series. Adviser shall pay all salaries,
expenses, and fees of officers and/or directors of Penn Series who are
affiliated with Adviser.
9. Reports to Penn Series and Cooperation with Accountants. Adviser,
and any affiliated corporation of Adviser performing services for Penn Series
described in this Agreement, shall furnish to or place at the disposal of Penn
Series, such information, reports, evaluations, analyses and opinions as Penn
Series may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably request or as Adviser
may deem helpful, to reasonably ensure compliance with applicable laws and
regulations or for any other purpose. Adviser and its affiliates shall cooperate
with Penn Series' independent public accountants and take all reasonable action
in the performance of services and obligations under this Agreement to assure
that the information needed by such accountants is made available to them for
the expression of their opinion without any qualification as to the scope of
their examination, including, but not limited to, their opinion included in Penn
Series' annual report under the Act and annual amendment to Penn Series'
registration statement under the Act.
10. Reports to Adviser. Penn Series shall furnish or otherwise make
available to Adviser such prospectuses, financial statements, proxy statements,
reports, and other information relating to the business and affairs of Penn
Series, as Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in
order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
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11. Ownership of Records. All records required to be maintained and
kept current by Penn Series pursuant to the provisions of rules or regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and
that are maintained and kept current by Adviser or any affiliated corporation of
Adviser, or by any sub-adviser or affiliated corporation of a sub-adviser, on
behalf of Penn Series are the property of Penn Series. Such records will be
preserved by Adviser or an affiliated corporation, or by any sub-adviser or
affiliated corporation, for the periods prescribed in Rule 3la-2 under the Act,
where applicable, or in such other applicable rules that may be adopted time
under the Act. Such records may be inspected by representatives of Penn Series
at reasonable times, and, in the event of termination of this Agreement, will be
promptly delivered to Penn Series.
12. Services to Other Clients. Nothing herein contained shall limit the
freedom of Adviser or any affiliated person of Adviser to render investment
supervisory and other services to other investment companies, to act as
investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or
corporations, or to engage in other business activities. It is understood that
Adviser may give advice and take action for its other clients which may differ
from advice given, or the timing or nature of action taken, for a Fund. Adviser
is not obligated to initiate transactions for a Fund in any security which
Adviser, its principals, affiliates or employees may purchase or sell for its or
their own accounts or for other clients.
13. Confidential Relationship. Information furnished by one party to
another, including a party's respective agents and employees, is confidential
and shall not be disclosed to third parties unless required by law. Adviser, on
behalf of itself and its affiliates and representatives, agrees to keep
confidential all records and other information relating to Penn Series, except
after prior notification to and approval in writing by Penn Series, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and may not be withheld where
Adviser or any affiliate may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt
proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by
duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by Penn Series.
14. Proxies. Subject to such direction and oversight by Penn Series as
the Board of Directors of Penn Series shall deem appropriate, Adviser shall vote
proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities held in the
Funds.
15. Instructions, Opinion of Counsel and Signatures. At any time
Adviser may apply to an officer of Penn Series for instructions, and may consult
legal counsel for Penn Series, in respect of any matter arising in connection
with this Agreement, and Adviser shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted by it or an affiliate in good faith in accordance with such instructions
or with the advice or opinion of Penn Series' legal counsel. Adviser and its
affiliates shall be protected in acting upon any instruction, advice, or opinion
provided by Penn Series or its legal counsel and upon any other paper or
document delivered by Penn Series or its legal counsel believed by Adviser to be
genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons and
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shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any officer or
agent of Penn Series, until receipt of written notice thereof from Penn Series.
16. Compliance with Governmental Rules and Regulations. Except as such
responsibility may be placed upon Adviser or any affiliate expressly by, or by
fair implication of, the terms of this Agreement, and except for the accuracy of
information furnished to Penn Series by Adviser or any affiliate, Penn Series
assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents and distribution of
the prospectuses for Penn Series, for complying with all applicable requirements
of the Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Securities Act of 1933, and
any other laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities having
jurisdiction over Penn Series.
17. Limitation of Liability. Neither Adviser nor any of its affiliates,
their officers, directors, employees or agents, or any person performing
executive, administrative, trading, or other functions for Penn Series (at the
direction or request of Adviser), or Adviser or its affiliates in connection
with the discharge of obligations undertaken or reasonably assumed with respect
to this Agreement, shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss suffered by Penn Series in connection with the matters to which
this Agreement relates, except for such error, mistake or loss resulting from
willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or misconduct in the performance of
its, his or her duties on behalf of Penn Series or constituting or resulting
from a failure to comply with any term of this Agreement. Adviser shall not be
responsible for any loss incurred by reason of any act or omission of the
Custodian Transfer Agent, Accounting Services Agent, or other third party with
which Company has a contractual arrangement, or of any broker, dealer,
underwriter or issuer selected by Adviser with reasonable care.
18. Obligations of Penn Series and Adviser. It is expressly agreed that
the obligations of Penn Series and Adviser hereunder shall not be binding upon
any of their directors, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees,
personally. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by
the Board of Directors of Penn Series and signed by an authorized officer of
Penn Series, acting as such, and shall bind Penn Series.
19. Indemnification by Penn Series. Penn Series will indemnify and hold
Adviser harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable
expenses for legal counsel, incurred by Adviser resulting from: (i) any action
or omitting to act by Adviser or any affiliated corporation, with respect to any
service described in this Agreement, upon instructions reasonably believed by
Adviser or any affiliated corporation to have been executed by an individual who
has been identified in writing by Penn Series as a duly authorized officer of
Penn Series; or (ii) any action by Adviser or any affiliated corporation, with
respect to any service described in this Agreement, upon information provided by
Penn Series in form and under policies agreed to by Adviser and Penn Series.
Adviser shall not be entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or
omissions constituting negligence or willful misconduct of Adviser or its
affiliates, agents or contractors, or constituting a failure by Adviser or any
affiliate to comply with any term of this Agreement. Prior to the confession of
any claim against Adviser which may be subject to
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this indemnification, Adviser shall give Penn Series reasonable opportunity to
defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of Adviser.
20. Indemnification by Adviser. Adviser will indemnify and hold
harmless Penn Series from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including
reasonable expenses for legal counsel, incurred by Penn Series resulting from
any claim, demand, action or suit arising out of Adviser's or any affiliate's
failure to comply with any term of this Agreement or which arise out of the
willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or misconduct of Adviser, its
affiliates, their agents or contractors. Penn Series shall not be entitled to
such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions constituting negligence
or willful misconduct of Penn Series or its agents or contractors or
constituting a failure by Penn Series to comply with any term of this Agreement;
provided, that such negligence or misconduct is not attributable to Adviser or
any person that is an affiliate of Adviser or an affiliate of an affiliate of
Adviser. Prior to confessing any claim against it which may be subject to this
indemnification, Penn Series shall give Adviser reasonable opportunity to defend
against said claim in its own name or in the name of Penn Series. For purposes
of this Section 20 and of Section 19 hereof, no broker or dealer shall be deemed
to be acting as agent or contractor of Adviser or any affiliate of Adviser, in
effecting or executing any portfolio transaction for a Fund.
21. Further Assurances. Each party agrees to perform such further acts
and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.
22. Dual Interests. It is understood that some person or persons may
be, or from time to time become, directors, officers, or shareholders of both
Penn Series and Adviser (including its affiliates), and that the existence of
any such dual interest shall not affect the validity hereof or of any
transactions hereunder except as otherwise provided by a specific provision of
applicable law.
23. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the
date first above written, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided,
this Agreement shall remain in effect until two years from date of execution.
Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year with
respect to the Fund, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms
and conditions hereof, so long as such continuation shall be specifically
approved at least annually (a) by either the board of directors of Penn Series,
or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series of
shares of Penn Series representing interests in the Fund and (b) in either event
by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval, of a majority of the directors of Penn Series who are not parties
to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party. Adviser shall furnish
to Penn Series, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be
necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement with respect to the Fund or
any extension, renewal or amendment hereof.
24. Amendment and Assignment of Agreement. This Agreement may not be
amended or assigned without the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the series of shares of Penn Series
representing interests in the affected Fund, and, without
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affecting any claim for damages or other right that Penn Series may have as a
result thereof, this Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in
the event of its assignment.
25. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated by Penn
Series or by Adviser with respect to any Fund, without the payment of any
penalty, upon 60 days' prior notice in writing from Penn Series to Adviser, or
upon 90 days' prior notice in writing from Adviser to Penn Series; provided,
that in the case of termination by Penn Series, such action shall have been
authorized by resolution of a majority of its directors who are not interested
persons of any party to this Agreement, or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the series of shares of Penn Series
representing interests in the Fund.
26. Miscellaneous.
A. Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or
delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect
their construction or effect.
B. Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to
require Penn Series to take any action contrary to its
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws, or any applicable
statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or
by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the board of
directors of Penn Series of its responsibility for and control
of the conduct of the affairs of Penn Series.
C. Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or
provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or
otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be
resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and
to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States
courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any
such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities
and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act.
Specifically, the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities," "interested person," "assignment," and
"affiliated person," as used herein, shall have the meanings
assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition,
where the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any
provision of this Agreement is relaxed by a rule, regulation
or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of
special or of general application, such provision shall be
deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or
order.
D. Notice. Notice under the Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or sent by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, to the addressed party at such address
as such party may designate for the receipt of such notices.
Until further notice, it is agreed that for this purpose the
address of Penn Series is Penn Series Funds, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx
Xxxx, Xxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention:
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President, and that of Adviser is Independence Capital
Management, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx, XX 00000,
Attention: President.
E. State Law. The Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of
Maryland except where such state laws have been preempted by
Federal law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and
year first above written.
PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
By:/s/ Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
----------------------
Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
President
INDEPENDENCE CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
President
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