TRANSFER AGENT SERVICING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the last day written on the signature page by and between NIAGARA INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”) and U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC d/b/a U.S. BANK GLOBAL FUND SERVICES, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“Fund Services”).
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a closed-end non-diversified management investment company; and
WHEREAS, Fund Services is, among other things, in the business of administering transfer and dividend disbursing agent functions for the benefit of its customers; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain Fund Services to provide transfer and dividend disbursing agent services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1.Appointment of Fund Services as Transfer Agent
The Fund hereby appoints Fund Services as transfer agent of the Fund on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and Fund Services hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services and duties set forth in this Agreement. The services and duties of Fund Services shall be confined to those matters expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Fund Services hereunder.
2.Services and Duties of Fund Services
Fund Services shall provide the following transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent services to the funds of the Fund:
A.Receive and process all orders for the purchase and/or repurchase of shares in accordance with applicable rules under the Acts.
B.Process purchase and redemption orders with prompt delivery, where appropriate, of payment and supporting documentation to the shareholder based on the shareholder’s or Fund’s custodian’s instructions, and record the appropriate number of shares being held in the appropriate shareholder account.
C.Pay proceeds upon receipt from the Fund's custodian, where relevant, in accordance with the instructions of shareholders.
D.Process transfers of shares in accordance with the shareholder's instructions, after receipt of appropriate documentation from the shareholder as specified in the Prospectus.
E.Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions declared by the Fund with respect to a Fund, after deducting any amount required to be withheld by any applicable laws, rules and regulations and in accordance with shareholder instructions.
X.Xxxxx as the Fund’s agent in connection with systematic plans including, but not limited to, systematic investment plans, systematic withdrawal plans, and systematic exchange plans.
G.Make changes to shareholder records, including, but not limited to, address changes in plans (e.g., systematic withdrawal, automatic investment, dividend reinvestment).
H.Handle load processing.
I.Record the issuance of shares of the Fund and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), a record of the total number of shares of each fund which are authorized, issued and outstanding.
X.Xxxxxxx ad-hoc reports as necessary at prevailing rates.
K.Mail shareholder reports and Prospectuses to current shareholders.
X.Xxxxxxx and file U.S. Treasury Department Forms 1099 and other appropriate information returns required with respect to dividends and distributions for all shareholders.
M.Provide shareholder account information upon shareholders or Fund requests and prepare and mail confirmations and statements of account to shareholders for all purchases, redemptions and other confirmable transactions as agreed upon with the Fund.
N.Mail and/or shareholders’ certifications under penalties of perjury and pay on a timely basis to the appropriate federal authorities any taxes to be withheld on dividends and distributions paid by the Fund, all as required by applicable federal tax laws and regulations.
O.Provide the total number of shares of the fund(s) sold in each state to enable the Fund to monitor such sales for blue sky purposes; provided that the Fund, not Fund Services, is responsible for ensuring that shares are not sold in violation of any requirement under the securities laws or regulations of any state.
X.Xxxxxx correspondence from shareholders, securities brokers and others relating to Fund Services’ duties hereunder within required time periods established by applicable regulation.
X.Xxxxxxxxx the fund(s) each month for all material losses resulting from “as of” processing errors for which Fund Services is responsible in accordance with the “as of” processing guidelines set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
R.Provide service and support to financial intermediaries including but not limited to trade placements, settlements and corrections.
3.Lost Shareholder Due Diligence Searches and Servicing
The Fund hereby acknowledges that Fund Services has an arrangement with an outside vendor to conduct lost shareholder searches required by Rule 17Ad-17 under the
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Costs associated with such searches will be passed through to the Fund as a miscellaneous expense in accordance with the fee schedule set forth in Exhibit B hereto. If a shareholder remains lost and the shareholder’s account unresolved after completion of the mandatory Rule 17Ad-17 search, the Fund hereby authorizes Fund Services to conduct a more in-depth search in order to locate the lost shareholder before the shareholder’s assets escheat to the applicable state, to enter into agreements with vendors to conduct such additional searches, and to charge the costs of such additional searches to the account of the lost shareholder.
4.Anti-Money Laundering and Red Flag Identity Theft Prevention Programs
The Fund acknowledges that it had an opportunity to review and consider the written procedures provided by Fund Services describing various processes used by Fund Services which are designed to promote the detection and reporting of potential money laundering activity and identity theft by monitoring certain aspects of shareholder activity as well as written procedures for verifying a customer’s identity (collectively, the “Procedures”). Further, the Fund has determined that the Procedures, as part of the Fund’s overall anti-money laundering program and identity theft prevention program responsibilities, are reasonably designed to help: (i) prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities; (ii) prevent identity theft; and (iii) achieve compliance with the applicable provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA Patriot Act of 2001, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, and the implementing regulations thereunder (together “AML Rules”).
Based on this determination, the Fund hereby instructs and directs Fund Services to implement the Procedures, as applicable, on the Fund’s behalf, as such may be amended from time to time. It is contemplated that these Procedures will be amended from time to time by Fund Services and any such amended Procedures will be provided to the Fund. Should the Fund desire that Fund Services perform services not provided for in the Procedures, such additional services and the associated cost must be specifically detailed in the attached fee schedule.
The Fund acknowledges and agrees that although it is directing Fund Services to implement the Procedures on its behalf, Fund Services is implementing the Procedures as a service provider to the Fund and the Fund is and remains ultimately responsible for complying with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations with respect to anti-money laundering, customer identification, identity theft prevention, economic sanctions, and terrorist financing, whether under the AML Rules, or otherwise, such as, the establishment and board adoption of its own formal anti-money laundering program and the designation of its own anti-money laundering officer, as applicable.
The Fund further acknowledges and agrees that certain portions of the Procedures are applicable to certain products, entities, structures, or geographies and, accordingly, certain portions of the Procedures may not be implemented with respect to the Fund. The Fund has had the opportunity to discuss the Procedures with Fund Services, and the Fund understands and agrees which portions of the Procedures may not be implemented on behalf of the Fund. Without limitation of the foregoing, Fund Services shall not be responsible for providing anti-money laundering or customer identification services with respect to certain intermediary or dealer-controlled customer accounts (i.e., level 0 sub-accounts through the Fund/SERV system operated by the National Securities Clearing Corporation) and other fund client relationships where there is a sub-transfer agency or similar arrangement between the Fund and the intermediary.
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The Fund hereby directs, and Fund Services acknowledges, that Fund Services shall (i) permit federal regulators access to such information and records maintained by Fund Services and relating to Fund Services’ implementation of the Procedures, on behalf of the Fund, as they may request, and (ii) permit such federal regulators to inspect Fund Services’ implementation of the Procedures on behalf of the Fund.
5.Compensation
Fund Services shall be compensated for providing the services set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the fee schedule set forth on Exhibit B hereto (as amended from time to time). Fund Services shall also be reimbursed for such miscellaneous expenses set forth in Exhibit B as are reasonably incurred by Fund Services in performing its duties hereunder. The Fund shall pay all such fees and reimbursable expenses within 30 calendar days following receipt of the billing notice, except for any fee or expense subject to a good faith dispute. The Fund shall notify Fund Services in writing within 30 calendar days following receipt of each invoice if the Fund is disputing any amounts in good faith. The Fund shall pay such disputed amounts within 10 calendar days of the day on which the parties agree to the amount to be paid. With the exception of any fee or expense the Fund is disputing in good faith as set forth above, unpaid invoices shall accrue a finance charge of 1½% per month after the due date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, amounts owed by the Fund to Fund Services shall only be paid out of assets and property of the particular Fund involved.
6.Representations and Warranties
A.The Fund hereby represents and warrants to Fund Services, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
(1) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(2) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties;
(3) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement;
(4) A registration statement under the 1940 Act and, if applicable, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, will be made effective prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will remain effective during the term of this Agreement, and appropriate state securities law filings will be made prior to the effective date of this Agreement and will continue to be made
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during the term of this Agreement as necessary to enable the Fund to make a continuous public offering of its shares; and
(5) All records of the Fund provided to Fund Services by the Fund or by a prior service provider of the Fund are accurate and complete and Fund Services is entitled to rely on all such records in the form provided.
B.Fund Services hereby represents and warrants to the Fund, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, that:
(1) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with full power to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(2) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Fund Services in accordance with all requisite action and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Fund Services, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured parties; and
(3) It is conducting its business in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, both state and federal, and has obtained all regulatory approvals necessary to carry on its business as now conducted; there is no statute, rule, regulation, order or judgment binding on it and no provision of its charter, bylaws or any contract binding it or affecting its property which would prohibit its execution or performance of this Agreement.
7. Standard of Care; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability
A.Fund Services shall exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Neither Fund Services nor any of its affiliates or suppliers shall be liable for any error of judgment; mistake of law; fraud or misconduct by the Fund, the adviser or any other service provider to the Fund, or any employee of the foregoing; or for any loss suffered by the Fund, or any third party in connection with Fund Services’ duties under this Agreement, including losses resulting from mechanical breakdowns or the failure of communication or power supplies beyond Fund Services’ reasonable control, except a loss arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than where such compliance would violate applicable law) or from its bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Fund Services has exercised reasonable care in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless Fund Services and its affiliates and suppliers from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that Fund Services or its affiliates and suppliers may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against Fund Services or its affiliates and suppliers by any person arising out of or related to (X) any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in performing the services hereunder (i) in accordance with the foregoing standards, or (ii) in reliance upon any written or oral instruction provided to Fund Services by any duly authorized officer of the Fund, as
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approved by the Board of trustees of the Fund, or (Y) the Data, or any information, service, report, analysis or publication derived therefrom, except for any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement (other than where such compliance would violate applicable law) or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund Services” shall include Fund Services’ directors, officers and employees.
The Fund acknowledges that the Data is intended for use as an aid to institutional investors, registered brokers or professionals of similar sophistication in making informed judgments concerning securities. The Fund accepts responsibility for, and acknowledges it exercises its own independent judgment in, its selection of the Data, its selection of the use or intended use of such, and any results obtained. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver of any rights existing under applicable law for the protection of investors.
Fund Services shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, and liabilities of any and every nature (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that the Fund may sustain or incur or that may be asserted against the Fund by any person arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken by Fund Services as a result of Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or from Fund Services’ bad faith, negligence, or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of Fund Services, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement. As used in this paragraph, the term “Fund” shall include the Fund’s trustees, officers and employees.
In the event of a mechanical breakdown or failure of communication or power supplies beyond its reasonable control, Fund Services shall take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions for any period that such interruption continues. Fund Services will make every reasonable effort to restore any lost or damaged data and correct any errors resulting from such a breakdown at the expense of Fund Services. Fund Services agrees that it shall, at all times, have reasonable business continuity and disaster contingency plans with appropriate parties, making reasonable provision for emergency use of electrical data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available. Representatives of the Fund shall be entitled to inspect Fund Services’ premises and operating capabilities at any time during regular business hours of Fund Services, upon reasonable notice to Fund Services. Moreover, Fund Services shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, copies of reports rendered by independent accountants on the internal controls and procedures of Fund Services relating to the services provided by Fund Services under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the above, Fund Services reserves the right to reprocess and correct administrative errors at its own expense.
In no case shall either party be liable to the other for (i) any special, indirect or consequential damages, loss of profits or goodwill (even if advised of the possibility of such); (ii) any delay by reason of circumstances beyond its control,
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including acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties, fire, mechanical breakdown, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots, or failure beyond its control of transportation or power supply; or (iii) any claim that arose more than one year prior to the institution of suit therefor.
B.In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this section shall apply, it is understood that if in any case the indemnitor may be asked to indemnify or hold the indemnitee harmless, the indemnitor shall be fully and promptly advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and it is further understood that the indemnitee will use all reasonable care to notify the indemnitor promptly concerning any situation that presents or appears likely to present the probability of a claim for indemnification. The indemnitor shall have the option to defend the indemnitee against any claim that may be the subject of this indemnification. In the event that the indemnitor so elects, it will so notify the indemnitee and thereupon the indemnitor shall take over complete defense of the claim, and the indemnitee shall in such situation initiate no further legal or other expenses for which it shall seek indemnification under this section. The indemnitee shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the indemnitor will be asked to indemnify the indemnitee except with the indemnitor’s prior written consent.
C.The indemnity and defense provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall indefinitely survive the termination and/or assignment of this Agreement.
D.If Fund Services is acting in another capacity for the Fund pursuant to a separate agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve Fund Services of any of its obligations in such other capacity.
7.Data Necessary to Perform Services
The Fund or its agent shall furnish to Fund Services the data necessary to perform the services described herein at such times and in such form as mutually agreed upon.
8.Proprietary and Confidential Information
A.Fund Services agrees on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund, all records and other information relative to the Fund and prior, present, or potential shareholders of the Fund (and clients of said shareholders), and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than the performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Fund Services may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the Fund. Records and other information which have become known to the public through no wrongful act of Fund Services or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of Fund Services prior to receipt thereof from the Fund or its agents or service providers, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
Further, Fund Services will adhere to the privacy policies adopted by the Fund pursuant to Title V of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act, as may be modified from time to
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time. In this regard, Fund Services shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, records and information relating to the Fund and its shareholders.
B.The Fund agrees on behalf of itself and its trustees, officers, and employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of Fund Services, all non-public information relative to Fund Services (including, without limitation, the Data and information regarding Fund Services’ pricing, products, services, customers, suppliers, financial statements, processes, know-how, trade secrets, market opportunities, past, present or future research, development or business plans, affairs, operations, systems, computer software in source code and object code form, documentation, techniques, procedures, designs, drawings, specifications, schematics, processes and/or intellectual property), and not to use such information for any purpose other than in connection with the services provided under this Agreement, except (i) after prior notification to and approval in writing by Fund Services, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Fund may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, (ii) when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or (iii) when so requested by the Fund Services. Information which has become known to the public through no wrongful act of the Fund or any of its employees, agents or representatives, and information that was already in the possession of the Fund prior to receipt thereof from Fund Services, shall not be subject to this paragraph.
C.Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Fund shall be permitted to disclose the identity of Fund Services as a service provider, redacted copies of this Agreement, and such other information as may be required in the Fund’s registration or offering documents, or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, rule, or regulation, and (ii) Fund Services shall be permitted to include the name of the Fund in lists of representative clients in due diligence questionnaires, RFP responses, presentations, and other marketing and promotional purposes
9.Records
Fund Services shall keep records relating to the services to be performed hereunder in the form and manner, and for such period, as it may deem advisable and is agreeable to the Fund, but not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of appropriate government authorities, in particular, Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Fund Services agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by Fund Services relating to the services to be performed by Fund Services hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained, and made available in accordance with such applicable sections and rules of the 1940 Act and will be promptly surrendered to the Fund or its designee on and in accordance with its request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Fund Services may retain such copies of such records in such form as may be required to comply with any applicable law, rule, regulation, or order of any governmental, regulatory, or judicial authority of competent jurisdiction.
10.Compliance with Laws
A.The Fund has and retains primary responsibility for all compliance matters relating to the Fund’s funds, including but not limited to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code, the SOX Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and the policies and limitations of the Fund relating to its portfolio investments as set forth in its current prospectus and statement of additional information (or similar disclosure documents) included in
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its registration statement on Form N-2 filed with the SEC. Fund Services’ services hereunder shall not relieve the Fund of its responsibilities for assuring such compliance or the Board of trustee’s oversight responsibility with respect thereto. Further, the Fund agrees that it complies with any and all applicable local, state, federal, and international data protection laws, and confirms necessary and appropriate consents, disclosures and notices are in place to enable collection and processing of personal data by Fund Services. Fund Services’ functions hereunder shall not relieve the Fund of their primary day-to-day responsibility for assuring such compliance.
B.The Fund shall immediately notify Fund Services if the investment strategy of any of the Fund’s funds materially changes or deviates from the investment strategy disclosed in the current prospectus, or if it becomes subject to any new law, rule, regulation, or order of a governmental or judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that materially impacts the operations of the Fund or the services provided under this Agreement.
C.If, and to the extent that, the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, as amended (“GDPR”) or the Cayman Islands Data Protection Law, 2017, as amended (“DPL”), are applicable to Fund Services and the Fund the following provisions shall apply:
a.The parties agree Fund Services is a “Data Processor” under GDPR and DPL, as applicable, in the performance of its services under this the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree Fund Services is a “Data Controller” under GDPR and DPL, as applicable, solely for the purpose of fulfilling its own pre-contractual AML/KYC new fund client onboarding obligations. In either case, the Fund shall ensure that all necessary and appropriate consents, disclosures and notices, including data subject consents, are in place to enable the processing of “Personal Data” (as defined by GDPR and DPL) by Fund Services, the transfer of Personal Data to Fund Services, and the transfer of Personal Data by Fund Services to third countries or regulatory organizations.
b.The parties further agree the Fund is a “Data Controller” under GDPR and DPL, as applicable. The Fund, either alone or jointly with others, determines or controls the content, use, purpose and means of processing the Personal Data.
c.Fund Services shall process the Personal Data: (i) in accordance with instructions of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement and any authorized persons list executed pursuant thereto, for the purpose of discharging Fund Services’ obligations under the Agreement; and (ii) when required by law or regulation, or required or requested by any court or regulator (each a “Processing Order”) to which Fund Services is subject. In the event Fund Services receives a request to process Personal Data pursuant to any Processing Order, it shall, to the extent legally permissible and reasonably practicable under the circumstances, notify the Fund prior to processing.
d.The Fund is solely responsible for developing and implementing its internal policies and procedures with respect to GDPR and DPL.
e.Fund Services shall:
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i.ensure that persons handling Personal Data on its behalf are subject to confidentiality obligations similar to those contained in this Agreement;
ii.implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect Personal Data including against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, damage or destruction;
iii.only appoint sub-processors with the prior written consent of the Fund (standing instructions or general written authorization are sufficient), and only if the sub-processors provide sufficient guarantees in writing to Fund Services that they have implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures in such a manner that processing will comply with GDPR and DPL, as applicable1;
iv.beyond the initial appointment, inform the Fund of any intended material changes concerning the addition or replacement of sub-processors, thereby giving the Fund the opportunity to object;
v.taking into account the nature of the processing, reasonably assist the Fund by appropriate technical and organizational measures, insofar as possible, to enable the Fund to comply with its obligation to respond to requests for exercising a data subject’s rights under GDPR or DPL;
vi.provide reasonable assistance to the Fund in ensuring their compliance with obligations regarding Personal Data breaches, data protection impact assessments and prior consultation subject to the nature of the processing and the information reasonably available to Fund Services, and inform the Fund of Personal Data breaches without undue delay;
vii.at the written direction of the Fund, delete or return all Personal Data to the Fund after the end of the provision of services under the Agreement relating to processing, and delete existing copies of Personal Data unless applicable law or internal data retention or backup procedures require the storage of such Personal Data; and
viii.make available to the Fund all information reasonably necessary to demonstrate compliance with GDPR or DPL, as applicable, and allow for and reasonably cooperate with audits, including inspections, conducted by the Fund or its auditor; and immediately inform the Fund if, in its opinion, the Fund’s instructions regarding this subsection infringes on GDPR or DPL.
f.Each party shall comply with any other applicable law or regulation which implements GDPR and DPL in relation to the Personal Data. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed as preventing either party from taking such other steps as are necessary to comply with GDPR, DPL or any other applicable data protection laws.
1 For the avoidance of doubt, Fund Services’ affiliates and third party software providers will be used as sub-processors under this Agreement, and the Fund hereby authorizes such use.
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11.Term of Agreement; Amendment
A.This Agreement shall become effective as of the last date written on the signature page and will continue in effect for a period of three (3) years. Following the initial term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year terms unless either party provides written notice at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current term that it will not be renewing the Agreement.
B.Subject to Section 16, this Agreement may be terminated by either party (in whole or with respect to one or more funds) upon giving 90 days’ prior written notice to the other party or such shorter notice period as is mutually agreed upon by the parties.
C.Fund Services may terminate this Agreement immediately if the continued service of the Fund would cause Fund Services or any of its affiliates to be in violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation, or order of any governmental, regulatory or judicial authority of competent jurisdiction, or if the Fund commits any act, or becomes involved in any situation or occurrence, tending to bring itself into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, or ridicule, or such that the continued association with the Fund would reflect unfavorably upon Fund Services’ reputation, provided that in such event Fund Services shall, to the extent it is legally permitted and able to do so, provide reasonable assistance to transition the Fund to a successor service provider.
D.This Agreement may be terminated by any party upon the breach of the other party of any material term of this Agreement if such breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of such breach to the breaching party.
E.This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by written agreement executed by Fund Services and the Fund, and authorized or approved by the Fund’s Board of trustees.
13. Early Termination
In the absence of any material breach of this Agreement, should the Fund elect to terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the then current term, the Fund agrees to pay the following fees with respect to each Fund subject to the termination:
a.all monthly fees through the remaining term of the Agreement, including the repayment of any negotiated discounts (provided that no such fees shall be paid following the liquidation of the Fund’s funds);
b.all fees associated with converting services to successor service provider;
c.all fees associated with any record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that may not be eliminated due to the conversion to a successor service provider;
d.all miscellaneous costs associated with a. to c. above.
12.Duties in the Event of Termination
In the event that, in connection with termination, a successor to any of Fund Services’ duties or responsibilities hereunder is designated by the Fund by written notice to Fund Services, Fund Services will promptly, upon such termination and at the expense of the Fund, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records, correspondence and other data established or maintained by Fund Services under this Agreement in a form
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reasonably acceptable to the Fund (if such form differs from the form in which Fund Services has maintained the same, the Fund shall pay any expenses associated with transferring the data to such form), and will cooperate in the transfer of such duties and responsibilities, including provision for assistance from Fund Services’ personnel in the establishment of books, records and other data by such successor. If no such successor is designated, then such books, records and other data shall be returned to the Fund. The Fund shall also pay any fees associated with record retention and/or tax reporting obligations that Fund Services is obligated under applicable law, regulation, or rule to continue following the termination.
15. Assignment
This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent of Fund Services, or by Fund Services without the written consent of the Fund accompanied by the authorization or approval of the Fund’s Board of trustees.
16. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to conflicts of law principles. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Wisconsin, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control, and nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act or any rule or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
17. No Agency Relationship
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party to act as agent for the other party to this Agreement, or to conduct business in the name, or for the account, of the other party to this Agreement.
18. Services Not Exclusive
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict Fund Services from providing services to other parties that are similar or identical to some or all of the services provided hereunder.
19. Invalidity
Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. In such case, the parties shall in good faith modify or substitute such provision consistent with the original intent of the parties.
20. Notices
Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered personally or by courier service, or three days after sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
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return receipt requested, or on the date sent and confirmed received by facsimile transmission to the other party’s address set forth below:
Notice to Fund Services shall be sent to:
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attn: President
Notice to the Fund shall be sent to:
Liquid Strategies, LLC
0000 Xxxxx Xxxx XX, Xxxxx 0000,
Atlanta, GA 30326
20. No Third Party Rights
Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any third party (including, without limitation, shareholders of any fund) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement.
21. Multiple Originals
This Agreement may be executed on two or more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer on one or more counterparts as of the date last written below.
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx_________________
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Trustee
Date: 11/21/2023
U.S. BANCORP FUND SERVICES, LLC
By: /s/Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Sr. Vice President
Date: November 21, 2023
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Exhibit A
(certain fee amounts have been excluded because they are not material and would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed)
As of Processing Policy
Fund Services will reimburse each fund for any Net Material Loss that may exist on the fund’s books and for which Fund Services is responsible, at the end of each calendar month. “Net Material Loss” shall be defined as any remaining loss, after netting losses against any gains, which impacts a fund’s net asset value per share by at least [__] cent. Gains and losses will be reflected on the fund’s daily share sheet, and the fund will be reimbursed for any net material loss on a monthly basis. Fund Services will reset the as of ledger each calendar month so that any losses which do not exceed the materiality threshold of [__] cent will not be carried forward to the next succeeding month. Fund Services will notify the adviser to the fund on the daily share sheet of any losses for which the adviser may be held accountable.
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Exhibit B
Fund Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement Fee Schedule
(certain fee amounts have been excluded because they are not material and would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed)
Transfer Agency/Investor Services Fee Schedule
■$ per year - Base Fee Per CUSIP
■$ per open account - Open Accounts
■$ per closed account - Closed Account
CUSIP Setup
■$ - CUSIP Setup Fee
Chief Compliance Officer Support Fee
■$ per year
Miscellaneous Expenses
All other miscellaneous fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following, will be separately billed as incurred:
brokerage fees, telephone toll-free lines, inbound calls, mailing, sorting and postage, stationery, envelopes, service/data conversion, AML verification services, special reports, record retention, lost shareholder search, disaster recovery charges, Fed wire charges, shareholder/dealer print out (daily confirms, investor statements, tax, checks, and commissions), voice response (VRU) maintenance and development, data communication and implementation charges, return mail processing, travel, FATCA and other compliance mailings.
Additional Services
Additional services not included above shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of the service being added. Available but not included above are the following services- client Web data access, client dedicated line data access, programming charges, physical certificate processing, CUSIP setup and additional services mutually agreed upon.
In addition to the fees described above, additional fees may be charged to the extent that changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations require additional work or expenses related to services provided (e.g., compliance with new liquidity risk management and reporting requirements).
Fees are calculated pro rata and billed monthly.
*Subject to annual CPI increase - All Urban Consumers - U.S. City Average" index, provided that the CPI adjustment will not decrease the base fees (even if the cumulative CPI rate at any point in time is negative).
The monthly fee for an open account shall be charged in the month during which an account is opened through the month in which such account is closed. The monthly fee for a closed account shall be charged in the month following the month during which such account is closed.
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